C.C. McKenna

Blood on the Field

Chapter Twenty-Seven

High.

Wednesday evening.... 7:35 P.M.

"Here, it's, your milk, very cold, just the way you like it" Sophie handed the opened milk carton to Lexie and swallowed hard. She knew her friend was about to be drugged; and she felt miserable about it, knowing that she was going to betray her.

"Thanks Sophie, you're cool" Lexie smiled and sipped a big gulp. "It is cold and "

"And what?" Sophie asked nervously. She was afraid of Lexie finding out about the pills she had unwillingly mixed inside the carton.

"And nothing...it's good" She smiled and grabbed an apple. "I don't really like fruit, I would have preferred a nice, big bowl of Cheerios!" She smiled. "My mom always insisted about the nutritional foods and all, but I just never cared I guess that just makes me a bad apple!" She laughed at her own joke. "Man, I'd do anything for a cigarette right now"

Sophie opened her chest drawer and pulled out a pack of Marlboro. "Here, help yourself" She tossed them to her friend and Lexie caught them on the air.

"Sophie Johnston, you never cease to amaze me" Lexie smiled widely and lit up a cigarette "I swear I wouldn't know what to do without you in this horrible place" She blew out a mouthful of smoke.

Sophie didn't say a word, she just sat there, never taking her eyes off her friend; watching the way Lexie grudgingly chewed her apple and smoked at the same time. She waited until her friend finished her milk up to the last drop; and she also waited for the right time; the time for Lexie to start feeling drowsy and lightheaded.

7:45 PM

"Uhm Soph-phie, don't yo-u think it's get-ting a little warm in here?" Lexie mumbled. "I think I'm ge-tting dizzy" Lexie tried to get up but her legs quickly gave way. "W-hat's ha-ppening?" Lexie's sight was now blurred and distorted, so she decided to remain in bed.

Sophie got up and walked to her friend. "Take it easy Lexie, you're not dying or anything, I hope; it's just the drug I gave you" Sophie placed her hand on Lexie's shoulder and gently pushed her down to bed.

"You drug-ged me?" Lexie barely managed to ask. "But how w-hy?"

"The milk" She said simply. "And because I had to, and as far as I can see, you need another two pills, 'cause you're still too aware of things, and you need to be a lot woozier than this". Sophie seized the magazine that Lexie was reading and pulled it free from her hand; her fingers were so tightly gripped around it, and her body was slightly starting to sweat. Sophie opened Lexie's mouth and gently placed two pills inside. The latter tried to spit them out but Sophie harshly shoved them back against her throat. "Swallow them Lexie, I don't want to be rude, the warden is waiting for us, and she hates it when we're late"

"The wa-rden huh? I shou-ld have kno-wn better" Lexie moistened her lips. "She's so n-ot my t-ype, I like Ben Browder though, don't you th-think?

"Ben Browder? who the hell is Ben Browder?" Sophie shrugged.

"Fars-cape"

"Oh, yeah, Ben Browder, yes, I like him too" She shook her head; of course she didn't know who Ben Browder was. "Damn it Lexie, you're so high you can't even see the seriousness of all this, sorry for doing this to you Bond, but it's either you or me" She smiled. "And I choose me"

"I understand, So-phie, I would have done the ss-ame thing"

"See? you would have also chosen to save yourself!"

"Naa.-ww I wo-uld have chosen you"

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Wednesday evening 7:55 P.M.

"Hello? Yes, this is the Halliwell manor Yes, Lexie Bennett lives here Who is this?"

"You don't know me, I'm your sister's friend, and I just wanted to tell you that Lexie is in great danger

"What are you talking about, this is not amusing, who are you?"

"Let me finish, I don't have enough time; they are planning to kill her this Saturday, during the games

"Kill her, Games? What the hell are you're talking about?!!

"She'll be competing in Soccer and Swimming, and they're planning to kill her during her swimming competition around 10:00 A.M; they'll pretend she suffered a heart failure due to her swimming efforts, but the truth is that she's going to be drugged"

Piper was completely shocked. "But how do"

"Sorry, but I have to go†think about what I said, just do something about it, and do it quick, I mean it!"

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Wednesday Evening 8:00 P.M.

Sophie hung up the phone and took a deep breath; she knew that what she did was the right thing, because she wanted to save her friend at any cost, but she also knew that the cost was too high; it meant risking her own life.

"Thank you Dorothy" Sophie whispered softly before letting herself out of the guard's room.

"Sure Sophie, any time" Dorothy's words lingered inside; Sophie was gone before she even finished talking.

"Ok, here I go" Sophie pulled down her shirt and knocked confidently on the Warden's door. She let herself in before Rose could say a word; but stood silently by the doorframe.

"You're late!" The warden's cold words hit Sophie's ears. "Why are you alone? where's that little friend of yours?" Rose quickly walked to the door and violently pulled Sophie inside. "Close the door, stupid!"

"She's not coming" Sophie swallowed hard but never took her eyes from the warden's enraged face. "I changed my mind you are not hurting her" She swalloed nervously.

