There will be a lot of disturbing parts in this chapter and the next. It is Jacksons testimony and files about his case. Which means the details Sally has to read and hear recordings of what all Jackson encountered. just warning sense the rape of L was a very hard topic for some people. In my opinion, this is worst.
"Cleo said she had things on me. And at first I didn't beleive her. I still don't. But the fear of it had me listening. She offered me something once she had me listening and that was what intrigued me." The detective nodded then asked Jackson, "What did she offer you?" Jackson sighed and began to explain. "Well.. Cruz had come and taken my fame away within a single race. It was ridiculous. McQueen took my title and handed it to her. And then Cruz and McQueen exposed my private sexuality to the world before the world was ready to hear it. Now, people accept me for it. Most people anyway. But at that time, everyone acted as if a man liking a man was like.. A contagious form of cancer. Part of me really wanted McQueen to pay for that. Him and Cruz.. Cleo offered me my name, my title and fame back." Jackson said. The man continued to listen.
"She said she'd put me back on top in exchange for the simplest things. It sounded like a dream." "What did she want?" Asked the detective. Jackson hesitated, "All she wanted, was for me to cause confusion between Cal Weathers and Lightning McQueen. That was it. At least at first. But then I learned of her real plans. She didn't just have me. She had other people working for her to. They had much bigger roles than I had and it made me afraid. The way she treated and threatened them only made me realize that Cleo wasn't afraid to hurt anyone. And I didn't know what role I really played anymore." "Who else was there?" Asked the detective.
Jackson frowned and hesitated. The detective then assured "You will not be in any more trouble for releasing names Jackson.. If anything, it will help you out." Jackson nodded then answered. "There was Chick Hicks, Francesco Bernoulli and this new guy, Gabe. He was the replacement for Sheriff." "What was her plan? Real plan?" "The plan then, or deal, was that if I caused arguments and fights between Cal and McQueen, Cleo would get Cruz out of the piston cup and replace her with me for Dinico and thus I'd win. My name would be back out there. And it would have worked. Cal was temporarily fired and Chick was in charge. Cruz suddenly had left due to family matters. But then Lightning got Cal back and on tenure. So Cal wouldn't race me.. He wanted McQueen. Or Tex did maybe.. I can't remember. But Lightning was scheduled to race and I against him."
The detective nodded listening as Jackson continued. "Then I crashed. I don't remember much before it or during the race. It just went black..." Jackson swallowed hard and loudly. He began to sniffle and cry. The detective asked "Do you remember what caused the accident?" Jackson cried answering "I did... I crashed into the guy next to me.. I.. Fourteen racers were killed.. Because of me.." He cried. It was painful for him because he blamed himself. Jackson cried, but calmed down. The detective asked "Did Cleo continue to.. Work with you after your accident?" Jackson nodded answering "Yes.. She said she needed me still. That I was to still cause friction.. Between Cal and McQueen.." He sniffled.
The detective sighed. Taking his time a little here. "That's when I learned that. She had.. Drugged people before. And she planned to again." "Who has she drugged?" Asked the detective. Jackson refused to answer out of fear. The detective sighed and continued "So what happened next? Were you blind and deaf?" Jackson nodded. "After the accident I was blind and yes, deaf... I could see, but.. It was blurry and off.. McQueen then offered to.. help train my eyes and.. Cruz helped me a lot. Learning to walk and going to therapy. She cared for me and I.. I.. Betrayed them all.." Jackson cried again. The detective sighed then said, "Alright.. Let's take a break.." The tape stopped. Sally stopped it. She sighed. Listening to Jackson's recordings with the detective was hard.
Jackson cried a lot in these and so far, not much information Sally could use in trial. So she flipped the tape and continued the recordings...
"Alright.. Let's continue.. Jackson, What was Cleo's true plans?" Jackson cleared his throat answering. "I don't know still.. But I know she wanted to control the racing academy. I.. I began to really think about leaving Cleo at this time. Because.. I was already deaf and blind legally.. I could see at the time.. Not well, but.. I could.. Cleo told me to continue and to distract McQueen. I don't remember what for exactly.. I'm sorry.." "That's alright. Continue." assured the detective. Jackson sighed. "Um.. So.. I confronted Cleo.. Because this was at the time I was.. being.. interviewed... By another detective about the accident. He asked me if.. Maybe someone wanted to take me out, but.. I just couldn't believe Cleo might have wanted to take me out.. Because she needed me.. Or.. I thought she did.."
The detective nodded then asked. "So.. What did you do?" Jackson hesitated. "I.. I confornted her again and threatened her.. She threatened me back and she hit me. I remember that because this was also the first time Cleo.." He paused. "That was the first time she touched me. She flirted with me and hit me.. I had to get out.. I just didn't know how." He admitted. The detective nodded saying "Mmhmm. So?.. What happened next?" Jackson had tears fall down his face as he recalled the next events. "Cleo came to my motel.. I was staying at the cozy cone.. And.. She had these two men with her.."...
