Physical Mission Succeeded

"Let's go find the boat!" she mustered a yell.

He nodded through the harsh waters, and Felicity slipped an arm around his shoulder and helped him swim. The boat was not that far away, but her body was sluggish from the impact of the ocean and her exhausted body.

Her legs kicked hard underwater, and she tried to swim forward, but carrying the weight of someone at least twice her weight was extremely tough. Felicity felt relief flood her when she gripped the edge of the boat with her hand.

She helped Leo up onto the boat first, pushing his legs when he got his torso onto the boat. Leo held out his left arm, and Felicity grabbed on, as he pulled her up. They were both soaking wet and shivering from the wind cooling them down further.

Two paddles were sitting underneath the back bench, and Felicity grabbed one and handed the other to Leo. The sunrise was soon. They had to hurry back for the sake of the rune—and their health. They might end up with hypothermia—even in a tropical climate.

Felicity sat down on a bench and started paddling. "Where is the island, Leo?"

Leo pulled out his sack from under his sweatshirt and reached inside. He pulled out a smooth silver compass. "It's southeast from the beach, so let's head there first."

Felicity paddled in the direction that she remembered the beach to be, and soon enough they were met with white sand. She glanced at him, and he pointed southeast.

She nodded and turned the boat around to let the current lead them. Felicity didn't have to paddle as hard, and she pushed him off the second paddle so that he could take it easy with his arm.

After they got the boat to be at a reasonable speed, she leaned back and rolled her shoulders. "Let me look at your arm, Leo."

Leo shifted his body, and Felicity winced when she saw how unnaturally his arm was bent. Luckily, no split bones were poking out of his skin. She sighed. Their bodies were battered and bruised, and she didn't know how much they could handle anymore. She pulled up her sweatpants to inspect purple swirls along her calves and thighs

"Don't worry. Those will heal over time."

Felicity looked up and lightly smiled. "I know. I don't know about your right arm though. Hopefully, there's no permanent damage."

They paddled in silence for a while. The waves were on their side, and it was smooth for most of their way to the main island. Her arms were starting to ache, but she couldn't ask Leo to do the hard manual work when he was injured. The island was in their sight, and Felicity sighed in relief.

The boat came to a slow stop when the bottom started to grind to a halt with the friction of the sand. Felicity sat back and placed the wooden paddle on the bench. Jumping into the water, it went up to her knees, and she waddled through the water, trying to push the boat closer to the shore.

Once she couldn't move the boat anymore, she helped Leo down, swinging an arm around his shoulder. Every part of her was in pain, but they were so close. They made their way through the water onto the shore, and they collapsed. She was so cold, but she was numb compared to the initial cold shock earlier.

Leo pushed himself up to his feet, and Felicity did the same. Her joints were creaking, and she stretched out her limbs. He pointed to the right where the docks were stationed, and they ran there. Her lungs were burning, and the smell of smoke was getting closer.

Obrien and his group were still in the same place by the grey building that was now wrecked. The campfire emitted smoke that curled into the air, and the light that burned gold reflected shadows of the trees and their profiles.

Felicity slowed her pace, and Leo up ahead did the same. She caught up to him and gently grabbed his sleeve. She opened her hands, and he knew exactly what she wanted without speaking, and softly placed the rune in her palm. They stopped in front of the men, and Obrien was the first to stand.

"I'm surprised to see someone finish the mission," he said.

Felicity lifted the rune to reflect the firelight and tossed it to Obrien. There was a slight smile on Obrien's face that put Felicity on edge.

She clenched her fists and forced her lips to curve into a smile to even out her rude tone. "I'm assuming my whole group gets the reward of completing the mission?"

Obrien twirled the rune in his hands. "I guess so. It is the rules after all. Although, if I may ask, is Leo in your group, miss?"

Felicity lifted a brow at his tone over Leo's name. She remained mute. He technically wasn't, but she didn't want to discredit him after all they have been through. Then again, she didn't know why Leo was alone in the first place.

Obrien laughed when he realized that Felicity wasn't going to answer him. "Alright. I'll grant the safety for your group."

"Group twenty-seven," Felicity said. "And we need to get Leo some medical assistance immediately."

Obrien turned to the side and whispered to the personnel. They nodded and the back of the black figures moved quickly. They returned with a white stretcher and placed it on the ground. They helped Leo onto the stretcher but then bound him tightly with straps. Leo let out a painful hiss with the rough treatment of his body.

Felicity geared up to run to him, but a kick to the back of her knees made her crumple to the ground in agony. "Leo!"

She was blindly kicking someone, but a black-gloved hand rammed a needle into her back which made Felicity scream. Her body was burning, and a moment later convulsing with shudders.

The needle was large, and she felt the substance flow into her body. The personnel pulled away, and she fell from their grasp. She coughed to the side, splattering blood on the ground. Her vision was blurring, and she reached out a hand to Leo.

"No," she whispered.