10/28/17
Chapter 11
Maddy had been processed and was officially a resident of the Rain Trout Juvenile Detention Center. It was a moderately sized correctional facility for convicted felons under the age of twenty-one years old. The complex had an open layout with several building connected by open courtyards. Yet, the ominous grey and white brick layered towers that housed armed guards and the shiny metallic barbwire that neatly wrapped around the prison spoke of the consequences at attempted escape. It was late morning when all the formalities had been completed. Relinquished of her identity, Maddy was sized into a baggy bland grey jump suit. She was provided a long-sleeved white flannel shirt as she was informed that heating the building was an arduous task, which was poorly managed by the underpaid staff. The Wolfblood was permitted to enter the common area after dressing into her new prison attire. The gentleman that escorted her to common room wished her a patronizing "good luck." Maddy shuffled inside, noticing the large, heavy round tables and bench seating bolted to the floor. Off-white walls greeted her mockingly on all sides. The bright sun cast checkered patterns through the bars on the windows, capturing the frightened English girl. The youngest Smith gasped and jumped back, bumping into someone. Maddy spun on her toes and faced a husky girl with pale skin, who spoke with an Eastern European accent. "Name?" Maddy opened her mouth, but couldn't speak no matter how much she wanted. "Name?" Maddy could immediately tell this young woman wasn't going to ask a third time.
Finally, the young Wolfblood eked out, "Ma-Maddy. Maddy Sm-"
"I don't need your last name. I don't really care," she nonchalantly. The girl had porcelain skin; sadly, her blonde hair detracted from her flawless skin as it was dry and straw-like. While she had no muscle tone, Maddy felt that this girl had some type of power behind her. Maddy could hear whispers from the other inmates in the room, who were watching the interaction, like hungry wolves to an injured deer. Worse, the girl that had asked her name had followed up with another question and Maddy had missed it completely. The Wolfblood had two choices: bluff or ask for the girl to repeat herself. "I . . . I didn't hear . . . I . . ."
"You didn't hear me? I'm standing right in front of you." The girl moved closer, clearly vexed by Maddy delayed response to her questions. Looking up, Maddy spotted two guards at the ready, looking down at them. Their guns, loaded with rubber bullets, cradled in their hands, discreetly pointed at the two girls.
"Eh, Bebe, relax. Really." A tall, built, Latina girl came beside Bebe. She talked like she was chewing gum, but Maddy knew it was unlikely she had anything like that on her. She had wavy hair and curves that couldn't be silenced by the ugly prison outfit. She carried herself with sass, like a model about to walk the runway. The new comer to the conversation, guided Bebe with her eyes to the guards carefully watching from the second story balcony.
"Not worried," Bebe responded, not phased by the audience they had gathered. Maddy's heart felt like it was going to perform its own prison escape by breaking free from her ribcage that held it captive.
"I would. Trust me. She's not worth shaking the tree." Bebe glanced at the dark skinned girl, never moving or turning her head. Maddy considered running, but couldn't get her feet to move. She felt as if she was standing on a flytrap. "This one is protected like an endangered species."
The Wolfblood was sure there was double meaning behind her words, but Maddy's mind was jumbled into little pieces.
"You're lucky, Queenie. If it weren't for Fudge, you'd be . . ." Bebe snickered, leaving it up to one's imagination to fill in the rest. Bebe circled the Wolfblood causing the hair on the back of Maddy's neck to stand. This type of a behavior was considered a challenge by Wolfbloods, but giving into her instincts would only make things worse for the Stonybridge native. Maddy closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her one hand subconsciously going to her neck. "So, what are you doing in here? Or do you know already?" Bebe asked, looking pointedly at Fudge.
Maddy wiggled her fingers, acutely aware that control to her extremities had returned. She cleared her throat and carefully chose her words. "Murder. The police believe I killed my lacrosse coach." Bebe's eyebrows rose in surprise; while Fudge crossed her arms, smirking at Maddy. Fudge almost looked . . . impressed?.The idea that her crime merited envy and admiration from others gave Maddy chills. She wasn't a murder.
"You said believed, meaning you haven't been sentenced." Bebe was quick to point out.
"Innocent until proven guilty," Fudge answered, winking at Maddy. "She's smart enough not to cop to something that could bite her in the ass later."
"Then what is she doing in here?" Bet retorted.
"They think I'm a flight risk based on my past. They have proved grounds to hold me until trial," Maddy was leery of being this forthcoming with strangers, but each time the Wolfblood opened her mouth, words tumbled out without any regard.
Bebe placed her hands on her hips and narrowed her amber colored eyes at Maddy. She wasn't leaving without explaining herself. "I created a volatile explosion within my school chem lab that destroyed school property and resulted in my expulsion. I've also been issued demerits at school for fighting and cutting classes." Maddy wavered on using her more recent charges of breaking and entering, and unknown to the police, stealing to boost her reputation she was evidently building. Boasting about these things could be the equivalent to admitting to committing the crimes. As she peered between Bebe's and Fudge's shoulders at the girls sitting on the table and benches behind them, and then around at the others, it was clear that every girl had a group to be associated with and in which she garnered their devoted protection. Coming to a questionable decision, Maddy blurted out, "I'm also accused of breaking and entering . . . and stealing." To survive, she needed to be a part of something larger and stronger than just herself. She needed to join a group. If she could somehow prove herself worthy, this group may offer her refuge.
