Chapter Text
"At least we know where to start." Weaver mentioned crossing his arms. His hip was resting on the table, his old bones complaining from having been on his feet for so long. Technology had advanced enough to bring him back to life but not to take away his back pain. Ironic.
Hudson put his sunglasses on the table. He sighed exhausted.
"We can't take chances and keep moving forward. At least not here." Hudson put both fists on the table. "The last thing we need is for Langley to happen a second time."
"What do you suggest?"
"A safehouse. Somewhere remote in the country. Far away from all this chaos."
"Northward?"
"It is an option."
"So what happened in Berlin is happening again?"
"Same story in a different era."
Suddenly the office door burst open. Adler stormed in. Hudson straightened his back and took a breath. Here it comes…
"Where is she?" Adler demanded, approaching the table. Completely ignoring Weaver.
"What are you talking about?" Hudson pretended not to know anything, ignoring him as he sorted the papers on his desk.
"Don't be an idiot, Hudson. Where's Abigail?" Adler slammed his hand on the papers, forcing Hudson to stop his actions. "I left you alone with her for two days and she already ran away from you again?"
Hudson took his time answering. He looked up to look Adler in the eyes.
"She didn't escape. I let her go. I ordered her to leave the facilities as soon as possible"
Adler almost laughed. He rested both hands on his hips and paced around the office.
Sims appeared at the door.
"Organize a search party." Adler ordered.
Sims nodded but Hudson stopped him.
"The girl is no longer in Chicago."
"Where is she then? Huh?"
"I hope far enough." Hudson answered.
"Are you aware of what you have caused?" Adler pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Are you aware of what you would have done if you had tied that girl to that chair? If you had filled her arms with needles and IVs?"
"That girl is hiding valuable information."
"She's a Mason, Adler" Hudson didn't hesitate to approach Adler. Imposing his point of view.
"Everything has its price. Stopping Perseus has its price." Adler wasn’t intimidated by the other man.
Hudson could see the obsession growing behind those sunglasses. That was no longer just for work, or for a need to do justice or save the world. This had become personal for Adler. Why? Maybe because he couldn't kill Perseus with his bare hands. And now he had been given a second chance to try again. Adler wasn't going to waste it.
"And everything has its limit, Russ." Hudson answered very coldly.
Adler spent a few long seconds, looking Hudson in the eyes.
"Organize the Search party." He ordered Sims again without taking his eyes off Hudson. "Find her."
And without saying another word Adler left for the office, leaving Weaver and Hudson alone again.
He sighed, rubbing his temples. There was a long silence.
"Should we contact Woods?" Weaver asked.
"It's not possible. He doesn't carry any type of radio. It was better this way, we minimized the risks."
"Then let's pray that they don't find them."
Hudson sighed again.
“Call Mason.”
____________
"Mom." Abby looked away from the window, watching the rain fall heavily outside the hospital.
"Mmh? Yes honey?" Alice closed her eyes, she was tired, the chemotherapy robbed her of all her energy. She looked like she was about to fall asleep in that chair. But her daughter woke her up.
"What is a legacy?" Abby asked curiously.
"Where did you hear that?" Alice opened her tired eyes.
"On the news, a politician was talking about our country's legacy prevailing." Abby pointed to the small television on the wall.
"Well... A legacy is what you leave in this world after you die." Alice explained, settling down on the couch.
"Our corpse?" The twelve year old girl raised an eyebrow.
"No, no. It's something more metaphorical."
"Like what?"
"Mmmh... for example, you are dad's and my legacy. You are what we leave in this world when we die. Dad is grandpa's legacy, and I am my parents' legacy."
"I see…"
"A legacy can be more complex, like an idea, a philosophy, a way of thinking. It can also be something very important that you have done that has affected other people."
Abby walked over to her mother and sat next to her, resting her head on Alice's shoulder.
"Will I leave a legacy someday too?"
Alice smiled with her eyes closed and stroked her daughter's hair.
"We all leave a legacy, honey."
Abby opened her eyes slightly. She took a deep breath and frowned. She blinked a few times trying to get used to the low light. The sun had not yet risen. It smelled like cigarette smoke, she was still using Woods' jacket as a blanket. It was cold. She stretched her arms and legs, trying to relax her stiff muscles. She lifted her cheek from the cold car window. She looked around. How long had he been driving?
Woods took his eyes off the road for a moment and glanced at Abby.
"Look who's awake." Frank greeted. "Did you sleep well Abs?" He asked, looking back ahead.
"My back hurts." Abby answered in a sleepy, hoarse voice.
She sat up better on the seat. Feeling her bones creak. She left Woods' jacket on her lap, covering her legs. The poor girl was still trying to wake up. Her eyes were half-closed, her brow furrowed, and her hair was completely disheveled. Woods chuckled at Abby's expression.
"What are you laughing at, old man?" Abby groaned as she rubbed her eyes.
"With the sleepy face you have, I'm sure you reached fucking Nirvana while you were taking that nap." Frank joked.
"Well maybe I'll go back to that Nirvana again." Abby settled in better, sinking into the padded seat of the truck. Closing her eyes again. She covered herself with Woods' jacket again. The smell reminded her of home.
"Come on, don't leave me alone again. It's boring to drive in silence for hours." Woods complained.
He waited for a response but when he looked at Abby again he realized that she had already closed her eyes again.
"Hey." Woods took one hand off the wheel to pat Abby's shoulder.
She simply shook her shoulder in protest.
"Are you listening to me brat?" Woods started pulling on Abby's ear.
Abby growled.
"Leave me alone." She complained, shaking her head.
Woods laughed, satisfied with his work.
"Give me some conversation, c’mon. This looks like a fucking funeral."
Abby thought for a moment, she remembered the dream she had. She looked at Woods, taking in his profile.
"What has been your legacy?" She asked.
The older man frowned in confusion.
"My legacy? What's with that question?"
"I don't know. It just came to mind."
"Mmmh..." Woods thought for a moment "I haven't had children, I haven't gotten married either. I guess my legacy is what I've done." He paused. "Although… it could be that my legacy was David. And you, of course." He looked at Abby for a few seconds.
