I heaved a sigh and tried to gasps for air, the rain swept across my face, I didn't know where to run to in the dark with the little child wrapped around me, but I kept hearing strange echos in my head directing me on which part to go. I close my eyes and blurry visions appeared, I could hear their voices coming closer. The child shivered in the cold even though we both wore a raincoat. I began to run again with all the energy I had. I could save a life if I wanted to, and this could be the last time. The sound of a gunshot could be heard, and I knew they were really close now. Luckily for us, I found a tree trunk on the ground and I crawled inside with the child.

"I'm scared" he suddenly muttered in my ears. He was shaking vigorously and sneezing also. Although, the rain had subsided as it was trickling slowly and thanks to this trunk which was a shield to us. I held his cheeks and tried to tell him something motivational, but rather tears flowed from my eyes.

"We will make it" I whispered with a fake smile, wipe my tears and dipped my hands into my pocket to bring out my phone which was soaked in the rain, certainly there was no miracle about it coming back to life again, were we going to survive it? That question rang in my mind. The child held on to my clothe tightly, for some reasons, I believed he just trusted me blindly and that trust gave me a chance to strive for us both. I couldn't hear gunshots any longer, and I imagined they had gone. I placed the child by my side as we both crawled out. I tried to picture where we could be, but I felt dizzy and almost stumbled. Why was I suddenly weak and my sight getting blurry, neither could I hear a sound clearly? When we got out, I picked the child up and wrapped him with my arms, and he rested his head on my shoulder. I have already assured his safety and had to fulfill that. As l was about to take a step, I felt someone touch me on my shoulder and when I turned to look, it was him pointing a gun at my forehead. I couldn't move as tears suddenly gushed out of my eyes. My heart pounced fast not for the child but something else. I stepped backward, and he threatened to shot me, it was so quick, where they waiting for us to get back. He cracked the gun and gave a wry smile, I stared at him with disbelief and hurt in my chest, that smile rekindled memories. There were a lot of questions I wanted to ask, but my tears covered it all. I couldn't say a word, and a loud sound was heard. The child in my hands shuddered, while I felt a sharp pain at my left shoulder. I could feel the blood dripping off from that side. I stood mute trying to struggle for air as the pain was rapid, the child raise his head slowly and stared at me. Furthermore, I didn't know where I was getting that energy from to stand, and I felt I could survive. I tried to say a word, but I was numb. He smiled at me again and aimed at my forehead. I had lost energy now, and I fell to my knees while the child slide off from my grip. The only word that escaped my lips was.

"Why…"

It was a cozy morning and the alarm rang lousily, I groaned and banged it's head to keep shut. Why would it wake me up this early when I was rehearsing on how to catch a suspect? But thanks to this old thing though, it got me up early, let's just say a little. I rose up and tottered to the bathroom, but my eyes caught something, it was my outfit which laid on my rocking chair, I hissed and folded my arms. It seemed like every day was frustrating for me since I took this job. I work as a detective, which was the worst job on Earth for me, my dreams and plans were far different from this career. I know it's kind of weird doing something which I dislike, but the truth about the fact is, I was forced into becoming one. You know, in a family, certainly a parent desires for at least one of their children to take off from where they stopped, and I was the chosen one. Argh like why would my father do that to me? I was the last child and the rest of my siblings followed their dreams or perhaps still struggling with it, and my father was heartbroken that none of them followed his field. He was a great detective and always boast that one of his children would take after him and boom! I was the sacrificial lamb, he termed me his favorite because I wanted to play the good girl but deep inside, I knew I was worth something more than this. As for my mother, every decision made was accepted by her because she believes that it's best for the family to stay United. In the end I got separated from them due to a tragedy that left a scar in my heart even though it was my fault, playing the rascal child later on. Well away from that, I quickly dashed into the bathroom to hurry. My phone rang countless times, but I was avoiding being queried since I was freaking late. As fast as I could, I prepared and ran off heading to work. It was a special day for me; it was going to be my first time practicing what I claimed to study. Did I ever mention how I even got this job? Well all thanks to Sophia who was my childhood friend. She helped me behind my backs, and that tale is for another day. I got to the office late and tried avoiding being caught and heavens heard my silent prayers, my rescue hero Sophia found me by the exit door. Sophia was in charge of taking the attendance, she beckoned on me to follow her behind and we both sneaked into the major's cabin. Thanks to my little idea too of acting like her secretary. I sat opposite her as she kept flipping files, I must say, I felt doozy and tired, what was taking her time to appoint me to a crime scene.

