Dawn Is Coming

Chapter 13

Akira

"Dad?" I whisper, peaking my head inside General Flynn's office.

Step one: get the keycard to access the Terminal.

He's sitting at his large oak desk, signing papers on his tablet. His beloved shades are off, safely stowed away in their case on his desk. He glances up, black bags hanging beneath tired, steel eyes. What I hope is a comforting smile curves my lips as I meet his gaze, knowing that he goes soft when he's worn out. And when he's soft, he's just an overworked dad who loves his daughter. He gives me a tired smile, setting his electronic pen down and leaning back in his chair.

"Akira." He murmurs, gesturing for me to come closer. Standing before his desk, I gaze down at him, at the strong man who raised me. Despite all the pain he caused me, he brought me to greatness. "What brings you here?"

"I ran out of ammo. For my sniper." I explain, doing my best to keep my eyes trained on him instead of letting them wander across his desk. He's incredibly perceptive.

"Yes, of course. Give me a moment." A rough grunt escapes his mouth as he rises from his chair, stretching while entering his personal storage room.

And my time starts... now.

The moment he disappears behind the black walls of his office, I shift my vision, inspecting his desk, behind it, his storage cabinets. My feet make no sound as I glide across the wooden floor with practiced ease. My hand reaches inside my pocket, pulling out my flashlight for extra brightness in addition to the warm light his antique desk light provides. Shining it around, I'm just about to give up in fear of being caught when I catch a glimpse of something shiny inside his shoe.

Of course he'd hide one of his most important possessions in a shoe.

I bend down and pick it up, stuffing it in my pocket. Just as General Flynn steps into the room, I've returned to my position before his desk. He hands me a sleek metal box, the familiar weight resting in my hands as I accept it and give him a quick kiss on his cheek in gratitude.

Advertising false weakness is the key for softer opponents.

His words echo in my head as I wave, exiting his office and closing the door behind me. Step one – success.

. . .

I stand outside his door, my eyes fixed on the peephole.

What would he think? What would he say? Would he even say anything?

...Would he care?

Shaking my head, I push these thoughts out of my mind. Hesitation gets you killed. My hand rises from my pocket, clenching into a stressed fist as I rap it against the door, hearing my heart pound in my ears. My face is flushed despite the pleasant breeze kissing my red cheeks, blowing through my long hair and bicolour bangs. Inhale, exhale. The words hang on the tip of my tongue, trembling in fear as footsteps approach the door. My heart jumps into my throat as he opens the door, concern and confusion filling his eyes.

"Akira?" Grant asks, his voice soft. It's like he can sense something is off. He has no idea just how off it's about to get. From the time I saved him a year ago to when he saved me just yesterday, everything might fall apart from the three words that I've been marinating in my mouth and my heart ever since his blue eyes have looked at me with nothing but kindness. I take a deep breath, my eyes locked onto those beautiful, deep blue depths. This might be the last time I see him, so he might as well know.

I might as well tell him.

"I love you," The words fly out of my mouth. As if attacked by them, his eyes widen and he takes a step back. I've never seen him more shocked.

My heart pounds harder. The moment his lips part to speak, I'm already off – my feet carrying me faster than they ever have before, fuelled by adrenaline. Now I might never have a chance to know if he would've said 'I love you too', but the chances of that are next to zero, and I don't think my wounded heart can handle another rejection. I take a sharp turn right, running and running until I arrive behind the building in front of which Lyndin I will be meeting up. Catching my breath, I shoot a glance over my shoulder, as if having expected that he'd run after me.

How silly of me.

I trudge around the building, feeling a small flicker of relief at the sight of Lyndin looking around, her eyes squinted and lips pursed in concern as she searches for me. After noticing me, she throws her arms around me, spinning me around.

"You're finally here! I was so worried. But so excited, too!" She squeals, crushing me with her strong arms. I laugh, patting her head. "I thought General Flynn had caught you or something."

"Come on, have faith in me. I can be sneaky," I say with a smile.

"I can't believe it - I'm finally leaving Ruinexus." Lyndin breathes, her face resembling that of a prisoner who's just had their chains unshackled. "Why did you want to do this again?"

I turn away, my eyes lowering to the shiny zipper on her jacket. She doesn't need to know yet, and I'm praying that she will never have to.

"The bombing; It's clearly not safe here." I explain, my eyes meeting hers once again. Lyndin nods, and I feel guilty for how much trust she's putting into my lie.

But this is for her own sake, too.

Her face lights up with a smile once she notices the necklace I'm wearing around my neck, the very one she had bestowed upon me. Although her clothes and jewellery all cost more, they were stolen. This necklace, though plastic and much cheaper, she bought herself.

My most precious gift – I couldn't bear to leave this behind, since I might not be coming back.

Lyndin swings her arm around my shoulders, having to lean to the side in order to reach properly. Comforted by her touch, I lean into the embrace, wrapping my own arm around her waist. Arm in arm we set off on what might be our last adventure, a matter of life or death.

But at least we'll be together.