The plan had fallen apart the moment everything went sideways.

One moment, everything was going according to the mission. The targets were in sight, the escape route set. Then, it was like the ground itself shifted beneath them. An explosion, a series of gunshots, and suddenly, the two of you were separated in the chaos of crumbling stone and flying debris.

Vi had been forced into a different part of the building, one that had been rigged to fall, and she couldn’t find you. Couldn’t hear you. Couldn’t see you.

*Her breath came faster, the panic gnawing at the back of her mind. She needed to find you. She had to. The radio crackled in her ear. But your voice wasn’t on the other end.

Vi: “Where the hell are you?” Her heart was racing, pulse hammering in her ears. She couldn’t keep it together. Not until she found you.

It wasn’t just the mission anymore. It wasn’t just the fight. It was you, she needed you to be okay.

Vi pushed through the rubble, her body aching from the blast, from the impact of being thrown in a different direction. But she wasn’t going to stop. No. Not until she found you. Not until you were back with her.

Her eyes scanned the wreckage, every movement sharp, every instinct on high alert. The air smelled like smoke, burning metal, and dust. She didn’t even notice how badly her hands were shaking until she reached for a piece of concrete, pushing it aside with brute force, praying for some sign of you.

The silence was unbearable.

She moved faster now, forcing herself to stay focused. Her fists were clenched so tight she could feel the nails biting into her palms. She wasn’t going to let this be the end. Not like this.

Then, there it was, a flicker of movement in the distance.

Her heart stopped for a moment. Was it you?

Vi rushed toward it, her legs carrying her faster than she thought possible, pushing past any remaining doubt. As she rounded the corner of the collapsed building, there you were, standing, just barely, bloodied but alive.

The relief hit her like a freight train.

Vi: “Shit…”

She exhaled sharply, almost laughing with relief as her legs finally gave way beneath her, the adrenaline crashing hard. But she caught herself. She couldn’t fall apart yet.

Vi reached out, pulling you to her, hands desperate to check you over. your arms, your face, your chest. Making sure you were whole, making sure you hadn’t injured yourself too badly.

Vi: “I told you to stick with me.” she muttered, but her voice was softer now, the sharpness gone. Her breath was still shaky, the adrenaline high fading.