Chapter Two:
"Ferguson used to be in charge of Blackmoor, which means she is going to be way tougher than Davidson and Jacs combined. We need to come at her, and come at her hard. If we fight, she can't put all of us into the slot at once, there's not enough space. We need to make life as difficult as we possibly can, and the quicker one of you lot can take her down, the quicker life will go back to being easy," said Franky.
"What do you want us to do?" Asked Megs.
"Make her life hell. Lay low for a few days, keep quiet, make it seem like she's got it easy. Then we do exactly what we did to Miss Jackson; riot, and start making her life as difficult as possible. As much as we didn't like Miss Davidson, at least she looked out for us where she could. Miss Ferguson can't stay. Got it?" Ordered Franky. The women collectively nodded, then dispersed.
"You can't do this Franky," said Liz, always the voice of reason.
"I can, and I will. Are you on my side or not?" Asked Franky.
"You know I am Franky," replied Liz wearily.
"Good. Make yourself scarce," ordered Franky. She watched as Liz left, then headed straight to the nearest guard.
"I need to see Miss Davidson," demanded Franky.
"She's busy," replied Vera.
"I don't care; it's urgent," replied Franky.
"I'll go see if she's free," replied Vera. She headed off into Erica's office, and returned after a few moments.
"Miss Davidson would be happy to see you," said Vera. She led the way, allowing Franky inside the now half empty office.
"How could you?" Asked Franky.
"It's alright Miss Bennett, I can take it from here," said Erica wearily. Vera nodded, then headed out of the office, pulling the door closed.
"All that time. Wasted because you can't hack it in here anymore! What happened to you? You used to fight for us; now you just walk away. What changed?" Demanded Franky, anger coursing through her veins.
"I'm pregnant and about to get married. Believe me, I wanted to stay Franky, but I'd be endangering my life and this baby's life, and I can't do that," said Erica, her voice almost breaking.
"What about me?" Whispered Franky, a tear slowly tracking down her cheek.
"I don't know anymore Franky. A new tutor is being employed to the education unit, and a new advocate will be appointed, but it know it won't take you long to make their life hell. I would expect no less," said Erica.
"But what about me?! Do you feel nothing after that kiss?" Cried Franky. Erica shook her head.
"This discussion is over Francesca. What's done is done," said Erica, returning her attention to loading a box full of her personal items.
"I should have known better." Franky shook her head, berating herself for allowing her feelings to show.
"You should have. Miss Bennett?" Called Erica. Vera opened the door.
"Please return Franky to her unit," ordered Erica. She turned her back on the pair as they left, finally allowing herself to cry. After a few moments she wiped her cheeks and took a shaky breath. This was her chance to get out of Wentworth and back into law, the way she'd originally planned her life to go before becoming a prison advocate. No more tears would be shed over Francesca Doyle.
She had to move on with her life.
Franky was furious, and as she was returned to the yard, the anger she was trying desperately to restrain was unleashed, and taken out on the nearest person.
Emily Wilson.
She pulled the young woman's head straight to her bent knee, breaking her nose, then let her fists fly.
"Oi! Oi, break it up! Boomer!" Called Doreen. Boomer came running out of H Block, Bea and Charlie right behind her.
"Get the fuck off my sister!" Screamed Charlie, sprinting forward to rip Franky off of Emily, who was now sporting a bloody face. Franky fell back to the ground, and was soon pummelled by Charlie. Franky didn't even bother to fight back, allowing Charlie to abuse her.
She deserved it.
No-one ever stays.
"Get off her!" Boomer pulled Charlie back just as the screws flooded the yard.
"Zero-three to Medical; we need help out here!" Radioed Will as he crouched down, looking at Emily's blood covered face, then Franky's prone form.
"They're coming down now," said Vera, concerned.
"Alright, back against the fence!" Ordered Will, standing up. The women all scampered back, pressing their backs against fence.
"Who started it?" Asked Will. None of the women spoke, most averting eyes, refusing to meet the stern gaze of Will Jackson.
"It was a misunderstanding Mr Jackson," answered Emily, her voice thick with pain.
"What about Franky?" Asked Vera.
"It was a misunderstanding Miss Bennett. A complete misunderstanding, and we're all good now," responded Emily. Vera took a deep breath, steadying herself.
