♥ Chapter 20♥
Axel Knight.
'' Yenki, the picture of the supposed leader. '' I asked, and he promptly displayed the image on his monitor.
My eyes widened as I recognized the familiar face.
Dad? It can't be.
'' Axel? Is everything all right? '' Yenki asked, worried.
''Everything.'' I replied, struggling to contain my tumultuous emotions. ''We need to act, let's break into that place, save the girls and eliminate all of them.
'' Right. '' He agreed, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. ''I'll get the guys together.
It couldn't be. He was dead, and that bastard was dead!
With determined steps, I headed for the office, locking the door and dialing Elara's number. I needed to hear her voice. I needed her now more than ever.
'' Axel? What's up? I saw your note.
I smiled gratefully, she always managed to calm my inner torments.
''I'm a bit restless, I have to travel. I don't know when I'll be back.
I lowered my gaze, feeling the weight of responsibility.
'' Where are you going?
I let out a heavy sigh.
''A mission.
A tense silence hung between us.
''I want to see you before I leave, is that all right?
Another sigh escaped my lips.
'' Yes.
'' I'm on my way.
She hung up, leaving me surprised by the determination in her voice.
What? Coming here? To this place?
I left the office and went downstairs, finding the staff gathered around.
'' You're all aware of what happened yesterday. I want you all to be ready to go. Yenki, call Tiano and tell him to meet us at the airport.
'' Right, Axel.
'' Everyone, get ready, we're leaving soon. The sooner, the better.
'' Yes, boss! '' The response came in unison.
I pulled Yenki by the arm as soon as the meeting was over.
'' What's going on? What's all the hurry?
He looked at me, surprised.
''Elara's coming here. Damn it. '' He snorted.
''Hmm, is she joining us?
'' I'd love to kill you right now. '' He rolled his eyes.
''That's got to be it, why would she come here out of the blue?
Because she wants to see me, damn it!
He gave me a look of understanding, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
''It's because of you, isn't it?'' I sighed deeply.
''Just shut up. I'm going outside, I don't want anyone interfering.
'' You got it, boss. '' I rolled my eyes and left the shed, ready for the imminent meeting.
I soon spotted her car approaching, and she got out, walking towards me. Her embrace was a welcome refuge from the whirlwind of emotions.
''You're coming back, aren't you?'' Her voice trembled with anxiety.
''Maybe.'' My answer was filled with uncertainty as we stared at each other intensely.
We stood there, in each other's arms, in silence, while the weight of saying goodbye hung in the air.
'' I love you, Axel! '' She declared, the sincerity in her words echoing in my chest.
Her confession hit me like a punch in the gut. But...
I ended up looking away, unable to face the truth.
"I shouldn't love." My voice came out in a whisper full of anguish.
'' Why? Tell me why?" she demanded, her eyes desperately searching for an answer.
''Because I'm someone broken, Elara! '' My cry was an outpouring of all my pain and torment.
'' And so am I! But that doesn't stop me from loving you, Axel,'' she retorted firmly.
I looked at her, lost in internal conflict.
'' It can't. I can't, Elara. '' She held my face tenderly.
''You can't what, Axel? I've loved you forever. I'm broken too, Axel, very much so. But you're the one who makes me feel good.
I couldn't articulate a response. She let out a resigned sigh.
''When you get back, tell me your answer. Whether you love me or not. '' I just nodded. ''Good luck on the mission.
She walked away and got back into her car. Tears threatened to fall, but I held back. I watched her go and sighed, turning to go into the shed, where I found Yenki.
'' I'm sorry to say this, Axel. But you're an idiot.
I knew that. And that only made it harder.
I sighed deeply, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders. The truth was that I had no simple answers to her questions. I couldn't simply ignore the ghosts of the past that haunted me or deny the darkness that consumed me inside.
Yenki watched me with an expression that mixed understanding and concern. He knew that, behind the façade of indifference, I was fighting my own demons.
'' I know. '' My reply was a whisper, more to myself than to him.
I entered the shed, leaving the weight of the conversation with Elara echoing in my mind. I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me and little time to resolve my own internal conflicts.
As I prepared for the impending mission, one thing was clear: no matter what happened, I had to find a way to deal with my own demons before I could truly repay Elara's love.
The fate of the kidnapped girls depended on me, and I couldn't afford to lose myself in my own doubts and fears. It was time to act, to put everything on the line, and to hope that, in the end, light would prevail over darkness.
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