Operation: Threads of Connection

Come Back to Me

"It's all my fault, I have to go back and get her... she's carrying two babies for God's sake, this is too dangerous for her," Damian began as his eyes began to water. He turned to me, as he grabbed my sleeve with a desperation I hadn't seen before. "Mr. Forger, this is my fault. If it weren't for me, she'd still be here. Please, let me help. I'll do anything."

I placed a firm hand on Damian's shoulder, grounding him as best I could. His panic was palpable, but losing control now would only make things worse.

"Damian, listen to me," I said, my voice steady and commanding. "This isn't your fault. Reed planned this. He knew how to manipulate the situation to his advantage. But we will get Yor back. I promise you."

Damian's shoulders shook as he wiped his eyes, struggling to maintain his composure. Anya, standing just a few steps away, her wide eyes shimmering with unshed tears. She looked between Damian and me, her lips trembling. "You're leaving aren't you?" She asked him. He nodded, as he moved closer to her wrapping her arms around her small figure.

"Please don't leave me," She said, as she cried into his arms. Damian tried his best to calm her, but his decision was final. He was going to go.

"I'm sorry peanut," Damian interrupted, stepping forward. "But I have to go. Your Papa is going to need someone who knows Reed's methods. I need to go and get your Mama."

I stared at him, weighing the risks. He was right—his insight could be invaluable. The familiar rumble of an engine cut through the tension. Franky's beat-up car pulled up to the driveway, with Yuri stepping out of the passenger seat, his usual arrogance replaced with a grim expression.

"What's going on?" Yuri demanded as he approached. "Where's Yor?"

"Reed has her," I said bluntly, watching as his face contorted with rage.

"That bastard," Yuri spat, his fists clenching. "What's the plan?"

I glanced at the group, the weight of their expectant gazes heavy on my shoulders. The clock was ticking, and there was no room for error.

"Franky," I said, turning to him, "do you still have the portable signal jammer?"

Franky nodded. "It's in the car, but it won't last long—maybe a couple of hours tops."

"That's all we need. Yuri, you're with me. We'll follow the tracks and locate Reed's base. Damian, you'll stay with Franky to monitor communications outside the facility. Anya I want you to go to Becky's house, I know the Blackbell's will keep you safe." I said.

"Let's get ready," Franky announced as he grabbed his backpack and began organizing his tools. Yuri followed behind him, muttering how he was going to make Reed pay for taking his sister. For once, I actually agreed with him. I turned around thinking Anya and Damian were following, but instead I saw them standing outside the door as Damian wiped Anya's tears.

"I love you, don't forget," He said. Anya sniffled, her small hands clutching the edges of her dress. "I... I love you too, but—"

"But nothing," Damian interrupted, his voice trembling but firm. "You don't have to say anything else. I just needed you to know, in case..."

"Don't say it!" Anya blurted, stepping closer to him. "Mama will come back, and you're going to come back too. I can't lose anyone else."

Her voice cracked, and Bond whined softly at her feet, sensing her distress. Damian hesitated, then reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I'll always come back to you," he said, his tone softening. "But you have to promise me you'll stay safe. Go to Becky's, like your dad said. Let us handle the rest."

Anya stared at him, her eyes glistening with tears. After a long pause, she nodded reluctantly. "You better come back. Both of you," she whispered, looking between Damian and me.

"I promise," I said firmly, stepping closer to them. "Anya, you're stronger than you realize. You've got to trust me on this."

She wiped her face with the sleeve of her dress, finally stepping back. "Okay, Papa," she whispered, her voice shaky but determined.

"Good girl," I said, placing a reassuring hand on her head before turning back to Damian. "Let's move."

As we walked to the car, I glanced over my shoulder one last time. Anya stood on the porch, clutching Bond's leash, watching us with a mixture of fear and hope. I forced myself to look away, focusing on the task at hand.

Yuri and Franky were already waiting by the vehicle, their faces set with grim determination. Damian climbed into the back seat without a word, his jaw tight as he stared out the window.

I turned to Yuri. "When we find Reed, we can't afford mistakes. His primary leverage is Yor, but if we act fast, we can get to her before he has time to react. Understood?"

Yuri's eyes burned with barely contained fury. "Don't lecture me, Forger. I'll do whatever it takes to bring my sister back."

Franky adjusted the straps on his backpack, his usual nervous energy replaced by rare focus. "I've got the jammer ready. It should disrupt any signals coming from the tracker long enough for us to extract it safely."

"Good," I said, climbing into the driver's seat. "Then let's get moving."

The car roared to life as I steered it down the road, following the faint tire tracks left behind by Reed's vehicle. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on my chest, but I pushed it aside.

Failure wasn't an option. Reed had made this personal, and he would learn the consequences of targeting my family.

Yor was out there, counting on us. And I wasn't going to let her down.