The young woman seemed satisfied with his answer.
"I don't know what I will leave as a legacy." Abby asked, looking at the road.
"You're too young to worry about that shit Abs." Woods replied, trying to take away Abby's worry.
"I guess you're right."
There was silence. It was comfortable.
"Where are we?" Abby asked looking at the landscape where they were.
"On the way to Fort Wayne. Maybe an hour left. We've had to take several detours."
It was true that from Chicago to Fort Wayne it was only a few hours of travel, but due to the war and the years the roads had deteriorated and they had to constantly take detours, looking for new safer and more hidden routes. If you travel on the main roads or highways you are cannon fodder for looters. So Woods did not hesitate to take precautions.
A Pat Benatar song was playing on the radio. For a moment Abby wondered how it was possible if radio stations no longer existed, let alone music stations. But her question was answered when she saw an old cassette case resting on the glove compartment.
The rattle and sway of the vehicle due to the deteriorated road rocked Abby gently. She never felt so relaxed since she arrived in Washington with David, hells, she didn't even remember the last time she could let her guard down like that. Maybe it was the effect that Woods had, that long-awaited familiarity, that feeling that transported her home. Abby leaned her head back against the window, blinking slower and slower until finally her eyes closed again.
Woods glanced at the young woman when he noticed that the silence lasted too long. One of his corners tugged up, Abby's completely relaxed face was a little hard to see. The last time he saw her like this, Abby was unconscious, in serious condition, and tied to the hospital stretcher. It was nice to see her being able to rest properly. So he didn't bother her anymore, he looked back at the road and with one hand he placed his jacket on the young woman's lap and slightly lowered the volume of the music.
That time Abby didn't dream, she simply let herself be embraced by Morpheus's arms. Abby didn't know how much sleep she got that time either. It was one of those naps that felt like they had knocked you out and couldn't wake you up even if they screamed right next to your ear. But the sound of the truck door closing jolted her awake. Abby raised her head, completely disoriented. She looked around, Woods was gone. She yawned and wiped away the trail of dried saliva that descended from one of her corners.
She heard someone open the trunk while muttering curses, taking out a couple of things and closing it again. She unbuckled her seat belt and got out of the truck. The sun was already high in the sky, there were no clouds, the light shone on the snow and made Abby's eyes hurt, forcing her pupils to shrink as quickly as possible.
Woods appeared to be packing a few things in his backpack, supplies, ammunition, and a gasoline canister.
“Did we run out of gas?” Abby asked, closing the vehicle door.
“Hudson gave me the fucking truck with the tank half empty.” Woods replied grumpily. “Luckily the city is a couple of miles from here. We can go on foot. Find gas and return. It will take us a day at most, maybe half a day if we are lucky.”
Abby handed her his jacket when she saw him start to look for something. Woods grabbed it and put it on.
“Grab your things, kid. We’re leaving." Woods ordered, slinging his backpack over his shoulders and holding the rifle in one hand.
Abby obeyed, and grabbed her backpack and the rest of her things, leaving nothing valuable in the car. Someone could steal from them in their absence.
They began to walk along the half-ruined road, covered in snow and ice, she couldn't even see the asphalt. They preferred to take the risk of being ambushed in the middle of the road than to walk along a secondary path. The fluffy snow and frozen grass could make them go too slow. It was still quite early in the morning, Abby was hoping that the raiders in that area weren't early risers.
They were silent, listening carefully for any suspicious noises around them. Luckily there was only the singing of birds, the leaves of the trees swaying lazily and the wind raising powdered snow that had not yet frozen and stuck to the ground. The sun warmed their skin and the snow kept their boots cold and wet. A strange feeling.
Woods walked a couple of steps behind her, checking the rear from time to time. He also kept an eye on Abby, she seemed to be lost in thought, staring at the snow. Woods noticed the hunting sniper hanging from her shoulder. Guns and Abby… it was a combination he had a hard time imagining. Well, Abby had changed a lot in those last few years. She had changed but she was still the same. Woods didn't know how to put it. It didn't matter how much Abby grew, how much she cut her hair, or how much she changed her clothing style. Beneath those green eyes he continued to see the little Mason who begged him to read books about astronauts and trips to the moon.
“Do you know how to use that rifle?” Woods asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Mhm.” Abby made a sound of affirmation without even turning to him.
"Who taught you?"
"Dad." She responded simply.
Woods snorted and nodded. Obviously it had been Dave.
There was silence.
“And you're good with that?” He asked again. Five years had passed that had felt like an eternity. Woods had to catch up with her.
Abby finally turned to Woods. The sun illuminated those green eyes with a light so warm that they almost seemed to have turned gold. She smiled sideways.
“You'd be surprised, old man.”
Woods rolled his eyes but didn't hide his smile. Knowing what Abby managed to do to Adler, that response didn't surprise him. Abby paused for a moment so Woods could catch up with her so they could walk side by side.
“How things have changed, huh?” Frank sighed, looking up, towards where some little birds had taken flight from the top of a tree. It was amazing how despite how broken the world was, things always found their way again. Abby nodded. “Do you miss the good ol' days?”
Abby nodded again.
“Things seemed simpler.” She answered nostalgically.
“They looked like it, but that doesn't mean they were.” Woods corrected her.
There was another silence.
“And tell me…” Woods looked at her, earning a curious look from the younger girl. “How did that story end with that girl?”
"What a Girl?" Abby wrinkled her face not understanding what he was talking about.
"You already know. That girl from your school. What was her name…Martha?”
“¿Mary?”
"Yeah."
“Oh god, Frank…no…” Abby chuckled as she shook her head.
"Huh? How bad was it? I remember you liked her a lot.”
“She… just wanted to know what it felt like to kiss a girl. Nothing else." Abby gave a sad smile, pursing her lips and raising her eyebrows. “I guess I was the one who misinterpreted the signs.”
“Abs… you were thirteen, you were too young to understand those things.” He put his arm over the shorter girl's shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze. “Besides, first loves don't always turn out well.”
