Mitchell, a teenage boy with heterochromic eyes and brown hair, floated alone in the pool, his purple swim cap and diaper contrasting sharply against the golden hue of the water. As he lay there, his fingers brushed against the scar on the left side of his lower lip, a constant reminder of a day that should have been like any other.
Mitchell was on duty, scanning the pool for any signs of trouble. His gaze landed on a young girl who had slipped, her cry for help barely audible over the din. Without hesitation, he sprang into action, reaching her side and gently helping her up. Relief washed over him as she smiled gratefully, her small hands gripping his arms.
A man, the girl's father, stormed towards them, his face twisted with rage. Before Mitchell could explain, the man accused him of trying to kidnap his daughter. The accusation was as shocking as it was unfounded, but the father's anger blinded him to reason. In the ensuing chaos, the man struck Mitchell, leaving a deep cut on his lip.
Mitchell lay in the hospital bed, his right eye swollen and blackened. The pain was physical, but the emotional hurt ran deeper. He had quit his job, unable to return to a place that now held such painful memories. The father's actions had landed him in prison, but there was no solace in that for Mitchell.
Mitchell sighed, the memory still vivid in his mind. Yet, as he floated there, he realized that the scar was more than a mark of pain. It was a testament to his strength, a reminder of his ability to overcome adversity. "I'll keep moving forward," he whispered to himself, letting the water carry him gently across the pool.
Mitchell finally climbed out of the pool, droplets of water trailing down his skin like tiny stars. He felt lighter, as if the water had washed away some of the burden he carried. With one last glance at the pool, he walked towards the exit, ready to face whatever tomorrow might bring.