The warden raised her hand and slapped Sophie with violence. The latter staggered but managed to keep her balance. "And who the hell are you to decide if I can hurt her or not!?" Rose spat with anger.

"I'm her friend, and you are not going to mess her life, she's a good girl, she's not like us, just leave her alone" Sophie's respiration was faster now.

"Sophia, you have no friends, you are a second class scum; you're nothing but a murderer" Rose watched the girl's face grimaced with pain and she chuckled. "What would you think she'd say if she new you killed your mother and your older sister?"

"Shut up!" Sophia covered her ears and glared at the sarcastic woman. "I was drugged that day; I was drugged when they came to visit me; you gave me the drug!! Remember? You injected me the fucking drug!" Sophie desperately walked toward the laughing warden.

"Shut up Sophia and stay away from me or I'll swear I'll do something drastic!"

"I don't care what you do to me, I'm just not going to let you hurt her!"

"Well, well, well, if it isn't Mother Theresa, taking care of the weak ones" Rose chuckled and slapped her again. This time, Sophie landed heavy on her hip. "I've had it with you Rose" She slowly got on her feet, wiped the blood from her lips, and slowly walked toward her aggressor. "You better enjoy this little charade of yours, 'cause it won't last long" Sophie nodded and smiled arrogantly. "I'm going to ruin everything for you, and I'm going to be so fucking pleased and proud of myself for being the one that brings you down; oh, yes, you're going to pay, just as Lexie said you would"

"You stupid bitch!" Rose brutally shoved Sophie's body against the wall and buried her arm on her throat. "You think you're so smart huh?" Well, let's see how you get yourself out of this one!" The warden turned the girl around, handcuffed her wrists behind her, and threw her on the floor; Sophie landed face down, her nose started bleeding but she didn't pay any attention to the warm liquid on the floor, she was too busy trying to catch her breath. She didn't make a sound, even though she wanted to scream for help; she just was not going to give that pleasure to her infuriated enemy.

"If I recall well, I believe you always liked this good stuff" Rose smirked while she carefully prepared an injection. Sophie's eyes quickly started welling, but she bit her lips to avoid releasing her fear.

"You know what I'm going to do, don't you? This is the way I solve all my problems.. and you, Sophie Dear, are becoming a major problem for me".

"Please Rose, don't do it", Sophie finally implored. "Don't "

"Shut up Sophia, you started all this, now you face the consequences; you can't be on my side and defend that stupid girl at the same time, besides, I can't go back now, I have to finish this".

She grinned, still fixing the syringe. "And then, this Saturday, I'll get rid of your little friend" She chuckled. "Don't worry, I'll cover my tracks well, as I always have" She felt confident because she knew she had a good friend on her side; The Coroner. Rose walked slowly toward Sophie and gently turned her on her back. "Good bye love".

Sophie closed her eyes when she started feeling the once precious fluid; the fluid she shamelessly used to beg for was now threateningly running through her veins; she knew it was the end, and she also knew that there was nothing she could do to stop it; but she was happy, she was happy because she knew she had done the right thing; for once in her life, she had done something good by saving her friend's life and pulling Rose and the other guards, along with her, straight to hell. She slowly opened her eyes, and saw Rose's spiteful ones staring at her. Sophie managed to draw a weak smile before closing her eyes forever. Knowing for a fact that Lexie's sisters were going to do the right thing: Send that bitch straight to hell!"

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Thursday Morning.... 10:00 AM

"Did you call Darryl?" Prue stood impatiently by the phone.

"Yes Prue, I've already called him, and he's on his way here." Piper grabbed her sister's arm and pulled her to the living room, where Phoebe was also sitting nervously. "Sit tight, both of you, I'll go get some coffee" Piper sweet voice seemed to had a soothing effect on her sisters, because they both leaned back on the sofa and nodded at the same time. Piper smiled weakly and headed for the kitchen. "Good, I'll be right back"

"Prue, you think she's ok?" Phoebe spoke softly.

"I don't know Phoebe, I just don't know what to think anymore"

Piper was heading for the living room when the phone rang. It was Darryl. Phoebe and Prue were quick by the phone but Piper had already the phone in her hands.

"Yes Darryl... I understand, believe me, but we were hoping you could come to the manor and... yes, Darryl ... uhu, yes Darryl... ok, bye!"

"What do you mean 'bye'! why isn't he coming?" Prue shouted. "I can't believe him!" She walked angrily back to the living room. "He knows about last night's phone call, right? I mean, you did tell him right?"

Piper shook her head, hastily following her annoyed sister to the living room. "Can you let me talk, Prue?" Piper took a deep breath and gently scratched her eyebrow with her finger.

"He said that he was waiting outside Judge McGowan's office, and that as soon as he had the search warrant in his hands he'd call us"

"It's ok Prue, she's fine, Lexie is fine, we just have to stay calm, that's all" Phoebe gently wrapped her arms around her. "We'll just have to wait for Darryl's news, and†and everything's going to be ok, I promise" Phoebe kissed her sister's soggy eyes.

