Drowning…
He was drowning…
Drowning in what, he did not know
He felt trapped
He couldn't breathe
He couldn't see
He couldn't move
He was drowning
He felt cold, but hot all at the same time
And there was a voice
Its presence brought no comfort
Alan tried to open his eyes when he heard the voice talking to him, but could only manage to pry open his eyelids a small way. With what consciousness she clung onto also came memories. Memories of where he was. Memories of who the voice belonged to.
The voice wasn't leaving. Alan felt something cold and damp being held onto his forehead. This didn't seem like it was going to end. It was what had welcomed him for a very long time.
That day. That month. That year when he'd been staring at the ceiling of a small wooden lodge belonging to a man who had kidnapped him, thinking of his family. He'd lain there for a millennium, until he'd finally rolled over and his soul had shattered like glass. He'd given up.
The small hope he had hidden for his Dad to find him was drowning
He felt like an empty shell. He was too weak to fight anymore. He was too weak physically to push away the hand that stroked his head. He was too weak emotionally to protest or cry.
The voice was the only thing reaching to him, "There, there Alan" it said, "You'll be fine. I'm taking care of you. Like a good father"
Father…
No, that was wrong…
The voice wasn't father
The voice was wrong!
Stop listening to it!
Stop! Stop! Stop!
Darkness crept around him. Smothering him into submission.
He felt like he was being brainwashed
Drowning…
He was drowning…
At times he awoke to find himself alone. He tried to call out for someone or something. He blurted out his wishes. He rambled and mumbled to be set free. He called for his father.
Then the voice would come.
"I'm here Alan" it said, "It's okay, I'm here"
No…
Then suddenly Alan awoke. He still weak. He tried desperately to open his eyes and this time would not settle for anything until they were fully open. The room came into view. He was still lying on the pull out sofa, this time covered in a thicker blanket. The next thing he saw was Corper standing over him, smiling, "Alan, you must be getting better" he hummed
With a throat as dry as sand, Alan could only muster, "Wha…"
Corper put a cold hand on his forehead, "You're fever has been getting worse, but I've managed to bring it down a bit"
Corper held out a plastic cup to him, "Drink" he instructed
Despite his nauseousness, Alan muttered, "You know what you can do with your drink"
Corper just shook his head, "Its ok Alan, you're still a bit delirious. Come on, this will make you feel better"
Alan felt like his body was made of jelly, hence he couldn't fight Corper lifting his head to make his lips meet the cup. Alan sipped the water to find Corper had been right. It felt like heaven.
"Drink" murmured Corper, tipping the glass even more
Alan tried to pull away; he'd had enough. But Corper held his head firmly. Alan started to panic when his stomach started to feel dangerously full. But Corper wouldn't stop. Alan choked and that triggered his stomach to empty itself. He was able to roll onto his side before throwing up explosively. It seemed every drop of water he had just drank was being expelled.
Corper didn't hold him. Corper didn't say anything. Corper didn't hush him and comfort him, gently rubbing his back; like Jeff did.
Alan let out a sob before collapsing back onto the bed, exhausted. The world was swimming, making him clamp his eyes shut.
"Get some rest Alan" he heard Corper murmur, "I'll take care of you, like a good father"
The last sentence sent spasms through Alan's body as he cried out. He couldn't explain where his strength came from. He didn't understand why he did it either. Throwing the blanket away, he leapt up off the bed and bolted towards the door.
He never made it.
Days of being bedridden. Days of fever. They had taken their toll.
The world seemed to swirl in an explosion of colour swiftly destroyed by blackness as Alan felt his legs give way.
He did not try to get up. He did not try to fight. His last defences crumbled. His heart caved in. He didn't care any more, because it seemed his fate had been sealed.
His body burned, his joints ached, his head swam.
He swore he could hear children's laughter.
He saw a boy running along a small path in a backyard. The boy's blond hair seemed to dance in the sun as he smiled.
"Watch me Daddy!" the boy giggledHe ran to a swing set, hopping up onto one of the swings, his smile never faltering.
Nearby, two boys came through the back gate on bikes. Dismounting, the two boys propped their bikes up against the fence. One boy removed his helmet to reveal brown hair streaked with blonde, the other revealed fair blonde hair.
"Back so soon?" a man sitting on a swinging wooden bench asked
""It doesn't take that long to ride around the block" the fair hair boy said, "Oh by the way Scott, Mrs Jones said thanks for the help you gave with her car"
The elder boy with light brown hair smiled, "Don't mention it" he kicked the soccer ball he had to another small boy with dark hair
By now the little blonde boy was swinging high, "Look at me Daddy!" he exclaimed, "Daddy you're not looking"
The man looked up, "Careful Alan, not too high" he warned
"I'm okay Daddy, I can go lots higher!" the boy smiled, wanting to show he could go just as high as his brothers
But things suddenly changed as he went too high and lost control, eventually falling off with a startled cry
The swing hit him as he fell to the floor and he began to wail and cry. Immediately everyone was around him. His Dad picked him up and carried him over to the bench.
"Hey, there, there" he hushed the blonde boy, wiping his tears away, "Come on, its time to be a brave boy"
The little boys tried to stop crying, tried to show how brave he could be.
His Dad smiled, "There we are, that's my brave boy"
Then, as fast as it had come, the scene vanished.
Alan could only mumble, "I'm sorry Dad…" before black waters engulfed him
And he was drowning...
TBTBTBTBTB
Jeff, Scott and John had been at the station mere minutes when Gordon called.
"Dad, you'd better get back here"
Jeff frowned, "Why What's happened"
"It's Lady Penelope, she's just called" Gordon replied
"And?"
"She's located Jack Corper. She'll be coming to pick you up within the hour to take you us to see him" Gordon informed him
"We're on our way" said Jeff
"What is it Dad?" asked John
"Penny's found Corper's brother, we're going to pay him a visit" Jeff told him
"Do you think he can help us?" asked Scott, doubt showing in his voice
Jeff sighed, "He has to Scott. He just has to"