Chapter 2: Mask of Awakening

Here's the second chapter of Mission: Impossible - Unveiling Shadows, and I hope you enjoy it.

Sorry, if it's way too short, compare to the previous chapter

Warning: Bad Grammar?

(Later in the Safehouse)

As Sadie entered the safehouse, she saw Benji and Luther, gather in a secure safehouse. The sky outside the safehouse, covered by clouds, as it was a misty rain pouring outside. Sadie looked at Benji and Luther

"I'm Ethan Hunt, these are my teammates, Benji Dunn, and Luther Stickell." Said Ethan as he pointed at Benji and Luther. Sadie looked at them, cautiously but senses a glimmer of trust, while she holding her mask.

"I don't understand… Why are they after me? I didn't do anything wrong…" She wondered, in tremble. She still shocked by the murders of her parent and scared by the chasing of those evil men.

"Sadie, what your parents were involve in, was a project called Project Neosystem. A dangerous technology that people would do anything to control." Ethan calmly explained to her.

"And you were unintentionally become a target, because of what you know." He continued. Sadie was shocked and has feeling of hard to accept the truth of what Ethan had told her. It made her concern of the future of her, without her parents, while her condition were targeted by many criminals. She then asked "Project Neosytem? But, what does that have to do with me?"

"Your parents were working on it." Said Benji "The information they had are very valuable, and those people wanted it. And you are the key to unlocking it." He continue, Sadie was surprised and felt nervous. She cannot believed how her parents were involve with all of this dangerous project. She only knew that her parent are kind and loving people who loves science. She felt down with a feeling of sad and concern.

Until Luther looked at and her and said "Don't, worry, we're here to protect you. It's really a dangerous situation, but together, we'll figure it out."

Sadie processes the gravity of the situation, her gaze shifting from one IMF to another. She nervously said "But, I'm… just a kid.. why all of this happening? Please tell me." While she holds her mask

Ethen gently replied "Sometimes, what the world puts its weight on unexpected shoulders. And we're here to make sure you don't carry it alone."

Sadie began to understood, from what Ethan told her, but she still felt sad and concerned after the incident. She looked at her mask, and began to explained what she do know to the members of the IMF. The sky outside the safehouse began to raining harder.

"There is also something I wanted to show you guys… it was this mask…" she said, Ethan, Luther and Benji noticed her mask, and began

"That looks great, Sadie. Do you made it by yourself?" Asked Benji.

"Yes, I made it myself, to hiding my identity, actually." Said Sadie, she also began to explained the detailed explanations about the mask.

"The pale color.. it's represents trying to blend in, to be noticed. The black empty eyes are helped me to see through anything around me, while also keeping others from seeing my eyes. The stitches scar, with a half grey it's reminding me of how the world can be broken… and the red blush…" her voice began to tremble, before she finished her explanation "It's like a reminder of something hopeful…"

The members of IMF were listen attentively, understanding the symbolism behind Sadie's creations. "It's a great design, Sadie. It's a well served, but you are among your friends, and you don't need to hide.." Said Ethan to her.

Suddenly, Sadie's tears flow freely, after the traumatic experience, and her concern of being targeted by criminals. She looked at her mask, and began to cry.

"I miss my parents, so much. I can't believe my parents ended up like this…" she said

"Why is all of this always happening to me? I don't want to being chased by criminals…" she covered both her eyes, and continue to crying. The members of IMF, were felt sympathetic towards her, Ethan began to approaches her, with a comforting presence.

"Sadie, I can't imagine how painful, from what you've been through. What happened to your parents is a terrible injustice." Said Ethan as he gently places his hand on her shoulder.

"You're not alone in this. We're promise to protect you, and won't let anyone to harm you." He continued. Sadie looked at him, vulnerability in her eyes. Luther and Benji exchanges a supportive glance at her.

"We're got your back, kiddo. You were part of this team." Said Luther

"And we also a family too, you can count on us." Said Benji. Sadie wiped her tears as she looked at them, she began to asked them softly "Are you… sure? Please promise to protect me."

Ethan smiled and said "Yes, we're promise to protect you, Sadie, and we also will find out too."

Sadie began to smile, and said "Thank you.. Thank you so much, for having somebody who will protect me…"

Ethan smiled at her, "Anytime Sadie, we will always be there if you need us."

Sadie, in the midst of her sorrow, found a solace in a comforting words and presence of the IMF. The safehouse, had become more than place of refuge, it now become a safe haven, where empathy and determination intertwine. As her tears gradually subside, the bond between the IMF and the young girl will grew stronger, as it continue forward. Despite the darknesses that still lurk and haunt her.

(Meanwhile, In another Place)

Somewhere in a dimly lit room, in a place that what appears to be hidden lair, with a raining outside the lair. The Phantom, a vengeful assassin, were alone in the room, with photos that contains the family members of Bennetts. She expressed frustration towards the Bennetts, for causing her mission went terrible, and made her gone rogue.

Until a two henchmen, came to her room, with the scars on their bodies, caused by a fight began to tell her. "Boss, that girl, Sadie is now saved by a man that we believed to be Ethan Hunt." Said one of henchmen.

The Phantom turned around at her, and saw two henchmen with a serious glare, found out that Sadie was protected by someone she familiar with.

"So, that girl was protected by Ethan Hunt" asked The Phantom

"He and the IMF always interfere, but this time, they won't saved her." She continued. She looked at photos of memories of a missions went wrong. The loss of her closed people lives weight heavily on The Phantom's mind. As she was going to seeking revenge.

"Sadie Bennett, you are the link of the past that can't be undone. You won't escape from us." Said The Phantom, with a serious tone.

"Henchmen, tells the other members that we will going to settle down the IMF, and activated a Project Neosystem. That girl will not be save from anyone…" she said firmly, the two henchmen understood, and left The Phantom's room. The vengeance of The Phantom is now inside her, with a shadow of her past, and her goal to avenge the loss of many people.