Disclaimer: I own nothing. The full versions of this and all my fics can be found on adultfanfiction.net author ID Shanastay.
Chapter 21: Best of Intentions
Janessa woke up to find herself in the backseat of a police cruiser. She sat up, looking around, peering out the windows. Her eyes widened as she spotted Tim across the way, also in the back of a patrol car. From the way he sat she assumed he was cuffed. As that conclusion crossed her mind she realized she was NOT cuffed.
Jan cast her gaze around further, recognizing the parking lot behind Jason's computer shop. The area was brilliantly lit by spotlights, both the ones mounted on the building and several portable sets as well, giving the lot a colorless, washed-out cast. There were a large number of people milling about and police vehicles and an ambulance lining the perimeter. Jason stood backlit in the doorway of the shop talking to an officer who was taking notes. The scene was surreal looking, straight out of an old crime film noir.
Her eyes were drawn to a cluster of people gathered around something on the ground covered by a white sheet. As she watched, two paramedics lifted the white-shrouded form, moving it to a long black bag. The events of the past few hours came rushing back at her as Janessa realized there was a body beneath the sheet.
Hayden. Oh god. I killed him. The redhead drew her knees up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs she began to rock back and forth on the seat. Somewhere in the back of her head she registered the fact that her other knife had been removed from her boot. Janessa silently slipped into a catatonic state, her awareness of her surroundings decreasing with every passing minute.
Janessa's head snapped up, her arm instinctively rising to knock the hand shaking her off her shoulder. Uncomprehendingly, the redhead stared up at the officer gazing at her from the open door.
"Miss? Come with me please."
The woman followed the green and brown clad El Paso County Sheriff, she now realized, climbing carefully out of the vehicle, her entire body feeling like one great big bruise. Once she had exited, the brown-haired male deputy took her by the left arm, leading her into what she recognized as one of the Colorado Springs police sub-stations.
Once inside, she was led over to a desk and directed to sit in the chair next to it. She sank slowly into the seat, her hands clasped together, putting them between her thighs to keep them from visibly shaking. She looked back up at the warm brown-eyed deputy hovering over her. She gave the man a weak smile and he nodded to her before moving off through the bustling station room. Janessa took a second to observe the place looked like the stereotypical open office space one would see presented in a movie. She dropped her gaze back to her lap, her thumbs chasing each other as she waited, attempting to keep her mind blank.
A pair of legs crossed her field of view, drawing her eyes upward. The first thing she noticed after the plain clothes was the detective shield attached to the person's belt. Continuing up, she registered that the detective before her was a woman, holding a red plastic cup. The detective smiled down at her, extending the hand holding the cup.
"I'm Detective Johannsen. Here. Drink this. It's just water but I'm sure you're thirsty."
Janessa took the cup, quickly swallowing the contents, trying to ignore the pain in her jaw as the detective sat down at the desk Jan was seated next to. As she drank, Janessa took several seconds to take in the other woman's appearance. The detective wore special-issue military "jump boots," the toes sporting a high gloss shine, dark indigo jeans and a black departmental t-shirt with the Colorado Springs Police Department emblem on the upper left side.
The other woman's dark chocolate hair was pulled back in a high severe ponytail, providing a bare contrast with her milk-chocolate skin. By the way the woman moved, Janessa surmised the detective was ex-military, perhaps even ex-Air Force.
Janessa placed the cup on the edge of the desk when she was finished, meeting the other woman's gaze. "Am I in trouble?"
"Do you think you did something wrong?" the detective asked innocently, her teeth flashing bright white in her mouth.
Janessa's mind raced as she sought to pull up all the information she had learned in her criminal justice classes, specifically criminal law. "I want to see a lawyer before I say anything else."
"Why? You haven't been arrested."
The redhead's defenses went up, her eyes narrowing. "I know how this works. You get me to talk and after I say something incriminating you Mirandize me and get me to repeat it all." At the detective's startled expression Janessa continued, "I have a CJ degree. I took top honors in my field, especially my Criminal Law class. I know what you're doing and it won't work." The redhead crossed her arms over her chest and tightened her lips into a thin line, pain flaring back to life across the left side of her face.
The detective's demeanor instantly changed. "I have a dead body and a murder weapon that is clearly yours. I have to explain to the D.A. and the public what is going on."