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Thursday Afternoon 3:00 P.M.

"Come on Bond, open your eyes, everything's going to be ok, I promise, just try to come out of this, please, do it for me. Bond?, I know you're listening, open your eyes...open them...Bond...Bond"

Lexie slowly opened her eyes and grabbed her head. "Sophie?" She was so dizzy and so tired to try to get up, so she didn't even try it. She carefully rolled on her back and stared at the ceiling, trying to figure out where she was. She softly rubbed her eyes with the palm of her hands and wet her lips; after a short while, she finally figured it out.

"My God! I'm in Sophie's room, but" She closed her eyes tightly and recalled yesterday's events. "Help me God, I don't know what really happened, I need to speak to Sophie" She winced as she tried to sit up. "What time is it? why am I still in bed? why didn't anybody wake me up?" She took a deep breath and finally sat herself up.

"So, Sleeping Beauty's finally awaken" The warden spoke scornfully; she was patiently sitting in front of the bed.

"What did you do to me? where's Sophie?" Lexie squinted and leaned back on the bed's board.

"I didn't do anything to you for the moment; but don't worry, we still have plenty of time" The warden got up and slowly walked to Alexia. "You look so pretty when you're sleeping" She slid the back of her fingers on the girl's cheek, gently caressing her, but Lexie shoved her hand away with a quick stroke.

"Get your bloody hands away from me!"

"You know?.... this cockiness of yours isn't going to take you anywhere".

"Cut the shit! I asked you where Sophie was!" Lexie rubbed her eyes and scanned the room again.

"I don't know she could be in heaven or she could be in hell, either way, I'm glad she's gone"

"What?!" Lexie bent over and glared at the cynical woman. "She can't be she was just with me she said... she told me... she just can't"

"Ok, that's enough, I just wanted to make sure you came out of this 'trip', but unfortunately, you have a ticket back" The warden smirked, grabbed Lexie's arm and rolled back her sleeve; the latter struggled to be released, but Rose was stronger, she slapped the frail girl and finally injected a drug into her system. "This is a downer; it's not coke, so don't get excited" Rose smirked. "You see there's a lot of chaos going on outside; investigating Sophie's unfortunate sad decease" She smiled with mockery, watching with joy the way Lexie was quickly pulled into a sea of nothingness. "and I can't afford having you around saying all kinds of stupid things; so you're going to be out of circulation, again, but only for a little while love, maybe until tomorrow" The warden chuckled. "Good night precious" She carefully hid the empty syringe in her coat pocket and left the room.

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Thursday Night 8:00 PM

"Here we've been, like a bunch of idiots, waiting for Darryl to come to our house or to at least call, but nothing!" Prue spoke with anger.

"Prue, he did call, twice, and said that he was still waiting for that order, that Judge McGowan was still busy†he asked us to be a little more patient, remember" Piper threw her hands to the air and rolled her eyes. "I can't believe you're giving him such a hard time, he's doing everything he can, and let me say that it's quite a lot"

"Yeah? well I don't think so; I... I still think he can do better than this and... and I can't wait any longer; Phoebe, come on, let's get you in the car, we're going to find Darryl; coming Piper?"

Thursday Night. 8:23 P.M.

It was dark outside, and the manor's lights were still off; A loud roar was suddenly heard and a black Ducati motorcycle stopped at the entrance of the Halliwell's house. A tall man got off the bike, took off his helmet, and placed it on the bike's seat. He sighed and placed his hand inside his jacket, checking that the package he was supposed to deliver was still inside; he smiled when he felt it, and snobbishly approached the main door.

He knocked a couple of times but nobody came to the door; so, he shook his head with annoyance and walked to his motorcycle. He waited there for approximately half an hour until he decided not to waste anymore time; He put his helmet on, but before leaving he scratched some words on a piece of paper and slid it under the door. He walked hastily to his motorcycle, turned the engine on, and drove away at high speed.

Sorry Phoebe, I have other things to do, I can't wait any longer; I have the tape you wanted, I'll give it to you tomorrow at school or give me a call and I'll bring it after classes.

This is my cell number: 555.765.098

Kevin Spencer.

Thursday Night... 10:07 PM

Piper opened the manor's door and stepped aside to let her sisters in.

"I'm going to take Phoebe to her room, she needs to rest, and I'll be right back to see what we're going to do next" Prue guided her sister to the stairs, even though Phoebe was reluctant to go to bed.

"I'm ok, Prue, really, the headache is almost gone" Phoebe whined.

"Nuh uh; you're going to bed now missy, we'll fill you in later, but right now you need to rest"

"Oh all right, all right, but please, do take notice that I'm doing this against my will!"

"All right then, notice taken! come on up to bed!"

"Hurry up Prue; I'll make some coffee in the meantime" Piper shouted, inadvertently stepping on the white piece of paper. She locked the door and headed for the kitchen.

The piece of paper remained there, unseen.

Tbc

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