Page 36 of Eternal

I raised an eyebrow, picking up on the shift in her tone. “Why not?”

She didn’t answer right away. Her gaze drifted out toward the city, then she sighed. “When you lose everything, there’s nothing left to care about. Not even yourself. Smiling doesn’t change anything. I can smile, but it won’t make me a better person, or in a better mood. So why bother?”

It was the first time she’d said anything like that. Her voice was so matter of fact, but there was something raw underneath it, something she was trying not to show. I knew better than to push too hard, but I didn’t let it slide.

“I get that,” I said, my voice low. “Makes it easier to keep people at a distance.”

She glanced at me then, and I could almost see the calculation in her eyes, as if deciding whether or not to say more. She didn’t.

“You’re not wrong,” she said after a beat, sounding almost resigned.

I let the silence sit there between us for a moment. Then I casually nudged her with my elbow. “So... if you don’t care about anything, what do you do when you’re not working?”

She looked at me, eyes narrowing again, but this time, there was no hostility in it, curiosity, maybe even a hint of amusement. “Why do you care?”

I shrugged. “I’m making conversation.”

She leaned back, her gaze still on me, but it was different now. Less guarded. “I don’t know… I train, listen to some music and watch movies.”

She was opening up a little, but it was enough to make me wonder about her more, about why she was like this.

“And you still do what you do,” I said, after a beat.

Her eyes softened slightly, and for a split second, I caught a glimpse of her past in a way. She quickly masked it again, but it was there.

“Of course. I don’t know how to stop feeling rage,” she said, voice quieter this time. “Guess that’s the problem.”

I didn’t reply immediately. Instead, I watched her, letting the quiet settle over us again. She didn’t say much, but I could tell she wasn’t as closed off as she tried to make herself seem.

After a moment, I leaned forward slightly. “Well, if you ever need to get away from all this... you call me, and I’ll train and watch movies with you”

She met my eyes then, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Yeah? You’d keep me company?”

I was caught off guard by how easy she made it sound; how casual she was about something that felt a little more... personal than it probably should.

I nodded, still holding her gaze. “Yeah. I’d be fine with that.”

She tilted her head, clearly trying to figure me out. Then, as if deciding it wasn’t a big deal, she looked back at the city. “I would appreciate it.”

I froze for a second, and then I laughed, mostly to cover up the strange feeling creeping up on me. “I didn’t think you’d say that."

She smirked, but it was different this time. A little softer, almost... warmer. “Stop being surprised.”

I think I’ve been misled by her reputation. I expected someone cold, distant. But she’s not that at all. Her warmth isn’t intimidating; it’s the kind that softens you, gently, without you even realizing.

There’s something in the way she carries herself, like she’s waiting quietly, unconsciously for someone to show her tenderness. But deep down, she doesn’t believe she deserves it.

I wish I knew her name. I wish I knew her whole story. Maybe then, it’d be easier to sit beside her and not feel like I’m trespassing. “One day I’ll call you by your real name.”

She smiled and tossed her garbage into the bag, stretching quickly as she stood. I did the same thing, then stood up to follow her, noticing the smile that curved at my lips.

Why? I wasn’t sure. But I knew it wasn’t supposed to feel like this.

I grabbed her waist, pulling her back toward me.

Funny, how adorable she looks when her stomach is full.

She met my gaze as I stood over her, and for a brief second, she raised her chin, her eyes killing me. My fingers moved before I even thought about it, lightly brushing over the scar on her skin. “I’ll take you home now. You need rest. You did well today.”

She half-opened her mouth, her gaze softening before snapping back to guard. “I need to get my stuff back from the HQ, my bag and my bike too.”

“I’ll bring you everything tonight. Katarina’s waiting for you at your apartment. You’ll rest. End of story.”

She sighed but didn’t protest, she looked tired. “Fine.”

I followed her as she headed for the bike. She was already putting on her helmet when I caught up.

“Don’t try to take your hands off my waist this time,” I said, “I don’t like it.”

I really don’t. Why? I don’t know.

Her eyes widened, but she quickly settled in behind me. The ride back was smoother, quieter. She wasn’t as tense anymore. Maybe it was the routine starting to sink in, or maybe she was learning how to handle me.

When I dropped her off at her street, I watched her slowly get off the bike, removing her helmet and fixing her hair. Before she could walk off, I grabbed her waist and pulled her back toward me.

We were nearly eye-to-eye like this.

“Thank you for not letting me bleed out,” she said, her voice a little more strained this time.

I glanced down at her injury before meeting her gaze. “Take care of it. My number’s already in your phone. Show me how it’s healing.”

Her body stiffened under my touch, but she didn’t pull away. “Do you have something to say?” she asked, intrigued.

Without wasting time, I pulled her shirt up slightly, making sure the injury wasn’t exposed.

“Okay, it’s fine,” I muttered. My fingers grazed over it lightly, checking it for any signs of trouble. The touch was calm, but my mind was anything but.

Her face twisted with disbelief. “You’re insane.”

“I know,” I replied, “We’re partners, after all.”

I watched her walk away and take some time to analyze the mess I’m in right now. She moved with the kind of confidence I didn’t expect from someone so broken. But that’s what made her interesting.

I fought the urge to step closer, to follow her. To make sure she didn’t slip away. But I stayed where I was, rooted to the ground by something darker, something colder than anything I cared to acknowledge. I could almost hear her heartbeat, pounding in my ears.

I’m the one supposed to stop this pulse.

She reached her door, glancing back at me quickly.

I should’ve turned and left, should’ve put the thought of her out of my head. But I couldn’t, not yet. The obsession was crawling under my skin, and I hated it, how she had me second-guessing the kill.

But I knew what I had to do. I always knew. She wasn’t the first person I’d had to eliminate, and she probably wouldn’t be the last.

That’s the sad reality.

Since when do I think it’s even sad? What the fuck is happening with me these days?

The door clicked shut behind her, and that was it.

She was safe for now, but not for long.

I wasn’t here to save her, to protect her, or to fix whatever broken parts of her life she was clinging to. I was here to end it.

I’d give her one last chance, one final moment to make a choice, but she wouldn’t make it. I knew that.

Because that’s what I did. I didn’t let people slip away, I didn’t let them run, I always finished what I started.

Even if I have to stop my partner. After all, I’m only a killing machine.

I hope I’m not lying to myself. I never had weaknesses. She can never be mine.