After that, we didn't talk. I spent quite a lot of time removing all the water and assisting in inspecting the areas where Heather suspected an intruder might have breached. And although, we crossed paths on several occasions neither she nor I exchanged anything else but timid glances.

I needed time to process the whole situation and besides there was the fact that the border demanded Heather's attention more than ever and she had to be focused. I understood that so I tried not to be an obstacle in her work.

There was no doubt that the attack had been done with a purpose, but after checking all the areas, we could not find a single stolen or moved item. That meant the goal was unclear, which only heightened the tension and fear among the Narval Officers and the leads.

Once everything seemed to be in order, Heather and the other leads were called for an urgent meeting to discuss the situation. They gathered in the meeting room and locked themselves in there for several hours. Initially, I waited outside, assuming it wouldn't take long. But as time passed, my patience waned and I decided to visit Laura at the medical bay. She was drinking pineapple juice from a small container when I entered the room. Despite a bandage covering her forehead and part of her left eye, she seemed alright. Mark was beside her, already engaged in conversation.

"Hey, how are you doing?" I greeted, joining Mark by the bed.

"Seen better days," Laura sighed placing the juice back on the tray in her lap.

"What's better than becoming a pirate? You're glowing! " Mark quipped.

"Real funny, Mark," Laura retorted rolling her eyes.

"Do you remember anything?" I asked, hoping Laura might shed some light on the incident.

"Not much. Patrolling the tunnel, heard noises from the control room, and bam! Something hit me. That's all," Laura explained, touching her bandage as if she recalled the pain.

"Maybe you walked into something," Mark teased.

"Can you quit being a jerk for a second?" Laura nudged playfully while I was lost in my thoughts.

"I'm baffled," I admitted, trying to piece it together.

"Me too, but what is clear is that the Phoenix group's gaining strength and planning something," Laura worried. "These incidents show they know more about us than we do about them..."

"Do you think it'll escalate?" I voiced my concern.

"Bet on it," Laura expressed.

"Hey, hey, let's not jump to conclusions. Nothing's going to happen. Remember, Heather's top-notch. If something were wrong, she'd be the first to know," Mark reassured, a bit jittery. Laura glanced at me, raising an eyebrow.

"Heather's been a bit off... I've heard rumors about her leadership being uncertain," Laura began but stopped, noticing my discomfort.

"I've no clue what you've heard, but Heather's the best lead we've got, just as human as the rest of us. So, let's ease up on her," I interjected, feeling irked. What did she mean by uncertain? I couldn't believe that all the responsibility for the incidents at the border was going to fall on Heather's shoulders. That was unfair.

"Wow, girlfriend to the rescue!" Mark said, laughing. "Chill out Grace, there are just rumors, harmless," Mark attempted to lighten the conversation.

"In fact, they can be harmful, and I'm quite sick of them," I said, my anger growing with every passing minute. "Heather is under a lot of pressure right now, and she's handling it, okay?" I raised my voice a bit, and they fell silent for a moment.

"Alright, let's switch the topic for something less touchy," Mark said, rolling his eyes. Laura glanced down, avoiding my gaze.

Maybe I had overreacted. It was possible. But in the last twenty-four hours, I had been in a whirlwind of emotions. I was still hurt by the argument Heather and I had, nervous about the message I'd sent to Michael, stressed by the incident at the border... and now, rumors about Heather's lead position being unstable because of me was the last straw. I needed empathy and support, friends more than ever.

"I'm sorry guys, I didn't want to argue. This whole situation is getting me a bit stressed out," I admitted taking a deep breath.

"It's okay, Grace. But remember, you don't owe anything to Heather. Her problems are not yours," Laura offered, trying to sound comforting. I was about to respond when we heard the speakers throughout the house signal.

"Narval Officers, please gather immediately in the hall," the announcement echoed.

"The leads meeting is over," I remarked, exchanging a glance with Mark.

The hall was crowded with all our colleagues, there were murmurs all over the place and the nerves were quite noticeable in the looks of all of us. The door to the meeting room swung open, and one by one, the leads emerged in a line, coming to a stop in front of us. The final person to appear was Heather. Her demeanor was serious and tense. I attempted to meet her gaze, hoping to convey a friendly look, but her eyes appeared distant and cold.

Lea took a step forward and everyone went silent.

"Hello everyone, thanks for coming. As you might know, we had a major incident tonight at the border and it's not the first one. One of our officers was hurt and there were several injured equipment due to a provoked flood. We suspected that the Phoenix group is behind this incident as well as behind the other ones that we've experienced recently. Now, our border lead will outline the next steps we'll be taking to address this situation," Lea announced before stepping back and gesturing to Heather, who took her place.

Her eyes showed concern, masked in her usual serious and rigid expression, but that didn't work with me anymore, I knew her well.

"Officers, we'll need to reinforce our security system at the border, which means more work and fewer hours of sleep," A chorus of disapproval filled the room. Lea and Kate attempted to quiet the crowd as Heather continued.

"This situation is serious, and we have to be prepared for anything. Starting tomorrow, we'll double the number of officers per area, especially at the border. Additionally, we've been informed that the headquarters of the Reg Security Team will visit us next week to ensure we regain control of the situation. So please, we need your cooperation. Pay extremely close attention to any unusual details while patrolling or carrying out your duties. A single distraction could lead to serious consequences." A murmur of dismay rippled through the crowd.

Headquarters coming here? That doesn't bode well for us.

"Now, please, everyone return to your rooms or duties. Tomorrow, you'll see the new assignments posted on the board." The crowd dispersed within seconds. Heather turned to leave, and I hurried after her, weaving through the people as fast as I could.

"Heather, wait!" I reached her arm and grabbed it just in time. She turned towards me, and finally, our gazes met.

"Hey, I'm busy now," she said, showing no hint of emotion.

"Okay, but where are you headed?" I inquired, desperate for a moment of connection.

"I'll be at the border for the rest of the night." There was a pause. "By the way, tomorrow you'll be assigned to the city, so you better rest," she added, seeming uninterested in further conversation.

"Please, Heather, just a minute," I pleaded, tightening my grip slightly.

"I don't have much time," she replied, gently trying to loosen my hold.

"There's a lot of pressure on you right now, I get it. But please, don't shut me out. I lost it before... what I said, I hope it doesn't mess with your head," I stumbled over my words, but something in Heather's eyes told me she was getting me.

"I can't right now Grace. There's too much going on," She was telling the truth, she looked exhausted.

"Ok. You're right. Then, well, I guess we'll see each other... later?" I suggested hesitantly.

"Maybe by tomorrow evening, can't promise anything." She replied.

"Tomorrow evening, then," I murmured. I softly released her arm, watching her stride away with purpose, disappearing into the distance. Left alone in the hall, I felt the burden next to my heart grow heavier. Something between us had shifted, the way she distanced herself, the weight of her responsibilities visibly weighing her down – it was clear she was grappling with more than she let on. I went to bed but the thought of Heather consumed my mind and I found myself replaying memories of the good moments we've shared in the past months, clashed with that conversation that seemed to have shattered it all. Her coldness, sometimes so harmful and ruthless, made me wonder if I was being too reckless and naive in giving her all of me. Because, let's face the truth, that's precisely what I was doing. I could try to mask it from her, even deceive myself, but that didn't change the fact that she was the first person on my mind when I woke and the last before I fell asleep.

And for the first time since I met Heather, I felt a nagging worry for my heart.