Part 8: Secrets Unraveled

The campfire crackled softly in the center of their makeshift campsite, the warmth from the flames a welcome relief from the chill of the night air. Lila sat on a large rock, her knees drawn up to her chest as she watched the fire’s glow dance across the faces of her companions. Callen, still visibly somber after Zara’s sacrifice, was a few feet away, cleaning his weapon in silence. Lyra, on the other hand, was standing near the edge of their camp, her green eyes fixed on the dark horizon as if searching for something beyond the stars.

Lila’s heart thudded heavily in her chest as she glanced between the two. Ever since their kiss, she had been avoiding Callen as much as possible. She didn’t want to hurt him, didn’t want to betray the bond they shared. But Lyra… Lyra had given her something unexpected—comfort, companionship, a sense of peace in the midst of the chaos they were all caught up in.

“Lila,” Callen’s voice broke through her thoughts, drawing her gaze. He had finished with his weapon and was now standing, his eyes locking onto hers. The intensity of his stare made her stomach twist.

“Yeah?” she answered, trying to sound casual.

“I’m heading out to scout the area. We can’t afford to wait too long, not with the drones still in pursuit.” His tone was calm, almost detached, but there was a subtle edge to it that made Lila uneasy.

She nodded. “Be careful,” she said, her voice soft but sincere. “And... take care of yourself.”

Callen’s gaze lingered for a moment longer than necessary before he gave a tight nod and turned toward the darkened wilderness. He moved with purpose, his steps steady and sure, but Lila couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. It wasn’t just his mood—it was the way he was avoiding looking at her. As if he knew something, but didn’t want to confront it.

Lyra, who had been standing nearby, turned her head slightly as Callen disappeared into the shadows. Her lips parted as if she were about to say something, but she hesitated. The two of them exchanged a look that Lila couldn’t quite decipher.

“What’s going on with you two?” Lila asked, trying to keep her tone light. She knew she was being a little too obvious, but she couldn’t help it. The tension in the air was palpable.

Lyra sighed, lowering herself to sit next to Lila. Her neon green eyes sparkled faintly in the firelight, her expression a mix of concern and something else—something Lila couldn’t quite place.

“I don’t know what you mean,” Lyra said softly, though Lila could tell she was lying. Her voice betrayed a vulnerability that Lila hadn’t seen before.

“Lyra, I—” Lila began, but she stopped herself, unsure of how to continue. The last few days had been a whirlwind of emotions, and every moment she spent with Lyra seemed to stir something deeper inside her. She didn’t want to hurt Callen, but at the same time, the connection she shared with Lyra felt too strong to ignore.

Lyra turned her body toward Lila, her gaze unwavering. “Lila, you have to understand. Callen and I… we’ve been through a lot together. We’ve lost more than most people could ever imagine. I don’t want to be the one to tell you this, but I need you to hear it. Callen… he’s not the person you think he is.”

Lila’s heart skipped a beat. The words hit her harder than she expected. “What do you mean?”

Lyra’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Callen cares about you. More than he’s letting on. But he’s also carrying a lot of guilt, and he doesn’t know how to deal with it. Especially with everything that’s happened. And I… I’m not saying this to hurt you, but…”

Lila leaned in, her pulse quickening. “What is it, Lyra?”

“Lila, I care about you,” Lyra said, her voice low but filled with a raw honesty that made Lila’s chest tighten. “I don’t want you caught in the middle of this. Callen and I have always been close, but…” She hesitated, her eyes flickering with a complicated mix of emotions. “I’m not sure where we stand anymore.”

Lila’s breath caught in her throat. The words rang through her mind, reverberating with a mixture of disbelief and understanding. She could feel the weight of the situation pressing in on her, the tug-of-war between her feelings for Lyra and the bond she had with Callen.

“I never meant for things to get complicated,” Lila said, her voice barely a whisper. “But I don’t know what’s happening between us, Lyra. All I know is that when I’m with you, I feel something that I haven’t felt in a long time.”

Lyra reached out, her hand gently brushing Lila’s. The touch was electric, sending a shiver down Lila’s spine. “I feel it too,” Lyra admitted, her voice tender. “But we can’t ignore the reality of what we’re facing. Callen won’t understand. I’m not sure he’ll ever forgive me.”

Lila swallowed hard. “You think he’ll hate us?”

Lyra’s lips tightened for a moment before she spoke again. “It’s not like that, Lila. Callen… he’s been through a lot. We all have. But I know something’s changed. He’s not the same, and I think he’s beginning to realize that.” She paused, glancing in the direction Callen had gone before turning her focus back to Lila. “He’s always been the protector, the one who keeps everyone together. But you…” Her voice softened. “You’ve become a part of this, whether he’s ready to accept it or not.”

Lila’s heart thudded in her chest. She hadn’t realized how much she had already become entangled in their lives, in their mission. It was true—since Zara’s sacrifice, Callen had been distant, withdrawn. But Lila couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more at play than just the loss of their friend.

“I never wanted to hurt him,” Lila whispered, her eyes flickering toward the fire. “But with you, Lyra… I feel something I can’t ignore.”

Lyra’s gaze softened, her hand brushing Lila’s gently. “I understand. And it’s not wrong. But be careful. Callen’s not blind. He’ll find out sooner or later.”