C.C. McKenna

Blood on the Field

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Pain

Friday Morning10:47 A.M.

"Come on Alexia, wake up damn it!" The warden slapped the girl's face several times to make the girl's grogginess go away. Lexie slowly opened her eyes but quickly closed them back. The residues of the drug were still doing their job on her malnourished, frail body. Rose didn't care about Lexie's weakness, nor the way she was feeling; so, she slapped her again as soon as she watched her slowly drifting away. "Wake up, damn it" She slapped her again and Lexie flinched in pain. She opened her eyes and saw the warden's hand slowly being raised, getting ready to hit her again but she quickly shied back. "Please, no more" Her words were barely a whisper and she tightened her eyes, waiting to receive the hard blow anyhow. The warden slapped the girl several times more, and instead of waking her up, she made Lexie fall into some sort of wooziness.

The warden smiled with satisfaction and lowered her hand with arrogance. "There's no way I'm going to make you stand on your feet, right? I'm going to have to inject some good stuff to get you up and keep you going until tomorrow's games"

Rose uncovered Lexie's body and rolled up her sleeves. "No, no, cocaine leaves marks, so I better inject it in your foot again" She took off Lexie's shoes, followed by her purple socks, and started injecting the cocaine without any resistance from the latter. "Everybody knows that injected cocaine starts working in three or four minutes, so you'll be as good as new in no time" Rose smiled widely. "In case you didn't know, let me explain how it works" She finished injecting the drug and turned to the unconscious girl. "Listen kiddo, your body will respond to cocaine use in other ways such as increased heart rate, blood pressure and breathing; so you might experience heart trouble"; She smirked. "It's a shame, right, I mean, I believe your heart needs to be treated with care"; She patted Lexie's cheek. "Cocaine also increases alertness, stamina, and feelings of euphoria while reducing fatigue, a desire to sleep and hunger; which is what I need from you right now" Rose scratched her head and lifted Lexie's eyelids to check her pupil. "Cocaine also allows some people to work, dance, or 'swim' with little or no sleep at all.... that's interesting, right? I think you already love this stuff, don't you?"

"What?" Lexie quickly got out of bed and glanced around the room, she immediately spotted Rose disdainfully sitting by the end of the bed. "What are you doing here? where's Sophie?" She felt so alive and energetic; but couldn't quite put her mind in motion. "I feel ww-eird, what the hell did you do to me?" She rubbed her temples.

"Chill, chill; sit down and listen carefully to what I have to say"

"No, I'm perfectly well standing as it is, so go ahead and say whatever it is you want to say"

"Ok then, I've injected cocaine in your blood system, so that you could be ready for tomorrow's sports events; buuuut, I must warn you to keep your mouth shut about the drugs and everything else, or I will see that you get back into the SHU, and make it a little rougher too; and I think you wouldn't like it, now, would you?"

"Of course not, I'm not stupid; I'll keep my mouth shut" Lexie scanned the room. "But I have to find Sophie, I need to tell her I had this bad dream, I, I... she said... she was... uhm, she" Lexie winked several times and suddenly it hit her; she gasped and glared back at the sarcastic woman, finally realizing what was going on. "It wasn't a dream, right?" Her eyes quickly started welling. "She's dead... Sophie is dead! No, you've killed her! I remember you said something... Oh my God, You fucking killed her!" She quickly opened the door and ran out of her friend's room, barefooted; her heart hammering in her chest; She didn't know where she was heading, she just wanted out, and running away seemed to be the right thing to do at the moment; she felt so empty, so responsible, but most of all, she felt so alone.

The warden also rushed outside, and started chasing Lexie. "Get her!" She shouted through the halls. "Somebody get that girl!" She didn't have to scream twice; a couple of girls came out of nowhere and quickly stopped Lexie.

"Thank you" Rose finally arrived gasping and breathing heavily. She clasped her baton and hit Lexie's lower back. The latter felt heavy on her knees but Rose picked her up with hatred. "You are coming with me"

Rose entered the infirmary and asked the nurse to leave her alone with Lexie. She helped the sobbing girl to climb on the examining table and made her rest. Rose knew that she had to do something, and whatever it was, it had to be quick.

