Are you Real?

The Contact

As you both stand in the dimly lit alleyway, the weight of Natasha's words hangs heavy in the air, almost surreal. "We need to let the team know," you say, your voice filled with a sense of urgency. Natasha sighs, her back pressed against the cold brick wall, frustration etched on her face. "I know," she replies, her tone laced with weariness.

Guilt tugs at your heart as you witness the toll this has taken on her. Though you understand that her frustration isn't directed at you, you can't help but feel responsible for the added stress. "Natty," you murmur, your voice barely audible. Her features soften as she turns her attention to you. "I have an idea," you continue, your voice wavering slightly.

"What is it?" she asks, her voice barely a whisper.

Taking a deep breath, you gather your courage. "I'm too weak to go on," you confess, and Natasha's eyes widen in disbelief. "What are you saying?" she asks, concern evident in her tone.

You avert your gaze, unable to meet her eyes. "You need to reach your contact," you explain, your voice tinged with sadness. "But with me by your side, you won't be able to make it. I'll only slow you down." Your gaze drifts to the lifeless widows scattered on the ground, a stark reminder of the danger surrounding you.

Natasha's eyes widen with a mix of disbelief and horror. "No, absolutely not," she declares, her voice filled with unwavering determination. "I'm not leaving you."

Reaching out, you gently take hold of her hand, your grip feeble yet filled with unwavering conviction. "Natty, listen to me," you implore, your voice a blend of sadness and resolve. "We both know that I won't be able to make it much further if I go with you. But you can. You need to reach your contact, gather the team, and come back for me. It's the only way we both have a chance of getting out of this alive."

Tears well up in her eyes as the gravity of the situation dawns on her. Her voice trembles as she whispers, "I can't lose you."

Squeezing her hand reassuringly, you speak with gentle determination. "You won't lose me," you assure her softly. "This is our best chance at survival. I believe in you, Natalia. You're strong, and capable. But you need to go now."

Natasha's gaze flickers between you and the lifeless widows, emotions warring within her, "No." Tears stream down her cheeks, mingling with the grime of the alley. Her hand tightens around yours, a lifeline in the midst of chaos. "No," she repeats, more firmly this time, cupping your cheeks. "I've got you."

As her words wash over you, a surge of emotion fills your chest, mingling with the deep-seated fear and uncertainty that has gripped you since the mission gone wrong.

With a trembling smile, you nod, a newfound determination coursing through your veins. "Okay," you whisper, your voice barely audible above the din of the alleyway

As Natasha rummages through the widow's belongings, her movements are swift and determined. Each item she retrieves is examined with meticulous care, her brow furrowing in concentration as she assesses its potential usefulness. Yet, despite her efforts, her search yields nothing of value.

"Fuck," she mutters, her frustration evident in the tight line of her lips.

With a heavy sigh, Natasha turns her attention back to you, her arm wrapping around you in a supportive embrace. Your weight leans heavily against her, your steps slow and labored as you navigate the uneven terrain of the alleyway.

The darkness of the alleyway seems to stretch on endlessly, punctuated only by the occasional flicker of distant streetlights casting long shadows across the ground. Minutes turned into hours, as the sun began to rise. Each step forward feels like an eternity, the sound of your footsteps echoing off the walls of the surrounding buildings, a stark reminder of the danger lurking in the darkness.