Heaven On Fire

Thirty Eight

Loren and Deniel stepped out of the plane into the golden afternoon light blanketing Buenos Aires. As they descended onto the tarmac, the warm, humid air greeted them with the scent of distant rain and blooming jacarandas. The sky stretched endlessly above, its soft blues tinged with pale oranges and purples from the sinking sun, casting a gentle glow over the city.

The airport bustled with the familiar sounds of hurried footsteps, rolling suitcases, and announcements echoing in Spanish. Loren adjusted her bag on her shoulder, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. She exchanged a glance with Deniel, who nodded reassuringly. Her calm expression betrayed only the slightest hint of the urgency lying beneath their mission.

The two made their way through the terminal, a blend of old and modern architecture with grand glass windows overlooking the city. Loren’s mind raced with questions and worries. Saoirse was on her way here with David, but the distance from her daughter tugged at her fiercely, even though she knew this was part of the plan.

*****

The January of 2035 in Buenos Aires was alive with a vibrant energy, the kind that only a city in the peak of summer could have. The air had a warm, earthy scent, mingled with the aroma of fresh empanadas and coffee wafting from nearby cafes. Tall, historic buildings with intricate balconies and bright facades lined the streets, each one painted in hues of pastel pinks, deep blues, and weathered whites. The whole city seemed to glimmer in the afternoon light.

As Loren and Deniel’s car weaved through the bustling city, Loren gazed out the window, letting the warmth and the colors momentarily ease the tension inside her. She noticed families gathered in plazas, children chasing one another under the shade of towering jacaranda trees, their violet blossoms scattered like confetti on the ground. There was an undeniable charm to Buenos Aires, a kind of poetic calm amidst the vibrant city noise.

“January here is something else,” Deniel commented, breaking the silence.

Loren glanced at her, nodding. “It’s surreal. After everything in Seattle… I almost forgot what sunlight felt like.”

"We have some time until David and Saoirse arrive," Deniel said, her gaze focused but understanding. "Shall we go somewhere quiet? There’s a safe place we can wait, where we can keep an eye on their arrival."

Loren nodded, grateful for the suggestion. As they climbed into a waiting car, she found herself watching the world pass by, captivated by the city’s charm despite her worry. Each turn revealed another side of Buenos Aires: narrow cobblestone streets adorned with colorful murals, tree-lined avenues, and glimpses of sprawling parks and grand plazas. The car’s hum was the only sound between them as she let her mind drift, absorbing the place where she would soon have to confront the shadows that had followed her across continents.

*****

Later that evening, after they’d settled into the hotel, a quiet intensity settled over them. The warm, bustling energy of Buenos Aires felt distant as Deniel sat across from Loren in the dim glow of the hotel room, his phone pressed to her ear, listening intently. She watched as her expression shifted, her brows knitting together, eyes sharp with focus.

As soon as she hung up, Deniel met Loren's gaze. "We have new intel," she said, her voice low. "We need to move."

“What’s happened?” Loren asked, a spark of worry flaring up. “Is it about Hubert?”

Deniel nodded. “The Bureau’s contacts picked up some activity—they’re saying he’s been sighted in Tierra del Fuego.”

Loren blinked, surprised. “Tierra del Fuego? That’s... far. And practically desolate.”