Janessa refused to rise to the bait, keeping her mouth firmly closed.
Annoyed at the redhead's resistance, the detective motioned another officer over and directed her to put Janessa into a holding cell to "think things over."
When the blonde, blue-eyed female officer tried to haul Janessa to her feet the redhead put her hands up, palms out. "I'm not resisting. I'll come willingly." Jan stood and allowed the officer to lead her away, the detective calling out, "I'll be seeing you soon."
The blonde officer led Janessa out of the open office area and down a hallway, past several large "holding tanks," sparely populated with various scary and angry-looking persons. Please don't put me in there. The redhead was relieved when she was led to a single-occupant cell.
Jan waited until the door was locked behind her and the officer left before dropping onto the concrete pallet. She peeled off her long coat, followed by her fitted hip-length jacket. Janessa rolled the smaller garment into a ball and lay down on the slab, pulling the longer coat over her like a blanket.
Janessa had thought being alone would allow her to push everything out of her head. As emotionally and physically exhausted as she was she still could not find relief from the thoughts swirling in her head. Trying to get her mind on something else, she focused her senses outward. In the tiny cell with nothing to look at but 3 blank walls and a barred door, she closed her eyes and reached out with her hearing.
As she blanked out everything else her ears caught a faint sound in the periphery. Pinpointing the direction from which the sound was emanating she turned her head, zeroing in on it. Her eyes flew open with a snap as she recognized the song.
What the hell? I swear to god my life is some kind of screwed up serial, complete with soundtrack. If I don't come up with a song to match the mood, one is provided for me. Unable to actually hear the lyrics, Janessa's brain filled them in for her.
I cannot take this anymore
I'm saying everything I've said before
All these words they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
The less I hear the less you'll say
But you'll find that out anyway
I can't deal with this! A mental image of Hayden's face, her knife wedged in his neck floated before her eyes. GO AWAY! Jan threw off her coat, waving her hands in front of her, trying to dispel the disturbing image. The blonde's lifeless eyes stared straight through her.
Just like before…
The image before Janessa shifted, Hayden's face now leering down at her out of the dark, drawling maliciously, "A little something to remember me by," the redhead held fast in his grip, sprawled before him, her clothes torn open.
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
A soundless scream issued from Janessa's mouth. NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
I need a little room to breathe
Cuz I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
A keening cry began to rise from Janessa as she tried to fend off the spectral attack. The face before the redhead kept shifting from the leering attacker to the vacant, lifeless stare. Janessa couldn't distinguish which one disturbed her more. Reality had melted away so all she perceived was the ghostly threat, the song's pounding beat ripping away her defenses.
I find the answers aren't so clear
Wish I could find a way to disappear
All these thoughts they make no sense
I find bliss in ignorance
Nothing seems to go away
Over and over again
Just like before…
"STOP IT! LEAVE ME ALONE! GO AWAY!" Janessa howled, backpedaling until she hit the wall, drawing her knees up to her chest, arms raised to protect her head. Her distress knocked loose the tight control she had on her memory, opening a floodgate of violent assaults she'd survived. Faces twisted and merged in her mind's eye, events tangling together incomprehensibly, the woman's sanity hanging by a thread.
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cuz I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
Each face before Janessa suddenly had something in common. Every last one taunted and mocked her declaring, "MURDERER!!!" The redhead's body shook violently, all control fleeing before the mental attack. Janessa screamed along with the song in her head.
"Shut up when I'm talkin' to you!
Shut up! Shut up! Shut. Up.
Shut up! Shut up! Shut. Up.
I'm about to break!"
Detective Johannsen stood outside Janessa's cell watching the redhead scream, in the throes of some kind of episode or seizure. The tall black woman was frozen in place, taking in Janessa's tear-streaked face, shaking form and flailing arms. The 6'4" woman couldn't stop the replay of the videotaped assault upon the redhead she had just viewed. Johannsen didn't even want to hazard a guess at what else the smaller woman might have suffered. A shrill cry broke through the detective's daze, spurring her to action. The dark woman slammed the door key home in the lock, turning it quickly.
Everything you say to me
Takes me one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to break
I need a little room to breathe
Cuz I'm one step closer to the edge
And I'm about to…
Break.
