Operation: Threads of Connection

Dreams

Damian's pov:

"You have exactly 24 hours, remember you can not disclose anything to the Forger family. Failure to so so will result in a very serious consequence,"

I nodded as General Reed's men uncuffed my hands, I rubbed my sore wrists, we had been in an agonizing two hour drive far away from the city. It was around midnight already, not a single soul was out on the streets, we were getting closer to the city, however they didn't want to risk someone seeing me exiting their vehicle.

"If you follow this path, you'll reach the city in no time, take this with you," The man said, handing me a black cellphone. "We will text you with directions once your 24 hours are over," He said firmly. I placed the phone in my pocket, as the car door opened. I began to step out, the cold air was like a slap to the face as the winds began to increase.

"Remember, we're watching you." The man said as he closed the car door and sped off into the darkness. I looked around the empty field, the city lights in the distance felt like a distant promise of safety, but there was no comfort in it now. The weight of General Reed's threat hung heavy on my chest, and the cold only made it worse. I shoved my hands into my pockets, feeling the hard edges of the black phone they gave me.

I couldn't shake the feeling that I was trapped, that no matter what I did in these 24 hours, I was already doomed. Failure wasn't an option.I started walking down the dirt path toward the city, each step heavier than the last.

—-

By the time I reached the city, I was basically freezing, my fingers were numb, and I felt my legs about to give out. But I was so close... so close to seeing her...

Turning the block I recognized the small apartment I had walked by hundreds of times. I could see a faint light glowing from behind the curtains, and my heart skipped a beat. This was it. I was about to step into dangerous territory, but I didn't have a choice. I wasn't here to hurt anyone, especially not her. But if General Reed's men were watching, I couldn't risk giving anything away.

My breath fogged in the cold air as I stood still for a moment, staring at the apartment window. I pulled out the black phone from my pocket as I began dialing Anya's number. Within a few rings she picked up.

"I don't want to talk right now Becky, I'll call you later-" She began, I could feel my heart pounding as I listened to her voice. it's been so long, yet she's about to hang up!

"Wait!" I said in desperation, she didn't say anything, at one point I thought she had hung up, suddenly I heard small sniffles coming from her end. Was she crying?

"Anya? Are you still there?" I asked worriedly. I wanted nothing more than to see her... She was so close, yet so far.

"I'm her-e" she sniffled out, my heart shattered hearing her delicate voice. Suddenly I see a big white body move towards the window, I recognized him immediately it was Bond. He was looking at me with a funny expression, his eyes widened as his ears perked up. His paws were against the window, almost indicating for me to look in that direction. I noticed some veins hanging on the wall, was this my way in? I couldn't help but chuckle at how creative her dog could be.

"Why are you laughing?!" she screamed on the other end. I had gotten ahead of myself and didn't realize I haven't told her I was here.

"Because Bond is making a funny expression," I said jokingly, "I'm right outside, Anya,"

Within seconds I saw a pink blur dart across the room as Anya ran to the window. Her wide, teary eyes locked onto mine through the glass, and for a moment, neither of us moved. I could see her lips part in shock, her small hands pressing against the window as if trying to make sure I was really there.

"D-Damian?" she whispered, her voice cracking. I nodded, giving her a small smile even though I was struggling to keep it together.

"Can we talk, Peanut?" Anya nodded her head, not even wanting to wait another minute I began climbing her veins up to the window. Her eyes widened as she started whispering harshly, I didn't even care about the risk, I had to see her now.

"You could have gotten hurt!" she cried out, her cheeks puffed up in anger. I couldn't help but smile at how beautiful she looked. She had a baby blue penguin crop top and shorts, she accompanied her pjs with a white fluffy cardigan. I couldn't help but wrap my arms around her, she felt so warm, so right in my arms.

"Where-e did you go?" she cried out as she grabbed onto my coat. As Anya sobbed into my chest, I wrapped my arms around her tighter, trying to ignore the cold seeping into my bones. Her small frame shook with each cry, and the guilt hit me hard—harder than anything General Reed or his men could have ever done. I shouldn't have left her like that. I knew it then, and I knew it even more now as I felt her tears soak through my coat.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible as I rested my chin on top of her head. She was so warm, and it made me realize just how long I'd been cold—how long I'd been away from anything that felt like home. And right now, Anya felt like home.

She pulled away slightly, looking up at me with red-rimmed eyes.

"Where did you go, Damian? You... you look so different." Her voice trembled, and I could see the worry etched into every part of her face.

I didn't want to lie to her. But I couldn't tell her the truth either—not with the threat of General Reed and his men hanging over my head. "I'll tell you later, can you look at me?" Anya untangled herself from me and turned her face upward to look at me. Anya if you can read my thoughts nod your head...

I waited a couple seconds, but she did nothing. I had figured she lost her abilities a while ago, there was no way I could have kept my thoughts to myself while I was around her. She never said anything when we were together, just to be safe I decided to test it out. Looks like I had to find another way to tell her the truth. Suddenly, I felt a small hand land on my cheek. Anya began rubbing small circles around my bruised cheek, I couldn't help but lean further in, wanting more of her soft touch.

She must have noticed how tired I was, I didn't want to tell her anything, but I was beyond exhausted. Slowly she grabbed onto my hand, leading me towards her bed. Each step I took felt heavy like a huge weight was on top of me. Just sitting down on her soft mattress felt like heaven, I would have to sleep on very uncomfortable beds in the military. I needed to tell her everything, but how?

"Damian... you should rest," she said softly as she stood up taking my jacket off. I shook my head no, not having the energy to protest. I only had 24 hours with her, I couldn't waste it on sleeping! There's so much I have to say...

Anya's green eyes widened as she pressed her hand against my chest pushing me down onto the mattress. Once my head hit the soft cushion, I know I was done for..

"Please, Damian, you need to rest. Whatever happened, we can talk about it later. Right now, I just want you to feel safe,"

I wanted to protest, to tell her I didn't have time to rest—that I had to figure out my next move before General Reed's 24-hour deadline came crashing down on me. But the warmth of her room, the softness of her hand in mine, and the sheer exhaustion I felt made it impossible to argue.

She sat beside me as I lay down, pulling the blankets over me like she was taking care of a wounded animal. Bond curled up at the foot of the bed, keeping watch, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself relax—just for a moment.

As I closed my eyes, I felt Anya's hand gently brush my hair. "I'm here," she whispered softly. "I'm not going anywhere."

I held onto her hand, making sure this was real, but just in case it wasn't I had to tell her.

"I love you," my world went black a few seconds later, as I drifted off into a peaceful slumber.