“If you talk so much as if you were the most experienced person in the world, then tell me about your love life.” Abby gave a little smile and wiggled her eyebrows.
“My life isn't full of romance Abs.” Woods rolled his eyes.
“And what about that girl? The one in that photo?” Abby remembered when five years ago she found an old photo in Woods' room. A woman talking casually to Mason, as if they didn't realize their photo was being taken.
“She is… Long story…” Frank sighed as he remembered those times.
“Well, judging how long it will take us to get to Washington, I think we have plenty of time.” She shrugged.
“I'm not going to tell you the whole story like it's a fucking gossip session.” He defended himself. It's not that he wanted her to know that part of his story, like many others.
“Pfff Boring... At least tell me how it started. Where did you take her on the first date?”
Woods thought for a moment whether or not to answer that question. He grumbled a little but eventually gave in.
“Burger Town.”
“To fucking Burger Town?! Are you serious Woods?!”
"What? It's good, and cheap. You say that as if you didn't enjoy it every time I took you there when you were little.”
“But you can't take her there on the first date! Oh my goodness Woods…” Abby shook her head.
“She was a woman who knew how to appreciate the simple things in life.” Woods answered.
“I feel sorry for her. If putting up with you as a grandfather is already torture, imagine having you as a lover, pff…” Abby pretended to be tired.
Woods opened his mouth in surprise, clearly not expecting Abby to make fun of him at that moment.
“You little piece of shit.” Woods put his arm around Abby's neck in a headlock and rubbed his knuckles hard over her head.
“Hahahaha! Hey!" Abby tried to get out of Woods' grip.
“You think it's funny to laugh at me, huh?” Woods was infected with the youngest's laughter.
“I only speak the truth!” Abby continued laughing. "Let go! Hahaha!”
They continued talking and catching up as they walked. In the end they arrived in the city earlier than expected. The skyline of Fort Wayne was what you would expect from any city. Demolished, a set of ruins. The few skyscrapers that had fallen like defeated giants. The shorter buildings threatened to fall as well. Debris everywhere, huge holes, streets sunken into the ground, leaving huge holes and uncovered sewers. It wasn't a very big city, but Abby had heard rumors that it was one of the hardest hit during the war. Now she had been able to verify it.
“What a sight…” Woods murmured, observing how gloomy everything looked.
“Is this the first time you've seen a city like this?” Abby raised an eyebrow.
“No, but never as destroyed as this one.” Woods replied, shaking his head.
“Fort Wayne was one of the first victims of the Cordis Die drone attacks. There were rumors that this was hell during the first year, and not precisely because of the drones.” Abby began to explain as they both walked deeper into the ghost town.
"How was it? The beginning of Cordis Die, the war…” Woods asked.
“Haven't they told you what happened?” Abby turned around with a face of confusion.
“I know the official version. But I want to know yours.”
Abby was silent for a few seconds. It was difficult for her to remember those years.
“When… Menéndez committed suicide after…” Abby pointed at Woods, implying that she was referring to the incident at The Vault. She didn't even dare mention it out loud, her stomach turned just thinking about it. Furthermore, it was a delicate topic that she had not yet discussed with him.
Frank nodded understanding what she was talking about.
“After Menéndez's death, we thought everything was over. Cordis Die had been stopped. The happy ending we were all waiting for.” Abby began to narrate. “A month later, a group of anonymous terrorists called the new Perseus appeared. They hacked all public television channels and social networks. They assured that they would make a better world for everyone, far from corrupt governments, famine and wars.”
They were both walking through the alleys, searching every gas tank of every car they found. All empty. Woods listened to Abby as he watched the windows of buildings and possible ambush sites.
“At first no one paid attention, they took it as a joke. But then they continued sending messages saying that the revolution had already begun in Eastern Europe and South Asia, sending images of revolts and violent demonstrations. Perseus was trying to convince people to rise up against governments, to demand answers. Many believed the lie, and the same thing happened. Attacks against the government, demonstrations, barricades, homemade explosives, robberies, murders in the middle of the street... The country became an anarchic place. And from what we saw on the news, the same thing was happening in the big cities of the rest of the countries.” Abby sighed and rubbed her face. It was difficult for her to remember those years, it was as if her brain was determined to forget.
Woods remained silent. Abby's expression was gradually darkening. He was beginning to regret asking.
“That freedom, revolution and knowing the truth were children’s dreams. A simple strategy to keep us messy, separated, like headless chickens. Perseus took advantage of the chaos to hack all the military systems of international powers. The United States, China, Russia... I don't know how they did it. Somebody made a deal with the fucking devil or something like that. Because the next thing we knew was hell on earth. All the military drones of the army were thundered against us, both by land, sea and air.” Abby sat on the hood of a burned-out car. Her hands had begun to shake. “The military drones in the streets of our neighborhood, I still remember when they entered our home. Dad and I miraculously came out alive. They shot anyone in sight. It was... like a swarm of drones that destroyed everything. There were bombings that destroyed the city. We had to take refuge in the subway. The number of deaths that occurred each day was enormous. The government tried to stop the drones with tanks, fighter planes... but it was useless, they didn't last even six months, then they disappeared as if they had never been there. Abandon us to our fate.” Abby gave a bitter laugh. “I guess you were right when you said that technologies were going to destroy us one day.”
“Abs…” Woods called after her.
The young woman made a gesture with her hand.
“The first year was the hardest of all. I guess I wasn't used to so much chaos and death. The few of us who survived were trapped in the city all that year, traveling through the subway tunnels so as not to be seen. Going to the surface only to look for supplies, clothing, weapons, medical supplies... We created a small underground refugee camp. We were busy healing the wounded, feeding the children, and creating a small oasis in that horrible place. By then I was already fifteen years old, I was no longer considered a girl. “I went out to the streets on expeditions with Dad, to look for food or survivors.”
Abby frowned and thought for a few seconds.
