"No, no, no!" I protest, scrambling at his body as I try to hear or feel for any sign of life. Christopher lies completely still and as the seconds tick by, I begin to grow desperate. The sound of a door opening catches my attention and I whip my head to the right, my eyes widening in dread. Calvin is stumbling through the boat, rubbing at his eyes as he recovers from his unconscious state.
I can't let him see his father lying dead underneath me.
"Calvin, no!" I yell at him, desperately wanting him to turn around or look away. His eyes connect with mine before filling with confusion. I watch in horror as they flicker and land on his dead fathers body. Blood trickles down Christopher Black's face and I feel like I've frozen in time. My eyes don't leave Calvin's face and I notice his features twist in sadness.
"Dad?" He whispers, stumbling towards us. I hold my hand out towards him, swallowing the lump lodged in my throat.
"Stay back." I whisper, hating myself for what I've done. I didn't intentionally kill Christopher, I would never do that to Calvin. His green eyes flicker back up to me and flash with anger —
"Do not tell me to stay back again! You knocked me out cold without warning! What did you do to him Hunter? Is he dead?" Calvin yells at me. I pause, glancing down at his father. He definitely looks dead. For a few tense seconds, I feel like I'm looking at myself from someone else's perspective. Right now I must look like a monster to Calvin. I wouldn't blame him for recoiling away from me in horror and fear.
This is what the FBI have created.
I grit my teeth, knowing I'm not entirely FBI produced. I'm also Hunter Ashley, I have an identity of my own. Not an FBI Agent but a girl with wit, strength and a whole lot of love to give. A tear slips from my eye, landing on the floor and creating a small puddle. Without saying another word to Calvin, I breathe in sharply and sit up on my knees. I place my hands on Christopher's chest, forming an intertwined fist.
"One, two, three . . . " I begin the gruelling process of trying to revive him, using what little energy I have left to bring him back. Every few seconds I lean down, aligning my ear with Christopher Black's mouth as I try to listen or feel for any sign of life.
Behind me Calvin begins freaking out. I ignore him and focus on Christopher, trying everything I can to start his heart up again. As I try to listen out for the sound of his breathing, Calvin continues to break down behind me. Tense moments pass but to my surprise, I hear the faintest soft breath come from Christopher's mouth.
"Thank god," I whisper, my shoulders slumping in relief. The FBI didn't teach me to do that, I decided to help him. I release a noise of relief, sitting back against the wall and covering my face with my hands. Silent tears steam down my cheeks and the exhaustion eventually lands right on top of me.
"Is he. . . Did you . . . Oh god, he's alive." Calvin cries, falling to his knees beside his father. I sniffle and crawl towards the control room to find the first aid box before throwing it over to Calvin. He can't seem to make eye contact with me but he takes the box, reaching for the oxygen mask inside. When it's securely wrapped around Christopher's mouth, Calvin looks up at me. His green eyes search mine, conflicted with the emotions he's feeling right now. I remain leaning against the wall, my eyes barely open as I struggle to remain conscious.
"Thank you Hunter." Calvin says genuinely. I slowly nod my head, releasing a small cough. The movement causes the pain in my body to flare up and I groan, closing my eyes.
Somewhere in the distance I hear the low rumble of a jet ski approaching the boat. I know it's Micah so I finally give in to my body's demands and drift away, too beaten and exhausted to fight anymore.
*****
When I wake up, I don't recognise the room I'm lying in. I try to feel or hear for the roar of the boat engine but silence surrounds me. I look around, reaching up to rub the daze from my eyes. I glance down and my realise I'm lying back in my own bed at the FBI headquarters.
"What in the world . . . " I mumble in confusion, wondering whether I'm dreaming. The last thing I remember is being on Christopher Black's boat bringing him back to life.
"Micah? Calvin?" I call out, feeling like a stranger in my own room. I sit up and lean forward, glancing outside the window. From this high up, I can make out the sun peeking through the clouds and I figure out it's mid afternoon. How long have I been out?
I glance down and realise my clothing has been switched. I'm wearing blue tartan pyjamas and underneath, a heart monitor is strapped to me. I reach around the back and take it off, a permanent confused expression plastered across my face. I pass the small device between my hands before placing it down onto the bed and climbing out. I walk over to my wardrobe and retrieve my dressing gown before putting it on and tying it at the front. My body is still aching and bruised in several places but at least the fog from my mind has disappeared.
The building is eerily quiet as I try to listen out for any noise. I decide to head down to Micah's office and see if I can find him to get some answers. When I open my door and peer out, silence greets me.
"Huh, this is weird." I mutter under my breath, wondering where my co-workers and friend's are. I can usually hear their obnoxiously loud laughter coming from a mile away. I close my bedroom door shut softly behind me and begin padding along the glass floor. The corridor is completely deserted so I continue to walk ahead, Micah's office being my destination. I eventually make it and begin to push down the handle when a thought springs to mind.
What if this is a trap?
I don't remember coming back to the FBI headquarters at all. I blow out a deep breath before pushing the handle down and taking a step inside. Instantly I'm greeted with several sets of eyes, all of them trained on me. I stand bewildered in the doorway as Micah, Ted, Margaret and the rest of my co-workers break out into a cheer. They're all smiling at me, clapping their hands in triumph. My eyes widen as I scan the room —
"Am I missing something?"