"You stole from the dead coach?" Fudge questioned.
"It's not proven. It 's just one of the charges that have against me," Maddy corrected.
Fudge laughed, sighing exaggeratedly afterward. "Damn. Either they're wrong and you have the worst luck, or you're one crazy bitch." Fudge traded glances with Bebe for few seconds before Bebe snorted in disgust and turned abruptly back to her crew. Maddy wiped her sweaty palms on her cardboard-feeling jumper, and eagerly awaited to see what happened next. Luckily, she didn't have to wait long. As Fudge moved her attention from Bebe to Maddy, she chuckled, "Let's go, Queenie." She placed a heavy arm around Maddy, guiding her back to the table where Bebe sat. Looking up at the guards, Fudge simply waved, shooting each one a flirtatious smile. The guards nodded in response and went-about surveying the room, no longer interested in Maddy, Bebe, or Fudge.
So this is it? Maddy thought, I'm in.
-Wolfblood-
Maddy became increasingly agitated at being shoved by the guards every time they wanted her to change direction. While she knew better than to share her thoughts, she dreamed of the chance to just hit them as hard as they "nudged" her. So, when Maddy was instructed verbally, for once, by a svelt, pale-skinned man with curly, thick blonde hair and a plump mustache covering his upper lip, to move left, she was unnerved by the unprecedented respect shown. Walking toward a dead end hall, her breath began to quicken, a sense of dread overcoming her as she wondered if this was a trap. The guard stopped and opened a steel door to her right, inside was Mr. Abernathy, Robert, and another gentleman Maddy didn't recognize. "Inside," the guard commanded. The guard tipped his cap, fixed his weighted utility belt, and smiled at the men in front of them. Mr. Abernathy, nodded, eyeing Maddy purposefully. The man 'hrumpfed' and scooted in front of the Wolfblood. He fiddle with a ring of keys and soon found the right one. He unlocked her cuffs; the young woman instinctually rubbing the area that had chaffed under the constant rubbing of the circular metal restraints.
"Thank you Officer Browne," Mr. Abernathy said, in a way that made it clear that his presence was no longer wanted. Maddy recognized the last name, it was the same as Bev and Cheryl's.
"Yeah, that's their dad," Robert clarified without needing to be asked. He gave her a tight hug, and looking into his eyes, she knew he was afraid for her safety. "Are you okay? Are they treating you all right?"
"Robert. Enough. Mr. Black's time is precious," his father reminded his son. Robert's shoulders slumped like a heartbroken puppy. Robert came around the table to his seat and sat quietly. Mr. Abernathy was seated between his son and the the very snazzy-dressed man. "We do not have all day. I've made the appropriate arrangements. Maddy will be treated fine," his father further assured. Robert nodded obediently, while Maddy slid into the sole chair across from trio. "Mr. Black is my top attorney. He has been gracious enough to accept your case. Understand Maddy, you are very lucky. Mr. Black does not typically represent these types of matters, but as a favor to me, he is willing to take the case." Maddy nodded numbly in response. Mr. Black had thin black glasses and a cleanly shaven head. A satin, purple handkerchief sparkled against the black suite with pencil-thin white vertical strips.
"Hello Madeline," he greeted, adjusting his glasses. "I will be representing you. The first thing is to have you released from here. This does not bode well for the type of character we want painted for you in court. Your court date has not been officially scheduled. It would behoove you to behave yourself, regardless. Everything you do in here or out there," he paused, pointing to the small window that showed blue skies and puffy, cotton ball-like clouds passing by, "is being watched. The prosecution is building their case that you are some punk teenager that is incapable of rational thinking and self-discipline. However, before I can even begin rallying for your freedom with the judge, I need to know what happened. . . between your coach and you. The truth, if you will, Miss Smith," he said pointedly, looking at her over his glasses. He opened his black, leather-bound notebook, disclosing a clean sheet of legal paper. Purposefully twisting his engraved, stainless steel pen, he looked at her to commence with her story.
"I didn't do it!" she blurted out, jumping from her seat and knocking over the metal chair. They all looked to the little window on the door where a guard - not Mr. Browne - stared back at them suspicious of the scene playing out. Mr. Black raised his hand deliberately slow, insinuating to the guard that the outburst should be overlooked. The guard stared at them for a few more seconds, and then turned back around.