“I still don't know if it was my fault or not…” She paused, trying to find the right words. “One day dad had to stay in the refugee camp because of a problem with one of the hydroelectric turbines. So I had to go on an expedition alone.” Abby swallowed, trying to lighten the weight she felt in her throat. Lost in her thoughts and memories, trying to relive that event, looking for some detail that had been overlooked. “Maybe… I left the subway gate open or some emergency exit… I don't know…” She shook her head.
Woods waited patiently in silence.
"I was happy. I had found several boxes of insulin syringes and antibiotics at a pharmacy on the other side of town. When I returned... Everything smelled of gunpowder, gasoline and blood. There were corpses everywhere. Women, the elderly, children... There were also destroyed military drones. Luckily I found dad and a few survivors.” Abby sighed as she swung her feet that dangled over the side of the car where she was sitting. “Some blamed me for it. Dad said it wasn't true, the drones had appeared through the western tunnel and I had left through the eastern one. Whatever the story was, they were mad at me, and banished me from the refugee camp. Obviously dad came with me. We spent two years wandering the country, traveling with other nomads. It was better to go in a group than alone. Then we found a little hunting cabin in the woods and Dad and I stayed there for six months. I must admit that I liked it, it was a quiet place. But one day we heard some robbers in the area and we had to leave. It was a matter of time before they found us. We heard rumors that things were calmer in Alaska, that people had begun to organize to build small towns and return to normal, and that there was a smuggler pilot in Washington DC who could take us to Fairbanks.” Abby looked up at the sky. “We arrived in Washington, we found the Guerrillas called The Wolves, we discovered that it was a cover for the government that was still working in the shadows, the Hyenas attacked us, President Bosworth gave me the pendrive, they kidnapped us both, and well… You already know the rest of the story.” Abby looked at Woods and smiled. A smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Woods was silent for several seconds, taking in everything Abby had said. He could see the weight of those hard years in her eyes. In a way she reminded him of him when he was young, when he spent his youth on the streets of Philadelphia.
“Some busy years, kid.” Woods ruffled Abby's hair. “We will find your father, don't worry.”
“We will have to hurry. I don't know how long he will stay in Washington. Or is he even still alive.”
“Well we better find some gas soon.” Frank nodded for Abby to follow him. “Come on Abs.”
Abby nodded and followed him.
They walked through the streets of Fort Wayne, watching each other's backs with every step they took. The place seemed completely deserted, there wasn’t a single soul in the place, nor signs that people had passed through there. Fort Wayne was so dilapidated that perhaps people thought it impossible to repopulate.
They arrived at an abandoned square, with a small playground buried by snow and fallen trees. Woods put his arm on Abby's chest to stop her and pointed to some large boxes next to some trucks in front of a church. Before Abby could look closely, he grabbed her shoulder and pulled her to the corner of a building so they wouldn't be so exposed.
"Over there."
Abby peeked around the corner and looked into the distance. She analyzed the place for a few seconds.
“There seems to be no people.”
“Oh yeah?” Woods wasn’t convinced. The signs of nearby human activity made him tense, you never know who you might encounter.
“Look at the snow accumulated on the roof of the trucks, they haven't been moved in days. There are also no tire marks in the snow, nor footprints. The windows of the vehicles are frozen, no one has used these vehicles for at least weeks.” Abby deduced. She craned her neck a little to see a little better. "Look. Over there."
Abby pointed to some gas cans next to some cargo boxes.
“Looks like it's our lucky day.” Woods said when he saw them.
"What are you saying? Shall we risk it?” Abby asked, looking at him.
Frank thought about it for a moment. He didn't like the idea of interacting with people. And much less risk being ambushed. But they couldn't waste much time, they had to hurry and get gas soon. And if Abby was right and those canisters were full, they would have enough for quite a few more miles. So he sighed and nodded.
“Okay. Let's go, grab the gas and leave. But you stay behind me, understand? come on."
Abby nodded.
Woods took the rifle from his shoulder and began walking in the direction of that half-demolished church. He didn’t hesitate to monitor possible places where there could be people hiding, he didn’t like that place, he had a bad feeling.
Meanwhile, Abby kept an eye on the rear and the windows of the tallest nearby buildings.
When they reached the collection of trucks and cargo boxes, Abby tentatively kicked one of the gas canisters, which fell onto the snow without any effort.
“Fucking empty…” Woods growled in annoyance after checking that the others were also empty as well.
Abby looked around trying to find something else. “Maybe there's something in the trucks' fuel tanks.” Suddenly she realized something. “Hey, old man.” Abby called Woods and pointed her chin at the church door.
“Mmh?” Woods looked up at where Abby pointed.
Right next to the door there was a sign that said: “DANGER: flammable material.” Woods signaled for Abby to stay where she was and he approached the door. He stuck right against the wall next to the door, waited a few seconds in silence trying to hear something, but there was only silence and wind. With the rifle raised he slowly opened the door and looked inside to investigate. He made sure the place was empty and then with a nod told Abby to follow him.
They both entered the church and Abby closed the door behind them.
“Oh wow.” Abby was amazed to see the place.
It was a small, ordinary abandoned church. The wooden benches were broken, as were the windows, and there was debris everywhere. The roof had holes and let in light and snow, giving the place a magical atmosphere.
“Hey Abs. It seems that not everything is lost.” Woods snapped Abby out of her shock.
The girl looked in the direction where his voice came from. In one corner were more supply boxes and a fuel tank.
“Do you think there will be gasoline inside?” Abby asked, approaching her grandfather.
“Let's find out.” Woods put his backpack on the ground and took out the fuel bottle.
“maybe the gasoline has frozen.” Abby commented watching what Woods did.
“Gasoline freezes at -60 degrees Celsius. There’s no way it can be that cold here.” Woods moved the canister to the opening of the fuel tank and opened it.
“Well, it's too damn cold.” Abby rubbed her hands in a vague attempt to warm them.
“Oh hell yeah baby.” Frank smirked.
“Hey, watch your language. This is the house of God.” Abby pretended to scold him.
“We got some gas.” Woods informed.
“Oh fuck yeah!”
“Bring the other jugs from outside, we will fill them and take them too.” Woods ordered, after he had filled the jug and put the cap back on.