"Hope you had a good night rest" she began with a serious face.

"Kind of" I muttered, rubbing my eyes. Sophia heaved a sigh and jammed the files together, which made dust sweep off my face. I knew what was coming, it was the red flag.

"I can't keep covering up for you…" She paused and folded her lips.

"What? Is your boss furious? Or you're tired of helping?" I snapped and crossed my legs. I knew she wished to say more than that, but she just kept mute and gave me the file. Furthermore, I blew her a kiss and left.

The sun was scorching hot, and I stood under it, trying to investigate a crime scene, well, where I found myself was a murder scene which was situated at an isolated building, what did I ever do wrong to be assigned with such intellectual duty? Couldn't they understand that it was my first duty? Although, It was a good thing I wasn't alone, Mr Raymond accompanied me. He was the senior CSI and usually accompany new accquitant. He tried to explain what I would do at first, but I claimed I knew it all, my years in this field can't be a waste. We both passed through the caution tape. Mr. Raymond brought out a microscope from his pocket and as for me, I was the camera lady with the Stern looks. I bent down slowly to get the full coverage of the items on the ground such as glasses, footsteps among others. If I wasn't mistaken, I felt someone was pointing a pistol from behind us. I quickly alert Mr Raymond and we both took cover in the building. I was shaking with fear as he passed me a gun. With closed eyes, I could see bullets flying over our heads from outside the building.

"Roll over" Mr Raymond snapped, rolling to the other side of the building which was a room and I followed suit. We got in and unfortunately for us, we got trapped because some goons of ten were inside this room like though awaiting us the prey, and they all raised their guns towards our head. I shook and fell to the ground.

"Miss Julie?" A voice called, it seemed familiar as I could feel its hands around my waist lifting me up.

"Miss Julie!!" It furthered and I blinked my eyes. It was Mr Raymond calling my name. I looked around, we were still at the same spot. What just happened? Was I imagining? But it looked so real I almost had goosebumps! In fact, I was ready to play the heroine.

"Are you okay?" He questioned with a worried face. I let loose of his grip and nodded. It was happening again, now Sophia would truly think am a weirdo.

"We need to leave" I ordered, gazing around, and he scoffed. I fixed my ears on him and imagined what he must be thinking. Perhaps he would say.

"She's at it again, always saying weird things…so strange" or certainly this rather.

"Now I know why she wasn't given case despite being the oldest recruit that year". Mr Raymond sighed and still continued his investigation. I felt unsecured and yelled that we should go, but he was reluctant claiming that I had a high fever or lost in my crazy imaginations. I had to come up with a plan to leave there immediately with him, which I did. I must say, I was a genius in lying and acting. Not only that, but I told him Sophia left a message that we should return since the culprit had been figured out. Well, in such words, I needed to back it up with proof which I did. I should him a message which she sent to me a week ago. Mr Raymond wasn't the kind that argues with what one says, most times I wondered how he turned out to be the best acquitant, I mean a suspect could frame a lie, and he would believe or is it because he knows Sophia and I were close. Either way, we moved away from there and headed to the office, and I was relieved.

I sat quietly listening to Sophia's complaint about me. It was embarrassing and indeed, I was at fault. I began sober as I couldn't defend myself? Did I even believe in myself, let alone others? I managed to smile at her and, pulling out my badge, I gave it to her.

"Don't get this all wrong… Julie…"

"Yeah I know, you keep repeating It's my fault, and I am trying to get the punishment due" I posed frowning. Sincerely, I was happy and sad at the same time to leave this job that gave me headache.