"Sit down, Miss Smith," he said through his teeth. " And this," he began, straightening his ebony tie, "is why I do not typically represent juveniles. Lack of self discipline. Please conduct yourself like a lady, Madeline." He lifted the stack of papers and tapped them on the table to even them out. "According to the collected evidence against you, that which I hold in my hands, your shoe prints were found in some spilled potting soil, a handprint on the stove handle, and some papers with determined focus on you, plus numerous character building statements . . ." Mr. Black looked at Maddy briefly and then cleared is throat. "Several classmates were interviewed; all of them confirming you were her star pupil and favorite student . . . a close relationship quickly developed, so special that you were awarded team captain and as a result removed from power another student who had held that position for two years. You were also the last person to see her alive, having been sent to her office for medical attention after she diffused a fight between you and another girl . . . from my understanding and these reports. . . it was the former captain of the ladies' lacrosse team. It was alluded to that you were a likely candidate for bringing expelled from had Ms. Dupree not intervened. Is this all true?" Maddy could feel her stomach bubbling under all the pressure and stress. If she didn't know better, she would believe she had committed such a heinous act. Mr. Black removed his glasses, pinched the bridge of his nose and then placed them delicately back onto his thin, pointed feature. "I am taking your silence as agreement." Moving forward without any sympathies for his distraught client, Mr. Black spoke, "I need to ask, and again, I request that you be honest and understand this is merely a question so I can fully breakdown the timeline and circumstances behind these actions." Mr. Black pauses, and for the first time, looks hesitant to continue. Finally, he clears his throat and exhales a breath he was holding. "Were you and she having relations of a sexual nature? This can be used favorably when building defense case, especially if it was not consensual-"
Maddy hit the metal table with all her might causing all three men to jump with fright. "No! Ugh, no! That's sick! It's wasn't like that. I wasn't some type of lamb being preyed on by a cougar. She was my coach and that's all." Robert played with his hands nervously, glancing behind Maddy at the tiny window then to his father and their lawyer.
"Maddy, it would explain – " Mr. Black tried to explain.
"Stop," Maddy cut off with an edge in her voice. "Ms. Dupree was a tough woman that expected near perfection. But she wasn't a child predator." The Wolfblood leaned closer toward the trio as she spoke, raising herself slightly from her seat. Maddy touched her cheek tenderly, and saw her finger tips glisten from tears she wasn't aware she was shedding. All three men looked the way she felt, surprised. Settling back into her seat, she didn't speak and neither did anyone else. In a shaky, quiet voice, as if someone else was talking for her, Maddy added, "I cared a lot about Ms. Dupree as a mentor and friend . . . I began to believe in myself . . . that I could actually do something more than cause trouble. I won't let you or someone else destroy her name and all she did for our school."
"Da-" Robert turned to his father, but he was given the same gesture by his father as the lawyer had to the guard earlier.
"We believe you," Mr. Abernathy spoke, looking at , who nodded in agreement. "Understand, Mr. Black is only doing his job by exploring all possible points that the prosecutors will use to explain your reasoning for committing murder."
"Maddy, how do you explain your prints?" Mr. Black questioned.
"I stopped by her house after she had been missing from school for a few weeks. I was . . . worried it might be more serious or something. The team, her team, was falling apart without her there. Ms. Dupree is – was – extremely competitive. She wouldn't allow even a family emergency to distract her from the team and winning."
"And you, being the part of this "elite" team, stopped playing?"
Maddy tucked some hair behind her ear; catching the encouragement in Robert's eyes, she smiled. "Without specific instructions or a firm understanding of what happened, I couldn't rally the girls to keep up with the rigorous regiment after three weeks had passed with no word about Ms. Dupree and her return. I'm the only one still showing up for practice, though occasionally Bev and Cheryl join. The team has stopped playing and at this rate, we wouldn't be ready for the compete in the upcoming season."
"So, what happened when you came to her home?"
"The place had been overturned. It didn't make sense. There was no way she left on her own, she had been cooking in the kitchen when it happened. I found food in the oven and the counter. Looks like whatever happened, happened right in the middle of her making dinner. "
Mr. Black nodded, tapping his chin while deep in thought, turning over her words in his head. "So, you believed there was foul play before the police had? Why not bring your feelings forward to them? Were you there the day the police invaded the home under the pretenses a burglary was happening? Did you steal anything?"
"No, you're twisting my words. I didn't say I thought she was murdered, I just thought the reason behind her leaving didn't make sense. I know going to her house was stupid, but I had a gut feeling something was amiss."
"As do I. I find it rather difficult to believe you went there and didn't find something. I need you to tell the truth or I cannot fully help you." Mr. Black looked down at Maddy as if trying to read her mind. Maddy instantly thought of the necklace laying on her dresser that she took.
"No, I don't know or have anything!" In spite of herself, her voice hinted at her bluff.
"Without witnesses, your story and reason is more than flimsy. It's more translucent than glass, and weaker than tissue paper." Maddy concluded Ling had not been interviewed or interrogated given Mr. Black was under the impression Maddy had worked alone. She shook her head slowly.
"Well, I believe this is all for now. I'll be back in a few days, and we'll go from there. Try and stay out of trouble, Miss Smith. Behavior is looked at heavily when trying to win a judge over. I've been informed you have quite the record already: assault, vandalism, and underage drinking, and while the last one is unproven, it will be used against you nonetheless. All this to prove you make impetuous decisions that endanger yourself and others." Mr. Black rose from his seat, and signaled the guard that their visit was over. Mr. Wilkerson soon showed up, handcuffs at the ready. Maddy stood, offering her wrists to Mr. Wilkerson to place the handcuffs on. Looking back at the men standing on the other side of the table, she felt doomed.
"Don't worry. We'll find a way," Robert whispered. She nodded, all the while being guided from the room.