The key jammed in her haste and Johannsen cursed, jiggling the lock until it finally clicked, releasing the door mechanism. She threw open the door and strode forward, dodging Janessa's flailing hands until she caught the redhead's wrists.
Janessa immediately stilled, snapped violently back to reality, her clouded vision clearing to register the detective before her. The redhead wrenched her wrists from the black woman's grip, crossing her arm over her chest.
Johannsen stepped back, away from the smaller woman, startled at how quickly the redhead has regained her senses. Janessa had acted as if the detective's touch had burned her. The redhead was now glaring at her, waiting.
Johannsen backed out of the cell, standing tone side of the open door. "The D.A. is here. He wants to talk to you."
Janessa stood, wiping the moisture from her face and quickly gathered her things, shrugging both coats on, not bothering to close them. The redhead followed Johannsen out of the cell and down the hallway. Both women garnered catcalls and whistles as they passed the holding tanks. They arrived at what Janessa identified as one of the interview rooms. The detective ushered the redhead into the room, closing the door and leaving.
Janessa faced a long table with a man seated at the other end. He was attired in a business suit, jacket missing and tie undone. He looked to be in his 40s, his black hair thinning on top, his skin pale, eyes fixed on the papers scattered across the table surface. He glanced up at her hand motioned to the chair to his right, "Have a seat."
The woman warily walked around the table, taking note of the one-way mirror that ran along the cinder-block wall, opposite the length of the table. She pulled the chair further away from the man before sitting down. She watched him cover his face with his hands, dragging them down to uncover his grey eyes, looking at her with disbelief.
He looked at her, observing her posture and defensive positioning that would have given her an open avenue of escape to the door while putting the table between them had the door not been of the kind that only opened from the outside. Damn. She must have spent her whole life living in fear. She did that without even thinking about it. If what I've read so far is as true as it seems, her fears have been justified.
He dropped his hands to the table, taking a deep breath as he took in Janessa's distorted, bruised features. "I haven't had a long time to look over this paperwork, but I have viewed the recordings of the assault on you."
Janessa stiffened in her seat, casting her gaze down to the papers in front of her. Her eyes widened as she immediately recognized the contents of the packet she had removed from Stephanie's safety deposit box. The woman carefully schooled her expression back to neutral before looking back up at the man, waiting for him to continue. She wanted to see where this was going.
The man shook his head, "Where are my manners? I'm District Attorney Glen Coldwater," he stated, extending his hand. He quickly dropped the hand when Janessa glanced at it suspiciously, refusing to take it. He sighed, "From what I've read you are more than justified in being paranoid." He sat back in his chair, hands in his lap, considering the woman again. "I have a huge problem on my hands."
Janessa remained as still as death.
"By the time police arrived on-scene your friend, Jason I believe is his name? Well, he had made copies of this," he swept his hand wide, indicating everything on the table, "and had disseminated it out to every major news source in the Western world."
Janessa's only reaction was to quirk one eyebrow up sardonically, as if to say, What did you expect?
Coldwater continued, "So you can just imagine the media nightmare I have on my hands here. This is a scandal of epic proportions," he shook his head. "I can't believe this has been going on for so long right under our noses." He fixed his gaze back on Janessa's face. "I'm sure you can gather how much pressure I'm under to get an investigation going and having one of the primary victims in custody under suspicion of murder is not helping matters."
Janessa's eyes had narrowed at Coldwater's last statement, her features and demeanor displaying no other evidence of emotion, so tightly had she reined herself in, rightly realizing her fate hung in the balance here.
The man sighed again. "As I mentioned before, I've seen the recordings of the assault you suffered today. Your friend had multiple video camera mounted in the area, giving us views of the incident from every angle. There was nothing left to the imagination. Your actions were clearly justifiable and acting in self defense. I could never convince a jury or even a judge otherwise, considering all the evidence. I'm releasing you on the stipulation you first submit a deposition regarding this," he gestured toward the papers on the table again.
Still referring to her lessons Janessa spoke for the first time, her speech only slightly slurred from the swelling in her face. "I want that in writing."
"Done."
"Now, before I say anything else." Janessa couldn't dare to have hoped for what she was hearing. "I want full immunity from prosecution of any kind."
