That day in Dahlia’s office was more excruciating than normal. It was always just a little depressing but it was even worse today. The weather was even a direct reflection of how we felt that day. The darkest rain clouds I had ever seen were followed by the worst storm.

We all sat there in silence. It had been two days since our first mission. Today should’ve been a day of celebration. Our first job was complete, and the kids were safe. We felt the opposite of a celebratory mood. Anguish was all we felt.

“Ok maggots, let’s get this over with,” Dahlia walked into the room. Her usual sarcastic demeanor was mostly gone. “As you know your mission was widely successful despite what happened to Mr. Westbrooke.”

Clarisse snickered, “Oh yeah sure, it was successful by your stupid standards.” Tears formed in her eyes. “Do you even care what happened to him at all?” she yelled. 

“It’s the nature of the job. This happens all the time,” she had her hands folded neatly in front of her.

“Just because it happens all the time, doesn’t make it right!” she covered her mouth, releasing silent tears.

There was an uncomfortable silence as we listened to Clarisse weep. She was saying what we all were feeling. The Agency was just a job after all. Why would they care about our well-being? Even Dahlia who was supposed to look after us didn’t care whatsoever. Not even remotely shocking to say the least.

Dahlia took a deep breath, “You know our rules require a five-person team. As a four-person team, you're pretty much useless. If your teammate doesn’t wake up in three weeks, then there’s going to be a permanent replacement.”

Lucas’ face turned red and his eyebrows were furrowed, “A replacement? You’re kidding me right?”

“The only thing that matters is succeeding in your missions. Unless you’ve already completely forgotten your training Mr. Stiles,” she raised an eyebrow.

“I will remain mindful,” he gritted his teeth and squeezed Clarisse’s hand. “Is that all?”

“Here,” she handed us a white envelope. Presumably our paychecks. “Now you're dismissed.” We started to get up to leave, “One more thing. You all have the next week off.”

We left the room. It felt more breathable in the hallway than in that stuffy room. Clarisse hung onto Lucas’ arm still wiping the tears from her face. It took all my power not to cry, at least not yet. If there was anything I knew about Clarisse was that if someone started crying, she would cry harder.

On our way to the infirmary, we didn’t say a word to each other. If we talked about it out loud, then it would seem too real. None of that was supposed to happen. We followed the plan. The plan should’ve been idiot proof but we still managed to screw it up. It was supposed to be our easiest mission yet. The one that anyone at the agency could do without a hitch. We got the kids to safety but the mission still felt like a failure.

I thought I was prepared for the sight that I would be met with when we got to the infirmary, but not even in my wildest dreams. I felt my throat catch as I beheld the sight in front of me. 

Laying in a white sterile bed with every tube imaginable was Carter. From what was seen his face was pale. A bandage was placed around his forehead from the impact of the back of his head to the car. He had bandages carefully wrapped around his entire body to hide the third-degree burns. 

Clarisse fell to her knees next to the bed. She had her hand on his arm. More tears fell down her face. Lucas wrapped his arm around her.

“When is he going to wake up?” Clarisse asked one of the nurses.

“We’re not exactly sure. Even with our abilities, it could take some time,” the nurse responded.

For the first time since all of this happened, I could feel my own eyes begin to water. Carter might’ve been an arrogant slack-off but he still worked hard. He had dreams just like the rest of us. We all had something we wanted to achieve when coming to the Agency. Why did his dreams have to be cut short?

“This shouldn't've happened,” Lucas began, “The plan was foolproof. It’s all my fault. I should’ve known that there would be interference.”

“Shut up. My biggest pet peeve is when someone blames themself for something that clearly wasn’t their fault,” Keira said matter-of-factly. “If you say it again, I’m punching you in the face.”

Keira just sat there in one of the chairs. Completely emotionless. I couldn’t read how she was feeling at all. Besides the constant foot tapping she’s known to do, she seemed pretty cold.

“Don’t you think that’s a little harsh?” Clarisse crossed her arms. “We’re all just doing the best we can.”

Keira’s face softened slightly, “Sorry.”

Clarisse just nodded her head, and Lucas refused to make eye contact. There was an uncomfortable silence. The only thing that could be heard was machines occasionally beeping.

“I have to go,” Keira said and stood up suddenly.

We all watched as she left the room. I clenched my fist. Leave it to Keira to be as heartless as possible. We all needed each other at a time like this. There were only four of us left. It was important to console each other.

I followed after her. I caught up to her at the end of the hallway. She was walking away quickly, still with a limp on her left leg. I grabbed her shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

She pulled her shoulder back, “The gym.”

I shook my head, “Don’t you think you should be there for the rest of the group?”

“Leave me alone,” she tried walking away from me.

I stood in front of her, “What’s your issue? It’s really annoying me.”

“Nothing,” she pushed me out of the way.

“Then why don’t you come back to the group?” I yelled.

She turned around, “I can’t!” She yelled back, tears in her eyes.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Something told me that I might’ve gone overboard. I opened my eyes back up and walked towards her. I wrapped my arms around her. She was shaking.

“I’m sorry.”

She put her head on my shoulder and started balling. She was sniveling, trying to hold back tears. I rubbed her back. I could feel myself start to cry two. We fell to our knees with our arms wrapped around each other, just crying our eyes out.

She pulled her head away with her arms still around my back, “I don’t think I could go to the gym anyways. It reminds me too much of Carter.”

I laughed, “Come on. Let’s go back.”

I stood up first and held out my hand.