-Wolfblood-
Maddy was reserved to a cell by herself. Surprisingly, most inmates had their own cell. It was not as luxurious a treatment or allocation that outsiders often perceived. The deafening silence could drive an inmate crazy. Most had magazines or books to waste the hours away. If permitted, some had art supplies to use, while others were enrolled into work-release programs - the most coveted of opportunities offered to residents. It was a chance to see life outside the confines of the prison. Stretched out on the the thin mattress, the soft moonlight streaming in through the window, Maddy turned on her side, settling in for another quiet night. Pulling the single, navy colored, wool-like blanket more tightly around her, she was awoken by the 'pssst' sound of someone calling. She sat up and looked about the room, and for a minute, she thought she might be hearing voices. The sound grew louder as she stepped closer to the window. Whoever wanted her attention was outside, waiting for her. Carefully pulling the bed under the window so she could use it as a step ladder, she froze, her breath catching with each squeak the bed made scrapping across the linoleum floor. Peering out the window, it was none other than Davin looking up at her quizzically. Like only a Wolfblood could, Davin scaled the small first floor wall and then pushed off that wall to the low hanging roof adjacent to Maddy's room. From there, she leapt onto the narrow ledge that doubled as a running drain system under Maddy's window. Crouched low and in the shadows, Davin was outside the sight of the roaming spotlight. "What are you doing here?" she asked, looking around for the spotlight to return, Maddy's heart racing.
"Why are you in a cage? Did the Naturals do this to you?" Davin questioned, her fingers wrapping around the bars of window. She gave it a small tug, testing its strengh. Maddy looked about, but no one seemed disturbed by the late night visitor.
"I was accused of murdering my gym teacher," Maddy answered, slightly disgusted that Davin was there.
"Why would you do that?" Davin tilted her head to one side as if imagining Maddy hovering over the dead corpse. The small frame of the youngest Smith standing menacingly over the wounded, dying body of her teacher.
"I didn't!" Maddy rushed to the front of her cell door and placed her ear to the cold metal, listening to see if she was heard. Nothing. Taking a deep breath, she returned to the window. "Why are you here?" The last thing she wanted was for Davin to be spotted and the warden to believe she was trying to escape.
"Wolfbloods are missing. It is wrong. I can feel it in my bones. They did not go of their own will," she told her, and for the first time, Maddy could see a softer, more frightened side to the Wild Wolfblood. There was no bravado that flowed through Davin's typical mannerisms. And for that reason, Maddy knew this was no ploy or test. For Davin to reach out to a Tame, she was desperate.
"I wish I could help you . . . but I'm stuck." Maddy gestured to the bars and inside of the room she lived as if to further prove her point. There was a loud clanging sound, one of the corridor doors locking shut; one of the guards arriving for the nightly walkthrough. "Oh no, you need to leave now. There is nothing I can do for you in here. I'm sorry."
Davin noted and dropped from the second story ledge and dashed back into the wooded area she had come from. Maddy quickly hopped into bed and feigned sleeping, hearing the slight scuffle of the guards shoes against the floor. To her relief, the guard believed her and moved on.
-Wolfblood-
Maddy had a restless sleep, tossing and turning as Davin's words about the missing Wolfblood's played on repeat in her head. As she woken up by the overhead chime that played through the comm system, Maddy took little comfort in the temporary distraction.
In an effort to show what a conscientious youth she was, Mr. Black arranged to have her enrolled in one of the enrichment programs at the prison. It was an opportunity for well-behaved residents to develop certain skill sets that may be applied "in the real world." After eating breakfast, Maddy moved sluggishly through the halls toward the room they designated for puppy training. It was a program that taught inmates how to train rescue dogs for different services: seeing eye, detecting seizures, handicap assistance. It was only a small distance more to go and she would be turning the doorknob to the classroom; however, fate had other plans for the Wolfblood. The next hallway was the one she would turn down to go to the classroom, but as she approached the "t" intersection, a sound caught her attention.
She could hear two people whispering, trading secrets with each other. Just like high school, secrets were gold and could make or break a person. Bebe always responded favorably to those in her crew that came to her with weighty secrets, information that could be twisted and molded into something she could use to gain more power. Out of all the crews, Bebe's was the best to belong in. . . no one, even the guards, thought to challenge them - her. Maddy hadn't learned much personally about her new Alpha, but she had gotten the feeling from the others that Bebe was a fixture and had been there for awhile. Many veterans, both inmates and guards, were waiting for the day Bebe would be moved to the adult facility south of Rain Trout, about three hours away. Whatever Bebe did, she was committed to this lifestyle with no immediate way out. And truthfully, with so much power, did Bebe really care to leave.
Looking to keep herself in good stead with Bebe, Maddy went right instead of left and pressed herself against the wall. Inching down the side of the hall to the next corridor, Maddy moved with precise like a ninja doing recon on their next target. Just as she was honing in on their conversation, the heating unit outside kicked in, rumbling loudly. Now, the Wolfblood had a choice, she could turn back and go straight to the class or stay and gain some leverage to use against another inmate. Selfishness won and Madddy inched closer. Frustrated, she still couldn't hear anything, including the footsteps coming toward her.
From around the very corner Maddy had been so focused, appeared a disheveled looking Fudge and bumping into her from behind was one of the guards. The guard was a svelte, Italian man, who turned white when he saw Maddy. Maddy fell backward as she tried to scrambled away. Her panicked look matched the guard's; the trio just staring at each other in awkward confusion. Maddy carefully worked herself to her feet, unsure if she should run or wait for someone to speak. After what felt like hours, Fudge broke the silence.