"I'd expect nothing less," Coldwater turned toward the mirror and motioned. Moments later the door to the room opened, revealing Johannsen.
I KNEW she'd be on the other side of that glass. I feel like an animal on display. Janessa caught sight of the papers the detective carried. That's probably the agreement. The redhead waited while the woman placed the sheaf before her.
"Just sign at the bottom," Johannsen directed.
Janessa positively glared at the detective. "Not until I've read every word on here. And I want two other witnesses, people who don't work for either one of you."
The man cast his eyes on the detective, "Johannsen, take care of that immediately."
The tall woman frowned, but nodded, walking to the door and knocking. The door opened several beats later to let her out.
Coldwater steepled his fingers, watching Janessa as she read over the agreement carefully, making sure the D.A. had not left any loopholes open that could come back and bite her. By the time Johannsen returned with the same deputy that had brought Jan to the station and a woman who was introduced as a volunteer dispatcher, the redhead was satisfied with the deal before her.
As the additional people watched, Jan indicated Coldwater should sign his portion first, then took his pen and added her John Hancock, followed by Johannsen and the other two. Before the additional witnesses left Jan had them write out their names and contact information, pocketing the piece of paper should the D.A. try to go back on his agreement. The redhead watched the trio file out of the room, Johannsen carrying the paperwork with her.
"Now that that's taken care of…"
Jan turned back to Coldwater as the man reached over to the chair opposite her, pulling a small digital video recorder from a pouch on the seat. The man stood and moved around, setting it up. Once he was satisfied, he sat back down and began, "Let's start with the night of February 13th, 1997…"
Several hours, nine icepacks and two meals later, Janessa finished answering Coldwater's questions as well as several sent in by the Joint Chiefs of Staff Inspector General agent on the case.
All the woman wanted to do was to go back to her sponsors' and sleep, but had been informed she would have to face the crowd of media camped out on the station steps first.
Janessa flinched as camera flashes flared around her. It had not taken long for the media to catch wind of Hayden's death. Jason had managed to make copies of all the documents she had given him and the originals had been turned over to the police and AF officials setting off a hurricane of official inquiries and putting her at the heart of the swirling mess. The flurry of events had left her drained, ghosts of the past rising to haunt her troubled mind.
Janessa stood behind the podium on the steps of the police station, feeling unbelievably small and lost surrounded by several officers, the police commissioner and Coldwater. She felt numb as she answered the reporters' questions deemed appropriate by the officials around her. She spoke carefully, enunciating her syllables through her still swollen face, her answers short and to the point. Exhausted beyond belief her mind began to drift.
Looking out past the crowd Janessa blanched at what she perceived at the edge of the gathering. Electronic drums rose unbidden from her unconscious mind, overwhelming her senses. One of the officers near her noticed her distress, catching her by the elbow as she staggered back, the commissioner immediately putting an end to the interview. Jan felt like the ground was falling out from beneath her. Harsh words swirled uncontrolled through her head.
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Feeling so faithless lost under the surface
Don't know what you're expecting of me
As she was led away Janessa glanced back, looking for the spectral figure she had perceived, finding it gone. Daddy?
Put under the pressure of walking in your shoes
(Caught in the undertone just caught in the undertone)
Every step I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertone just caught in the undertone)
Her drifting mind had chanced upon a dangerous subject, what would her father have said had he not died years ago. Lieutenant Colonel Aloysius Collier had in life been a veteran of every major conflict of his generation. The retired officer had been an unforgiving taskmaster to his youngest daughter, treating her as the son he had never had. Janessa in turn had done everything she could to earn his favor, yet nothing ever seemed enough.
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I've become so tired
So much more aware
The hate her father had felt upon his return from Vietnam was like a physical weight upon Janessa's shoulders as a single phrase reached her ears from the dispersing crowd, "Murdering bitch!" Now every historical film she had ever seen of veterans returning from the Vietnam War came rushing back to her. "Murderer! Baby killer! Bastard!" It was as if her father's disgraced form walked hunched beside her, his disappointment palpable.
