The morning came and i found myself alone on the floor. Melly was on her bed,brushing her hair. For a moment i thought that her emotional outburst was just my

dream.

- Melly? - I mumbled,trying to make her look at me.

- Finally!It's so weird...you were sleeping on the floor. - She chuckled nonchalantly. Right away i could tell that Melly didn't remember what she told me. It was the

same Melly that greeted me,when i was admitted to the psyc ward. I felt my stomach twist and turn.

- Let's go! It's breakfast time! - Melly jumped up and rushed out of the room.

I couldn't eat or drink,watching Melly infront of me. She was swallowing that horrible food with joyful look on her face.

- Why don't you try this sandwich...it's good. - Melly mumbled,resembling a child with her mouth full.

- Melly...yesterday...do you remember? - I just couldn't help it.

She stopped for a second. I could notice the change in her posture. But Melly didn't look at me. She ignored my question.

- I guess it was just my dream. - I whispered to myself with sadness and stood up from the table.

I went back to my room,waiting for Woz to come. The only thing that kept me positive somehow.

- Harlee,you're looking good! - Woz was greeting me with a smile on his face.

- Lier... - I hugged him and sat down at the table.

- Something's wrong? - He frowned with worry.

- It's just...not a happy place to be. - I gave him a sarcastic grin.

Woz nodded with understanding.

- Cristina?Will she come here for a visit? - I asked with hope.

- Not yet,Harlee...it was such a big blow for her...be patient. She is a kid...- Woz touched my hand,briefly glancing at two guards. Two big fellas were watching us

more carefully than they did last time.

- How is my best friend? - I whispered conspiratorially.

- I'm sure he knows about you and he will pay you a visit...soon. - Woz winked grimly and looked at the guards again.

- So how is everything with our precinct? - I smiled as cherfully as i could.

- Oh,it's all fine. Harlee,do you remember that time Espada got a drug deeler by bugging him!He had M&M'S. - Woz put on a relaxed face on but his eyes were

glimmering.

- I remember. He ate too much. - I giggled,catching his hint.

- I got you some too. They checked it and allowed me to give it to you. - Woz slowly took out M&M'S and put it on the table.

- Oh,thank you... - I exhaled with relief and took them,glancing at guards. They didn't seem bothered at all. My heart was about to jump out of my chest. I had to

admit i missed that thrill.

- I love you,Harlee. - Woz gave me his special grin.

I came back to my room with so much hope. How could i ever doubt Woz!He was the best. I opened M&M'S and started to chew them one by one very carefully.

I ate 8 when i finally felt metal on my toungue. It was such a small thing and yet so powerfull. It could save somebody or ruin them with ease.

I remembered how much Stahl loved to wire me and so it was my turn to play that trick with him.

I spent the day contemplating. Melly wasn't coming back to the room but i had too much on my plate,now that i had a bug. I was consumed by thoughts of Stahl. It

started to get dark,when i heard the sound of emergency alarm. I stood up and opened the door. I saw guards running towards the bathroom. My detective instinct

rushed me there.

- We need CPR!Now! - I heard loud scream.

- Melly!No!- My heart sank,when i saw my roommate on the floor.

- Get her out of here! - The head nurse ordered to guards.

- Melly! - I just wanted to help her. Two strong hands grabbed me and pushed me out.

- Your girlfriend hung herself on the towel. - I heard stern whisper in my ear.

- Let me go!I need to see her!Please!It's my fault! - My head was about to explode,while i tried to fight that guard off.

- Crazy bitch! - He shoved me in my stomach with all his might.

He strapped me to bed and a nurse came in to sedate me. I couldn't stop shaking and screaming. Panic attack took over me. Medication kicked in very fast.

I was falling in a painfully familiar black hole.

- Harlee...calm down...don't act like you still can't get used to death...you're a professional... - Through loud buzzing i heard Stahl's suave voice.

- No...why did she do that...why... - I was trying to see his face but my sight was blurry.

- Because you wanted to wake her up from sweet madness...and you did...merciless detective...- I felt him getting closer.

- How could you kill and not feel anything...how do you do that... - I couldn't feel my body.

- I shut down the guilt. You don't need it,it's just getting in the way...she was doomed from the day she stabbed her son...think about it as an act of kindness...you

put an end to her meaningless existence. - Stahl's warm voice was like poison to my ears.

- I'm not like you...i can't...be ok...- I felt tears streaming down my face.

- Shh,Harlee...you're more like me than you want to think... - His presence seemed so real. After a short pause i felt his touch on my cheek.

- I will get you,Bastard...now i know how... - I hissed through my teeth.

- Yeah...ofcourse...i will be there soon,Harlee...we will talk...maybe make up - His mockingly tender tone disgusted every fiber of my being.

- Sick prick. - I spit with all the malice i had inside.

- Detective, don't be so tough...it's your desire to see me here.- I saw his blurry face getting closer.

- Go away! - I cried.

- It doesn't work like that. - He chuckled and slowly petted my hair.

- You will be gone...i will lock you up for the rest of your pathetic life. - I mumbled with all the strength i had. My eyes were closing involuntarily and i felt that i was

sleeping into darkness again.

- Harlee Grace Santos convicted of multiple counts of first and second degree murder... - Stern and formal female voice rang in my ears. I opened my eyes to see a

white room,resembeling an execution chamber. There was a witness room but i couldn't see who was standing behind glass windows.

- Subsequently sentenced to death by lethal injection. - The woman in black suit continued. She was facing people in a witness room.

I was trying to move my hands or legs,but i was strapped down.

- Wait! What's happening? - I couldn't recognize my voice. It was so remote and weak.

- Ms. Santos,today you will be punished for your major felonies. - The woman turned around and i saw Molly. She looked so different in that black suit with her hair

put back.

- Melly! - I exclaimed with hope.

- Just finish her already! - Familar male voice shouted out. I looked at the crowd,that was watching me. Miguel was standing with his face distorted with rage.

- Dad,stop it. - Cristina held him by his hand.

- My baby!Cristina! - I sprang up,trying to break free.

- Calm down,Ms. Santos. Everyone is here to say a final goodbye. - Melly's face was emotionless.

- Reconcile to your fate and repent your sins... - James's baritone resounded in the room.

- No!Stop it! - I finally could see everyone in the witness room. There were Cristina,Miguel,Loman,Baker,Caddie,Gina,Saperstein, Bianci,Woz,Tess,Tufo,

Katie Myers. They had so much hate in their eyes. Even Cristina was looking at me with disgust.

- Woz,help me! - I cried,though the tears were choking me up.

- Not this time...- I heard snake voice. Stahl's face was above me. His eyes had that familiar scarry malice.

- It's your trick!Prick! - How much i wanted to break free and beat him to death.

- It's all you,Harlee...- He grabbed my head and leaned so close that i could see his dilated pupils.

- Let me go!- I started to shake my head but i was too weak. He was sucking air from me.

- Relax,Harlee. You will finally find peace...just like your roommate... - Stahl whispered,savoring every word. His lips were almost touching mine. His cold hold was

unbearable. It felt like my head was about to explode from pressure.

- Your last words? - I heard Melly's stern voice.

- I'm sorry,Cristina!I'm sorry that i wasn't a better mother! - I screamed at the top of my lungs,feeling the needle in my arm.