Chapter Text
Natalie’s POV
- Chris, are you trying to lie to yourself or to me? Because it’s not the same – I looked at him with doubt. I’m only listening to him because he hasn’t betrayed me yet. I suggest he doesn’t start now. I raised an eyebrow at Chris. The mission advertised itself as simple. I might even believe him if he hadn’t been trying to convince me for nearly 10 minutes that I’m stronger than this cult leader.
- Natalie… I’m not even sure myself which of you is stronger. According to command, you are – Chris stared at me with defeated eyes. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen such dark circles under his eyes.
- Why, who even is this guy? Just a cult leader, Chris, for God’s sake! I’m the stronger one, trust me like you always have. – What is Chris so afraid of? I could wipe out this whole damn base on a bad day.
- Do you want to take them with you? – Chris asked tiredly. Even if he didn’t seem convinced, I could see he didn’t want to argue anymore.
- I guess it’s still better if all five of us go on a little trip to some random Romanian village – I smirked sarcastically. They better pay a lot for this.
Chris just shook his head and muttered something about arranging the helicopter. Only one thing bothers me—why doesn’t he want me to go? He knows exactly what I’m capable of. He’s probably just paranoid. Shaking my head, I step out of his office.
- You leave in three hours! – Chris shouted after me.
I yawned. At least I can get some sleep. I’ll need the energy if it comes to that.
Papa went to find the others. He said if I behave, I’ll get chocolate. The nice hazelnut one. I just don’t understand why I have to stay here. The people here are so strange. Everyone turns away from me and no one wants to play. And when I do something, they start whispering. They should know that’s rude. I’ll tell Papa, he’ll tell them off. Everything is so boring here, no colors, no laughter or fun. Just boring people in white clothes. And their intrusive stares. I feel so bad here… when will you come back for me, Papa? I’m so scared without you.
- I’ll take care of you, angel – Nikolaj whispers to me.
I can’t see him anywhere, yet I feel like he’s right beside me. I wish I could hug him just once. It’s a shame he always hides from me. But one day I’ll find him. Papa always says he can’t wait for that moment. He probably wants Nikolaj to be his friend too. I’ll ask him—poor Papa is so lonely.
I woke up sweating, tears soaking my face. My heart was pounding, the cot creaked under me from the sudden movement. The sun had already set. We’re probably leaving soon. I need to pull myself together. I can’t be weak now. Papa didn’t like the weak.
Marco carefully peeked through the door. He smiled so sweetly when he saw me. He slowly approached me. Ivan and Dimitri appeared in the doorway, just watching with sharp, judging eyes. Marco gently sat beside me and rested his head on my shoulder. My racing heart slowly calmed. My breathing evened out. Dimitri glanced at me expectantly, but I waved him off. I won’t be the weak link. I have to stay strong—for them.
Pathetically, I forced myself up from the bed. Marco moved almost in sync with me. On unsteady legs, I made my way toward the mirror. God, my head hurts. Why do I have to be so weak? Every step feels like my legs are made of lead. Marco’s hands found my waist, trying to help unnoticed. I tried to stabilize myself against the small cabinet.
And in the mirror, I saw myself. The woman staring back at me was almost a stranger. A broken woman, with tired eyes and a sickly face. My stomach turned, the world started spinning around me. The pounding in my head returned. Marco moved closer, but I pushed him away with a light motion. I don’t need help. I can handle it alone.
My stomach churned harder. My vision blurred more. My throat burned. I gripped the wooden cabinet tighter. I won’t be weak. I am not weak. I am the sister—
The vomit burst out of me like an explosion. It splattered across the mirror and the cabinet. I started coughing violently. Marco immediately moved to support me. Dimitri let out a loud sigh and splashed a glass of water into my face. But I could only look at myself—how pathetic I looked.
A hand gently squeezed my shoulder.
- You’re staring at that mirror like it personally caused what happened to you – Dimitri laughed sarcastically behind me.
I tried to put the most realistic smile on my face. Of course, Dimitri knows me. He knows it’s fake, yet he believes this pleasant lie—for me.
- I’m just tired, that’s all. I’m ready for the mission. – I’m not even ready to leave this room, but you don’t need to know that, my dear brothers.
Dimitri’s face twisted—he feels my pain. The parasite cannot live without the host. Marco clung to me worriedly. I slowly wiped my mouth and looked one last time at that filthy, truth-telling mirror.
Ivan sighed impatiently. Dimitri shot him a disapproving look, but I waved them off. My head already hurt enough. It’ll be enough to walk through those long, dark corridors. My whole body hurts so much it can’t even be hidden anymore.
It doesn’t help that Dimitri lifts me and starts carrying me. If we go out to that damn helicopter and the captain sees I’m about to die, I’ll have to stay. But I can’t stay. If they go without me, I won’t know how they are. I won’t be able to help them.
