I'll Help You Hide From Them

Hero

A strange feeling makes me wake up gradually. The feeling of being watched forces me to peek through my eyelashes to see a shadow standing in the doorway to my room.

They seem to be aware that I'm awake so they stride towards me. I'm about to try to call for help when they clasp their gloved hand over my mouth.

"You just don't learn when to quit, do you?" A deep voice hisses.

I grab their arm, deliberately digging my nails into their skin. A sharp blow to the side of my head weakens me enough for my grip to slide off.

"Good lamb." The voice chuckles, catching my neck in their vice like grip. "Hold still and keep quiet."

I try to breathe but it's nearly impossible. Unfortunately, my body is still tired from the effects of that one pill I was given by Dr Illingworth.

Where is he? He said he wouldn't leave me!

Just as the thought crosses my mind the hand around my neck is released as a punch seems to have knocked this attacker clean out.

"Sorry, I thought I would be able to piss." Dr Illingworth awkwardly smiles at me.

I know that this isn't his fault but I can't help but feel a little betrayed after what's just happened. "You said you w-wouldn't leave m-me." I weakly murmur.

"It was for barely a second Drew, I swear, I would've let my bladder burst if I knew there was someone trying to harm you." He tries to explain.

I struggle to look at him for a second but he makes me flinch by gently touching my hand again.

"Drew, look at me, I can't convince you I'm telling the truth when you don't look me in the eyes." He tells me.

I stare at his hand for a while, finding that like last time he had me analyse if I can trust him he's completely calm. I slowly bring my eyes to lock on his. As much as I want to believe his eyes are deceitful, there's no sign that he's lying or putting up an act.

"Drew, I'm sorry. In a moment you needed me most, I abandoned you and fell back on our promise. I abandoned your trust. I understand that in your state, that's a serious thing to have done but we've just had a miraculous stroke of luck at the fact that we've knocked the culprit out cold." He adds. "In this moment, whoever keeps sending these men after you will probably not have any cause to get another right now."

"The people watching the footage have probably called it in, he won't be questioned by me." I mutter. "The shooter won't give up wanting me dead, the fact that it's been called in probably alerted them that they've once again failed to kill me."

"When we first spoke of Ralph's shooter, you said that they were doing it for a spectacle. Do you really think that's the case that they'd try to kill you so early on in their eyes?" He asks softly.

I give him a cautious look but appreciate the fact that he's asking me thought-provoking questions. "At first I thought that it was the shooter's way of saying that they know I've been put back on the case but now that I've received two additional attempts on my life, I think it is something else. It could just be their sadistic attempt to raise the stakes by showing that my life is on the line as well as a demonstration of power, showing just a few people they have under their thumb." I work out.

"This sounds daunting but how do you know who you can trust?" He asks non-offensively.

"There are only two people I trust, you and Kier. I trusted Ralph more than anything but now he's..." I trail off as the image of his bloody lifeless body returns to me with a chill.

"I take it he had the trust Kier and I have combined." He gently smiles at me.

"It still feels like none of this is real, like I'll wake up and Ralph will be there like he always was. I know that I'm just drifting to some degree." I admit.

"That's a normal stage of grief, although you sure know how to put up enough of a fight to save your life. You really are very good at what you do and I really think that even if the shooter wanted to kill you, you'd pull through." He encourages.

"It's not a thought that helps me sleep at night." I murmur.

"Try to stop thinking about the risks you've been exposed to but try to think of the fact that you're alive. That's an achievement for anyone going through even half the things you have." He adds optimistically.

"I'd just prefer not to have too many threats on my life." I mumble.

He hears this so he releases the soothing grip on my right hand and gets up. I stare at him for a while.

"Where are you going?" I ask him, trying not to sound as vulnerable as I am.

"I don't think I'm qualified to watch over you after what just happened. I'll find time to visit you for as long as you are unable to make our appointment." He simply responds.

"No, please don't leave!" I almost cry.

"I let you down, I do understand if you no longer want my supervision." He bluntly replies as he pulls on his jacket.

My throat dries up at the suggestion of being alone after another attempt on my life. As he is leaving, the people who were watching surveillance go for the unconscious attacker.

"Doctor Illingworth, don't go, I need you!" I call out after him, actually crying at having one of the two people I trust leave me like this.

He instantly calms me down by returning with his welcoming smile. "I'll stay until Kier gets back." He decides, asking some of the passing officers for some food and a coffee.

"You came back..." I sniff, disgusted and ashamed of myself for breaking down like this.

"I'm sorry, I needed to be sure that you genuinely needed and trusted me. There was no other way than to test you by trying to leave." He answers, looking also ashamed at the fact that he's brought me to this. "I'll stay for as long as I'm needed, I promise." He adds, resting his hand over mine.