In The Company of Your Shadows || Phillip Graves x OFC

2 - Escapism

As the weeks wore on after Graves' death, the emptiness seemed to linger like a heavy fog, refusing to dissipate. I was left grappling with the stark reality of his absence, a void that no amount of time could ever fill. We couldn't even give him a proper burial as he perished in that tank. Instead, we laid an empty casket to rest, a symbol of our loss and our inability to find closure.

As Oz and Shepherd had predicted, the scrutiny of the FBI only added to the weight of our burden, their suspicions casting a pall over our already grief-stricken hearts. We shielded the truth, burying it alongside Graves, our loyalty to him outweighing any allegiance to the law. It was a dangerous game we played, dancing on the razor's edge between justice and deception. But in the cutthroat world of mercenaries and shadowy dealings, sometimes the line between right and wrong blurred into obscurity.

But even as we maintained our facade of normalcy, a nagging doubt gnawed at the edges of my consciousness. How had we managed to evade scrutiny so easily? The answer was clear: connections. In the murky world of mercenaries and clandestine operations, having friends in high places was the ultimate trump card, a shield against consequences and accountability.

Lost in my thoughts, I found myself seeking solace in the quiet refuge of the break room, the comforting aroma of coffee swirling around me. I was lost in my thoughts when Leen's presence shattered the silence, her concern a beacon of light in the darkness.

"Hey, Sel," she greeted me softly, her voice a welcome balm to my troubled soul. She never failed to check in on me, a testament to her unwavering friendship, "How are you doing today ?"

I managed a small smile in response, though it felt brittle and strained. "I'm fine... I guess," I murmured, the words tasting bitter on my tongue, a feeble attempt to mask the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. As much as I valued her friendship, there were some secrets I couldn't bear to share, not even with her.

For in the clandestine world we inhabited, where loyalties were tested and alliances forged in blood, some truths were better left unsaid. And as the higher-ups maneuvered behind closed doors to safeguard Shadow Company's interests, I couldn't help but wonder how far we would go to protect our legacy.

Sensing through my facade of false composure, Leen swiftly confiscated my half-drunk coffee, gently setting it aside before tugging at my hand, leading me out of the break room and into the bustling hallway beyond. Her determination was palpable, her eyes alight with a mischievous sparkle as she unfolded her impromptu plan.

"That's it," the bob brown haired woman declared with an infectious excitement, "we're having a girls' day out. We're going to hit the town, dance, drink, and have the time of our lives!"

Despite my initial resistance, I couldn't help but succumb to Leen's contagious enthusiasm. With a soft chuckle and a resigned shake of my head, I allowed her to guide me towards her waiting car parked outside the base. The prospect of a night out, a brief respite from the weight of grief and responsibility, was an enticing one indeed.

"Alright, you win," I relented with a weary sigh, sinking into the passenger seat as Leen revved the engine to life. "I could definitely use a drink... or several."

As we drove to the nearby club, I took a moment to let down my long black hair, a feeble attempt to shed the weight of my burdens, if only for a night. Leen worked her charm on the bouncer, flashing him a playful grin as she sweet-talked our way past the velvet rope and into the pulsating heart of the club.

Making a beeline for the bar, we wasted no time in ordering our drinks, the amber liquid promising temporary respite from the ache in my soul. I raised the glass to my lips, savoring the burn as the whiskey warmed my insides.