"To Save What's Left"

"Alexander's ordering you to stop and head to Oberrad." Finn said, his voice low and calm as he glanced up at Kai, and lowered his phone. "Pretend to be the buyer. Cassian's plan is working."

Kai's jaw tightened, frustration flickering in his eyes. "They know every second we waste, Mina's life is at risk, right?" he muttered, his tone still edged with anger. He threw the car into gear, his hand still gripping the bottle, and he lowered it on the console.

"I think we should head there now, get to the salesman before anything goes wrong," Finn continued, his eyes studying Kai's face, searching for any sign of hesitation. "Force him to talk, like we planned."

Kai's grip on the steering wheel tightened, his knuckles white as he shifted his gaze to the road ahead. The frustration burned in his chest, but he pushed it down. "Tell them we'll handle the salesman, but the agents should meet us here, in Höchst. Tell them to start combing the abandoned buildings," Kai said, his voice steady despite the fire in his eyes.

Without a word, Finn quickly began typing on his phone.

Kai focused on the narrow road, his gaze intense, his thoughts pulling him back to the promise he made—I'll protect you, Mina. The weight of it pressed on him, echoing in the quiet car.

---

Flashback

The fire raged behind them, the house engulfed in flames that cast a harsh orange glow across the scene. Smoke billowed into the sky, the acrid scent sharp and choking. Firefighters shouted commands as water sprayed onto the blaze, their movements urgent against the backdrop of flashing red and blue lights.

Nearby, onlookers gathered in worried clusters, their murmurs blending with the crackling of the fire and the hum of engines. The ground was wet and muddy from the hoses, reflecting the chaotic glow of the flames.

---

Mina's brown hair was tangled, her eyes wide with panic, and tears streaked down her cheeks. She clung to Kai's coat as if it were the only thing holding her together, her body trembling violently. The sobs shook her, raw and uncontrollable, as her face was buried in his chest.

Kai's arms instinctively went around her, pulling her closer, his hands gently running circles along her back in an attempt to calm her. Her fear was palpable, and it struck him deeper than any mission ever could. His heart hammered in his chest, but he kept his voice steady, soothing.

"It's okay, Mina. You're safe now. No one's going to hurt you anymore," he whispered, his tone soft but firm, as if the mere sound of his words could shield her from the world. He could feel her breath hitching against his chest, each sob more ragged than the last.

Mina's hands tightened around his coat, her grip desperate, as if she feared that if she let go, she'd lose him too. "I-I'm scared... Kai..." she choked, the words strangled by her sobs. "He... he beat me... so badly."

Kai's chest tightened at the sound of her broken voice. He lowered his head, pressing his forehead gently against hers, willing her to look up at him. He didn't pull away when she clung to him; instead, he held her tighter, offering whatever stability he could.

"I know... I know it hurts," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "but you're not alone anymore. You won't have to face any of this alone, not again." His fingers brushed through her hair, his touch tender, soothing. "I'm here. I won't let him near you again. I swear it."

Mina's trembling increased as she spoke again, her voice barely audible, cracking under the weight of her trauma. "He... he killed my mother..." The words tore through her like shards of glass, each one causing her more pain than the last.

Kai's eyes tightened in fury, the pain she felt now doubling within him. But he kept his voice calm, trying to anchor her, to bring her back. "Mina, look at me." Gently, he cupped her face, lifting her chin so their eyes met. "I'm here. I won't leave you. I promise you, nothing will hurt you again. Not while I'm here."

Her eyes were wide, terrified, the fear in them so intense that it felt like it could swallow her whole. Her breath was shallow, chest rising and falling erratically, as though she couldn't quite catch her breath. "Kai... I'm... I'm so scared," she whispered, her voice breaking under the weight of everything she'd been through.

"Hey..." Kai's voice softened, a tenderness that was only for her, something he never showed anyone else. His hand slid up her back, feeling the tension in her fragile form. "It's okay to be scared. You've been through hell. But you're strong. You've made it this far, Mina, and I'm not going anywhere. I'll carry you through this. Whatever it takes."

He could feel her arms still trembling around him, and she buried her face into his chest again, muffling her sobs against him. Kai didn't pull away. He let her cling to him, let her take comfort in his presence. His words had no magic to erase her pain, but he knew they were something. Something to hold on to.

"Let it out," he murmured, his voice low. "You're safe with me. Cry, scream, do whatever you need. I'm right here, and I won't let go."

Mina's arms tightened around him instinctively, clutching him as if her life depended on it. Her entire body trembled violently against him, her sobs ragged and desperate. Kai held her like she was fragile, but in the same breath, he strengthened his grip. He wouldn't let her fall.

"I won't fail you," Kai whispered into her hair, his words barely above a breath. "I'm right here, Mina. Always."

---

Present

"Hey!Kai!" Finn's voice was urgent, pulling Kai sharply from his thoughts.

Kai snapped back to the present, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. I lost focus for a second, he thought, looking at Finn, who was still looking down at his phone.

"What?" Kai's tone was sharp, demanding an immediate response.

Finn glanced up, his expression intense, voice now formal and precise. "Alexander's directive: the salesman will be dressed similarly to us—black sunglasses, keeping a low profile. He also instructed us not to provide any critical information if the conversation becomes too engaging or risky."

Kai absorbed the details quickly, his jaw tightening. "Copy," he responded, his eyes narrowing as he refocused on the road ahead, every instinct alert to what was coming next.

As they crossed into Oberrad, the atmosphere shifted. The streets were narrower than Höchst, with buildings towering closer on either side, casting shadows over the pavement. The area felt more crowded, the hum of traffic louder, a stark contrast to the stillness of Höchst. Where Höchst was quieter, more isolated, Oberrad had a certain pulse to it—alive, busy, and full of people going about their day, unaware of the hidden tensions building beneath the surface. It was a place where secrets could easily be kept, but also where danger could slip unnoticed through the cracks.