Them

Having overheard the doctor say she was unlikely to remember the last few years of her life, that’s exactly what Janelle Stone pretended not to remember. Including when Detective Lauren Gilbert came to gloat about her capture and all the havoc she’d wreaked on the people who had screwed her over. The people for whom she didn’t feel the least bit guilty. The people who’d asked for what they’d gotten. Janelle could never understand people. How could they expect to treat others the way they did without any consequences? That’s okay, she told herself. Let the bitch rant. As soon as she got her strength back, she’d be gone, and then she would have something else to bitch about. The same thing she’d bitched about before her capture. Only this would be the final time she would ever be captured. She would make damn sure of that. It would be a little trickier to get out of the country, and she would always be a wanted woman, but she would find a way to do what she had to do to save herself. She had been sound asleep when she slowly came awake and was startled by the face glaring down at her with utter hatred, face bearing the scars she’d inflicted upon it as much as they’d been covered up by a doctor’s handiwork. She recognized her right away, even though she knew she had to pretend not to. Lauren glared down at her with cold, dark eyes full of loathing and disgust. “Welcome back, Miss Stone. Did you really think you could hide out forever? Had you not gotten in your little accident, I assure you we would have gotten you sooner or later.” No, you wouldn’t have,Janelle thought sarcastically as she stared up at the angry detective with the blankest look she could muster. “Do we know each other?” she asked dumbly. Ignoring the question, Lauren ranted on. “You put an awful lot of people through hell, Miss Stone. And this time you will be held accountable for everything that can be proven and therefore convicted of—from kidnapping to assault to attempted murder and so much more.” Janelle pretended to be surprised. “They tell me I’ve done some horrible things, but unfortunately, I can’t remember any of it.” “Yeah, that’s really unfortunate,” Lauren said sarcastically. “But guess what? You left me alive so I could supposedly live with what you did to me, but it’s actually the other way around. The doctors say you’re likely not only going to remember what you’ve done, but either way you’re going to live with the consequences of your actions in a prison cell for the rest of your life.” In the meekest voice she could muster, Janelle said, “If I did what they say I did, then I’m happy to accept that sentence and know I deserve it.” “That’s just lovely, Miss Stone, because you don’t have a choice.” Janelle continued gazing up at the woman, hoping her eyes weren’t going from their medium shade of brown to jet black, as they often did when she was angry. “What can I do for you?” she asked in a soft voice. “Oh, you just rest up and get your strength back, because as soon as you’re out of here, you can start a whole brand-new life behind bars. Just like the last time you were in the hospital, I will be happy to smother you with my close presence, as you used to hate.” She still did hate it. She hated it just as much when Boris sat staring at her, shooting daggers at her with his eyes. Just how the hell was it that they were even allowed to go anywhere near her? Talk about a corrupt as fuck system! She had gotten off last time around because they had been unethical and gone against procedure. The fact that they could be here now was enough to tell her that the rules no longer applied when it came to her. If the pigs didn’t have to play by the book, then she had to be extra careful. Lauren wasn’t done yet. “Do you know how much hell you’ve put people through, Stone? The only thing we can’t prove is the attack on your ex-husband’s niece that killed her and her unborn child, along with the drowning of her mother. Those who know you are pretty sure you’re responsible for these deaths. Either way, you’ll never see freedom again.” She continued, “The abduction of me, your PO, your absconding, your unpaid fees, and other things are enough to keep you locked up for the rest of your life. You’ll be guarded while in the hospital by various officers from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., but from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., every single day that you’re in here, Miss Stone, your PO, and I will alternate between guarding you. If there is ever a chance in hell the system screws up and sets you free, Boris will once again be your PO. Let’s see you try to abscond again then. Maybe another cult will get you, or maybe something worse will happen.” “Excuse me,” she heard a female voice say behind Lauren. Lauren stepped aside, and Janelle could see it was one of the nurses. The nurse wore an expression of concern. “We know you’re angry, but you need to keep your personal and professional business separated.” Lauren began to say something, but the nurse cut her off. “The patient needs her rest now.” “She needs an officer with her at all times,” Lauren said as if she were in charge of the whole damn hospital. “That’s fine, but do know that the patient needs rest and relaxation if she’s going to get well enough fast enough to be released into your custody. Any setbacks will prolong her recovery.” Lauren flashed the nurse a quick, sarcastic smile and took a seat a couple of feet from Janelle’s bed. The nurse left, and Lauren returned her hateful gaze to Janelle. You can stare at me all you want,thought Janelle as she closed her eyes, but you can’t make me see you do it.