All of You

No Time To Rest

Amara Rollins.

1-9-0-4-7-2.

Dandelion. Snow. Whiskey. Lift. Velocity. Russia. Obsolete.

I yelled. I felt like I was choking, and I couldn't breathe right. I coughed out, trying to get my breathing to stabilise. I was cold and afraid. I pulled the sheets closer and hugged my knees to my chest. The nightmares were just getting worse. And every time I had this nightmare, it was getting clearer and clearer, as if I was experiencing the horrors all over again.

Leon... I needed Leon. I closed my eyes for a moment. When I finally calmed down, I took a good look at my surroundings. I wasn't at home, but I was on a bed. I looked down to see that I was wearing hospital clothes. I got out of bed, almost tripping over my own feet. I saw a jug of water and downed the whole thing. My head still hurt badly, but I needed to get out. I stumbled to get to the front desk where a nurse was busy typing away on the computer.

"I want to get discharged."

The nurse looked up and almost yelped in surprise. I guessed I looked pretty beat up if that was her reaction. She told me she'd get the doctors in right away to check on my condition. I was led back to my room and a doctor immediately examined me. It seemed like hours before the doctor declared that I was safe to go home even though I was still weak. He told me someone found me laying on the floor out cold. They didn't think I was going to make it but seeing that I woke up from my week-long coma, I was in good shape to leave the place. I asked the doctor for my belongings, but he said I didn't have any except for my handgun, knife and wallet. Once he left, I changed back into my BSAA uniform which had been washed and dried. At least I wasn't leaving the hospital smelling like J'avo blood. I took my gun and knife, placing them back in its respective holders. I came to realise that my communication device was gone. I cursed to myself knowing that I had no way of contacting Hunnigan. I decided to take the risk and use a public phone. I went to the payphone and dialled Leon's number. I waited with bated breath as the dial tone kept ringing. Leon didn't answer. I placed the receiver back shakily. Come on, keep ahold of yourself, Amara.

I went back to the front desk and paid for my hospital bills. I winced when the nurse called me by my real name out loud. If Chris or anyone from the BSAA heard that, I'd be in deep trouble. Shit, Chris! I hurriedly ran out of the hospital and onto the streets. I saw someone mounting their bike, but I pushed him off and mounted it instead. I shoved a couple of hundreds into his hands before driving off. It was a bad idea to drive in my groggy state, but I needed to rush to the BSAA base. I wasn't sure how I ended up in The States after the whole Edonia incident, but one thing for sure was that I needed to get back fast.

The guards on standby prevented me from entering even before I reached the gates. They requested for my identity as they stared warily at my BSAA outfit. The guards stared at me in pale shock when I said my name.

"W-welcome back, ma'am," one of them said as he opened the gates for me.

They saluted me. I didn't have time to deal with them so I zoomed past and rushed into the base. I burst open the double doors to the pantry. Everyone stared up in shock.

"R-Riley?" Brett stuttered, dropping his sandwich in hand.

"Where's Chris?" I asked, panicked and out of breath when I didn't see him among the crowd.

"Gone," a voice spoke up and I saw Piers approaching me. "Just like you were," he continued in a low, angry voice.

"What? Wait, I know I was gone for a week, but-"

"You were gone for six whole months!" Piers yelled, tears forming in his eyes.

I stared at my left hand and realised that my wound was completely healed. "No..."

"We thought you were dead," Reid said next.

"I..."

"Leave us," Piers ordered. They wanted to give me a hug, or some sort of consolation that I was back, but shuffled out of the room like Piers told them to. Once the doors closed, Piers looked at me with an indescribable look in his eyes.

"Piers, what the hell happened?"

"What do you last remember?" Piers asked, not answering my question.

"Finn and the rest... Oh God," I replied, unable to look at Piers. "I tried to shield Chris, but I got knocked out."

"That was long ago. Come on, Riley. Tell me what you've been doing for the past six months," Piers demanded, his voice impatient. "Were you with Jake?"

"Jake? N-no."

"Then what were you doing?"

I tried to think, but my mind drew a blank. I had no memories whatsoever. I didn't know if it was because of the fact that I had just woken up from a coma, but I didn't know what happened. I shook my head at Piers who grew more frustrated at the moment.

"Jesus, Riley. You were gone for six months and you had no idea?" Piers grumbled, facing away from me. "Damn it. What if Chris is like this too?"

"I'm sorry, Piers. I'm so sorry."

At this, he turned around and frowned. "Why are you sorry?"

"For not being able to protect Chris or the rest of the team. Ben, Carl, Andy, Finn... It was my fault."

"No," he stated firmly, grabbing my shoulders. "Their deaths were not your fault. And neither was it Chris' or anyone else's but Ada Wong's."

When I didn't look at him, he let go of my shoulders and placed one of his hands under my chin. "Riley. Listen to me. We're gonna find Chris and we'll get back at her."

"Then let's find Chris now," I said, pushing away his hand.

I tried to make my way towards the door, but I fell onto the ground. Before I felt the impact, a strong pair of arms wrapped around me.

"You need to rest. Stop being stubborn and for once, just listen to me." He helped me up, but I couldn't stand back on my own two feet. I heard him sigh before he picked me up bridal style. "We're gonna search for him once you're all better. Until then, for the love of God, please rest up."

My eyes were starting to close as he carried me somewhere. I felt the comfort of the mattress and I assumed he had brought me back to my room.

"Go to sleep, Riley." His soothing voice cooed me to sleep. Almost instantly, I was overtaken by darkness again.