The distance one would experience when loving an inmate is hard enough but many fail to remember the truly agonizing part is what little a loved one can do for the incarcerated. Its funny how the world can stop spinning just long enough for it to fall apart. Sam was sitting in his office shuffling through the endless piles of paperwork when his radio sprung to life.

"All officers on stand by we have a situation in the green house."

"Status?"

"Code red. Head trauma. We need medical assistance stat."

"Copy. We need all inmates detained and counted for."

"Copy. We need victims name and number."

"Reznikov. 12672."

"Medic here. Is the inmate conscious?"

"No."

"Vitals?"

"Breathing is shallow. She has a pulse."

"Ambulance is in route."

The officer sat frozen in his chair as an alarm screeched throughout the penitentiary reminding him the nightmare was indeed a reality. Feet shuffled loudly outside his door as his coworkers barked orders for inmates to get to their bunks immediately. His stomach turned threatening to release his latest meal as his back spasmed into a straight stiff line. Victim. Reznikov. Head trauma. Shallow Breath. I wasn't there to protect her. I wasn't there to protect her. I wasn't there to protect her.

Unsure of how to respond Sam stood up quickly and walked to his doorway. In the chaos he watched the women's faces to see if they knew anything of the situation. As per usual the newest of the inmates had a look of terror while the more experienced women looked to be perturbed at most. In the bustle Sam noticed a couple faces of Red's "girls". He pitied them knowing what they were about to learn. Most of their livelihood depended on the their maternal figure. Despite their relationships having many strings attached they had really become a family. The love Red had for the girls was plain as day and it resonated throughout their little group. Sam could feel his heart weigh heavy in his chest but what really made his heart sink was when he noticed the mousy girl with a scraggily mop of hair on top her head, who went by the name of Nicky. Nicky was Red's favorite girl and most likely the one person Red truly looked to as a daughter. The two were inseparable and so alike to the point that if news broke out Nicky was secretly the product of a torrid love affair between the russian cook and the milk man no one would bat an eye. "Healy!" a husky voice pulled the officer out of his train of thought. It was Nicky, looking up at him with pleading eyes "It's Ma isn't it?". When not strung out on heroine the girl was incredibly intuitive, its no wonder Red took such a shine to her. "You need to report to your bunk inmate" Sam grumbled. "It's her. I know it." Nicky shot back "Just say yes or no." The milk man must be so proud. "Get to your bunk inmate or we will have a problem." Sam replied coldly, unable to look her in they eye. "Jesus." Nicky whispered her voice cracking before heading down the hall. The girls will know within half an hour, mostly from the look on the favorite daughters face.

The next two days trudged on as Litchfield came alive with gossip with details of the attack. The officers were kept busy with keeping all the inmates in line and organized as a handful of girls were interviewed about the attack by lawyers who were ready pin any girl as the prime suspect so they can hurry home before their wives put a hot plate of dinner on the table. In a matter of less than twenty four hours the attacker had been identified as Suzanne "Crazy Eyes" Warren. By the sullen looks on the inmates faces after their quick interview Sam knew they weren't telling the truth, they were covering for the real monster. This was a commen occurance in the fish bowl enviornment. Warren was a loose canon and hard to comprehend. But despite her episodes she was known to act less of a dangerous criminal and more of an onery child. The only time Warren would get violent was when she felt a love was being compromised, usually that meant when a girl she had a crush on refused her advances or a friend got into in altercation beforehand. Though when it came to maternal or fatherly figures Warren kept her distance, she understood who was in charge. Anyone who knew Warren had the same defeated look on their face. Like so many cases involving a hidden evil behind bars they had to watch a poor girl burn.

Finally, lunch time arrived. After another deserted group therapy session and seeing his inmate friend pennsatucky's new lesbian hair do, he needed a break. In the middle of enjoying a turkey salad sandwich he got a heads up that Red had been asking for him. His heart stilled. Usually when he caught news that she was looking for him he learned to stick to where he is in order not to look desperate. He knew if he kept to his spot she would find him in record time. Naturally he was like a kid on christmas eve bubbling up with gleeful anticipation. Though this time he had to come to her and he was nervous. He had no idea how he would react when he finally witnesses what had been done to her. On the long drive over to the hospital he had to remind himself he was going to see her as a social worker not a lover. "She didn't ask you over to fret. She needs a professional. Be professional." Sam muttered to himself "Why wasn't I there to protect her?" The social worker watched himself enter the hospital, ask where her room was and walk down the long, disinfected hallway but when he reached the window to her room he returned to himself. For a moment he paused as he made out her form laying in the hospital bed. Her face was turned away with her elegant hands laced on top of her stomach, she seemed so peaceful. After a shaky breath and swallowing tears threatening to fall he entered the room. At the sound of the door opening the russian woman turned her head to see who had come to see her. "Holy shit Red. You look rough." Sam blurted out. "Yeah well that's what a sock and a locket does to a person." Red grumbled. He could hardly take it. The left half of her face was swollen to the point her speech was purple scars overpowered her sweet features on her cheek and hairline . A good amount of her bruising was already changing colors to a sickening yellow or green. The worst part was the way her hand shook when she lifted it to address him. "Healy" she said so softly "I have to give a second testimony." His heart plummeted "Its to late. They pegged Warren." he responded just as softly. But she pleaded for him to make it right and he pleaded for her to give up. They went back and forth both knowing the battle was lost the minute the lawyers stepped foot on Litchfield grounds. What really caused a tear in his soul was in the last minute of their short conversation the siren whispered "What happened to you Healy? You used to care so much." As a single tear trickled down her battered cheek. When will she see he never stopped caring, at least for her.

Sam crawled back in the car and closed the door. As he stared out the window and watched the afternoon sun slowly descend behind the trees. Every disappointment he felt about himself, his marriage, his life came in one white hot rush of fury. He had to make this right for her. He had to be there to protect her.

The name Galina vanished from his mind and just her face appeared. He imagined her staring up at him in horror as crimson droplets of blood trickled down her snow white features. Tears began to roll down his hot pink cheeks and it took a while to realize that he was screaming.