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CHAPTER XXIV. The Garden State
The news of Nick Fury's death spread through SHIELD like wildfire, igniting hushed conversations and nervous glances throughout the halls. Elina felt a knot tighten in her chest as she made her way through the building. The once lively atmosphere had turned somber, the weight of the loss pressing down on everyone like a dark cloud. Fury's assassination wasn't just a blow to SHIELD; it felt personal, like a deep wound that would take a long time to heal.
When Elina reached her locker, she spotted Xavier and a group of agents huddled together, their voices low but urgent. She could feel the weight of their stares on her back as she opened her locker, trying to shut out the murmurs of speculation. Every word felt like a needle, pricking at her already frayed nerves. She busied herself with putting on her boots and braiding her hair, the routine motions offering little comfort. When she slammed her locker shut, it caught Xavier's attention. He said something to the group before walking over to her, concern etched across his face.
"It's all anyone's talking about," Elina muttered, her voice flat, devoid of the warmth it usually carried.
Xavier glanced back at the group, who continued their whispered conversation. "It's just... unexpected, El. Nobody saw it coming."
Elina's lips tightened into a thin line. "Of course they didn't. That's the problem."
Frustration bubbled to the surface as she pushed past Xavier, storming out of the locker room. He was quick to follow, his voice tinged with concern. "Hey, is something else bothering you?"
She stopped, her shoulders tense as she turned to face him, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and exhaustion. "What do you think, Xavier? I got maybe three hours of sleep last night, our director is dead, and all people can do is gossip about it like it's some office drama."
Xavier crossed his arms, trying to keep his tone calm. "I get it, everyone's on edge. But it's not just gossip, Elina. People are scared."
Elina scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Most of these people barely knew him. They just want something to talk about."
He studied her for a moment, his gaze softening. "There's more to this, isn't there? I know you, Elina. You're not usually this cold. What's really going on?"
Before she could answer, Xavier's attention shifted behind her, his expression changing from concern to something more guarded. Elina turned to see a young woman with short, straight brown hair approaching them. There was something familiar about her, but Elina couldn't quite place it.
