Chapter 41: Stay safe in there

"I'm still waiting for a signal from Johnny. All I know is the convoy has left Crystal City," he said.

I reassured him, "The drones haven't detected any movement around the facility." My eyes were glued to my comlink, continuously scanning the feed from the drones hovering outside.

A thought crossed my mind, and I turned to Pierce. "Don't you think it's fate, us meeting like this? That you were there when my parents died, and now, after all these years, you're here with me?" I paused, a hint of playfulness in my tone, "And how old are you, really? You must be ancient."

Pierce let out a hearty laugh, a sound that momentarily lightened the heavy air. "I'm 52, not as old as you're implying," he replied, with a wink.

I couldn't help but tease him, "I thought you were around 40." His chuckle in response made me smile.