Cleo stood her ground listening. Jackson was in her face and continued "So before you leave this building, you need to understand that if, and I mean IF.. You cross me, try to hurt me, push me? It will not end well for you. Because just like McQueen?.. You have A LOT to lose Miss De Frank." Cleo was furious with Jackson's dumb threat. "I'm not afraid to die.. And I'm certainly not afraid of you and FUCK! If I have to go down for your shit!? You will go down with me if I have to drag you through hell. So do not.. Tellme.. What I am suppose to do." he growled into her face. Cleo shook her head and smiled slowly wider. It was a bit creepy and weird. Jackson wasn't expecting that.
Then she began giggling. Her giggling turned into a laugh, but not just a laugh. No, a full on, barely breathing laugh! It was really weird. "Oh Jackson..!" she calmed down. "I really wish you hadn't have said that.." she exclaimed. Jackson wasn't sure what she meant by that as she walled toward the door. "Don't worry.." She walked away and opened the door. Two men. "They are only here to help me escort you.." She explained. Jackson wasn't going to fight them. "Where?" he asked firm. Cleo smiled and left. Not answering. The two men walled up and grabbed each an arm od Jackson. "Hey! No touching! I can walk myself Kujo!" he snapped at one. The man punched Jackson in the face. Hard enough it dazed him and they walked him to the car, almost dragging.
Jackson sat in the back, one guy on each side but began asking "Where are we going Cleo?" No answer. "Cleo! I won't play your game. I am not falling for your stupid shit! I'm not stupid like McQueen." Nothing. "Cleo! Are you even listening?" He asked. she turned saying "You do have something you are afraid to lose.. You'll see.." She stared. Jackson was confused. He had nothing. Cleo smiled and spoke to one the guys ordering "Keep him quiet won't you?" The man reared back, Jackson's eyes widened. "No! Wait!" THUD...
"So.. She had you knocked out and taken.. Where?" Asked the detective. Jackson was scared. Scared just thinking about this. "I think her home.. It was some room.."...
Jackson woke up a bit dazed at first. He blinked a few times and realized he was laying down flat and looking up at a bright lit light ficture. A lamp? He tried to rub his head, his eyes but his wrists were restrained. He began to panic. Jackson looked down. His ankles and legs were restrained to! His wrists and elbows! "Oh fuck.. Oh fuck no!" he shouted and began trying to get free! He screamed! "Cleo!" he shouted! "Cleo let me go! You made your fuckin point! I won't play a part in your horror movie drama! Let me go and I'll keep McQueen busy!" Nothing but the echo of his voice. Jackson was afraid. He calmed down as he couldn't get free and seemed to be alone for now and began lookig around.
Where was he? A basement of some kind? Where? In town? Out of town?
Why were there medical looking instruments on tables and cloths. He began panicking again and tried getting free as he shouted again "Cleo! Cleo let me go! You are dead! You're a dead bitch when I get out of this! Cleo! CLEO!" "Cleo isn't here." Some British dude. Jackson looked to the sides. He didn't see anyone? "Who?.. Whose there!?" he yelled helpless! "I'm doctor Phoenix Buster. Most call me by my sir name, Buster." He introduced as he came to the side. And truthfully, he looked completely normal. "Wh-Wh-What is going on?.. let me go. Get me out of these!" Jackson panicked. The man turned away and to a table. It was scary because Jackson couldn't see what this Buster man was doing.
"Wait?.. You said Doctor?.. Wh-What is going on?.. Why am I here? Is this Cleo? CLEO!" "She's not here!.. She has payed me to exercise my ongoing experiment." He was mixing something. Jackson watched helplessly. "E-E-Experiment?.." The young man asked in a stutter. "Yes." Answered Buster. "It should work.. But I warn you.. There is a chance it won't. I was working with the embassy on a new sorce of spyware and way to control our enemies. But the world deemed me mad! Said I was playing god." He snickered. "How ridiculous is that? Playing god. So I said to them, No, I am just securing our countries future and safety but.. They didn't see it my way. I was given a choice. Prison.. Or to discontinue my work. Well. Cleo read my article and seemed to be fascinated with it. She offered me a subject.. A bit unwilling you are, but you'll thank me in the end. If it works."
Buster explained as he finished the mix. Jackson began panicking again and tried freeing himself but it wasn't going to happen! "Hey!.. You want money? I have money! Cars! Nice cars! Barely driven and worth a lot!" Jackson tried. The man took another strap out and began placing it iver Jackson's fore head. "Wait!.. Stop!.." Now Jackson couldn't move his head! "Fuck!.. Cleo you win! You win! Now let me go!" Jackson yelled. Buster hit the table shouting "For the third time! Cleo is not here!" Buster sighed. "Good thing to. She couldn't stomach this." The man grabbed the cup of liquid and began coming toward Jackson's face. Jackson tried getting free in pure panic! "No!.. Stay away from me!. No!"
