Into Ruin

Chapter 12 Insecurity

Two days later, Yuri and Rorke returned with files and photos for them. They'd gone through facial recognition software and background checks to find the most suitable matches for the team and prepared detailed documents on the roles and relationships they'd have to maintain to blend in.

Olivia, without one of her own, stuck with Gunnar as she suspected he'd need the most help. He hardly even glanced at the documents, just flipped through them and set them down.

"You can't read that fast," she said matter-of-factly.

He glared at her with more intensity than she'd seen from him before.

She kept a firm tone. "Listen, the notes in here are important to maintain your undercover role."

"Yeah, I got that."

He still didn't do more than look at the papers with disdain.

Olivia went over to the master copy to go through it with Yuri. They had tried to find facets of the organization that already were sympathetic to the idea of overthrowing the new authority. Her crew would meet a mostly positive reception. As long as the higher-ups were convinced of their performance, then they could collect all the intel they needed. Only a few people they'd associate with could raise a red flag. Her eyes kept flicking to the immobile Gunnar.

Five minutes went by and she was frustrated. The others all seemed to understand the importance, yet Gunnar would only stare at the floor. She walked over so she wouldn't disturb the others.

"Gunnar, seriously, you've got to-"

He stood up. "I don't need to do anything. I'm always busting my ass, for what, to be goddamned yelled at. I'm out." It only took a few seconds for him to storm out. Of course, he'd left the papers on the ground.

Olivia was floored, as was the rest of the crew looking on with wide eyes. Gunnar never complained. He never acted bigger than the roles he was given and certainly had shown her nothing but respect and at times seemed intimidated of her more than anything. Where was this coming from?

Olivia waited ten minutes and set out to find him. Something really had to be bothering him and their team was only as strong as their weakest member, which until ten minutes ago she would have not suspected was Gunnar. She wanted to send someone else because she had very little success dealing with emotional outbursts, but of everyone on the team, she was the only one he seemed to make an effort to talk to amicably.

A ping echoed in the distance. Another rock flew toward an old road sign. She caught Gunnar sitting on a window ledge of a two-story home, throwing rocks off into the distance.

"I said I was done," Gunnar said with a scowl.

"Won't be that easy. We're working as a team, and we need all our crew working together," she spoke softly. No response. "Now what's bothering you?"

"Nothing," he retorted.

"Bullshit," she came back with just as quickly.

It seemed to take him by surprise. She took her chance.

"I'm coming up there."

He kept throwing stones at a new invisible target, but there weren't any verbal objections. His whole body radiated tension, especially his firm jaw.

She avoided coming too close but brought herself down to his seated level. "Undercover work used to stress me out too. Never sure if you'll be good enough and get found out. Not sure when you get to go back to the people you care about." Generally, she'd have the least trouble with the latter, but it seemed to affect her the most now.