"Eh, relax. I'm not mad . . . we're not mad," she soothed, pointing to herself and the guard, who Maddy believed was known as Todd Hinkley. "I know you know what we were doin', Queenie. We're all grown adults here. So let's not get shy about this," she said, forcing a laugh. Fudge was trying to smooth out her hair, while Todd fixed his shirt and adjusted his belt. Maddy must have not looked as nonchalant as she had hoped because Fudge was still talking slow like you would a frightened child. "Listen . . . Bebe doesn't need to know. Todd and I are in love . . . and look," she inched closer, careful not to spook the Wolfblood, "you're the first one and maybe the only one to know," she hinted. Maddy could feel her heart beat quicken, Fudge was looking to make a pact. And, while this would give Maddy the upper hand, it was a pact to keep a secret from Bebe. Fudge was Bebe's second in command and held a lot of power in her own right, but it wasn't near enough to overtake Bebe. "Todd and I met a few months after I got in here and we've been together nearly a year . . . it's up to you. Can't blame you for sellin' us out." Fudge looked at a loss at what to do next, her hand still handing out there for Maddy to shake. Maddy turned over the situation presented to her. Perhaps it was because deep down she was a hopeless romantic, or perhaps, looking at Todd and Fudge reminded her of someone she deeply cared for and missed more than she cared to think about. If Maddy sold them out, they would be torn apart before dinner was served that night. And while Fudge wasn't thousands of miles away from her loved one, the pain of being separated from a loved one knew no distance. If Maddy told Bebe, she would sure as hell use it to her advantage. Black mail. Favors. Trading. Or worse. Worse was usually the option Bebe chose.
"You're secrets safe with me," Maddy said, accepting Fudge's proffered hand. The girls shook hands; the three of them smiling as the intensity of the situation died down.
"I owe you big," Fudge said, playfully punching the Wolfblood in the arm. Maddy smiled because favors were valued as highly as secrets. Maddy genuinely felt good about her decision. Fudge could be a potential ally and someone to trust. Bebe's second-in-command headed down the other hallway Maddy had come from. Todd nodded and winked at Maddy, returning down the hallway he had just come from. Maddy watched as the lovers went separate ways and soon disappeared from sight. Maddy stood there by herself digesting everything that had just happened. . . or so she thought.
Prepared to have to explain her tardiness to the instructor, Maddy turned around and started toward the hallway that led to the puppy training class, and then fate intervened. Maddy came to a halt, standing outside her classroom, the light from the room outlining her silhouette, was Bebe. She had seen everything. There was no more secret. There was only betrayal. Maddy had made two pacts that day: one with Fudge and one with death.
-Wolfblood-
Ling sat cautiously at the visitor's table later that day. The inmates were marched into the room, each speed walking to their loved ones. Maddy was elated to see the Asian girl, but the morning events only compounded on her anxiousness from last night. Ling had been feeding Maddy information from the case that she learned from different people in town and from Robert. Maddy hadn't see Robert since her first visit with her lawyer three weeks ago. Mr. Abernathy deemed Robert tagging along as a risk to her case. Somehow it looked better for Maddy if Robert was pushed as far out of the picture as possible. Maddy wasn't convinced, but she didn't argue with the gentleman. Ling looked back and forth checking to see if anyone could be listening, satisfied at the chatter all around them, she leaned in, "The police informed Mr. Black as of yesterday they found animal markings, like scratches and bite wounds in critical areas that if left untreated could be fatal."
"So, I'm clear?" she asked hopeful. Maddy didn't just want to be out of there because she missed her freedom or because the full moon was due in less than a week. She needed out before Bebe could do anything to her to teach her a lesson. "No, there is a sole gunshot through the heart that killed her. The other injuries could have been done shortly after . . . maybe before . . . they speculate the animals involved in the other injures were wolves." Her head dropped in her stomach, the acid splashing and slouchy around made the Wolfblood queasy. Ling continued to talk about lighter things, school and such, but Maddy couldn't focus on Ling, she could only think about Ms. Dupree.
Her mentor crawling away in pain, near her end, a figure looming over her body, a gun aimed at her still-beating heart. The individual just tracking her gym teacher like prey, an injured deer, hobbling her best to get away. Her black dress slacks and white tailored shirt, the clothes she was last seen in by the young Wolfblood, stained with dirt and blood. The sleeves are torn and there is a big gash in her right pant leg. The young gym teacher looks up frightened, knowing what is coming. She shades her face unable to look at the gun used to end her. Bang.
"Maddy, Maddy . . ." Not wanting to alarm the guards by touching a prisoner, Ling gently knocked on the table to get her attention.
Knock. Knock.
Bang.
Knock. Knock.
Bang.
Knock.
BANG!
Maddy looked up and saw the girl she dreamed about screaming her name for help. She thought about the missing Wolfbloods, her murdered coach, and the pending retaliation from Bebe and then suddenly the room began to spin. The Wolfblood braced clutched the bench she sat on to stabilize herself, but it wasn't enough. The room spun faster and faster and Ling's voice continued to fade away.
And then . . . it was dark.
-Wolfblood-
Maddy blinked several times, allowing her surroundings to come into focus. The room was an eggshell white with outlines of dust collecting in the corners. Several iron framed beds lined either wall, a steel medicine cabinet sat across from her and a metal, nickel-colored desk next to her. The nurse was filing some paperwork into a grey, old filing cabinet with rust on the edges. As Maddy wiped her eyes and stretched, the nurse stopped what she was doing and walked around to the Wolfblood's bedside. "Slowly," she instructed, putting her one hand on Maddy's back and the other on her shoulder. She helped Maddy sit up, carefully watching her the entire time.
