Sincerely, Marlena

28

Sincerely, Marlena.

The chaos of the raid seemed endless, the air filled with the acrid smell of smoke and the sharp, persistent crackle of gunfire. Despite the throbbing pain in my side, I pushed forward, determined not to let my injury hinder the mission. The team was facing a critical juncture, and every second counted.

I had just managed to secure a temporary stash of supplies when I was met with Alistair and Nolan, who were both visibly agitated.

"Marlena, what the hell are you doing out here?" Alistair's voice was a mix of frustration and concern. "You're injured. You need to get back and let someone else handle this."

Nolan, his face set in a hard line, nodded in agreement. "You're putting yourself at risk, and it's not worth it. We need you to stay safe, not to push yourself further."

I met their gazes, my own frustration boiling over. "I'm fine. I can handle it. We're in the middle of a raid, and I'm not going to sit this one out. If I can help, I will."

Before they could respond, Lucien appeared, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight of my makeshift bandage and the blood staining my clothing. "What did I say about pushing yourself? You're in no shape to be out here."

I tried to brush off his concern. "I'm doing my part. I'm not going to be a liability."

Lucien's face was a storm of anger and frustration. "You're more of a liability if you get yourself killed. Stay put until we can get you proper medical attention."

"I don't need to be coddled," I snapped back, my voice edged with irritation. "I'm here, I'm helping, and I'm not backing down."

The argument was cut short by a sudden burst of activity nearby. The East Ridge forces had intensified their assault, and the situation quickly demanded our full attention.

We regrouped quickly, the tension between Lucien and me palpable as we continued to fight. Every movement was a strain, my injury flaring with every step, but I refused to back down.

In the midst of the chaos, I managed to help coordinate a strategic move that bought us a temporary advantage. The adrenaline and determination pushed me beyond the pain, and I felt a grim satisfaction as we made progress. However, my interactions with Lucien remained charged. His frustration was evident every time our eyes met, but there was a complicated mix of emotions in his gaze—concern, anger, and something else that I couldn't quite decipher.

During a brief lull in the fighting, Lucien approached me again, his expression a mixture of exasperation and something softer. "You've proven your point. You're tough, but you need to take care of yourself."

I was about to retort when another explosion rocked the area, and we were forced back into the fray. Lucien and I were pushed into close proximity, and the unresolved tension between us seemed to intensify. Our arguments earlier had only added to the charged atmosphere, and the heat of battle seemed to magnify everything.

As we fought side by side, the friction between us was undeniable. Every glance, every exchange, was charged with a mix of unresolved anger and an undercurrent of something deeper. The chaos of the raid seemed to amplify our frustrations, making our interactions more heated and raw.

Despite the turmoil, we managed to secure a temporary victory. The immediate threat had been pushed back, but the raid was far from over. As we took a moment to regroup, the tension between Lucien and me remained unresolved, simmering beneath the surface.

In the aftermath of the battle, I knew that our struggle was far from over. The injury was a constant reminder of the dangers we faced, and the tension with Lucien was only a part of the larger conflict. The raid had shown me the depth of our challenges, and as we prepared for the next phase, I was more determined than ever to see it through.