It was too cold for September. And though the hotel walls muted the night, they did nothing for the cruel chill that snaked beneath the sheets. Olivia sunk deeper into the mattress, engrossed in her thoughts, petrified by the loneliness that sung in her ear. She turned over and pulled the duvet up over her head. Each breath became restricted, her lungs teasing for oxygen, and it calmed her. She felt her heart slow, soothing beats. And that second she felt a wave of safety wash over her, an urge to trust someone, to trust Peter. She slid out of bed and stood beside the sofa where Peter lay on his back, eyes wide and awake.
"Couldn't sleep sweetheart?" The alert in his voice shocked her as if he had never fallen asleep, which she figured he hadn't. Olivia shook her head.
"I need to talk to you." At this point she realised the alcohol from last night had not yet departed from her system and thought it may be best to leave this until the morning.
"About what? Something so important it kept you awake, despite the intoxication..." Peter sat up and shuffled back making room for her to sit down.
"No, your right it can wait until tomorrow."
But Peter could see whatever it was was bothering her and he caught her by the wrist.
"I don't think it can." He held her gaze so that she could not break away, but was forced to sit just beside him, and she could feel her heart beating against her chest.
" I want to tell you about my-" she broke off, "my sister Rachel...and my niece. Ella."
Peter could hear the pain in her voice, the rigid words that she had to near drag from the back of her throat.
"I told you that they were murdered by ZFT, I didn't tell you it was my fault."
Peter felt his heart freeze. He didn't want Olivia to tell him something she wouldn't tell him in her usual state. It was clear she felt vulnerable, alone and guilty.
"Olivia you don't have to explain."
But she ignored him.
"I was a cop too once, kind of. Anti-terrorist squad but we dealt specifically in biological attacks. When i first started working undercover as part of ZFT I was staying with Rachel and Ella; visiting for Christmas, and I got called in.." She took a shallow breath.
"ZFT had planned an attack and they needed me there, as part of the delivery. This was there greatest, most horrific experiment yet. And I was to lead it. I shut down, every part of me wanted to run and when I heard what they were going to do- wipe people like a piece of computer hardware, every memory, dream and emotion... to create the ultimate army. I told my sister to stay inside, to keep Ella safe. I should have known better. I SHOULD HAVE STAYED WITH THEM!" She was choking back the tears, her eyes bloodshot, skin ghostly, she looked sick. Peters hand slid to the back of Olivia's neck, dropping her forehead onto his chest.
"But i refused to do it. I refused to be a part of it. And they said my emotional ties were too strong." Her voice was barely audible now "He said- there had to be sacrifice. After that I quit. Until I realised the only way I could ever end ZFT was to work from the inside."
She cleared her throat, a gravelly cough followed by a moment of silence. Peters thumb softly grazed Olivia's back.
And from her glassy eyes Olivia could just make out something attached to the coffee table. A faint light. Red. Flashing on and off and on and- she shot up, reached for her gun and shot out the door. Down the corridor, the stairs and she saw it. The black SUV parked so innocently in the ally, a driver, possibly a front seat passenger, watching, listening...Olivia crept down the fire escape, the steel stairs burnt like hot coals on her feet. But they saw her and the engine growled as she raced towards the departing four by four. Her arms pumping up and down, eyes narrowed and she ran until she found herself planted in front of the car. Her gun ready to fire at a slight motion. Senses, reaction, emotions heightened.
And then, her head started to spin, round and around, her wrist dropped by half an inch as she steadied herself. But in that second her gun dropped too, and the driver rammed his heel into the pedal. Frozen metal came crashing into Olivia's abdomen, the wing mirror smashing against her left shoulder as she was thrown to the ground. She became aware of Peter shouting her name, gun shots fired- one, two, three...then another three, but the SUV had gone. Warm blood spilled from inside her ear, washing over her drained cheek. She felt Peters palm against her jaw, his fingertips searching her pulse point. Checking if she was alive. Great. And then with a sharp tear, Olivia felt her bear chest exposed to the biting wind. She groaned in agony as Peter removed a shard of glass lodged in her side.
"I- can't -breathe." Olivia heaved, and as he ran his fingers along her chest she realised several if her ribs were shattered. Or they felt that way at least.
"Who were they Olivia? ZFT? Shit. You need to get to a hospital." Peter reached into his pocket but her hand locked around his wrist before he could find a phone.
"No." Olivia's voice was low and empty. "They can't know I'm here."
"I can't move yoU by myself!" He shook his arm free, "You could die Olivia. Is it worth it?"
But before she could answer, the loss of blood dragged her unwillingly from consciousness.