"Where am I? What day is it?" Maddy asked, groggily.
"You're in the infirmary. It's Tuesday. You've been asleep for about a day." Maddy focused on the calendar hanging on the wall behind the nurse's desk. In less than five days a full moon was going to come up and Maddy was going to need more than some rest to work her way out that problem. After having her blood pressure and temperature taken, and answering some surface level evaluation questions, the nurse deemed her fit to return to her room under special supervision. Maddy wasn't ready to return. Being sent back to the main area meant encountering Bebe and her crew. There was no loyalty among criminals. Two female guards chauffeured her through the halls toward the common area. Maddy wobbled, unsteady. She reached out to the guards to brace herself from falling backwards. Misunderstanding Maddy's intentions, the one guard presumed Maddy was reaching for her gun and went on the defensive. Twisting her arm behind her, the tall, muscular guard forced Maddy to the floor. Disoriented and off-balance, the Wolfblood was unable to brace herself, and face-planted. The force of the woman landing on top of her, pushed Maddy to vomit, the blood from her busted lips and nose bleed pooled into abstract dots in the throw up on the dirty, yellowing floor. Disgusted, they immediately sent Maddy back to the infirmary.
With Mr. Abernathy's pull, Maddy's parents were able to see Maddy while she was being kept on high-watch at the infirmary. ". . . if we can convince them your illness is serious enough to need better medical attention, they will release you to a hospital," her father explained.
"At which we'll come visit and escape together," her mother whispered, patting Maddy's hand. Afterward, they would disappear. And they would be on the run, again. Even though her parents believed in her innocence, people would always suspect her, and as a result, she and her family would be under the town's constant scrutiny.
"All you need to do is push the limits of the facility to manage your health and we can put our plan into action," her father encouraged. Understanding their time to visit was soon ending, Daniel kissed his daughter on the forehead.
"But, you better do it fast. You have less than four days before the full moon is here," Emma said with complete seriousness. She pulled her daughter's hair behind her ears and kissed her cheek. Mr. Black arrived, asking some questions about her care and then guided her parents away. Before he completely stepped through the infirmary doors, he reminded Maddy to keep a low profile. Maddy tensed for a second and then forced a smile. While she had only been a tenant of the lovely state facility for a few weeks, Maddy had kept anything but a low profile.
-Wolfblood-
The nurse announced she was going on break and would be back within an hour. Maddy looked about and figured it was muscle memory to announce this action as she was the only patient at the time. Maddy watched her leave through the double doors and make a left. A guard that was continuously stationed outside the room, stood with her back to Maddy. Maddy closed her eyes and prayed a plan would come to her to escape. The doors opened unexpectedly, banging loudly as they finally settled closed. The normal click-clack of the nurse's heels did not follow, instead a resounding snap of a lock falling, tipped off the Wolfblood that something was not right. Maddy quickly opened her eyes, and to her horror, it wasn't the nurse having returned after absent-mindedly forgetting her lunch. No, it was Bebe and she was't there as a friend.
"So, guess what?" Maddy knew Bebe wasn't looking to make pleasantries, so she stayed silent. "While you've been recuperating, Fudge was moved. . . sadly. It was a shock to everyone. Overcrowding." Bebe continued to move toward Maddy, gliding her fingers over the iron footer of each bed. Maddy sat up, preparing to have to get out of bed. She peered behind Bebe to see the guard that once took watch was gone. No one was around to hear or see them. "She was sent to the adult prison south of here. Without friends to have your back, bad things can happen, you know? Like being stabbed and beaten by grumpy inmates. I guess, though, Todd can visit her, now that he is unemployed." Maddy started to inch to the other side of her bed. Bebe had somehow created the perfect scenario to get even with Maddy. No guards. No allies. Nowhere to run. Maddy stood out of bed, still shaky. "Stomach still bothering you? I had planned more to happen that day to you, but who knew the 'extra seasoning' I had added to your lunch would have made you so sick. Though, that's okay with me. Don't matter. Because you can't hide from me."
Maddy instinctively grabbed her throat, the reality of being poisoned sinking in. Bebe may have intended for Maddy to experience temporary discomfort, but the fact that she could have killed the Wolfblood didn't bother Bebe at all. Already feeling threatened and on the defensive, and with the full moon fast approaching, Maddy's couldn't contain the tingling sensation in her hands. It was usually a welcomed, familiar feeling, the tiny pinpricks of adrenaline as a full moon was about to rise: a mixture of excitement, fear, sadness, and pure elation, every emotion heightened. Maddy breathed loudly, trying to focus on the immediate present and calm her inner wolf. The sadistic smile on Bebe's face caused the hairs on the back of Maddy's neck to stand. Maddy flexed her fingers, trying to suppress her primal urges. Just as Maddy found her voice and was about to scream for help, and awful idea popped into her head. It was dangerous and risky, but it could just solve all her problems.
-Wolfblood-
It was one of the most reckless plans she had ever come up with, but it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up. Since Bebe's intentions were clear, Maddy would engage her in a fight that would ultimately send the Wolfblood to the hospital. However, that meant sustaining enough damage to deem her injuries too great to be kept at the prison. 'I can do this. I can do this,' she repeated to herself as she watched Bebe push up her long, white flannel sleeve to show a shiny scalpel tightly held in her hand. 'I can do this!' Maddy assured herself once more before Bebe leapt over the bed.