Abby brought them and they filled them all. They had three 20 liter drums, that added up to 60 liters in total. With that they could fill the car's tank.
“Do you think you can carry one in your backpack?” Woods handed her a jug.
Abby put her backpack on the floor and checked the extra space inside.
“I think I can carry one.” She answered.
"Good."
They kept the gasoline cans in their backpacks. Woods carried one in his hand.
“Aren't you carrying too much weight?” Abby asked, raising an eyebrow. Her backpack was beginning to weigh quite a bit.
“I've carried your grandfather on my shoulders for hours. Believe me he weighed more than this.” Woods responded by slinging the backpack over his shoulders again.
Abby raised an eyebrow. “I will remind you of those words when you start complaining about back pain.”
Frank rolled his eyes. “Come on, let's go, I think I've seen a couple of buildings where we can take a shortcut.”
They both left through the back door of the church. Always making sure no one was around. Although the city seemed more than abandoned. They crossed the street quickly and entered a large building which seemed to be in much better condition than the rest.
They found a large hall, with a polished marble floor and high ceilings.
“This building seems to have been preserved quite w—OH MY GOD!” Abby exclaimed suddenly.
"What? What's happening?" Woods didn’t hesitate to put himself on guard and look in all directions. Danger? A corpse? Explosives? A trap?
"Look!" Abby pointed to a sign on one of the walls in the hallway.
On the poster he could read in large blue letters: “SCIENCE EXHIBITION: FROM THE DINOSAURS TO THE MOON”
Woods read the sign several times and then looked at the girl with a serious expression.
“Abby…”
"Can we go? Only five minutes!" Abby put both hands together “please please please please please please.” Abby pleaded but was already walking backwards towards the exhibit. “Please please please please please…”
Frank sighed, perhaps this was the first time he had seen her eyes shine like that since he met her again. For a moment he found little Abby again, and perhaps that was what finally softened his heart.
“Okay… but only five minutes.” Woods began to follow her in the direction of the museum entrance.
"YEAH!" Abby raised both hands in victory.
As the sign indicated, the exhibition began with the dinosaurs. There were skeletons and fossils everywhere. Prehistoric giants made of bone, it was incredible that all of it had survived the war, there was rubble, cracks and holes in some places but other than that, everything was incredibly well preserved.
Despite the weight Abby was carrying on her back, she didn't hesitate to run around like a kid. Her inner child was jumping for joy. When was the last time Abby visited a science museum? Not even she remembered.
She stood in front of a fossilized stegosaurus skeleton and watched it for a few seconds until Woods came to her side.
“Did you know that this dinosaur had a brain the size of a walnut?” Abby commented.
“Wow, yours is almost as big as his.” Woods smirked.
“Hahaha… very funny.” Abby rolled her eyes and punched him on the shoulder, but she was unable to hide her smile.
Woods chuckled, satisfied with his joke.
They walked around some more, looking at models and fossils, until Abby found a small reception area, sat down in the chair, and put the phone to her ear as if someone was calling.
“Oh sorry all the dinosaurs are busy right now so…” she pretended to talk to someone.
"What are you doing…?" Woods walked over and placed a hand on the table.
“Oh! It's your lucky day! I have one of the dinosaurs right in front of me.” Abby handed him the phone. “Frank, is for you.”
“You wouldn't be the funniest person in the world by any chance?” Woods raised an eyebrow.
Abby laughed and stood up, satisfied that she had returned the joke. “I'm actually quite funny.”
“Whatever you say, Miss Comedian.” Woods ruffled Abby's hair as he passed her. Abby laughed again as she felt Frank's heavy hand on her head, which made the veteran's smile wider.
Abby walked over to a model in the center of the room.
“It's a Mbiresaurus Raathi.” Abby read aloud the name of the dinosaur on the information sign: “It says that it lived about 230 million years ago. The oldest known dinosaur.” Abby whistled in surprise. “He's almost as old as you.”
“I look better than him.” Frank responded looking at the two meter tall lizard.
“The CIA has resurrected and rejuvenated you almost fifty years; a meteorite fell on him.” Abby raised an eyebrow.
Woods shrugged.
“I would call it natural beauty.”
"If you say so…"
They continued walking through different rooms, Abby was commenting on the things that were on display and Woods joked from time to time. Almost for a moment they both forgot the situation they were in.
“No fucking way.” Abby almost couldn't believe it when she saw a huge model of a space shuttle.
“Big Spaceship huh?” Woods walked around it to get a good look at it.
“It's not a spaceship. It's a shuttle! With this, the astronauts were taken to the international space station.” Abby looked at it like a little child looks at cotton candy, full of excitement and happiness. “This is a model of the Endeavor shuttle, the original is in California, if it is still in one piece. They launched it into space for the first time in 1992.”
“I had almost forgotten that you were a nerd about these things…” Woods walked around the large room a little more, there were more models on display.
"Hey!" Abby complained and quickly caught up to Woods that he seemed to have become interested in another model. “That's the Sputnik satellite. It was the first satellite to be sent into space in 1957, crazy huh?.”
"Sputnik?" Woods repeated. “the Russians sent this one.”
“Yeah.” Abby shrugged. “The Soviets were more advanced than us in space technology. Don't look at me like that, you know I'm right. The Cold War ended almost forty years ago.”
This was a topic on which Woods and Abby had different opinions. But Frank didn't feel like arguing with her and ruining the moment. Luckily Abby wasn't interested in getting into that debate either since her attention was completely diverted when she saw a broken display case with an astronaut suit.
“Hey Frank! Look!” Abby grabbed the helmet and didn't hesitate to put it on her head.
Woods crossed his arms and leaned against the display case. "Looks Good on you. Ready to go to the moon?”
“We're going to have to find another helmet for you. I’m not going to go alone.”
Woods smiled softly.
“Is it comfortable to wear that?” he asked again.
"More or less. It smells like space, or probably like dust.” Abby took off her helmet and turned it over. She watched her reflection in her visor. “I would like to take it with me…”
“Then take it. Who's going to stop you? The security guard?” Woods looked around, implying that they were completely alone. "I thought you were the rebel one who doesn't care about rules."