"Listen Alexia, I can't kill you right now because it will arouse suspicions about the Center, but don't you think I wouldn't do it" She grabbed the girl's face and tightened her grip around her mouth. "Do you understand so far?". Lexie quietly nodded.

"Good; now let me tell you a few things about the drug I just gave you; it's cocaine, and you must know about how it really works; this is if you want to live; 'cause I won't think twice about overdosing you with some more of it; listen carefully, cause I'm only going to say it once" The warden pulled her hair back and turned her back on the frightened, hyperventilated girl.

"A cocaine overdose can cause a heart attack or stroke. The clearest sign of overdosing is your face turning blue. You may also look very pale, be very limp, you will be able to breath and see, but not able to talk. Your breathing and pulse may be slow and shallow or may stop altogether. You may vomit, shake or have a seizure, You will suffer of chest pain, pressure, tightness or shortness of breath or suddenly collapse and become unconscious; now tell me, are you going to shut up and do as I say, or should I worry?" The warden opened one of the drawers and pulled out a syringe.

"Ok.. ok... I g-et your point" Lexie followed the warden's hand with her eyes and released a big chunk of air when the needle was thrown on the shabby desk beside her.

"I think you are hooked on cocaine by now, and you must know that if you skip your daily dosage, well, you will experience an intense crash; that means that you will experience physical exhaustion, cold-like symptoms, depression, and anxiety, so if this happens, you'll know it's time for the next dose, meaning you need more cocaine, and I'll be eagerly waiting for you to come into my office and 'beg' for it".

"Oh, don't worry, I certainly won't; I rather die first"

"Really? well, we'll see about that"

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Friday..... 3:39 PM

"Ok, Darryl just called, he said that Judge McGowan wanted to meet with us" Piper had the car's keys on her hand. "Phoebe, wait here sweetie, I'll go get Prue, she's in the Dark Room.

"Ok" Phoebe walked slowly to the door and opened it with caution. She placed her hand on the doorframe and unexpectedly her body tensed; she grasped her hand tightly on the edge of the frame and gasped, taking a deep breath; while some strange images started flashing inside her mind.

"Phoebe!" Prue shouted from the foyer. "What is it honey?!" She hastily ran to her and gently seized her sister's hand to pull it away from the wood-frame. "Phoebe what did you see?" Prue asked calmly, slowly turning her head to meet Piper's worried eyes.

"Oook" Phoebe answered; her voice was slow and shallow. "Prue, I need you to look on the floor, and find a white piece of paper".

"Phoebe, this is so not the time to"

"Just do it Prue!" Phoebe raised her voice with nervousness.

"Ok, ok, chill out, jeeze, Phoebe, stop being so bossy, that's my department" Prue and Piper carefully scanned the floor until they finally found the so-called 'white piece of paper'.

"Here it is" Piper picked it up. "Now what?" She raised both eyebrows and barely shook her head, with mockery.

"Read it... read it! Phoebe shouted impatiently.

Piper walked toward Phoebe and stood by her side. "Ok, ok". She unfolded the white sheet and started reading it aloud.

"Oh my God, oh my God!" Phoebe placed a hand on her chest and repeatedly patted it. "Prue, quickly, quickly dial that phone number, get me Kevin on the line" Phoebe's worried face suddenly sparkled with joy. "WE GOT HER! PRUE, PIPER, WE'VE GOT THE BITCH!!!

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Friday..... 5:51 P.M.

Rose entered Lexie's room and found her on bed, curled up in a fetal position. She smiled rewarded and walked slowly to the girl. "Hello, love are you cold?... your body is shivering"

"Leave me alone! get the hell out of here!" Lexie sat up and revealed her sweaty face to the warden. "I don't need it...I don't need it, I don't need anything from you!" She tried to convince herself.