Maddy put her hands up, instincts of self-preservation kicking into high gear. With the last moments allowed her, she leapt out of the way, knocking over a small tray of bandages the nurse had been sorting earlier. Falling to her hands and knees, Maddy looked up, over her shoulder at Bebe, who was headed her way. Without enough time to get to her feet and clear the area, the Wolfblood turned over onto her back. Bebe landed on top of her, blade aimed for Maddy's heart. Maddy put her forearm out to stop the weapon from closing anymore distance and extended her feet out to throw Bebe behind her. The young woman made a noise of surprised as she slid into the small supply cabin, the glass doors opening to unload little containers and other supplies. Maddy got to her feet, nearly throwing up as she lifted her forearm to see the scalpel dangling at the base of a long gash. Maddy hissed in pain, plucking the medical instrument from her arm. She tossed it away from them, feeling the sting of skin having been sliced opened. The Wolfblood clasped her hand over the gnarly wound, but the effort proved to be moot as blood leaked between her fingers. Bebe laughed. "You know, this could have been avoided. This could be just Fudge's problem. But, you picked a side. Did you know Todd has been my boyfriend four four years? Mine! He was my property!" Her words were the clearest Maddy had ever heard Bebe speak, her accent succumbing to her anger.
Maddy shuffled her feet, trying not to telegraph that she planned to run for the doors. Positioning herself in a way to cut off any attempt to escape, Bebe seethed, "You should really understand the players of the game before you make your move. Life is nothing but a game of chess." Maddy was still looking for a way around, when her assailant continued, "To tell you the truth, I'm a little relieved. I had an inkling Todd was cheating on me, but I could never find any proof. And then after year of lurking these halls, I found'em. Of course, so did you, and you chose to place your trust in the wrong person. So, naive . . . like a dumb dog."
While Maddy had considered the idea of getting injured enough to be sent to the hospital, she now realized that Bebe wasn't going to allow her to just walk away. Maddy cleanly dodged Bebe's next attempt to grab hold of her. Maddy had come to the terms that she needed to win. Learning that she had been deceived by her second-in-command and her lover, enraged Bebe, but what Maddy believed finally drove her over the edge was the possibility that others could learn she had been made a fool. Losing the power she held over the other inmates and guards, the fear she instilled in everyone and had been cultivating for years was too much for Bebe to handle. And unfortunately, Maddy was the culprit for adding the straw that broke the camel's back. She agreed to a pact with Fudge to continue to deceive their leader.
Maddy's eyes changed, she could see the haunted yellow in the reflection of the glass doors of the supply cabinet. "What the hell?" Bebe snarled, stepping back, uncertain of what to make of Maddy's eyes. Maddy propelled herself forward, pushing the girl into the nurse's desk. The two toppled over the metal desk and landed in a heap. Maddy sat on top of the girl, scratching at her face before resorting to pummeling Bebe with her fists. Bebe's head bounced off the linoleum floor, her lip and cheek bleeding from the attack. However, this wasn't Bebe's first brawl. Bebe summed up her strength and tossed Maddy off her. Bebe dabbed her lip with the back of her hand, her eyes filled with rage and hate. She stumbled to the supply cabin to retrieve another scalpel. Maddy used the bed next to her to help herself to her feet. While the Wolfblood would never admit it aloud, she was tiring and could not continue for much longer. Maddy grabbed bed rail for support, the floor feeling like it was tilting to one side. Knowing this was the effects of the tainted food, Maddy growled and rushed at Bebe in a haphazard attempt to end it. Crashing into the supply cabinet, the duo caused it to finally topple over. Bebe latched onto Maddy's uniform, throwing her to the ground. Bebe pounced on top of Maddy, who immediately rolled the girl to the side. The girls tussled on the floor, slowly inching toward the door. Exchanging a myriad of punches and knees to the body, and scratches to the face, the fight didn't feel like it was ever going to end or help would ever come for either of them. Bebe sat on Maddy, positioning all her weight on the Wolfblood's chest, making it harder and harder for Maddy to breath. Punching Maddy twice in the face, one toward her eye and the other her mouth, Bebe clasped her hands around Maddy's neck. This was it. Her fight and flight instincts pushed to its limit, Maddy's inner wolf surged passed her own self control. The Wolfblood snarled, grabbing Bebe with such fury, her long nails pierced through the girl's uniform, drawing blood. Maddy threw the young woman over her and into the extra beds. Maddy breathed deeply, relieved to have Bebe off her.
Everything was quiet.
