Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Seven

POV Fiora

I don’t know how I ended up in this situation—trapped in a small bunker with the man who has destroyed my life. But even though I want to hate him, every time I see Brynmor standing at the bunker door, protecting me from the danger outside, something shifts inside me.

He is the reason I’m here, but he’s also the only reason I’m still alive.

Outside, the sound of footsteps and the chatter of the soldiers starts to fade. Brynmor watches through the crack in the door for a few minutes before closing it and activating the automatic locking system.

“They’re gone,” he says, not turning toward me.

I nod, still feeling the tension in the air. Brynmor sits in one of the chairs opposite me, sighing deeply, as if the weight of the world is on his shoulders.

“You need to rest,” he says, finally looking at me for the first time since we entered the bunker.

“I can’t,” I answer honestly. “How can I sleep after everything that’s happened?”

Brynmor doesn’t answer. He just lowers his head, resting his back against the chair. The dim light from the holographic screen reflects on his face, revealing an exhaustion I’ve never seen before.

I turn my gaze away, trying to think of something else, but my mind keeps returning to what’s happened. I remember how he stood in front of me, protecting me from the soldiers who wanted to capture me. Was it all just because of responsibility, or was there another reason?

Several hours pass in silence. I sit on the floor, my back against the cold wall, trying to control my breathing and calm my thoughts. But my curiosity about Brynmor continues to bother me.

“I want to ask you something,” I finally say, breaking the silence.

Brynmor looks up, meeting my gaze with a flat expression. “What?”

“Why do you hate me so much?”

He seems surprised by my question, but his expression quickly turns serious. “I don’t hate you,” he says quietly.

“No?” I chuckle softly, though it doesn’t feel funny at all. “I’m not stupid, Brynmor. I know you had a reason for choosing me, and I’m sure it wasn’t because of genetic compatibility or any feelings. So, why?”

He goes silent, as if searching for the right words.

“Your father,” he says finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “He’s responsible for my mother’s death.”

I freeze. His words cut through me like a knife.

“What?”

“Jacob Starfire,” he continues. “He created a genetic virus that killed thousands of people in the Aegis Colony, including my mother.”

I don’t know what to say. A part of me wants to deny his accusation, but another part knows it might be true. My father was a highly influential scientist, and I know he did many things he never told me about.

“I… I didn’t know,” I say finally, my voice trembling.

“Of course you didn’t,” Brynmor replies, his gaze cold. “You were just a child who never saw what really happened behind the scenes. But I saw it all.”

I want to defend myself, but I know it would be useless. His words are filled with hatred, and I can’t blame him.

“But I’m not my father,” I say softly.

Brynmor looks at me, his expression softening slightly. “I know,” he says finally. “And that makes this harder.”

I can’t sleep. Brynmor’s words keep echoing in my mind, making me feel like a stranger in my own life.

When morning comes, I see that Brynmor is already awake. He’s sitting in front of a holographic screen, inspecting something seriously.

“We need to go,” he says without looking at me.

“Why?” I ask.

“Devlin won’t give up that easily. He’ll keep looking for us.”

I nod, though I don’t know where we’re going. I just know that I have no choice but to follow him.

Our journey takes us to a much more remote area. The small vehicle we’re using crosses rocky terrain, leaving the colony and everything I know behind.

In the middle of the journey, I try to speak with him again.

“I want to know something,” I say.

“What now?” Brynmor answers without looking.

“Why are you protecting me?”

He pauses for a moment before answering. “Because I’m responsible for you.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

I’m not sure if I should believe him. However, the way he speaks makes me feel like there’s more to it.

We arrive at our new hideout just before nightfall. It’s a large cave hidden behind a tall cliff. Brynmor parks the vehicle inside, then checks the area around it to ensure its safety.

“We’ll be safe here for now,” he says.

I just nod.

He sets up some equipment in the cave, including a camouflage system that will hide us from enemy sensors. I sit in one corner of the cave, watching every movement he makes.

“Brynmor,” I call.

He turns.

“I don’t want to be a burden to you,” I say.

He furrows his brow. “What do you mean?”

“I know I’m just a pawn in your plan. I know I have no value in your eyes. But I don’t want to keep depending on you.”

He stays silent, as if my words have confused him.

“You’re not a pawn,” he says finally.

I laugh softly. “Really? Because so far, that’s how you’ve treated me.”

He doesn’t answer.

I take a deep breath. “I just want to understand, Brynmor. I want to know why I’m here. Why you chose me. And why I’m still alive.”

He looks at me, and for the first time, I see something in his eyes—something more than just hatred or responsibility.

“I chose you because I thought it was the right thing to do,” he says quietly.

“Really?” I ask, unable to hide my doubts.

He nods. “At first, I chose you because I wanted revenge. But now…” He stops, as if unsure how to continue.

“What?” I press.

“Now I don’t know anymore,” he answers honestly.

♡♡♡

We talk through the night, more than we ever have before. Brynmor tells me more about his childhood, his mother, and how his family was destroyed by the genetic virus created by my father.

I listen attentively, trying to understand the pain he feels.

“I don’t know how to fix all this,” he says finally.

“Neither do I,” I reply.

For the first time, I feel like there’s a real connection between us. Even though there are still many unresolved issues, I feel like we’re starting to understand each other.

When morning comes, the sounds of footsteps and shouts are heard again from outside the cave. Brynmor jumps up, grabs his weapon, and prepares to face the new threat.

“They’ve found me again,” he mutters.

“What do we do?” I ask, trying to hold back the panic.

“We fight,” he answers briefly.

I know I can’t do much, but I’m determined not to be a burden to him.

“Brynmor,” I call.

He looks at me.

“I want to help you,” I say.

He stares at me for a moment, then nods. “Alright. Follow me.”

For the first time, I feel like I’m not just a pawn.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter