Isla's eyes flew open, and she sat up, realizing she had overslept. She scrambled out of bed and grabbed her phone to check the time, her heart sinking as she saw how late it was. "Oh... I'm late," she exclaimed.
She hastily grabbed her toiletries and rushed to the bathroom, the cool tile floor a stark contrast to the warmth of her bed. She turned on the shower, and the sound of rushing water filled the air as she washed herself hastily, not bothering to savor the warm water that flowed down her skin.
After her bath, she quickly got dressed in a pair of fitted jeans that hugged her curves and a tailored white blouse that highlighted her toned shoulders. She slipped on her marching shoes, a pair of black boots with a rugged sole and a flowered design that added a touch of sophistication to her outfit.
As she rushed out of her apartment, she grabbed her bag and keys, the jingle of the keys a familiar sound that seemed to punctuate her urgency. She headed to her car, the bright sunlight a harsh contrast to the dimly lit apartment.
On her way to Andrew's office, she encountered heavy traffic, the roads congested with cars that seemed to inch along at a glacial pace. She was stuck in a long queue of cars, her frustration growing with each passing minute as she drummed her fingers impatiently on the steering wheel.
The minutes ticked by at a slow pace, and Isla's anxiety grew. She was already running late, and the traffic wasn't helping. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down, focusing on the road ahead.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, she arrived at Andrew's office, the building's colourless glass reflecting the bright sunlight. Andrew was in the investigation room, collecting pictures from the crime scene, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Good morning, Andrew. I'm sorry I'm quite late," Isla said, apologizing for her tardiness as she burst into the room.
"I got here not too long ago, too," Andrew replied, smiling sympathetically. "The traffic was heavy today."
"That was what held me up too," Isla added, solidaring with Andrew.
"Glad you still made it here," Andrew said, spreading the pictures on a large white table. They both began to search through the pictures, their eyes scanning the images for any clues that might lead them to the culprit.
The room was silent, except for the sound of rustling papers and the occasional murmur of excitement. Isla's eyes scanned the pictures with full concentration.
After what felt like hours, they finally landed on a picture that captured their attention.
"We found it!" Isla exclaimed, her eyes shining with excitement.
Andrew read out the number on the picture: "BC-575-DD." Isla snapped the picture, thanked Andrew, and told him to continue his work while she visit the Cyber office to track down the owner of the car.
Isla took off in her car, ready to unmask whoever was behind the whole cycle that had been giving her headaches. As she turned to her left onto a one-way road, she saw a truck from afar, its massive size and imposing presence made her feel unease.
She moved to the second lane to give way, but before she could think of anything else, the truck increased its speed and the front lights pointed directly at Isla's car. Isla took her hand off the steering wheel, her mind blank with fear as she realized the truck was heading straight for her.
Instantly, the truck cleared off her car, but her vehicle stumbled twice before it balanced, facing upside down. The tire was still rolling over as smoke started fuming out, the acrid smell of burning rubber filling the air.
Isla's heart was racing as she sat frozen in her seat wounded, her eyes fixed on the smoke billowing from her car. She couldn't believe what had just happened.
She blinked her eye and slowly her vision became blurry.
The silence that followed was deafening, and Isla's mind was a jumble of emotions. She was shaken, scared, and confused.
Isla slowly opened her eyes, and a wave of darkness washed over her. She was unconscious, her body limp and lifeless. The scene around her was chaotic, with smoke and debris scattered everywhere.
She lay there, unconscious, her fate uncertain.
Her mind was a haze, foggy with fragments of memories. Amidst the blur, one vivid scene stood out - a carefree day at the playground when she was a young girl. She looked radiant, her innocence and beauty captivating. With each swing, her laughter echoed through the cool atmosphere, her smile illuminating the surroundings.
She wore a short white dress, delicately embroidered with blue petals.
The lightweight fabric danced around her as she twirled and swung, the petals fluttering like butterflies. The dress was a masterpiece of whimsy, with layers of tulle underneath that made it puff out slightly.
As she pumped her little legs to swing higher, the dress flew around her, the blue petals shimmering in the sunlight. The gentle breeze caught the hem, lifting it slightly, and her giggles filled the air.
The memory replayed in her mind like a movie, each detail crystal clear. She could almost feel the warmth of the sun on her skin and the softness of the breeze in her hair. As the scene faded, her eyes slowly shut, the memory lingering, a bittersweet reminder of a simpler time. The peacefulness of the memory enveloped her.