KALEIDOSCOPE ━ WADE WILSON

CHAPTER ELEVEN

PLAYLIST;
i. tension - børns
ii. edge of seventeen - stevie nicks
iii. sisters are doin' it for themselves - eurythmics ft. aretha franklin
iv. trust - the cure
v. under pressure - queen & david bowie
vi. danger zone - kenny loggins

–

Ainoa laid in Wade's bed, her injured leg propped up on pillows, frustration etched across her face. The pain was manageable now, but the forced inaction was driving her crazy. She could hear Lucia's rapid typing from the next room, punctuated by occasional muttered curses.

"How's it going over there?" Ainoa called out, hoping to break the tension that had been building between them.

Lucia appeared in the doorway, her face a mix of excitement and apprehension. "I think I found something good."

Ainoa raised an eyebrow. "Yeah? What kind of something?"

Lucia hesitated, then moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "I've been digging into Project Phoenix, trying to find any leads we might have missed. And I think I found someone who can help us."

Ainoa's interest was piqued, but she could sense there was more to it. "Okay, that sounds promising. Who is it?"

Lucia bit her lip, a telltale sign she was about to say something Ainoa wouldn't like. "Well, that's the thing. I don't exactly know who he is. He goes by 'Grave' online."

Ainoa's eyes narrowed. "Lucia..."

"Before you say anything," Lucia rushed on, "hear me out. This guy knows things, Ainoa. Things about Project Phoenix that aren't public knowledge. He mentioned details about the cryogenic process that match what we saw with Santiago."

Ainoa felt a chill run down her spine. "And how do you know this isn't a trap? How do you know he doesn't work with Juan and the cartel?"

Lucia's face set in determination. "I've been careful, Ainoa. I've vetted him as much as I can. And... I've set up a meeting with him. Later."

"What?!" Ainoa bolted upright, wincing as the movement jostled her injured leg. "Lucia, ¿estás loca? You can't meet with some stranger who claims to have insider information on a cartel project!"

"¡No soy una niña, Ainoa!" Lucia shot back, her eyes flashing. "I know what I'm doing. This could be our chance to get ahead of Juan's plans, to save Santiago!"

"Or it could be walking right into a trap!" Ainoa countered, her voice rising. "Dios mío, Lucia, think about what you're doing!"

Just then, Wade appeared in the doorway, a bag of tacos in one hand and a confused expression on his face. "Whoa, what's with all the spanish flying around? Did I miss a memo or something?

Both sisters turned to glare at him, but Wade seemed unfazed. "Look, I don't know what's going on, but whatever it is, it can't be solved by yelling at each other. Why don't we all take a deep breath and talk about this like adults? Or, you know, like semi-functional human beings at least."

Lucia's shoulders slumped. "I made contact with someone who claims to have information about Project Phoenix. I've set up a meeting for tonight."

Wade's eyebrows shot up. "Well, that escalated quickly. And let me guess, big sis here isn't too thrilled about it?"

Ainoa snorted. "That's putting it mildly. Lucia, por favor, reconsider this. It's too dangerous."

"I'm not backing out, Ainoa," Lucia said firmly. "This might be our only chance to get the information we need."

The tension in the room was palpable. Wade looked between the two sisters, a thoughtful frown on his face.

Finally, Lucia stood up. "Fine. If you won't support me in this, then I'll go alone."

"Lucia, no—" Ainoa started, but her sister was already storming out of the room. As they heard the front door slam, Ainoa covered her face and let out a frustrated groan. "¡Mierda!"

Wade moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "Well, that was more dramatic than a telenovela. You two always like this?"

Ainoa sighed, looking up at him. "No, not usually. We've always been close. But ever since we started this mission, things have been tense."

Wade nodded, his expression serious. "She's scared. You both are. Fear makes people do crazy shit. Trust me, I'm practically an expert on crazy."

Ainoa managed a weak smile at that. "I just... I can't lose her too, Wade. If something happens to Lucia..."

"Hey," Wade said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Nothing's going to happen to her. You know why?"

Ainoa raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Wade grinned. "Because I'm going with her."