Chapter 80

I struggled to ignore the towering shadow that loomed over me, its weight heavy with an ominous presence. The more I attempted to push it from my mind, the more it seemed to press down on me.

I had already tried everything possible! I thought that maybe if I kept myself busy, the dreadful feeling in my chest would begin to dissipate. So, I cleaned the house, washed the dishes that had accumulated throughout the day, made my bed, and even tidied up Steve's. I washed the bedding that Connor had used on the couch and even attempted to dive back into that spy novel I had started.

When none of those activities provided any relief, I was desperate enough to try honing my aim in Call of Duty. But the sounds of gunfire and explosions in the game only served as a stark reminder of what Xavier and Steve had gone out to do. I couldn't deny the obvious: they had left with an abundance of gear and weapons, and I would have been a fool to think it was anything but serious.

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