I'm becoming thisAll I want to do
Is be more like me
And be less like you
Janessa tried to shake off the spectral presence that seemed to be suffocating her. She could feel his displeasure as if he stood before her, beside her, all around her. It was as if he had never died. His spirit had haunted her since his death, but had never felt as strong as it did now.
Can't you see that you're smothering me
Holding too tightly afraid to lose control
Cause everything that you thought I would be
Has fallen apart right in front of you
(Caught in the undertone just caught in the undertone)
The same officer from before caught her as she tripped over her own feet, her vision blurred with unshed tears. Her heart felt like a rock in her chest as her mind cried out for release from this inner torment.
Every step that I take is another mistake to you
(Caught in the undertone just caught in the undertone)
And every second I waste is more than I can take
Oblivious to everything around her Janessa cried out, a wrenching sob escaping her chest. Can you not leave me alone yet? Have I not been through enough? Nothing was good enough for you! I'm not like you! I had no choice. Kill or be killed, Janessa pled in silence.
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I've become so tired
So much more aware
I've becoming this
All I want to do
Is be more like me
And be less like you
Janessa collapsed in the back seat of the car she had been led to, curling up in a ball on the vinyl as long-suppressed grief and pain overwhelmed her.
And I know
I may end up failing too
But I know
You were just like me
With someone disappointed in you
The redhead tried to focus on the words screaming through her mind, hiding within the lyrics, trying to push back the tsunami of emotion that was rushing forward to wash her sanity away.
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I've become so tired
So much more aware
I've becoming this
All I want to do
Is be more like me
And be less like you
Janessa's vision cleared revealing Aloysius' face mere inches from hers. YOU ARE NOT REAL! YOU ARE DEAD! YOU CAN'T HURT ME ANYMORE! Janessa did not flinch from the imposing gaze, staring him down. BE GONE! The spectral face frowned and disappeared before her eyes. Janessa let her head drop back to the seat, sleep rising to claim her with the rocking of the moving car, the final lines of the song almost a reassurance now.
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
I'm tired of being what you want me to be
Janessa awoke to find herself in the guestroom bed, clad in soft pajamas. Pat must have put me to bed. Her thoughts still muddy, the redhead stood from the bed, pulling the comforter off and wrapping it around herself. Every movement was an agony, white-hot pain flaring from her torso and abdomen with every movement. The pain affirmed in her mind the assessment that her ribs had been broken. At least the pain in her face had dulled down to an ache.
The lower level of Pat and Ed's home featured a large entertainment area including a wet bar, poker table equipped with chips, a large fireplace and a decked out entertainment center with surround-sound in the far corner facing the rest of the room. An overstuffed sofa, loveseat and recliner were situated in a U facing the TV.
The woman carefully moved out into the room and dropped down onto the sofa, catching up the TV remote with one hand. She clicked the big-screen on and looked around the cozy room lit by a flickering fire as the picture came up. She gasped, raising the volume as she saw herself on the screen. The picture was from her 2-degree year at the Academy.
As the reporter's words washed over her she was hit with a wave of nausea and sprinted to the bathroom faster than she thought she was able. Jan dry-heaved for some time before shakily standing and flushing the toilet. She went to the sink and rinsed her mouth out, splashing cold water on her face. Looking in the mirror she almost didn't recognize herself, the drawn, pale features standing out in relief to her dulled red hair.
As she walked out of the bathroom Jan came face to face to face with Pat and Ed. Worry was written clearly across both their faces. The couple caught the redhead up in a gentle hug, murmuring soothing words. It was all Jan could do not to burst into tears.
"I have to leave." As soon as the words were out of her mouth Janessa knew she had already made the decision. She elaborated further at the couple's questioning look. "I have a friend in upstate Washington I've been promising to visit. I think now would be a good time to do so."
Pat nodded at Jan's words. "At least get some more rest. You can leave whenever you feel ready."
It was at that, that Jan realized she was fighting to keep her eyes open. She also noticed that Ed had turned the TV off. Bleary-eyed, she stumbled over to the couch and retrieved the comforter. Making a split-second decision she caught up a squishy pillow and took the couple of steps to the fireplace, practically dropping to the ground in a controlled fall, curling up with her back to the fire, complete exhaustion overtaking her again.