"Why are you acting like though it's my fault! Can't you recall the chaos you've caused since your arrival?. Haven't I tried my best to defend you?" She retorts. Sophia was now furious, and I expected it.

"If you didn't want the job, why didn't you reject it? Rather than causing a scene?" She furthered.

"Are you scolding me because you're a boss over me now?" I blasted, moving towards the door.

"When will you ever realize that you're at fault?" She said calmly and rubbing her head.

"When would ever believe that, am not just imagining!" I yelled. Sophia smirked at me and flipped a letter.

"Can't you recall in college, you were good at art, especially when it comes to imaginations…just fix yourself" she concluded sitting down. I glanced at the letter, it was a suspension letter for two weeks, with a scoff, I nodded and blotted out what I wanted to say.

"Am never returning, ungrateful wench!". She gasped and as she wanted to reply, I opened the door and slammed it to her face. I now had tears in my eyes as I walked in hast to leave the office. One thing I was sure of was that I would never! Ever! Return. I wondered why I was stressing myself in such a place I despise. Haven made up my mind, I decided to search for a job myself outside my field of study. I couldn't afford to take a cab since I urgently needed a job and walking could help secure one. I must say, this day was vain for my me. When I got home, I immediately took an ice bag from the fridge to place on my head, which was hurting and skin sore. I had regrets, wondering why my life was ruled by others and decisions made without my concern. I walked to the bedroom and laid on my bed. My face suddenly beamed up when I recalled when I intended to commit suicide. How could I forget such moment? It was late at night, and I was contemplating on what kind of death would be easier, but I choose to drown. I wrote a journal of my life that morning and the final words I would say to my parents down on a letter in case an investigation was carried out. I was so depressed with no one to talk to or even a place to stay, and death was what rang in the head. It hurts when people tell you words like;

"You aren't worth it! What are you good at! Stop acting crazy! She's psychic!" I didn't even have someone to comfort me, either. That night, I wore a hood covering my face and paced towards the bridge, which just a distance from my old apartment then. I went beneath it and watched the wave of the lagoon. I sat on its fine sand that made it look like a beach praying my last prayer, and although I was frightened at the same time, I was determined to kill myself. Likewise, I exhaled heavily and ran into the water like a child as it splashed all over me. I went furthered but a screamed stopped me. I looked around, and I found someone screaming for help behind me. I changed my position and swam towards him to rescue him before he drowns. After much battle of trying to save this man who wasn't helping matters, I found myself on the sand with him. He was breathing profusely as though he was going to pass out any moment from now, and I was pissed off.

"Get a hold of yourself!" I snapped and he turned to face me. I couldn't see his face clearly as it was dark, and I guess he couldn't see mine either besides, we both had something covering our eyes which was a cap.

"Why were you trying to kill yourself?" He asked with a cool voice that captured my heart. This man had caught a hold of his breath. I shoved aside that feeling and looked away.

"I think you're the one who was committing suicide" I replied and laid upright gazing at the sky.

"I was trying to rescue you" he muttered and I smirked. Who saved who now? Why acting like a hero when you aren't worth being one. There was silence for a few minutes, he then stood up and came to my front.

"Remember someone once said…you can do something, anything, and everything if you want to". I cursed silently how was that helping? This stranger had just ruined my mission! He doesn't even know why I would take such an act. I tried to close my eyes,, but something drew me to this man, it was his smile. From his posture, he looked like a handsome young man, and his smile had said it all. This guy was a weirdo, he stretched his arm towards me to get up and leave. We didn't even know each other, yet I must say he was a foe and hero at the same time. I reject his offer by standing up by myself to show that I wasn't a weakling. He suddenly scoffed and began to walk away. I didn't even ask him who he was. What if he was a spy? But who would spy on an ordinary girl like me? I watched him until I lost track of him, and the only thing that kept popping out of my head was his charming smile. How stupid of me, right? It was later on, that the words of this stranger became my driving force. I always used it as a quote that indeed I could do something, anything, and everything if I wanted to. Forgetting that memory now, I needed to concentrate on getting a new job or else I would be doomed.