The heavy door let out a quiet scraping sound as Cobra closed it behind me.

  I took a moment to let my eyes adjust to the low light of the interior. The atmosphere was much more subdued than the last time I entered.

  The first person I saw was Myra slumped in one of the center chairs, caressing a bottle as she stared blankly at the unpowered hologram in front of her.

  Gordon was tinkering on something at the workbench with Ellen watching over his shoulder.

  I didn’t see the two Rabbit-folk sisters though. They were probably in their little mess of server racks, going over whatever data the team had uncovered.

  Myra didn’t look up as I stepped forward, likely too drunk to notice, judging by the dark circles and blood tinged eyes.

  “Hey, Myra.” I greeted. I wasn’t sure what to feel after seeing her like this. A bit of anger at being left behind still lingered, but I knew that, given the circumstances, it wasn’t really justified.

  She’d made the best call she could. Going back for a body would only risk the safety of the rest of the team.

  I didn’t like it, but I understood.

  It wasn’t like I’d known her long, but it seemed she had taken my supposed ‘death’ pretty hard.

  Her gaze drifted over to me and she let out a scoff before mumbling something under her breath.

  “Guess I’m seeing ghosts now. Should probably stop drinking.” Her gaze drifted back to the bottle in hand as her eyes narrowed into a glare.

  “Not a ghost, thankfully.” I huffed, a grimace crossing my lips as my nose picked up the heavy scent of her drink. “I survived, somehow. Now I’m back.”

  She blinked up at me for a moment before her eyes went wide.

  “Nyxia? You’re alive!” She stumbled to her feet and wrapped her arms around me, pulling me close.

  I winced a bit at the contact, but didn’t pull away.

  Gordon and Ellen glanced over at Myra’s outburst, their faces lighting up with surprise and shock once they saw me.

  “How the fuck are you still among the living, Cupcake?!” Gordon strode forward as Myra pulled away, planting a light punch into my arm to make sure I was real. “Damn, you really are here.”

  “How did you survive?” Ellen cut in, crossing her arms over her chest as she leaned on the back of Myra’s chair. “You flat-lined after the fall.”

  I wasn’t planning on telling about my nanites, or how they brought me back. It was too much of a risk, even if they’d been friendly so far. So I came up with a simple lie instead.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Not sure.” I shrugged, faking a look of confusion across my face. “I just woke up at the bottom of that elevator shaft completely fine. I didn’t even realize how much time had passed. I only found out when Cobra told me a few moments ago outside.”

  “There is the possibility of the security systems spoofing your vital signs.” Cobra supplied from behind me, tilting his head again. “But it doesn’t explain how you managed to heal from your wounds. Do you have any insights you could share?”

  I shook my head slowly, doing my best to make it seem believable.

  “None, sorry. There was a corrupted rift down there though. Larger than any I’ve seen before. Maybe that had something to do with it?”

  “Eh… possibly?” Gordon hummed, scratching his head. “But I can’t say I’ve ever heard of someone coming back to life after encountering one.”

  “The Agency.” Ellen cut in again, looking at me with suspicion. “The only time I’ve ever seen something similar was when I was working with the syndicate. My boss at the time drew the Agency’s ire and an attack squad was sent to wipe them out. They wouldn’t die, even when hit with heavy ordinance. They just regrew themselves from what was left. Some faster than others.”

  She paused, gauging my reaction. “Are you an agent or something?”

  I was careful not to let my surprise show on my face as I thought of ways I could deflect. She’d hit too close to home with her guess.

  I could bring up my amnesia. The hospital records would be easy to verify, and I wouldn’t have to mention the nanites… but denying it was simpler.

  “Not that I know of.”

  I’d answered truthfully, but I could tell she knew I was hiding something.

  They could dig if they wanted, maybe they’d find something that would shed some light on my situation.

  Come to think of it, she’d been the first one to notice my suspicion of them during the trip there. I should keep an eye on her, make sure I’m prepared if she tries anything.

  “Come on now, Ellen.” Gordon gave her an exasperated look. “Why do you gotta be suspicious all the time. Let’s just be thankful our little friend somehow made it out alive.”

  “I’m never suspicious without good reason, Gordon.” Ellen sighed, looking away. “But… I suppose I could let it go. For now.”

  “Great!” the small goblin clapped a hand on her shoulder. “Now that that’s settled, let’s celebrate a successful mission!” Gordon was about to go grab something from a fridge sitting in the corner, but I reached out a hand to stop him.

  “Sorry, but I can’t stay, I have to get back to my sister.” I looked over to Myra. “I assume you already knew about her, given the fact that you were scouting me. Did you tell her anything yet?”

  Myra shook her head. “No. Probably a good thing I was putting it off though. Better for her to think you’re missing rather than coming back from the dead.”

  My chest tightened at the reminder of how long I’d been out of contact.

  “…Yeah, I guess so.”

  “Anyways, we can go over your share of what she found some other time. Go to your sister.” Myra grasped my shoulders in a firm grip. “And… I’m glad you’re alive. Thinking you’d died… well, it brought back a lot of bad memories.”

  I wasn’t really sure how to respond to her being genuine, so I just nodded briefly before quickly making my way outside to give Valerie a call.

  I didn’t miss Ellen’s careful eyes watching me as I left, but I’d put this off long enough.

  ———

  She picked up on the first ring.

  “Nyxia!? Is that you? Are you okay?” My sister’s voice was filled with relief and worry.

  “Yes it’s me, Val. I’m so sorry I didn’t call sooner. But I was stuck in a… well, it’s probably best not to mention it over phone, er, shard, but I should be home in less than an hour.”

  I could hear her sagging as the stress that must have been building this whole time eased out of her.

  “I tried calling, but… I was so worried.” Her voice was quiet, less than a whisper.

  Guilt twisted in my gut as her barely audible words carried through the shard.

  “I’m sorry. I promise, I’ll be there soon.”