Abby's smile widened.
“It's better to take the astronaut helmet than that space shuttle over there.” Woods nodded at the model of the Endeavor.
Abby laughed and looked at the helmet for a few seconds, her green eyes turning a little sad. She sighed and shook her head.
“We still have a long way to go and this helmet would only be a hindrance. I don't even know where I could keep it” And she put it in the display case again.
Woods didn't say anything, Abby was right but he didn't want to discourage her further either. But suddenly something shining on the ground caught his attention. He walked towards it and grabbed it. He ran his thumb over it to remove the dust. It was a pin in the shape of an incredibly detailed moon, with its craters and irregularities. It had a phrase written that said “to the Moon and back.”
He returned to Abby and handed her the pin.
“And how about this? It's more practical to carry it, isn't it?"
Abby's eyes lit up again. She grabbed the pin carefully and looked at it for a few seconds. She smiled and clipped it to Woods' jacket, over his chest pocket.
“it was meant to be yours, Abs…” Woods said as he watched Abby adjust it to his jacket.
“I know, but I would be happier if you wore it.” Abby responded.
"Why? I’m not the space nerd here.”
Abby rolled her eyes and looked at the pin on Woods' jacket, it fit him well. She patted his chest and smiled.
“Because I will always be your astronaut and you will always be my moon.”
That response took Woods completely off guard. To say his heart had melted was an understatement. But he'd never been good with emotions, so he simply smiled and pulled Abby's ear affectionately.
“Come on, let's see what's out there.” Woods had seen in the distance an even bigger room with something that Abby would like even more.
They arrived at what looked like the main exhibition hall. Abby found it difficult to close her mouth. The room was huge, there was a glass dome on the ceiling, from there hung a huge model of the solar system. There were walkways and stairs leading to higher floors, probably to other smaller rooms in the exhibition. There were models of rovers, spaceships and meteorite rocks displayed in glass cases. But what caught the most attention was the enormous globe of Mars in the center of the room. An incredibly detailed model of the red planet.
They both remained silent for a few seconds looking at the enormous planet in front of them.
"We used to look up at the sky and wonder what our place is in the stars. Now we just look down and bury our heads in the dirt" Abby sighed and shook her head,completely lost in her thought.
"Who knows. Maybe there will be astronauts again one day.” Woods tried to cheer her up.
“You've seen how the world is, Frank… humanity is not going to recover from this blow for a long time. And I doubt people will ever be interested in what lies beyond the stratosphere again.” Abby was staring at Mars.
Woods didn't say anything, he knew Abby was right. Maybe humanity had more important things to do before returning to space, who knows, maybe it will never go there again.
“In 2024, NASA managed to send six astronauts to Mars with the intention of starting a colony there.” Abby began to explain. “The mission was a success. But when Cordis Die started and everything became complete chaos, the world forgot about them. They never came back.”
"They are dead?"
"Maybe yes, maybe no. It's like Schrödinger's cat. They are alive and dead at the same time, we won't know until we see them.” Abby paused. “Maybe they have managed to survive, maybe they managed to create a stable source of water and food, it's pure chemistry, it could be done. Or maybe they died asphyxiated by Martian dust five years ago. We just don’t know.”
Woods nodded. It must be terrifying to die alone in a place so far from home, he almost experienced it several times.
“What a terrible way to die. And you dreamed of being an astronaut? Why would you want such a dangerous job?” Woods put the gas can on the ground.
“I could ask you the same thing.” Abby looked up at the veteran. She smiled as a sign that she had no intention of offending him.
Woods was quiet for a few seconds. He knew Abby was referring to his work at the CIA, and how after he died he could continue working for them.
“...Because it's the only thing I know how to do”
Abby's smile turned a little sad again.
“That's not true Frank.”
Again Woods didn't know what to answer. It surprised him how many times Abby cornered him like that. Perhaps in her short life, she had known him more than she had known him. In some ways it reminded him of Mason.
Suddenly something pulled him out of his thoughts. A red dot appeared on Abby's chest and slowly rose until it was between both eyebrows.
All his alarms went off.
“Abby!” Woods forcefully pushed her out of the path of the sniper rifle. The deafening noise of a gunshot was heard, somewhere on the walkways to the upper floors. A sharp stabbing pain pierced Woods' shoulder from behind.
Frank staggered from the impact force of the shot but managed not to fall.
“Woods!” Abby grabbed his shoulders worriedly.
“Don't dawdle now, run!” Woods grabbed Abby's arm and ran until they both took cover behind some display cases.
Voices and screams began to be heard, people running and shots being fired everywhere.
Woods grabbed his shoulder and grunted in pain.
“They hit you.” Abby spoke terribly worried about the sergeant.
“It's not as serious as it looks.” Woods lied. “Who the hell are these people?”
“Probably the raiders of this area. The trucks we saw before must be theirs.” Abby responded as she took her rifle off her shoulder but Woods stopped her.
"Not yet. Let them get closer.” Woods put his backpack down and grabbed Abby's rifle. He poked his head out slightly and quickly counted how many enemies they were facing. “Four, six, seven… seven motherfuckers.” He returned to hide behind the display case just as a bullet hit too close. “I Can handle them.”
Of course Woods could handle them, he had been in much worse situations than that. The only thing he really worried about was Abby.
“Abby, leave your things here, just take the gun and the knife.” Frank turned to the young woman. “There is an emergency door in that direction, do not shoot unless strictly necessary, do you know how to use the knife? No, of course you know how to use knives, you stabbed Adler without thinking.”
“Frank, what are you talking about? I'm not going anywhere."
As soon as Woods saw a shooter lean out to shoot again, he grabbed Abby by the collar of her jacket and pulled her down to hide better.
“Listen to me for once in your life, Abigail.” Woods' tone of voice sounded authoritative. “You are going to do what I tell you whether you like it or not.”
Abby's worried eyes traveled back to the gunshot wound in Woods' shoulder. Frank realized this and sighed.
“I'll be fine kid, I'll catch up with you before you know it. Now go." Woods nodded toward the emergency door.
