Page 162 of Inside the Sun

My dad gapes at me. Then he leans into my view, and I see that vertical crease between his brows.

He’s very serious when he says, "Of course we’ll be ready, Raggi. Get Summer away from that monster. Nothing is more important! There’s no need to put it off any longer."

His hand rests on my shoulder, supportive, encouraging.

"Your brother’s been through enough. Let’s end this."

As he nods, I meet his eyes. I know Summer’s not the only one who’s suffered. They have too. Ten long months of waiting, worn down by stress over their youngest son, forced to helplessly watch from a distance while I carried out this uncertain mission, inching forward painfully slowly.

I’ve got dozens of missed calls from them, because I just couldn’t give them the updates they were hoping for.

But now it’s almost over. It’s time. I have to get Summer out.

The only problem is… I can’t bring myself to leave Sun behind. Some part of me is still clinging to this desperate hope that I’ve got two weeks left to pull off a fucking miracle. To figure out a strategy that actually works.

But is that even possible without… something extraordinary?

Should a soldier believe in miracles instead of a rock-solid, perfect plan?

Dad leans over me, his hand brushing my cheek.

"Ragnar, I know with your regeneration, a concussion isn’t a big deal, and the rest of your injuries are already almost healed. But please, stay in the hospital for a few more days before going back there. Do it for me, for my peace of mind. That call from the hospital was a nightmare. For a second I thought: all my children… gone. I thought I lost you! So I’m begging you, give yourself a few more days."

I close my eyes again, trying to find the strength to argue. But I can’t. Or maybe I’m not even trying that hard?

The truth is… I’m scared to look Sun in the eye. In a way, it seems more terrifying than NFH militants. Because there’s no simple solution.

Maybe it’s a good thing if I delay going back a little longer?

I need more time to prepare. To face him… and to fail him again?

SUN

When Anzo finally shows up at breakfast after his ‘business’ trip, he doesn’t ask about my health, or offer to provide me any medical help in case something like that happens again.

Seeing him kind of on edge, as if priming for something, I decide to ask him for permission to go back to the dorm and see my dad one more time.

I just know something is coming.

Anzo’s eyes fix on me, and he hesitates for just a moment before nodding.

"All right. I’ll ask Matteo to arrange everything. It’ll do you good to get out of the fortress for a bit. Maybe then you’ll realize how much you’ve got to lose." He gives me a dark smile.

I ignore that. All I know is that I need to see my dad one last time, just to get it over with. Finalize that chapter.

In the next ten days… I need to be ready for whatever shit hits the fan then. And that means closing my ends. Saying my goodbyes.

Anzo hands me a phone; I haven’t held one in ages. I call my dad, and he picks up almost immediately, on the second ring.

I ask if he’d be willing to meet me at the dorm, and without digging into any details, he agrees on the spot.

It happens two days later, in the afternoon.

I return to the dorm with Matteo. He’s already reinstalled the cameras in the room and repeats the same warning he gave me the first time: every word I say is being recorded and watched, and may be punished.

My dad shows up right on time, his slim figure and long braid appearing in the doorway. Just like last time, I jump to my feet and wrap my arms around him, unusually affectionate for someone who’s never been the cuddly type.

"How are you, sweetheart? You haven’t been texting much lately. Your messages are always so short…"

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