"Is that so?... And why do you suppose that I'm here to give you something?"

"J-just leave me alone, I'll be ok, I'll b-be ok". She still tried to convince herself, rather than the obnoxious woman in front of her.

"Uhm, Lexie, have you thought about your heart? you're forcing it"

Lexie slowly turned her gaze to Rose and raised an eyebrow. "You're not fooling me" Her jaw started quivering. "My heart has nothing to do with it"

"Come on, stop being so pigheaded, why don't you just admit that you want this stuff badly?" Rose pulled out a syringe from her pocket. "Take off your shoe, and your sox too"

Lexie bent down her head in defeat, finally accepting the warden's offer. "My shoe? what for why my shoe?" She asked; her voice slightly shaking.

"Leeexie... Leexie, there's where you've been injected, love" The warden crooned her answer and smiled with sarcasm.

"Lexie took off her shoe and pulled out her sock. Her hands were trembling out of control; She covered her eyes with her hands and prepared to welcome the revitalizing, restorative solution. She tightened her lips, hating herself for stupidly diminishing into the warden's web.

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Friday Evening.... 7:38 P.M.

"Ok, girls, I've talked to the judge, and he's ready to see us all"

"Great!" Prue sprung up from her chair and started heading for the Judge's door. "Piper, bring the tape!"

"Uhm... Prue, he said he'd call us in a few minutes" Darryl blushed.

"It's ok Darryl, we understand" Phoebe spoke with sweetness. "Come sit by my side, Prue Halliwell" Phoebe knocked a couple of times her blind cane on the chair. Prue rolled her eyes and walked to Phoebe's side.

"I swear I'm about to have a stroke or something!" Prue mumbled before she plunged herself on the chair.

Phoebe smiled, grabbed her sister's hand, and squeezed it against her chest. "I love you Prue" She whispered. Her eyes fixed on an empty spot on the floor.

"I love you too, sweetie, and very much" Prue leaned over and kissed her sister's temple.

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Friday.....9:47 PM

"I don't know if I'm going to be able to sleep tonight" Prue spoke softly as she waited patiently for Piper to open the jeep's door.

"We have to try at least" Phoebe leaned her chin on Prue's shoulder. "Tomorrow we'll go and pick up Kevin and take him to the Judge" Phoebe sighed deeply. "I don't know why did the Judge want to see him before signing the warrant; but as soon as he talks to him, we'll go find Lexie"

"Fine". Piper added. "I'll wake you both up at 6:00 AM, and we'll be outside the Judge's office before he arrives there"

"Ok" Prue mumbled. "If there's nothing else we can do, then I'm going to bed, I'm busted"

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Saturday Morning.........6:15 A.M.

Lexie opened her eyes to the persistently and annoyingly sound of the bell and stared at the ceiling. "My God, when is this going to end?" She slowly uncovered her already trembling body but didn't have the strength to get out of bed. "I wish I had the guts to end this hell" She softly wiped her eyes and tried to focus on the tilted clock that hanged on the wall. "All right, all right I'm coming" She carelessly shoved the sheets away and groggily got on her feet. Her mouth was dry, so she picked up an almost empty can of Dr. Pepper and sipped the last hot, drops. "Ewww!" She disgustedly shook her head and slowly searched for her grooming items.

Rose quietly opened the door and let herself in. "You awake?" She walked to the still sleepy girl and caressed her face. As always, Lexie shoved the woman's hand with one sturdy blow and glared at her.

"Don't touch me" She hissed as she hastily walked to her bed and grabbed the sheet to cover her body.

"I love your boxers" the warden sighed deeply. "You are much prettier than Sophia was"

"Don't you dare to even mention her name"

"Listen love, I can do what I please; haven't you noticed that?" She chuckled. "Besides, you are about to be on a better mood... I brought a little present for you"

"Take it with you, whatever it is, I don't want it"

"You will need it love, or you wont be able to compete". The warden smiled at the shaky girl and carefully bent down to place the syringe on the bed. "Don't be late for breakfast; games will start at 8:00 AM sharp; your first game is soccer, you'll be playing two 1 hour consecutive games, and then swimming competence at 10:00" Rose smiled and left the room feeling convinced of Lexie's weak spot.