Janessa came to in the same place she had fallen asleep, the fading feeling of warmth at her back. She lifted her head to find the fire almost dead. At that moment the unusual silence of the house hit her. She couldn't hear any sounds other than the occasional pop from the fireplace and the settling of the house. Looking out a window she realized it was early morning.
I wonder how long I've been asleep? Jan lay back flat on the plush carpet, stretching her arms straight up over her head, receiving several satisfying pops as well as an unwelcome flare of pain across her ribcage. She quickly dropped her arms, pulling the hem of her shirt up to survey the damage. Her entire abdomen and torso were a patchwork of mottled deep purple bruises, already yellowing at the edges.
Taking in the color pattern Jan came to a swift conclusion. Either I'm healing really fast or I've been asleep for several days. Janessa shook off the second conclusion as simply impossible. There was no way Pat and Ed would LET her sleep that long. Slowly rising to her feet, shaking out the stiffness in her limbs she made her way to the guestroom.
She entered the room and stopped dead. Her saddlebags were already packed except for her leathers which lay next to the bags. Damn. They got everything all ready to go. Janessa swept the clothing into her arms, heading into the bathroom. She emerged some time later showered and fully dressed. She winced as she settled her quiver on her back, the fletches already wrapped in a bandana. She next slid her katana into its sheath, held to her quiver with jury-rigged attachments. Finally she settled her bow on her back, reassured by the pressure it exerted against her.
Jan took hold of the saddlebags with both hands, carrying the bulging weights up the stairs to the kitchen. She dropped them there for a moment, spotting an envelope with her name on it on the table. She picked it up and withdrawing the paper she read it.
Dear Janessa,
If you're reading this then you've finally woken up. You passed out in front of the fireplace 3 days ago.
3 days ago??? I slept that long?
The media has been camped out on the doorstep the entire time. We hoped you would wake up today. In anticipation of that we have set up a distraction. The media guys think you are with us. Hopefully we can keep them away long enough for you to get out of Colorado Springs. Give us a call when you get where you're going.
Take care and good luck.
Love,
Pat and Ed
Wow. I had no idea it would get this bad. Janessa glanced back down at the table and noticed the newspaper. She picked it up, flipping through it. Every page had at least one article about her or the scandal breaking at the Academy. There were quotes from the packet she has given Jason as well as, she was heartened to see, a special inquiry had been initiated to look into Stephanie and Shannon's deaths. About time. Maybe, finally, they will be vindicated.
She put the paper down and turned to the fridge. Opening it, the first thing she noticed was a bright orange sack with a piece of paper attached to it reading, "Janessa." The redhead pulled the bag out and opened it. The insulated lunch sack held several cans of soda as well as Pat's usual array of snacks. Score!
She put the bag aside and rummaged further into the fridge, suddenly realizing just how hungry she was. Janessa piled the counter with sandwich ingredients, swiftly making and bagging several, adding them to the orange sack. She left one out, chewing on it as she packed up the bag. Jan finished up the sandwich, washing it down with a Mocha Frappachino.
Janessa gathered all her stuff up and headed out to the garage. Her silent prayer was answered when she saw her cycle sitting there. Oh thank god. Stepping up to the bike, Jan spotted her matching knives in their sheaths resting on the seat. Sweet! The redhead secured her saddlebags and the lunch sack to the cycle before pulling up her pant legs and putting the knives in her boots.
The woman hit a button, raising the garage door. She walked the bike out, closing the door behind her. With a cursory glance up and down the street she pulled her hair up and jammed her helmet down on her head. Here we go. Jan kicked the bike to life and roared down the street, debating the fastest way out of town. The redhead had barely gone a mile when she registered a van tailing her. Shit.
She glanced over her shoulder as she went around a turn, catching sight of the emblem on the van's side. Denver 7 News. Do these people never give it a rest? Janessa gunned the engine, leaning into the turns, trying to lose the tail. The van stuck to her, speeding up to match her.
The redhead turned onto the freeway, immediately weaving in and out of traffic, the sounds of honking horns following her. The van kept up, even driving on the shoulder to stay with her. These guys are persistent. Jan kept sight of the van in her side mirrors, assessing her options for ridding herself of them. The woman focused her attention forward as the tail vehicle swerved in behind her.
