Burris thumbed the edge of the case file, before pressing it against the table and meeting each of our eyes with his dark ones.

"The last mission did not go exactly as planned, and unfortunately, one of our very own agents fell victim to the Serpent Circle's disgusting plan of capturing I.S.A.I.A agents," I can't help but look away in guilt at Burris' mention of Agent Porter.

My fault, my fault, my goddamn fault. My head throbs, as I grit my teeth. Because of me, one of my fellow agents is possibly being tortured, or worse... dead.

"The reason I'm choosing you three to go the Paris," Burris continues, interrupting my thoughts. "Is because you are some of the finest agents I've ever had," Burris turns to Gus and tilts his head to the side. "You, Mr. Smith, are excellent when it comes to strategy and laying out a cunning plan against our enemies. You are also reliable, and follow direct orders."

He then turns to Amber. "Ms. Talle, you are exceptional when it comes to thinking on your feet. You can combat any situation with a level head and quick logic. You, like Mr. Smith here, are also very reliable and follow direct orders.

"However you, Ms. Medley," he finally turns to look at me. "You also make quick decisions on your feet, yet in the process, you disregard direct orders. You are an incredibly experienced combat fighter and intelligent young woman, yet this flaw can be fatal to yourself and your fellow agents... which is why I will be putting Mr. Smith here in charge of the mission."

Gus shoots me an apologetic look, but I ignore it and slam my hand down on Burris' desk, enraged by the decision. "Burris, you're letting your personal feelings get in the way of your decision-making. You and I both know that I do... keep in mind your orders while making my own decisions, but there's a difference between what you're telling me to do and what the actual situation is in that moment. Besides, when was there ever a time where my decision in that moment didn't lead to the desired outcome you already had? It just shows how independent I am as a leader."

"I understand that Ms. Medley, but the last time I left you in charge of a mission, you returned with a bullet in your arm and no case files," Burris growls, folding his hands on his desk. "Also cut the attitude, I don't particularly care for it, neither do your fellow agents."

I glance to my side to see both Gus and Ames staring at their shoes as if wishing to be anywhere but in this room hearing two adults squabble. I lower my head in deference, remembering my place.

"I apologize, but I also ask you that you at least reconsider my capability. I only wish for another chance to prove myself." I say calmly, attempting to shove my anger down.

I have to redeem myself from my last mistake, and save Agent Porter. I can't let myself lock up like that ever again.

Burris' voice draws me back to reality. "Fine, I will consider it Medley, and let you know of my decision the day you leave."

I nod in relief, quickly removing my fist from Burris' desk.

"When do we leave, sir?" Gus asks hesitantly.

I look up to see Burris' eyes still on me, a questionable tint within them. "You leave in three days. The more time that goes by, the more powerful the Serpent's Circle gets... and the chances of us losing our agents forever rises. We must make haste in our attempts to stop them... which is why we will be teaming up with another I.S.A.I.A sector."

"Another sector? Didn't the last time we attempt that it was with the Midnight Star Case? We joined with the Raven Sector, and they ended up having a part in the rise of the Serpent's Circle, after their foolish handling of the situation?" I ask, my brows knitting together.

Burris lets out a weary sigh at the mention of the fated Midnight Star Case. "Unfortunately, you are correct. And funny you mention the Raven Sector, as that is the sector we are going to be working with. They are located in Paris. They are also dealing with disappearing agents, more so than we are, might I add."

"Oh my God!" I laugh hysterically, as Gus and Amber exchange worried looks. "We have to work with those idiots again?! It was catastrophic in the 1950s! Don't you remember the Cold War at all?"

Burris rolls his eyes. "I wouldn't be so quick to judge Ms. Medley. Just as you said before, you wanted a chance to prove your capability as a leader... perhaps the Raven Sector wishes to prove their capability in the I.S.A.I.A."

I internally rage at the truth behind Burris' words. Why should I badmouth France's attempts to prove themselves when I want the same thing?

"Oh fine, I hate how wise you are, you old man." I grit out, momentarily forgetting we have an audience when Ames gasps at my nonchalance with my superior.

Burris levels me with a hard glare at my slip-up. "Anyways, I will give you this now," he hands Gus the case file, and gestures to the door, "and you all may be on your way."

