All For You

Six

Isla

As soon as I hit the water, I think I passed out. Just for a little while, but by then my lungs had already been filled with water.

I was drowning. Going in and out of consciousness, and not even alive enough to feel the pain of it all.

Not until, by some luck, I managed to swim to the edge of the river where a man spotted me and helped me climb out.

I coughed up a shit ton of water at the same time the pain hit me like a truck, and I couldn't do anything but pass out again.

This time, I was grateful for it. Unconcious, I didn't have to deal with the pain. And I could finally rest, even if I was completely vulnerable. Even if I wouldn't be able to wake up to protect myself.

I just want to stay down. For good, even. It would be easy that way. No worries. No cares.

I could just rest, and I wouldn't even be awake to worry about what was going on around me.

I wouldn't have a choice, which is the only way I'd ever be able to properly rest my body.

But I woke up too soon. In the same place I passed out. Surrounded by people who don't know me, but seem to care about my well being anyway.

Concerned faces. Curious eyes. Confused eyebrows. Questioning words.

I sit up and look around. Where am I? A park? There are a few dogs running around, kids throwing balls, parents trying to control their toddlers.

I shouldn't be here. What's the time? I look down at my watch. Six o'clock. Already? I left at four, though.

I sigh and rub my eyes, tired. I try to stand up, but the people around me push me back down. I shove their hands away and try again. This time, they let me.

Still concerned. Still confused. Still curious.

"I'm fine," I manage, barely, and I walk away. I don't let them stop me, and when I hear ambulance sirens get closer and closer, I assume they were for me.

When the big red and white van arrives, and paramedics rush to the river side, and the people point in the direction I left, I know I'm right.

I keep going anyway. I don't have time for the hospital. I don't have the authority to go, as much as I probably need to. Management would have my head if they found out I went to the hospital. If they found out I complicated things and made their jobs harder.

I need to get back. Back to my room. I have to take a shower. Don't I have a mission tonight? I can't remember. I probably do.

Who was I running from earlier? Oh. Right. My brother's. A tall man they seemed to know.

They're here. My families actually here. Have they been here all along, or did they just move back recently? It must've been recently, because they would've been found a long time ago if they were always here.

It doesn't even matter. They're in danger now. The organisation knows they're here.

Knows where they live.

Knows how to get to Hayden.

Threats. More threats. They're gonna use this against me, too.

They're gonna make me work harder.

They're gonna work me to my death.

Who cares? Stop being so selfish. You can't let them get to your family. That's all that matters.

Let them work you to your death. Let them torture you ruthlessly.

Just don't let them touch your family.