Prologue: Right to Breathe
Lacey bit her lip as she felt her stomach churn. She ran to the bathroom emptying the contents of her stomach for the third time that night. She leaned back against the bathtub feeling the cold porcelain on the bottom of her back. She figured that Danny's fingerprints on the murder weapon sealed his fate. However, she couldn't help but worry about him. It was all over the news. Danny Desai was on the run.
She glanced at her phone reading the text to Danny from herself.
We NEED to talk
She had sent the text after Phoebe left and before Tess Masterson called Judy to warn her about Danny's current predicament. Lacey was sure it was more to warn her than her mother. Since hearing the news of the murder weapon, Lacey had been in the bathroom vomiting with what she and her mother assumed was a nervous stomach.
"Are you okay, Sweetie?" Judy called through the bathroom door. "Can I help you?"
Lacey shook her head no despite her mother not being able to see her. She closed her eyes trying to keep at bay the onslaught of tears.
"Lacey?" Judy questioned again.
"I'm fine, Mom." Lacey finally spoke realizing her mother would remain by the door if she didn't speak up. "It is a lot to take in."
"Lacey, come out here." Judy begged. "I know that it reminds you of five years ago."
No. It is worse. I love him much more.
Lacey stood up then made her way out of the bathroom. She pushed past her mother and plopped on the bed.
"He's going to be sent away forever this time." Lacey said with a slight shake to her voice.
"Yes." Judy grabbed her daughter into a tight embrace. "You don't have to worry about Danny Desai ever again when they catch him. You will be free from him."
Lacey broke down in harsh sobs. Her mother assumed it was an out break of her relief that Danny was going up for good. Instead, Lacey's heart was breaking at the fact that Danny was being taken out of her life again.
"Shhh.." Judy rubbed Lacey's back. "It is over soon. Regina's murderer will be put in prison for life. It is almost over, Baby girl."
Lacey's phone buzzed due to an incoming text. Before Lacey could retrieve it, Judy picked it up. Judy's eyes widened at the text sent.
I promise I didn't do this. Please believe me.
"What in the world is he thinking? Danny Desai has the nerve texting you after killing your best friend." Judy stood up as she held tightly to Lacey's phone. "I'm going to call Kyle Masterson." Judy started towards the door but paused when another text came in.
Lace, I need you to know. In case I never see you again. I love you.
Judy furrowed her eyebrows as she glanced at the text. She thrust the phone towards Lacey. "What does he mean by this?" She shook her head. "This boy is deranged. You don't even fool with him."
Lacey's eyes widened at the words. He loves me. She stared up at her mother not knowing what to say.
"I'm taking this phone to Kyle. I wonder if there is a way to trace where he is texting from?" Judy crossed her arms angrily.
Without hestitating, Lacey grabbed the phone and tossed it against the wall. It shattered to pieces.
"Lacey Porter!" Judy yelled in shock at her daughter's action. "What the ..."
"Danny has no business texting me." Lacey stated trying to hide the truth of her actions. She didn't want her mother to know she wanted to protect him. She needed to protect him.
"Fine." Judy patted Lacey's shoulder. "Try to get some sleep."
Lacey nodded in agreement as she watched her mother leave. She didn't bother to shower. Instead, she jerked off her clothes and placed on an old t-shirt that Danny had left at her house only days before. She closed her eyes saying a silent prayer that Danny was okay.
The hours of the night passed slowly but Lacey finally fell asleep due to exhaustion. She didn't open her eyes again until the dawn light hit her face. She slowly made her way out of bed as she heard her mother knocking on her door.
"Yeah." Lacey half whispered due to the grogginess in her voice. "What is it?"
Judy smiled broadly. "They found Danny. He was held up in some type fort or something. They sent out dogs for him last night and he was found early this morning." Judy sighed. "I told you it would be over soon. I'm making breakfast. You look terrible. Get a shower then come down to eat."
Lacey shut the door behind her as she felt her throat tighten with a sob. She wearily made her way to her bathroom. Lacey knocked over her bottle of shampoo spilling part of the contents on the tile floor. She breathed out as she bent over. Once again, Lacey could feel nausea creeping up on her. She quickly propped open the toilet only to feel her body wretch with dry heaves.
"Uggh." Lacey clasped the side of the toilet hoping her stomach would settle. She then glanced over at the small shelf at the side of her toilet. There sat an unopened box of tampons. Lacey could feel her body jerk due to her falling slightly forward. She once again leaned over the toilet allowing the yellow bile from her stomach to empty into the toilet bowl.
After several minutes of dry heaves and stinging bile surfacing, Lacey made her way into the shower. Her whole body ached as she tried to scrub her skin. She finally slunk down into the tub as she allowed the beads of water to hit her body. Drawing her knees to her chest, Lacey wrapped her arms around her legs and sobbed. This can't be happening. Not now.
Author's Note: I am still writing on OOD. I had access to a laptop today and had this idea in my head for a while now. I DO NOT ever want Twisted to go with this story line. However, I saw a Dacey prompt and thought it would make for a good story. This may be emotional, it may not. I am not really planning anything. This story will take place as I go to help me with my writer's block on OOD. (Not really writer's block as much as wanting to get some things situated in that story to make sense. It is a lot bigger task than I planned on that one. ) This may have already been done but I haven't read one. By the way, it does take place immediately after finale but IT is FAR from Canon to be honest. It is nothing like my Run...Away. So if you like this, drop me a line. I will update weekly if I am able to do so. However, Out of Darkness takes precedence to this fic. Thanks.