"Fury In The Quiet"

The road through Höchst narrowed slightly, bordered by modest buildings with faded facades. The streets were quieter here, with only the occasional car passing by. It was the kind of place that felt secluded, far from the chaos of central Frankfurt—perfect for laying low or hiding out.

"I think we should stop here first. I'll call the operatives to gather and search for intel," Kai said, his voice calm but laced with urgency. His hands tightened on the steering wheel as he scanned the quiet street.

"Sure, but I need some water," Finn replied casually, leaning his arm out the window, his posture relaxed despite the situation.

Kai pulled into a small parking lot near a convenience store. He turned off the engine and glanced at Finn. "Hey, get me water too."

Finn opened the door with a shrug. "Alright." He stepped out, his figure disappearing toward the store.

Kai sighed, leaning back in his seat. His sharp demeanor softened as he pulled out his phone. He dialed Hannah, bringing the phone to his ear as his gaze lingered on the quiet street ahead.

The line rang once before her voice came through, soft and familiar. "Lovey?"

Kai's tense shoulders relaxed at the sound. "Lovey," he said, his tone low and warm, "are you okay? Me and Finn are in Höchst right now."

There was a small pause, followed by a faint smile in her voice. "I'm with Julia. We've positioned agents around Niedwald Forest. Don't worry about us—we're safe. I was more worried about you."

Kai chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You're worried about me? Hannah, I'm the one who should be worried. You're out there while I'm... stuck in this car."

Hannah laughed quietly, though there was a faint edge of concern. "You always think I'm fragile. I can handle myself, you know."

"You're not fragile," Kai said, his voice dropping to a gentler tone. "You're the strongest person I know. But it's because I love you so much that I can't stop worrying. Every second you're out there, it feels like my heart's walking a tightrope."

Hannah was quiet for a moment before her voice came, softer now. "I love you too, Kai. I always will. Just... promise me you'll be careful, okay? I don't want to lose you."

Kai's lips curved into a faint smile. "You'll never lose me, Hannah. Not in this life, not in any other. I'll always come back to you, no matter what it takes."

There was a soft breath from the other side, and then her voice, filled with emotion. "You always know how to make me cry. I love you, Kai."

"I love you more," Kai whispered, his voice steady but thick with feeling. "You're my heart, Hannah. Everything I do is for you. Just... stay safe. If there's a shootout or anything unexpected, promise me you'll let the agents handle it. I couldn't stand losing you."

"I promise," she said, her voice laced with warmth. "But you have to promise me the same."

"I promise. I'll end the call now—Finn's coming back. But... I love you, Hannah. More than words will ever be able to say."

"And I love you, Kai. Always."

Kai reluctantly ended the call, lowering the phone and staring out the window. A familiar warmth filled his chest, grounding him in the middle of the storm they were about to face.

.

Finn returned, the car door swinging open as he slid inside, holding two bottles of water. His eyes were sharp with urgency. "Sorry, brother. Took longer than I thought. Got a call from Alexander," he said quickly, handing one of the bottles over to Kai.

Kai took it without a word, unscrewing the cap and taking a measured sip. His gaze remained fixed on Finn, waiting for him to elaborate.

"Alexander's ordering you to drop it," Finn continued, his voice tight. "That's exactly what he said on the phone."

Kai's grip on the bottle tightened, his jaw setting in a hard line. He met Finn's eyes, his voice low but firm. "Tell him to stay out of it. I'm doing this for Mina, not for him, not for any fucking mission."

Finn took a swig of his own water, nodding in understanding, but his gaze didn't stray from the screen of his phone. "Got it."

Kai's eyes flickered to the road ahead, his grip tightening on the bottle, his mind drifting. Mina's face swam before him—her laugh, her voice, everything that made her hers. The pain of failing her once cut deep, but the fire in his chest burned hotter now, determined, relentless.

I promised you, Mina. I won't fail you again, not again.

he thought, his chest tightening as he recalled her bright, carefree giggles, as clear as if she were sitting right there beside him.

Finn's voice cut through the haze of his thoughts. "He's with Cassian. Kai," Finn said, his tone even, but his eyes scanning the screen with unease.

Kai's eyes closed for a moment—deep blue and full of worry—but when he opened them, they burned with a familiar fury. His entire demeanor shifted, his jaw tightening again.

"No," Kai said, voice steely and resolute. "Tell him I'm not backing down. Object to the order. We're not stopping until we have Mina back."

Finn didn't hesitate. He nodded, his fingers flying over the phone's keys as he lowered the water bottle. "Okay."

Kai exhaled sharply, the sound a mix of frustration and determination. "If they push us back to headquarters, tell Cassian to cancel his plan. He's risking Mina's life." His gaze never wavered from the road ahead, though the calm exterior of the surroundings contrasted sharply with the fury that churned inside him.

Finn glanced at him briefly, sensing the weight of Kai's words, before nodding silently. "Okay."

Kai's jaw tightened as his fingers gripped the water bottle, his thoughts still ablaze with anger. "Order the agents to move out. Have them meet us here. We'll start scanning every abandoned building. No stone unturned." He capped the bottle with a sharp twist, lowering it as his eyes, dark with resolve, flicked back to the road. The fire within him was unrelenting.

"Got it."