Buster looked down at Jackson's panic ridden face. "Ssshhh.. Don't worry.. It'll only take about eight minutes once the burning stops." Jackson panicked and tried getting free! No use! "Please don't do this! Stop!. PLEASE!" His entire body shook as the pain burned! It burned in his eyes and immediately his head felt like fire ants were inside it! His fist clenched shut as he bit his teeth down so hard it hurt! Liquid burned down the side of his face! Feeling like a milliom bee stings and little knives were cutting into his skin on his face and around his eyes. He began to hear a ringing! It hurt to breathe and he felt like he was running out of breath from fighting the restraints!..
"It burned.. So bad.. It felt.. Like it would never end.." Jackson's voice began to sound shaky. Sally almost cried as she listened. "I screamed.. And screamed for it to stop, but it never did.. My vision went from this kind of clear, kind of blurry to a white fog then spots then black. Now I'm blind.." He said. He reached and touched his eyes. His blind eyes. "Sometimes.. When i think about it.. I can still feel the burning.. The bruises. I.. I don't know what all else was done because.. I was screaming.. And then.. I woke up. I must.. Have passed out while I was screaming.." He mumbled. The detective sighed then asked "What happened when you woke up?" Jackson breathed in a pant for a second or two before continuing. "My face felt like I had been punched over and over.. I woke up in a bed." "A bed?" Asked the detective. Jackson nodded and touched his eyes again...
Jackson came to. He felt a little sick and oh god his head.. His head hurt, his eyes, his face, his chest, his stomach, his entire body felt bruised and sore! He opened his eyes, blurry, blinking a few times. He was laying on a bed? He looked around. He was in a house, or at least a room. The bedding was expensive and soft, thick. He had an i.v in his arm. He stared at it and looked at rhe bag attached. Gently, cautiously, Jackson took out the needle. Oh it burned! He growled pulling it out painfully. There. He tossed it over the side. He took a few breaths. Where was he? Cleo's maybe? He had to get out of there. He sat up and touched it face. What did that crazy doctor do to him? He felt.. Okay.. Seemed okay.
Jackson got up slowly. He could stand just fine. He walked to a dresser with a mirror above it. He looked fine. Well his eyes were a bit red and puffy. Besides that he seemed fine. What happened?..
He recalled screaming in pain. Burning. Intense burning. He was strapped down and screaming. That doctor.. Buster!.. He poured something into Jackson's face, his eyes...
Jackson stared into the mirror. He seemed okay. He began laughing a little. He was okay! The door opened and he looked to it. Cleo.. And that man!
"How are you feeling Jackson?" Cleo asked. Jackson was furious! He growled and came toward her! He was going to kill her! BBBBZZZZZZZiiittttt! He was stopped with a shock of pain! Falling to the ground! The sound and pain stopped. He was tazered. Cleo looked down and explained "You should be thanking me." She stepped over him and walked over to a wall, grabbing something. Jackson lay there silent and shaking a bit. Staring up at the doctor.Thud.A book dropped next to him. Jackson glanced over and up at Cleo. "Read it." she ordered in such a threatening way. Jackson bretaged heavily, struggling to get ahold of himself. "Read the book Jackson!" she shouted then kicked him in the back!..
"So.. She made you read a book?" Asked the detective. Jackson quicky answered "Yes.. And when I tried to leave she shut off my vision. I'll never forget what she said.." "What did she say?"...
But then it all went black and he stumbled a bit. Bur he kept standing with his balance. "What happened!?" he shouted! He was now suddenly completely blind in pure darkness! "I-I can't see!" he panicked. Cleo walked over and explained "You didn't really think I'd just let you walk out for free hmm? The sight thing was nice of me huh?" Jackson was completely blind in darkness and hisbheart beating harder and harder. "I can't see now.." he exclaimed. "Oh I know dear.. It's just a switch. Bionic eyes with an on and off switch." Suddenly he could see again! Blurry, so he blinked a few times. He was terrified of going blind like that! He looked at Cleo who was smiling. "Looks like you have something to lose after all."...
Sally stopped the tape. There was so much more she had to listen to. She still hadn't heard what all Cleo did to Jackson in her home as she held him hostage. Honestly this only made Sally fear Cleo more. Knowing what she could have and could very well do to Lightning once she was free. If she got free. It aslo gave Sally perspective. Jackson was a broken man and she was hearing and reading why. She began to understand him. She had to get something to drink to ease the growing sickness inside before listening to the rest of the tape...