Janessa looked ahead in time to see a gasoline tanker hit a slick patch of pavement, jack-knifing across the freeway. FUCK! The woman locked up her brakes, leaving strips of rubber on the ground. She glanced back, realizing the driver of the van hadn't spotted the accident immediately ahead and wasn't reacting as fast as she, the vehicle quickly overtaking her. SHIT SHIT SHIT!!! GODDAMNIT!
Reacting instantly, Jan swung her right leg over the side of her bike, turning the handlebars sharply right and leaning back with the cycle, laying it down in a slide, out of the path of the oncoming van. Jan hung on to her bike for dear life, knowing the screeching mental was the only thing between her and a severe case of road rash. The cycle slid for some distance before coming to a stop in a clump of bushes on the roadside.
Jan lay latched onto the bike for a second, catching her breath, when the sounds of screeching tires and smashing metal brought her back to the moment. The woman shakily stood up, brushing herself off and assessing any damage. The cycle was totaled but other than the lingering injuries Hayden had inflicted there was nary a scratch on her. Damn. I got lucky. Jan turned her gaze to the freeway, observing the pile-up the jack-knifing truck had caused. Several horns blared nonstop, and music pulsed from one of the wrecked cars.
It starts with
One thing
I don't why
It doesn't even matter how hard you try…
She looked around, waiting to see if any more collisions were imminent. Reassured that she wasn't about to be run down she stepped into the roadway, her years of crisis response training in the Air Force automatically kicking in. She began evaluating who needed aid immediately.
…The clock ticks life away
It's so unreal
Didn't look out below
Watched the time go right out the window…
Her eyes widened with disbelief as she caught sight of the news van wedged beneath the trailer portion of the jack-knifed gasoline tanker. Bloody hell! Jan moved quickly through the scattered cars, the overwhelming scent of spilled gas hitting her nostrils from some distance.
…I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter
I had to fall
And lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter…
As she drew near she spotted the gash the van had put in the side of the tanker, liquid flowing out over the vehicle and across the roadway. Can we say severe fire risk? This is BAD! Watching her footing, the woman went to the big-rig's cab first.
…Things aren't the way they were before
You wouldn't even recognize me anymore
Not that you knew me back then
But it all comes back to me
In the end…
She pulled open the driver's side door, the trucker practically falling into her arms. Jan cried out at the impact, her already injured body protesting. She pushed the pain aside, gripping the large man by the armpits, walking backward, dragging him off the road shoulder into the grass.
…I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter…
She checked him over quickly, running through the response checklist in her mind. Ok. ABCs… Assured he was breathing and in no immediate danger she rolled him onto his right side, placing him in the standard rescue position, left arm straight up, right hand tucked up under his head on his left arm, right leg bent forward to support his weight.
…I put my trust in you
Pushed as far as I can go
For all this
There's only one thing you should know…
The woman turned back to the accident scene, heading for the news van this time. As she came up on the van she happened to glance to her left, movement registering from the corner of her eye. A man was sitting up in his crumpled car. As she watched, he pulled a cigarette out and placed it between his lips. Knowing what would come next, Jan veered off course toward the car, yelling and waving her hands as she spotted the gasoline puddle beneath the mangled vehicle.
…I tried so hard
And got so far
But in the end
It doesn't even matter…
The redhead saw the man's gaze flicker toward her as the lighter she had been anticipating came up. FUCK ME!!! She immediately turned, running away from the totaled car and tanker as the oblivious man flicked on his lighter, igniting the gas fumes hanging in the air, in turn lighting the fuel on the ground and spilling from the truck.
Janessa didn't get far in the bare seconds it took for the tanker to go up in a massive fireball. The force of the concussive blast lifted the redhead off her feet, sending her flying through the air. Just before she hit the ground she felt something impact her back. She felt, rather than heard the snap as she hit the ground, everything going black.
…I had to fall
And lose it all
But in the end
It doesn't even matter.
A/N: No this is NOT the end. My parallel fic For Thine is the Glory will pick up at chapter 23 of this fic and run concurrently to Twisted. And I apologize if this is hard to read. FF.net's system screws up my formatting randomly no matter how I load the file. Sorry.
Song credits for this chapter in order of usage:
Linkin Park Closer to the Edge
Linkin Park Numb
Linkin Park In the End