Agent 003

The storm within

The rain pounded down as I stood outside the hospital, my clothes soaking through. All I could think about was how a single man had managed to slip past our defenses and get to Victoria.

"How did one man get past all of you?!" I shouted, my voice cutting through the storm. The men guarding the hospital looked at the ground, clearly aware of how badly they had messed up.

"I asked you a damn question!" I yelled again, my anger boiling over. Their silence only fueled my rage.

"What do we even train you for? You're all useless to me!" I snapped, my eyes burning with anger as I grabbed the gun from Kaiden's waist. He didn't see it coming, but before I could do anything, my father stepped in, quickly holding the gun in my hand.

"Sweetheart, calm down," he said, "This isn't how you solve things. And this isn't you."

I glared at him, breathing hard. "Fine," I spat, "I won't take their worthless lives." I shove the gun into Kaiden's chest, my frustration only growing. "But I want them all gone. I don't need a bunch of useless people around here."

Without waiting for a response, I turned away, leaving them all standing there in the rain.

When I make my way to the floor where Victoria's room is, the doctor steps out and says, "She's asking for you, Ms. Blade,"

I let out a sigh, running my hands through my hair. My chest tightens with fear. How can I face her when I'm the reason she's lying in that hospital bed? What am I supposed to say to her? Is she going to tell me she doesn't want to see me anymore? I wouldn't blame her if she did.

I push those thoughts aside and force myself to enter the room. As I walk in, I notice her eyes are closed, I hesitantly walk closer to her and I reach out and gently hold her hand. The touch stirs her, and she slowly opens her eyes, looking right at me.

My heart feels like it's going to explode when I see those beautiful eyes looking back at me. I kneel beside her, holding her face in my hands, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Victoria..." I start, but the words catch in my throat.

She blinks slowly, her voice weak but clear. "Anastasia..."

"I'm so sorry," I whisper, my voice cracking despite my efforts. "I never wanted to hurt you. I was trying to protect you, but... I failed. I'm really sorry I wish I took that shot not you."

"Don't say that," she whispers, her voice weak. "It wasn't your fault." Her gaze softens even more as she searches my face. "Are you hurt?"

I swallow hard, and my tears start running again, "no I'm fine and y-you shouldn't be worrying about me. You are the one that almost died."

But the floodgates open, and I can't hold it back anymore. "This is all my fault! If I hadn't dragged you into this, if I had been more careful, you wouldn't be lying here. I should have protected you, but I didn't. I failed you, and my own mother almost killed you. You should hate me why are you being nice to me and-"

Victoria's hand squeezes mine, stopping me mid-rant. "Please, stop," she says softly, her voice weak and I can tell she's struggling to breathe. But Her eyes lock onto mine, steady and sure. "Don't do this to yourself, Anastasia. You didn't fail me. It wasn't your fault. And I can never hate you."

I feel a surge of panic. "Baby, what's wrong?" I start to turn, ready to call for a doctor, but she grips my hand tighter. "Wait," she says, her voice weak.

I open my mouth to protest, but she cuts me off. "Promise me," she insists, her tone firm despite her obvious exhaustion. "Promise me you won't think like that again."