Tainted

Chapter 18

Chapter 18

My lungs burned as I sprinted through the forest. I ducked and dodged the tree branches, defending my face from the twigs and thorns. I heard shouting from behind me and my speed quickened, sweat dripping from my forehead. They were catching up.

A gunshot sounded and a ringing was left echoing around my head. I looked down and the red light on my suit was flashing. I sighed and collapsed on the ground, staring up at the trees while they slowly faded away. Black tiles replaced the blue sky and green scenery. The mud underneath my back disappeared, cold tiles taking its place, sending a chill down my spine.

I stood up and looked round the massive studio, numbers and letters flashing up in red on the wall in front of me:

Stats:

Time - 17mins 27secs

Cause of Death - Shot in upper back

Heart rate - Average: 120bpm

Scores:

Speed - 7/10

Stamina - 7/10

Agility - 6/10

Technique - 5/10

I sighed and wiped my forehead with the back of my hand. That was terrible. I knew I could do so much better. This was really embarrassing.

Dan walked into the studio and pulled me in for a sweaty hug.

"Don't worry, it's only the first day. It's just a quick assessment to see how you react to the equipment and simulation studio. We can work on all of this. These people are specialised in this area and will do whatever they can to help you." He pushed me back and looked into my eyes, his hands on my shoulders. "I will too."

We hugged again and then left the studio.

I had been told that people were chasing me, and they wanted to kill me. I had to run as fast as I could to get away from them, as I might find myself in a similar situation when I 'graduate'. It was a long and painful introduction, and I wasn't so excited about simulation any more; sounded like too much hard work.

I watched myself back on video, while an elderly man droned on about different decisions i should've made, the ones i chose causing fatal mistakes. I zoned out, a habit every time someone over the age of 50 started talking, especially if they sounded like David Attenborough.

After the lecture, me and Dan were dismissed and headed downstairs to the fitness suite.

I sat down on a bench, my hands covering my face. I could feel my emotions taking over, I'd always been a perfectionist, so this wasn't good.

"I don't even know what I'm doing here. I'm obviously not good enough so WHAT AM I DOING HERE? WHY AM I WASTING MY TIME?" I stood up abruptly, making Dan step back in surprise.

"I know this is hard, but you couldn't seriously expect becoming a fully qualified secret agent would be easy?" He said, raising his voice to match my own.

"I don't know what I expected. What was I supposed to expect when I didn't know anything about you or the agency?" I asked, still shouting, my voice bouncing off the walls.

"I thought you trusted me to help you? Where has all of this come from? We were doing so well." He reasoned, almost pleaded with me, yet you could still hear the irritation in his voice.

"I thought I wanted to be here but I really, really don't. I'm out of here." I turned to walk away but Dans hand grabbed onto my upper arm, causing a sharp pain to course down my whole arm, his fingers digging into my skin. I turned and winced at the red mark now forming around his hand. My other hand desperately tried to pry his off, but it was weak and useless.

"You can't go." He said firmly, but a shake was behind his voice.

"Why? You don't care about me anyway. You were told to train me, it wasn't your choice, I know that. Nothing is keeping me here. Nothing." I spat out at him, my eyes looking into his own. His grip on my arm loosened and I began to leave when I heard footsteps quickly approaching.

"You can't leave because.. I know where your parents are!" he shouted after me. I stopped dead in my tracks and turned around slowly, fury bubbling inside of me.

"How dare you bring them into this petty argument! I know you don't know that, because nobody does. Don't bullshit me Dan. You forced me to come here and now you lie about my parents? You disgust me." I spat ferociously, tears threatening to build up in my eyes. Hurt and confusion was evident in his eyes, it made guilt settle in my stomach, yet I knew he was the guilty one.

"Well, what else could I have said to make you stay?" he asked desperately.

"Nothing." I snapped, crossing my arms across my chest. "I'm leaving." I finished and turned away. I began to walk away when once again, a hand grabbed my arm and pulled me back, yet this time, I was met with soft, plush lips. Warmth spread through my body as I melted into Dan, his arms snaking around my waist. Everything else began to slowly disappear, sparks flying between us, until I pushed him away. My heart ached as well as my head, when I withdrew my hand and slapped him on the cheek. His head swung to the side and stayed there as his hand rubbed his now red cheek.

I turned and stormed out of the fitness suite, leaving the building. Once I made it to my room in the residence, I collapsed on my bed, sobbing. I stayed there until my throat ached and my head was pounding.

It was dark outside and I went to the bathroom to clean myself up. I knew I couldn't stay there now. I left the room and began to pack up my things, no one would miss me anyway.

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Is it just me who finds this is really slow moving? She hasn't even made it to the mission yet and it's been 18 chapters, this is terrible, I'm sorry x