The Wolfblood laid on her back for several minutes, staring at the yellowish ceiling. To say she was exhausted would be an understatement. She hadn't fought so hard for her life since the encounter with the Wild Wolfbloods months ago. Taking notice to the eerie silence, Maddy rolled to her side and looked for the other girl. From her current position, she could only see the soles of Bebe's white sneakers. Deciding to investigate, Maddy flattened her non-injured forearm to the ground to move herself into a sitting position. As if electrocuted, her arm stiffened, causing her to fall backward. The Wolfblood whimpered in pain from the sudden fall. Taking deep breaths to calm herself, she rolled to her stomach. Using both arms, she pushed herself to her hands and knees. For a split second, the youngest Smith wasn't confident she could do it as her arms trembled terribly. Between the blood loss and her adrenaline receding, Maddy was consumed by a overpowering feeling of lightheadedness. She shut her eyes tightly and tried to focus on her balance. 'I can do this,' she told herself. Looking up, she found Bebe laying there, unmoving. Maddy recognized the hazy red coloring around her temple as blood and worried the girl might be more than just unconscious. 'Please don't be dead,' she plead inside her head. Maddy crawled her former leader and tried to shake her awake, but to no avail. It was clear that Bebe had collided head first with one of the legs of the bed, the steel frame unforgiving. Blood was continuing to ooze from the girl's wound; yet, so depleted of energy, Maddy sat, propped against the bed, uncaring. Maddy's orange plant leg slowly became damp, a line of a blood-orange developing as the crimson blood from Bebe began to seep into the fabric. Maddy could barely recognize Bebe's soft breathing next to her. 'She's still alive. But for how long?' Maddy wondered.
"I have to do something," Maddy said aloud, more for herself than for Bebe's sake. Setting her sights on doors, she unsteadily made her way over. "Please help. Bebe is hurt. Please!" Maddy screamed, pounding on the locked double doors. Maddy's fatigue was stronger than her will to stay awake. Leaning against the door, she closed her eyes. Just as sleep was about to take hold, Maddy was brought to full alert as the sensation of falling backwards overcame her. As she watched the guards and the warden run pass her to Bebe, Maddy fell into someone. Looking up, she smiled, tears running down the sides of her face in quiet elation. Looking down at Maddy, who was sitting on his nicely polished shoes and bleeding on his Armani slacks, was Mr. Black. Standing next to her lawyer was Mr. Abernathy, his arms crossed as he glared at the warden. Maddy had forgotten her lawyer was planning to visit her that day. It was the best surprise she had received in a long time. While she never took her eyes off Mr. Black, she could smell the fear coming from the warden as he withered under Mr. Abernathy's unrelenting stare.
For a moment, Maddy was worried that she would be blamed for the fight. Bebe had remarkable pull either by way of blackmail or fear. "Who started this, Madeline?" Mr. Black asked.
It took a second or two for the Wolfblood to understand she had just been asked a question, but then she looked away from her lawyer to Bebe. "I called for help . . . but no one came," Maddy croaked.
"No worries, Miss Smith. No worries," Mr. Black told the teen sitting in front of him. He patted her shoulder, never taking his eyes off the warden.
-Wolfblood-
Maddy was taken to a local hospital to be treated for her extensive injuries. After x-rays and toxicology tests were taken, Maddy's wounds were cleaned and bandaged. Finally permitted to rest in a private room, the Wolfblood was warned that once she was in stable condition, she would return to the prison. Her stomach knotted at the thought of returning to the correctional facility. By now, Bebe's crew had heard of what happened and who had done it. Maddy was dead meat if she went back. Madd signed before resigning to sleep.
-Wolfblood-
"She is fortunate that girl is not dead." She recognized the tone as Mr. Black's. She batted her eyes, adjusting to the harsh morning light. With her parents, focus on Mr. Black, they didn't notice their daughter was awake.
"She's the one that should be considered lucky. We should report them. We will report them. This should have never happened. Maddy could be dead!" Emma rambled, becoming more and more upset. It was then, as her mother turned back to look at Maddy, she realized she was awake.
"Hey, mum," Maddy said in a gravely voice.
"Hey, pet," she cooed. She pulled her hair out of her face and kissed her forehead.
"How you feeling?" Dan asked, squeezing his daughters hand.
"I've been better," she said with a lopsided grin.
"You misunderstood the meaning behind my statement. She . . ." he said, gesturing to Maddy, "is facing murder charges, to then murder a girl, whether through self defense or not, doesn't look good in a juries' opinion."
"I don't care what a jury thinks, I care that she is safe. She will not survive if she is made to go back. I-I-I won't have it. Sending her back is the same as signing death certificate." It was the most flustered Maddy had seen her mother become in a long time, since Whitewood had threatened to expose them or the Wild Wolfbloods first showed in Stonybridge.
"Hm. I see. I understand." Mr. Black rubbed his chin and then quickly walked out of the room without further explanation.
A little while later, the door opened, and Maddy was sure it would be the doctor, but instead, it was her lawyer. "Once you are discharged, you may leave with your parents to go home. Do not go anywhere . . . anywhere. I was able to convince the DA that your return would be dangerous and only prove lethal to the prosecution's case and the conscious of the legal system." Maddy smiled as Emma hugged her daughter tightly. Dan grabbed for his things, even though she hadn't been discharged, he couldn't wait to bring his daughter home. "Wait", Mr Black interrupted. The room's once joyous celebration quieted. "This is approved pending you promise to wear one of these."
Maddy recognized the ankle monitor dangling precariously from Mr. Black's fingers. "What?" she asked, surprised.
"It's the only option," he answered. Maddy wanted to defiantly refuse the tag. She could feel her blood begin to boil and her expression must have mirrored her disgust as her father patted her hand, giving her a look that said "calm down."
"That's fantastic," Daniel cut-in; he walked over to Mr. Black and shook his hand emphatically.
Mr. Black eyed Maddy, his stare unwavering. Maddy couldn't pinpoint it, but something didn't feel right.
-End Chapter 11
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