Turning the key to open the door was the same as yesterday, but the feeling in his heart was completely different.
Everything had changed. He could no longer feel any warmth in this house, only bone-deep cold.
Fury had everyone wait for him in the living room while he shut himself in the bedroom, holding his wedding photo with Valentina as he sat silently by the bed all night.
He seemed to have completely merged with the darkness, without even a trace of light left. Even his freshly shaved bald head was helpless in such absolute darkness.
Early the next morning, he opened the bedroom door. Though his eyes were bloodshot, his speech and thinking had returned to their usual level.
The morning sunlight shone through the windows onto everyone. The Howling Commandos lay sprawled asleep throughout the living room, while only Dugan smoked one cigarette after another, filling the room with haze.
"Take me to the 'Dam' Safehouse. I'll recuperate there for the next few months. Push the LMD development along for me. Meanwhile, you'll temporarily take charge of the field operations department. Dugan, you're the one I trust most. Don't let me down."
He issued several orders in succession, decisive and direct. As for how to deal with Valentina, Fury already had a plan.
Dugan clenched his cigar between his teeth and patted the armrest of Fury's old sofa, making it creak. Fury's home was far from luxurious; on the contrary, it seemed as though everything had remained in the sixties, with every piece of furniture and equipment hopelessly outdated.
"Got it, boss." Dugan put on his Bowler Hat and rubbed his face with both hands. Though he had not rested all night, doing things for his comrades was only right. "Guys and girls, wake up! Time to