Water In My Lungs

Flashbacks

They were scrambling with the lock before Killian slammed his body weight into the door forcefully.

"We're coming, Estelle!" Connor screeched, pounding with her fist. She could hear her best friend's voice, small and scared beneath the bellowing of the man on the other side. "You're okay, we're here!"

Killian cursed, kicking the door near the handle waiting for the lock to splinter and break open. I just replaced this... he thought hopelessly. "I'll be right back." He skidded down the stairs, hand grabbing the end of the handrail and propelling himself towards the kitchen sink. His hands flew to the lower cabinet, yanking it open, and dragging out the small tool box as he started his way back up the stairs two by two.

The thundering of feet up the stairs and Estelle's muted begging pushed Connor to crying in the hallway. Her glasses had fallen off in the race to the library, helping the tears to blur her vision. She rubbed her eyes and looked up at Killian with red rimmed eyelids.

"I've got it, I've got it," he stammered, correcting the slim tool in his hands and fitting it into the keyhole.

"Hurry, Killian," she rasped, watching his hands twitch with the effort of finding the spot he needed to unlock the door. Bedivere continued yelling, the sound of books and paperweights, pens and other supplies hitting the wall around them. Bedivere, please! Estelle's voice burst through the wood and Connor's heart jumped into her throat with her helplessness.

A scratching sound and a small click reverberated through Killian's hands and he immediately reached and twisted the doorknob and threw open the door violently. Estelle was on the floor in the corner of the room, streams down her face which she covered with her hands. Connor ran to her and put her arms around her, kissing her hair and murmuring. "It's okay..."

"You two stay." Killian's voice hardened and he turned on his heels towards the doorway. He ran through, reaching down and grabbing a small ballpein hammer and racing down the stairs towards the open front door.

The yard opened up before him and the determined man looked all around, clutching the hammer tightly in his fist. You son of a bitch, where are you? His eyes darted over to the lake at the sense of movement and took four quick steps forward.

Bedivere was ankle deep in the water and continued, looking back at Killian with wet cheeks and swollen eye sockets. The look on his face was cold, hatred pouring out over the grass and Killian could practically feel it frosting the tip of his bare feet. The water swallowed Bedivere's retreating body welcomingly.

He'd kill me if he could...

Killian grimaced, only a moment passed before Connor came thundering out the door and onto to the deck, searching for him.

"Killian," she beckoned. He turned towards her, face fallen with bad news. "We seriously need to have a fucking talk." Connor's voice was stern as she walked towards him.

"I have to leave," he said grimly.

"No, you have to stay and tell me what the hell just happened and what you know, because you obviously know more than us." She sounded angry but a sadness crawled up her throat and nearly gagged her. "That is my friend in there. Who was that man?!"

"No, Connor! I am not playing anymore. I really have to leave! I have to leave, and you have to forget about me. Stay away from Bedivere, and stay away from me, and you'll be safe."

"Bedivere? Safe from what, Killian?!" The sadness had broken free, engulfing her previous demand for information. Please don't leave.

"Bedivere! From... everything. Stay away from the lake. Stay away from me." Killian rejected her approach with upheld hands, turning his face in an agonized glower, and walked towards the driveway. Something inside of Connor told her to follow. Stop him, the voice said. The realization that she barely knew this man kept her from listening.