She Was Just A Child (PART 2)

CHAPTER 20: CRACKS IN THE ARMOR

Dian stared at the mirror in her room, her reflection fractured into dozens of jagged fragments by the cracks in the glass. She could see herself in those splintered pieces, each one showing a different part of her—her eyes wide with emotion, her lips pressed into a thin line, her shoulders hunched as if carrying an invisible weight. It was as if the mirror itself was reflecting the turmoil inside her, the cracks mirroring the growing fissures in her mind.

She had barely slept since sending that last message to Rustam. Every second felt stretched, each one dragging on as she waited for something—anything—to happen. His silence was suffocating, and she could feel it pressing down on her, making it harder to breathe. Yet, she still held onto that thin thread of hope that he would reply, that he would acknowledge her, that he would see her.

A knock on her door snapped her out of her reverie. She turned away from the mirror, her face hardening as she regained her composure. The door creaked open, and Hutch's familiar face peeked in, his brow furrowed with concern.

"Dian, you okay?" he asked cautiously, stepping inside. His eyes darted to the cracked mirror, then back to her.

She shrugged, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest. "Yeah, fine. Why?"

Hutch didn't look convinced. "Just... you've been off lately. More than usual, I mean. Konig's worried about you."

Dian clenched her jaw at the mention of Konig. Her 'Papa' had always been there, always trying to protect her, to shield her from the chaos that raged within. But lately, even his presence felt suffocating. Everyone was walking on eggshells around her, and she could sense their unease, their fear.

"I'm fine," she repeated, more forcefully this time, trying to push back the anger simmering just beneath the surface.

"Look, we've got a briefing in twenty. I'll see you there, okay?" Hutch said, his voice gentle but firm. He hesitated, as if he wanted to say more, but then nodded and left, closing the door quietly behind him.

As soon as he was gone, Dian's shoulders sagged. She glanced back at the cracked mirror, the image of her fractured self staring back. For a moment, she felt something break inside her—a small crack that sent a ripple through her core.

***

The briefing room was buzzing with anticipation when Dian arrived. The team was gathered around a large table, a holographic map of a cityscape projected in the center. Konig stood at the head, his imposing figure commanding attention as he spoke.

"We've received intel on a potential threat in the city. A group we've been tracking for months is planning something big, and we need to move fast."

Dian slipped into her seat, her eyes fixed on the map but her mind elsewhere. She could feel Konig's gaze on her, but she avoided looking at him, focusing instead on the details of the mission.

"We'll be splitting into two teams," Konig continued. "One to gather intel on the ground and the other to provide support and extraction if needed. Hutch, you'll lead the first team. Dian, I want you on overwatch."

Dian's head snapped up at that. Overwatch meant she would be separate from the main action, providing cover and support from a distance. It was the safest position, one that kept her out of direct conflict. It was also the position they put her in when they didn't trust her to keep it together.

"No," she said sharply, the word cutting through the room like a knife. "I want to be in the field."

Konig's eyes narrowed, his jaw tightening. "Dian, it's not up for debate."

"I can handle it," she insisted, her voice rising. "You know I can."

There was a tense silence as the team exchanged uneasy glances. Konig held her gaze, his expression a mix of concern and frustration.