Masked

XXII.

Once again, I apologize for my long absence. I can't promise I'll go back to uploading regularly but I'm trying my best. 

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My heart had stopped beating as soon as I saw a glimpse of her familiar brown hair. That brown hair tied in a ponytail that I wouldn't miss, even in the biggest crowd. It really was Lara.

Before I knew what happened, my feet started to move, carrying me to her faster than I thought I could move after this straining day. The expression on her face literally screamed disbelief as she started to approach me as well before both of us met for a bone-crushing hug seconds later. Her familiar scent immediately filled my nostrils. She smelled like the rainforest, mixed with a little bit of sweat and mud, but to me, it was the loveliest scent on the world.

I sighed in relief, trying to stop the tears of joy that wanted to form in my eyes.

"Oh god Isa, you're alive...", I heard Lara whisper next to my ear as she deepened the embrace.

"Of course I am alive, why wouldn't I be?"

The brunette let go of me, and I could see that she was fighting tears as well.

"Trinity. They said... "

Lara was at loss for words.

"Trinity say a lot of things", I breathed out, and as soon as I finished speaking, I found myself in a tight embrace once again. It was the most calming thing I experienced over the last few days, even if the circumstances we were in said otherwise.

"Why are you here?", the brunette then asked, still that unbelieving tone in her voice. We both let go of the hug to stare at each other.

"First of all, you look like you've seen a ghost", I said with a slight smile, feeling breathless, "And second of all, I am here because I wanted to help you with all of this. And... because I have nowhere else to go. Trinity... They- they burned down our manor... And I- "

This time, I was the one who was at loss for words. The situation was still too horrible for me to speak about, even if everyone got out of it unharmed.

"I know... Commander Rourke told me."

I froze.

"Commander Rourke? That asshole arranged that whole mission!", I then hissed.

"I swear if I see him I will- "

"No you will not", Lara interrupted me this time.

"I'm so glad you're safe and alive... But what about your parents?"

"They're okay... Dad has established his emergency quarters at a friend of his while my mom is in Ireland, visiting her sister until all of this is over."

"That's good to hear..."

Lara slowly pulled me into a hug for a third time before I heard someone clearing their throat. It was Jonah, who tried having our attention.

"And who is that guy?", he asked, pointing to the stairs leading up to Abby's house. The stairs, Lopez was coming down now. I had told him to stay put while I went to ask Abby if there was any sign of Lara and Jonah.

I tensed up, while he came towards us to join the conversation.

"Uhm. Well, this is Álvaro Lopez. He was a part of Trinity, but... he is not anymore since he knows how crazy Dominguez really is, and he travelled here together with me, and... You know what, I'll let him tell the whole story", I stammered before I saw Lara's gaze. I knew she wouldn't like this...

"Are you out of your mind? You came here with a member of Trinity? Do you know how dangerous this man is? And you trust him?", she hissed, voice full of hatred. One of her hands twitched to her rifle.