The Third Miya: Isuma

LXII

Run.

Run.

RUN!!

Isuma could hear Matthew getting closer and closer. He was yelling- and then suddenly, pushing her out of the window.

The freezing water swallowed her up instantly- then she was running again. Matthew shoved her. Water. She was running- then falling- then the water. Again. Again.

"Isuma. Isuma!!" Someone fell into the water with her. As Isuma lost consciousness for the hundredth time, the person pulled her up. "ISUMA!!!"

"Isuma!!!"

She was shaking uncontrollably; familiar arms wrapped around her, keeping her steady. "It's okay. It's okay."

Hishari.

"Breathe, Isuma. Breathe. Calm down." Hishari said, her voice soft and soothing. Isuma's muscles relaxed, and she stopped resisting Hishari's hold.

And then the memories resurfaced, crashing against her mind like a tsunami. Isuma took several deep breaths, trying to take control. Her doctor's tips on how to handle panic attacks ran through her head. She focused on the room around her, focusing on the various colors. Beige curtains. White walls. Brown rug. Blue door. Green blankets. Gray chair.

Slowly, her breathing returned to normal, and she stopped shaking. Hishari was seated beside her bed, anxiously watching. Isuma took one last deep breath. "What- what happened? What day is it? Where's Irene-"

"Relax. I'll explain everything." Hishari poured her a glass of water. "It's only been two days; don't worry."

That was a relief. After missing three months as a sixteen-year-old, Isuma didn't trust how long her body decided to fall unconscious. "Okay. It's okay."

"Are you alright?" Hishari's eyes filled with concern. Isuma managed a nod and took another slow breath. Her body relaxed after another several moments. "I'm fine. What are you doing here, Hishari-san?"

"Takahiro called me. I got here an hour ago." Hishari replied. "There's a lot I have to catch you up on."

Hishari insisted they call Isuma's doctor. Her doctor seemed sullen about her condition and warned her to put no pressure on her feet for at least another week. The glass had cut into the most sensitive skin. It would be months before it completely healed. She would be discharged in two weeks- coincidentally when she was supposed to return home.

Hishari explained that Irene's injuries had been much more severe- so severe that she'd be confined to the hospital for at least two months. Irene hadn't woken up, and the doctors weren't enthusiastic about her condition.

The big black area beneath the apartment building? Yeah, that was the pool. Isuma lost consciousness moments after sinking into the water.

Takahiro had saved her.

Isuma had told him and Iwaizumi before she'd left. When she wouldn't pick up their calls, they assumed the worst and took action. Takahiro and Oikawa headed straight for the apartment complex while Iwaizumi called the police and arrived with them later. Takahiro reached her just as she fell and dove in after her.

Later, Takahiro would recount how terrifying those minutes were. He wasn't sure if she was alive and was panicking. Oikawa had taken over and carried her to the paramedics, who immediately whisked her to the hospital.

Irene hadn't been discovered until the police questioned the other party-goers. Several people reported seeing two people running down the stairs. Another mentioned seeing a man harassing a young woman on the fifth floor. At least 100 had seen her fall into the pool and rescued her. The girl who'd given Isuma directions tearfully told the police officers that she had been going to Irene's apartment.