We each give him a clipped nod before making our exit, Gus and Ames eagerly talking about what they want to do in Paris. All I can think of is how the hell we're going to pull this off, especially since I now have the habit of locking up when the barrel of a gun is pointed at me.

I think back to how he must've felt when the gun pointed at him in the accident, my breaths growing more and more shallow.

"You okay Harp?" Amber glances back worriedly, but I wave her off and start to walk in the opposite direction.

"Yeah, I'm going to go home. See you guys in a few days."

...

I squeeze his arm as we walk down the sandy beach together, crystal blue waves lapping against our toes as we step.

"You really are quite the romantic," I giggle, looking up into his brilliant cobalt eyes. I swear I see six bright stars dancing in each of them, as he leans down to brush a kiss onto my lips.

"Well, when I've met the love of my life, how could I not do everything to keep her by my side? She is a true gem after all." he winks, taking my hand from the crook of his arm and drawing it to his heart. "My heart only beats for you-"

Suddenly he gasps, falling to his knees as the beach morphs from gritty sand and crystal water to a pool of blood.

"NO! NOT THIS AGAIN!" I scream, trying to tug him up by his arm.

His eyes fall shut, as he takes in a rattled breath. "How... could you not... save me?"

"Please, you can't die! I won't let you!" I sob, dropping to his side and pressing my hands to his chest as more blood spills from his invisible wound. "Tell me how to stop it... how can I help you?" I rasp, trying to shake him awake, but his head tilts to the side, his final breath already drawn.

"No, no not again," I whisper, pressing my head against his chest.

"WHY CAN'T I EVER SAVE YOU?" I scream, clutching his body to my chest.

Suddenly the flesh in my hands hardens into bones, as all of the red disappears into full darkness.

"You couldn't save me Harper..." a pained voice growls, "how could you ever live with yourself?"

"I...I..." I pant, as a hand grips my lungs and squeezes.

"YOU DON'T DESERVE TO LIVE!" The voice screeches, as the pressure in my lungs unbearable, tightens, making it feel as if there was never any air in my lungs. I suffocate as the hand squeezes and squeezes, muffled sobs cry out in the strain of the background.

I scream in pain, "Please, anyone! Anyone... help me!"

"LIKE HOW YOU HELPED ME?" The voice rages unbearably loud.

"DIE! DIE! DIE!" The voice chants, as my body racks with suffocating sobs. I open my mouth for a final scream-

I scream as my eyes flash open, darting upright in bed, my sweaty hands tangled in white sheets. I draw in a strangled breath, pressing a hand against my chest as I struggle to breathe in as much air as I can.

Suddenly a fit of rage overwhelms me as I launch out of bed and grab the nearest thing, a porcelain lamp, then hurl it at the wall adjacent to me.

"WHY CAN'T YOU LET ME FUCKING SLEEP!" I scream as the porcelain shatters against the wall before my legs give out and I heap into a puddle of sobs onto my floor.

"I'm so so sorry," I rasp, gripping my hands as hard as I can while I think of his face. I press my nails into my skin until I feel blood slowly drip from my wounds. "I should've been there.. I should have been there."

...

After I had finally been able to suppress the sobs that racked my body, I jumped into the shower and scrubbed my skin until it was pale pink, trying to get all of the sweat and terror off my skin. When I emerged, I look down at the broken pieces of my one-cream lamp and let out a strangled sigh.

"I really need to figure out a way to... fix this," I mumble, leaning down to clean up the lamp shards.

When I finish disposing of the lamp, I look at the clock to see the time reads 1 a.m in the morning.

Well, I was going to get up in an hour anyways. I think to myself.

Two days had passed since Burris assigned Gus, Ames, and I to the Paris mission, which meant that today we would fly to France.

I grab the black suitcase off the floor next to my bed and dig out a curling iron, as well as a nice black blazer and tan slacks. Might as well spend the hour making it look like I haven't completely lost it, I think to myself, walking back into the bathroom to shove the plug of the curling iron into an outlet.

When I glance in the mirror, I see deep purple circles underneath my pale umber-green eyes and a dull glint in my eyes.

Dammit, I do look like I've lost it.

I walk back into my room and grab my makeup bag, before rubbing a bunch of concealer on my face, especially under my eyes.

Just cover it up... cover it all up.

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