Alexia stared at the syringe for a few seconds and then turned her gaze to the door. She slowly sat on the bed and pretended not to be interested on the little present; she glimpsed over her shoulder and shook her head, trying to convince herself that she didn't need any kind of drug prowling inside her body. She exhaled a relatively huge amount of air and fixed her eyes on the threatening hypodermic that temptingly laid next to her side. After giving it a lot of thought, she reluctantly picked it up and bit her lower lip with extreme anxiety; she had finally given in.

"I'm sorry mommy, I know you must be ashamed of me right now, but I swear I can't help it!" Lexie cried in silence. She hastily wiped the tears from her eyes and extended her arm flat on the nightstand. "I'll just stick this fucking needle in my arm; it's easy... it should be easy... come on Lexie". She propped herself. "I can do it!" She grimaced when she felt the needle penetrating her shaky arm and quickly shook her head, screaming with pain. "Holly shit!" She mumbled after screaming. "This stuff really hurts"

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Saturday morning 9:55 AM

Lexie walked slowly and heavily outside the field; her breathing was ragged and she was sweaty and exhausted. She had played two consecutive soccer games with no times out and no recuperating time between them. The sun had been especially hot that day, so she sat on the dry yellow grass, and gently dropped her back on the warm soil, trying hard to regain and steady her breathing.

"Come on, Bennett, you're next" Leslie covered the sun with her hand and looked up to find Karen standing beside her.

"I'm next for what?" Lexie asked between ragged breaths. "I need water"

"Swimming competitions are next, there you can drink as much water as you like" Karla chuckled and bent down to pull Lexie's arm. "Now, Get your ass ready"

"I can't Karla, I need to rest... to recuperate first" Lexie was really tired and out of breath; she didn't know, but her heart was now beating at a faster pace. She tried to get rid of the guard, but Karla tightened her grip.

"If you need strength, I know how you can get it, come on" Karla dragged Lexie into the dressing rooms.

"No, I don't want any more drugs, I had some just a few hours ago" Lexie spoke nervously. She tried to get away but two girls quickly stopped her and shoved her against the wall.

"Hold her tight" Karla smiled and slowly waved the syringe in front of the frightened girl's face.

"Please, Karla, no more; I don't want any more" Lexie cried as she struggled with all her strength to get herself free from the two girls.

"Oh, look at this" Karla saw the purple-reddish mark on Lexie's right arm. "So you've tried it here; like a real 'pro', haven't you?" She smiled surprised. "Then you wouldn't mind if I try it there myself, would you?" Karla didn't wait for Lexie's reply; she just grabbed a hold of her arm and slowly injected the drug. "Ok, sweetheart, go ahead and win the gold!" She drew a wicked smile on her face and winked an eye to the two helping girls.

Which, by the way, didn't look so pleased with Karla's actions. The two girls stared at Lexie for a while, making sure she wasn't overdosed and then let her loose. "You ok?" One of them asked; sounding a little concerned.

Lexie rubbed her sore arm and fixed her eyes on the girl. "Like if you cared!" She walked to her locker and annoyingly snatched a swimsuit. "I'll win the fucking competence" She started undressing in front of Karla and the girls; and quickly changed into the black suit. Karla was frozen, smiling evilly, watching how the girl's firm body slowly became visible in front of her.

"You have a great, beautiful body" Karla fixed her eyes on Lexie's and slowly approached her.

"Yeah? "Well, thank you; but fortunately for me, it's hands off for you!" She turned her back to Karla and hastily left the dressing rooms, heading straight to the pool. She was feeling great, her stamina was overflowing, and she wanted to win. Arriving at the pool, she stood by the rim and clapped her hands together. "Come on lets get this over with!" She prepared herself and waited for the signal.

TBC

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