Abby wanted to reproach him again but she knew there was no point, Woods was just as stubborn as she was. So she nodded, left her backpack there and when the assailants took their time reloading their weapons, she ran towards the nearest door.
As soon as she crossed, she closed the door behind her, there was a smaller museum room but she didn't even stop to see what was displayed there. She ran across the room until she reached the emergency door, opened it and found a long hallway where at the end there was another door that surely led to the outside. She stopped for a moment. Maybe there were more people outside, she didn't know how many people were fighting, maybe they were waiting for them outside.
Suddenly footsteps were heard approaching. Had Woods finished with those bastards? Abby had no way of knowing. But she soon discovered that there were several people.
It wasn’t Woods.
“Shit…” Abby cursed as she pulled out the knife.
The footsteps got closer and closer, until they stopped right in front of the door, a tense silence filled the place.
“She must be around here… Keep your eyes open, boys.”
Abby was on guard. Were those men the same ones who were fighting with Woods? Were they other guys? Had they done something to Woods? That possibility made Abby nervous.
The door opened slowly, letting some light into the dark hallway. She didn't know how many she was going to face. But no matter what, Abby was going to kill them. She was going to kill them all.
Woods finally managed to shoot the sniper on the upper catwalks. Of the seven men there, he managed to kill three.
“Not Tommy!” A man was heard screaming.
That almost managed to distract Woods, out of the corner of his eye he saw someone lunge at him. Frank managed to dodge the knife and hit him in the face. The man staggered back, and Woods took the opportunity to shoot him in the leg with his pistol. The man screamed in pain and before he could react Woods put his arm around his neck and pulled him towards him, using him as a human shield.
With the man in front protecting him, Woods allowed himself the luxury of coming out of hiding and managing to shoot another man in the shoulder. Frank was about to shoot a second time, this time in the head, when a voice stopped him suddenly.
“Pull the trigger one more time and I swear to God I’ll kill the girl!”
Everyone stopped. The shooting stopped and the museum fell silent. Two men appeared, they were covered in bruises and signs of a fight. One was bleeding and limping on one leg, the other was holding Abby by the neck and jamming the barrel of the gun into her temple. Abby locked eyes with Woods, her nose was bleeding and she had a split eyebrow.
“Let go.” The man holding Abby ordered. “Let him go or I'll stain the floor with her brains.” He threatened.
Abby shook her head slightly. Woods was breathing hard, it was a too compromising situation, he couldn't risk Abby getting hurt. So Frank reluctantly let the man go.
As soon as he did, someone kicked him behind the knee and pushed him to the ground.
“Frank!” Abby screamed. “Let go of memotherfucker! I'll kill you!"
The man holding her pressed the gun even harder against Abby's head.
“Abby!” Woods exclaimed worriedly, he wanted to get up but one of the raiders put his knee on his back and the rifle pointed at his head.
"Wait wait! Don’t shoot!" The man who had earlier been taken hostage by Woods tried to stop his partner.
“Why?” The other man threatening Abby didn't seem in a good mood. “The girl killed Joe and Billy! She deserves to die!"
“That girl saved my son.” The man looked at Abby, hoping she would recognize him. “Back in Chicago. Remember?”
Abby stared at him for a few seconds. She tried to loosen the grip on her neck without success.
“I remember you.” Abby answered.
The man nodded and then looked at his companions. “She gave me medicine for little Simon. She saved him. I owe her my life.”
The man behind Abby didn't look very happy. “They have killed three of our people, they have stolen our gasoline too.”
“He killed Tommy! My brother!" The man who had his knee on Woods exclaimed.
“They came from Chicago. They may have valuable information.” The father tried to insist. “She has saved my son. Your nephew, James.”
The man holding Abby and who seemed to be the leader spent a few seconds thinking.
He growled in frustration and shook his head. “Knock them out. We’ll take them to camp with us.”
Hearing that, Abby became upset and tried to free herself even harder.
“Abby no!” Woods exclaimed.
But for Abby it was too late, she felt a strong blow to her head and everything went dark.
____________
David ran to the hospital. The plane had been delayed two hours, since he had received the news he had done everything possible to return home on time, but apparently despite his efforts he didn’t succeed.
He crossed the hall until he reached the table where the reception desk was located. The receptionist seemed to be typing something into the computer when David arrived.
“Hey.” David greeted, somewhat agitated in an attempt to remain calm. The nurse looked up from the screen and looked at him with a bored expression. “Huh… I'm looking for Alice Mason, her water broke this morning. I am her husband.” he showed the ID.
The woman checked the ID for a few long seconds, looking at the ID and then at David repeatedly. Then she typed some more on the computer. David shifted impatiently on the spot.
“Alice Mason already gave birth two hours ago, she is resting in her room.” The woman reported.
“oh…” David realized that he had missed the birth of his first child because of work. He ran his hand through his hair and laughed nervously. “My wife gave birth alone. I must look like a horrible husband.” He smiled sadly.
The woman changed her bored expression for a slightly more compassionate look.
“I am not the woman who should judge that. Your wife is in room 240, second floor. The elevator is on the left.” The receptionist pointed there.
David nodded and left with a final, polite “thank you.”
He took the elevator and arrived as quickly as he could to the room that the woman had indicated to him. Some nurses even called him out for running through the hospital hallways.
When he arrived at the indicated door David made an effort to calm down. He had just become a father, he was a father. He almost couldn't believe it. He took a deep breath and slowly opened the door.
As soon as he entered the room he met his wife's tired eyes. She was lying on the hospital stretcher, her hair completely tangled and huge dark circles under her eyes. But still, for David, he still saw her as the most beautiful woman in the world.
“Hey…” Alice smiled and stretched out her hand towards him.
David did not hesitate to shorten the distance and take her hand in his. He sat on the edge of the stretcher and kissed her knuckles.
“Hey…” he said back with a small smile. He placed Alice's knuckles next to his cheek as he stroked the back of her hand gently with his thumb. "How do you feel?"
“Exhausted.” Alice sighed, her face looked like she hadn't slept in days.