In the end, I lean onto Dimitri’s shoulder. As if I’m asleep. That way, I won’t be the weak link.
When I open my eyes again, I see the lifeless hospital walls once more. Marco’s screams fill the building. He must be very scared. But Papa said he’d protect him. He promised me. Those people must have taken him. I have to get out of here. I have to save Papa.
People in black clothes are running everywhere. If someone looks at me, they start screaming. Why are they doing this? Everyone here is so cruel. I have to find Papa—he would know the answer to everything. He knew the people in white, so he must know the people in black too. Papa knows everyone.
- Ow! – my stomach hurts so much. It must be from that strange thing that mean lady gave me. She smiled so frighteningly. Where are you, Papa? I’m starting to get scared now. You promised you would always protect me… so please, protect me now too. I’m so scared alone… It’s so dark. Everyone is acting so strange. How can they sleep at a time like this? Aren’t they afraid?
But this is just a dream… why would they be afraid?
I wake up with a splitting headache. The helicopter roars around me, people are shouting. Dimitri stands in front of me, ready. His sharp gaze scans the surroundings for danger. He gives orders in a harsh voice. Marco is sleeping on my shoulder. His soft little breathing calms my nerves.
What’s wrong with me lately? Whenever I close my eyes, I end up back there…
Whatever. This isn’t the time to deal with that.
A hand holding a cigarette enters my view. Ivan looks at me like he’s ready to die. He leans closer and whispers into my ear.
- We’re under attack, Sleeping Beauty. – He blows smoke in my face, then grabs his weapon.
He’s way too calm—I hope he didn’t drug himself. Marco growls in response. I cough and shake my head. Intentionally stepping on his foot, I stand up. Dimitri’s eyes flash red in irritation.
The helicopter lets out a creaking sound. Suddenly it compresses like a tin can. Ivan grabs me by the waist and pulls me into his lap. He buries my head into his shoulder, wrapping his arms around me. Marco whimpers in pain. Panic floods my senses. My body almost moves on its own to help him, but Ivan doesn’t let me go.
Tears sting my eyes violently. I want to help them, but I can’t. In desperation, I clutch Ivan’s tactical vest.
- Fuck! – Ivan curses angrily. His breathing becomes rough. I press my face to his neck, trying to calm him somehow. His grip loosens slightly, his head resting against mine. Why did he suddenly get so tired?
I open my eyes cautiously and start examining him in the tight space.
That’s when I see it—a large piece of metal barely protruding from his chest. My breathing quickens. Ivan shakes his head weakly. He’s trying to stay strong, but a wound like that takes time.
When did it hit him? Maybe during the crash…
Ivan shifts me aside, pressing me against the wall. He delivers a powerful strike to the wall opposite us. His spit is almost entirely blood—but the acidic effect still works. The metal slowly starts melting. We’re slowly getting out.
Silently, I rest my head against his chest, careful not to worsen the wound. I start humming softly. Ivan weakly slams his fist into the helicopter wall. Again. And again. Until the wall finally breaks under the combined force of his blows and spit.
The light of the full moon floods the previously closed space. My chest tightens at the sight. His head is soaked in blood. His eyes slowly lose their light. He looks at me with those tired green eyes, but I only shake my head bitterly.
Death is so painful for them… why do they do this to themselves?
Ivan slowly tilts his head back.
Sleep well, my dear brother. I’ll handle the rest.
Carefully, I climb out of the helicopter. We’ve landed in a field. The dense forest around us hides us from civilization. Snow reaches up to my ankles, and the cold northern wind tears at my clothes. The smell of blood fills the air. My stomach turns.
If I can’t even handle a little blood, how am I supposed to protect them?
I shake my head sharply. I have to find Marco and Dimitri. I pull my coat tighter and start searching through the wreckage. They have to be here somewhere.
Crack.
In the silence of the forest, the snapping of a branch echoes. I reach for my knife, turning toward my opponent.
- H-help… sis-sister… – Marco pleads weakly. His body is almost completely torn apart. Half of his face is gone. My heart skips a beat. Oh my dear… who dared do this to you?
Despite the harsh conditions, I’m by his side instantly. Gathering all my strength, I try to heal him. I cough violently, but my power supports him. Marco clings tightly to me.
Why is his body so cold?
- Sis-sister… I’m so-so cold…
In the next moment, he’s slammed against the tree. Rage floods every sense in me.
- Who the fuck are you? – I ask the collapsing corpse in front of me, with dangerously calm menace. I try to hold it back. It rages with me.
Instead of an answer, I hear laughter.
- You know the answer, my child – a familiar female voice echoes from everywhere.
My vision blurs. The world slowly falls apart before me. But the strangest thing… is that I can’t hear his voice at all.
Everything slowly fades to black as I feel my body go limp.