The Beautiful and The Terrible

3 - Where It Begins

The water was cold. Freezing even. Its temperature bites and leaves anyone shaking and wailing.

Flailing hands appeared above the moving waters as Lisa tries to stay afloat despite the temperature making her lose her senses.

She can't die. Not now. Not when it's her enemies' number one goal. She just can't let them win.

She thinks and thinks. Gears working in her head. Catching her breath and gaining composure, she spotted a loose log just a few feet ahead where the current is taking her. She prepares to grab it.

As she approaches the log, she extended her hands and grabbed on to it successfully. However, she finds herself releasing it shortly after finding a number of dark clothed men on the riverbank aiming their guns at her.

As the current continuously moves, she's once again taken to a destination where only god knows where.

Coldness seeping in her system, tiredness taking over her being, she finds herself welcoming the darkness as her eyes came to a close.

While Roseann was running away from another shots of guns, she remained close to the river to see if a body did actually fell to the river. She can't be wrong. Not when it's the most logical thing to think when you hear gun shots around a river.

As she follows the current, she could only hope that the person is still alive. The current is not something that a person should be afraid because it's not particularly strong. However the temperature of the water is to be considered even if it's summer. When evening approaches, the temperature of the river drops significantly.

"Ah!"

Clutching her bruised knee, she inhaled sharply as she sat on the ground. It's getting cold and dark. She just tripped on a stone for running restlessly and without looking. But she's got to save the person.

Groaning and cringing when she stood up, she looks over to the waters and finds a log-like figure on the shallow part of the river.

Except it's not a log.

Roseann sprinted towards it and loudly hissed when her bruise made contact with the water. But she kept going and finally gets a hold of the person.

After successfully pulling the body out of the water, she turns it to it's back and when she did, she loudly gasped.

"This can't be happening. Oh my god."

She can't believe what her eyes are seeing. It's Lisa Sullivan.

She calms herself. She can't panic right now.

Exhaling careful breaths, eyes focused only on the person before her, she cautiously tilt Lisa's head, checked her breath and held her chin.

'She's breathing.'

She gingerly placed her hands on Lisa's chest and did the resuscitation.

Every now and then she alternates between chest compressions and mouth rescue breaths. It was never not uncomfortable but it's to save her.

"Come on, breath for me, Lisa."

Sweats are now gliding from her head down to the body beneath her. The initial shock and cold now gone as she felt her blood rushing and pulsating.

She just hopes that no one from those gun men would find them.

"Breath!" Her mouth once again met hers, passing breaths.

Suddenly, Lisa coughed.

Roseann is relieved as she watched the woman clutch her chest because of just now's constant compressions.

She went behind her back and tapped it mildly.

"There, there."

Lisa, who basically just coughed water, leaned on to her and breathed. She felt puking, her head is aching and vision swirling.

"It's okay, you're fine. You're alright now." Roseann rubs her back. Feeling it stiff to the touch.

Lisa inhales Roseann's scent. She finds it somewhat similar to a flower. She can't determine what flower yet because of her unfocused mind.

"You're a child."

Roseann stiffened. She's stunned to say the least. Her hands that were on Lisa's head and back stopped.

"What?"

"You're basically a child, taking care of someone older than you." Lisa slightly moved away from her but didn't look at her yet.

Roseann's not offended. It's true anyway. But she just find it odd and random right at this moment.

"I just saved your life and you'd tell me I'm a child. Is that your definition of saying thank you?" Roseann said, feigning irritation.

Chuckling, Lisa finally looked at her. And Roseann was in awe of Lisa's brown eyes. It was sparkling and full of raw gratitude. It was hard not to stare.

"I am, indeed, thankful. I owe my life to you. I'm sorry if I offended you with my earlier remarks." She said it coolly as if she's in some sort of formal meeting.

"What?" She chuckles. "Why you speak like that?"

Lisa just smiles and continues staring at Roseanne. There's something in her eyes that produces a kind of 'she's staring into my soul' feeling.

And boy was she right. Roseann feels seen. She looked around and exhaled.

"We should get going now, the people who were after you might arrive." Standing up, she looks down at Lisa. "Can you stand up?"

"Yes." Replied Lisa as she stood up. Now she's staring down at Roseann.

Roseann looked down at the clear display of height difference. It makes sense. She's a 'child' still.

"Let's go, then." She started walking away, expecting Lisa to follow her.

"But, I need help."

"What about?"

"My head is still spinning even if my brain is already recovering from oxygen interruption. I can't walk properly and normally if we leave now. Can I bother you to assist me once again?"

'Why is she talking like that? Is this how elites normally talk?'

She knows what kind of person Lisa is. She knows her extravagant lifestyle and affluent background. However, she doesn't know she speaks like this.

Walking towards her, she asked, "Do you speak like that regularly?"

Lisa, bearing a tight smile and following Roseann's steps, answered, "I do."

"I'll hold your hand. Just follow me."

They left. Roseann's looking around, very careful and calculating with their steps. She's aware that those gun men were still in this area. She got their target now— Lisa. One wrong move and she'll lose her. She can't. She doesn't know why but she just can't.

All the while, Lisa is just relaxed while being held by this dainty-looking girl. She watched amused as Roseann shields them behind a tree, goes around a block and squat behind a large trash can so as to avoid her killers.

She's curious about this girl. How she defies expectations and instead shows her resiliency and independence. Quite a find.

Lisa just lets her take control. Lead them towards where she would take her. All the while, there's only a question lurking in her mind, "How come she doesn't question why my killers can't find us anymore?"