David leaned towards her and kissed her sweetly. He wanted to kiss her more, with more passion, to tell her how much he had missed her, that the days without her were horrible. But in the state his wife was in he had to be more delicate.
“You've done an amazing job, momma.” It was the first time David had called Alice that, and he was surprised by how sweet it sounded. They both knew that they had to get used to the life of being parents, but luckily they would do it together.
“And you're late.” Alice scolded him, but the tired smile indicated that she wasn't really angry.
"I know. I am so sorry my love.” David kissed her forehead and knuckles again. He wanted to make excuses, that the plane had been delayed for two hours because of a storm, that the traffic jam from the airport to the hospital had been eternal... but David knew that at that moment those excuses were worthless. He made a mental note to make up for it with lots of massages and good food.
"It¡s ok honey. She has also arrived earlier than the estimated date.” Alice cupped David's cheek with her other hand.
He looked up.
“She?” He asked surprised.
Alice's smile widened and she nodded. "It's a girl."
David and Alice had made the decision not to know the gender of the baby until it was born. David never had a preference for one gender or another, but upon hearing that it was a girl, his heart skipped a beat. It is always said that daughters have a special place in the hearts of fathers.
“Have you decided on a name?” David asked curiously.
Alice stayed for a few seconds looking at her husband.
“Abigail. Abigail Mason.” She answered.
That surprised David, it wasn't that he disliked the name either.
“Abigail? I don’t remember that name on our list.” David remembered that they had a long list of names for their future baby. They never managed to decide on one.
Alice chuckled. “I didn't name her. It was Woods.”
“Woods? Are you letting the old sergeant choose our daughter’s name?” He joked.
Alice rolled her eyes. “He just proposed the name, and I liked it. Do you like it?"
Dave nodded.
“And where is our dear Abigail?” David looked around. He noticed that the crib next to the hospital bed was empty.
“Frank took her to the waiting room for a little while so I could rest a little.” Alice explained. “She has very strong lungs.” She chuckled.
“Has Woods been with you during the birth?”
“He was waiting outside. As soon as I called him to tell him that my water had broken, he didn't hesitate for a second to come to the hospital.” Alice answered.
"And your family?"
“They said they were on their way but had gotten into a traffic jam.” She sighed. “I guess it's better this way, you know how Woods gets when he sees my parents.”
David remembered the last family meeting, and nodded. "Then I'll go find those two." David kissed Alice, a slow and tender kiss. “You rest in the meantime.”
“Yes sir.”
Alice nodded and closed her eyes as soon as David left the room.
David searched the hospital floor until he found a small waiting room. There was old Woods by the window, sitting as always in his wheelchair, and with a small bundle of blankets in his arms. David approached without making much noise.
“You like grabbing the finger huh?” Woods spoke in a very soft tone, something strange for him. “Yeah, you have a really strong grip, Abs.”
“Hey old Man.” David greeted, taking care not to scare the veteran.
“Oh Dave.” Woods smiled as soon as he heard David's voice. Frank looked down at what was in his arms. A small baby's face peeked out from between the blankets, big green eyes that stood out. “Look Abby, your dad's already here.”
David's heart melted the moment he saw the girl, his girl, his daughter. David had just met her and had already fallen in love with her, that baby had become his ray of sunshine.
“Do you want to hold her?” Woods asked.
David was a little nervous but he didn't hesitate and nodded. Woods carefully handed the baby to his nephew. Little Abby stirred at the sudden movement but once she settled into her father's arms she relaxed again.
"Hi gorgeous." David murmured sweetly. His legs were shaking, his heart was going to burst, and his eyes were beginning to fill with tears.
Abby opened her small eyes as she recognized her father's voice. David had spoken to her so many times while she was inside her mother's belly. Which Abby didn't take long to recognize.
That made David's smile wider. And Woods's.
David rocked Abby gently, trying to put her to sleep.
“So Abigail huh?” David looked at his adoptive uncle. “I didn't know you had a name in mind.”
Woods sighed.
“Not exactly my idea.” Frank answered, looking at his hands, old and calloused. “More like your parents’.”
David raised his head curiously.
“Well, more exactly from Em, from your mother. Although your father also liked the idea.” Woods began to explain. “When Em was pregnant with you, she thought that if there was a chance you were going to be a girl, she would name you Abigail.”
That caused a wave of thought in David, about his mother and father. He tried to remember moments of his parents together. They were all blurry.
A whimper from Abby brought him out of his thoughts. David looked down and saw Abby thrashing in her father's arms. Surely she was starting to get sleepy.
“Abby…” he murmured. "I like it." He smiled at Woods.
Frank nodded.
“She has a good father. She will do great things.”
“Section.” Harper's voice woke David up from his little nap. The lack of sleep had taken a huge toll on David.
David looked around, they were outside the White House, the Wolves seemed to be reorganizing again. He was sitting on some cargo boxes. Delta was lying next to him, resting his head on David's lap.
“Are you okay brother?” Harper asked, seeing his friend's exhausted expression, he had terrible circles under his eyes.
"Yes Yes. I just had a strange dream.” He brushed it off as he stroked Delta behind the ears. The dog raised his head, happy to see his owner awake.
Harper nodded unconvinced. “The truck is ready.”
David climbed down from the cargo boxes and picked up his backpack. "Thank you. You didn’t have to do it.”
“I wanted to make sure everything was in ordert.” Harper guided David to the truck he had mentioned. “Provisions, ammunition, gasoline…. Everything you need to get to Chicago.” He handed the keys to the vehicle to David, who accepted them with a nod.
David opened the passenger door and with a quick whistle ordered Delta into the car. The dog obeyed without question. He closed the door and sighed.
“I hope your contact was right.” David looked his friend in the eyes.
That same morning a group of the Chicago Wolves had arrived. David didn't hesitate to ask about his daughter Abby. The men confirmed that before they left they had heard rumors that someone had brought in an unconscious girl. That only fueled David's hope.
“She will be there. Don't worry." Harper assured him.
Both friends hugged each other as farewell.
“Be careful out there. And bring Abby back.”
"I will."