"Alright. Medical will be here to help Franky in a moment, and Mr Jackson can escort you to the medical unit so you can clean up and have that nose looked at," said Vera decisively. Doreen extended a hand to Emily, helping her to her feet. She smiled briefly before following Will outside the compound. Franky lay on the ground, totally defeated, tears streaming down her face, one arm cradling her chest. Dr Ward appeared, and in minutes they had Franky loaded onto a gurney and wheeled out of the exercise yard. Boomer turned her raw anger on Charlie.
"What the fuck was that for?" She demanded, pushing the twin away.
"She walked in here and just attacked Em! She didn't even do anything! What did you expect me to do?" Retorted Charlie.
"You don't attack Franky!" Exclaimed Doreen.
"She was attacking my sister!" Yelled Charlie.
"Just go back to your unit, otherwise the screws will be on our case, and at the moment, you're on thin ice because you're new," said Doreen wearily. Charlie shot a dirty look at Boomer, then stormed away.
"Attention all, count will commence in ten minutes."
"Come on, back to our cells. They will need to count now, make sure we haven't done anything stupid," said Liz.
"What do you think happened with Franky?" Asked Doreen, accompanying Liz back to their unit.
"I have no idea. Wish I knew though."
Franky lay back on her stark hospital bed, awaiting Dr Ward's return. She didn't even glance to the door when she heard footsteps.
"What the fuck did you do?" Asked Erica.
"Nothing."
"Bullshit. I know something happened out there, and while no one else is talking about it, you and Emily are the only two who really know. What is going? You've never been senselessly violent unless it benefited you," stated Erica.
"Maybe I just wanted to hurt," muttered Franky.
"I find that hard to believe. You've spent years in here cultivating your top dog attitude; now you're just going to throw that away?" Demanded Erica.
"Why bother?" Replied Franky.
"You asked what happened to me? What happened to you Francesca?" Exclaimed Erica.
"Nothing," replied Franky sullenly.
"I'll put you in the slot unless you tell me what happened," threatened Erica.
"You're not the fucking governor anymore! You have no power anymore!" Screamed Franky. She let the tears fall down her face, and for a brief moment, Erica felt the irrational urge to embrace Franky and comfort her. It was only fleeting though. She was about to speak again when Dr Ward entered the tiny medical cell.
"Well Francesca, you were lucky," he started. She didn't even acknowledge his presence, preferring to stare at the ceiling instead.
"We've looked at your x-rays, and you've got two fractured ribs, as well as a hairline fracture of the collarbone. I'd like you to stay here overnight for observation, but that would be up to the Governor," said Dr Ward, looking towards Erica.
"For the next four hours, that duty falls on Miss Bennett until Miss Ferguson arrives," said Erica softly. She turned heel and walked away, leaving Franky and Dr Ward alone.
"I'll go and speak to Miss Bennett. One of your peer workers is here," he added before leaving. Miss Miles stood outside the door, allowing them some privacy, but still attentive.
"Why'd you do it?" Asked Liz softly.
"Why does it matter?" Replied Franky.
"This isn't like you. They'll put you on suicide watch if you're not careful," said Liz.
"Don't care," replied Franky, her voice cracking. The tears streamed down her face again, relentless in their course, and she sobbed once.
"Oh my God Franky," said Liz sadly.
"Just fuck off!" She exclaimed, angry that someone had seen her upset.
"What would you like me to do? Do you want me to get Kim? Or perhaps Boomer, or Bea..."
"Just forget it! Forget about me, forget about this, and if you mention it again, I'll have you ganged," threatened Franky. Liz and Franky knew it was an empty threat, knowing that Franky could never have that arranged for anyone.
"I'll leave it be," said Liz softly.
"Damn straight. Now get out." Liz left as Vera appeared.
"You don't appear to be in much pain, so you can return to the compound," she decided. She signed the paperwork with flourish, then turned heel and marched away.
"Come on, let's go," ordered Miss Miles. Franky stood, wincing a little as her ribs and collarbone complained painfully, then stepped out of the room, Miss Miles behind her. She walked back to the compound, head hung low, watching her feet. The entire yard fell silent as the gate was opened and she was returned like a piece of property. She hated herself right now, hated how she felt, how she hurt so much and couldn't do anything about it.
Fucking Erica.
Franky headed straight to her cell, flopping on her bed. In seconds, she found Charlie standing in her doorway.
"Do you ever fucking knock?" Demanded Franky.
"Not when you're the bitch that bashed my sister. What the bloody hell were you thinking?" Asked Charlie.
"I wasn't, okay? I was angry, and she was the first person I came to. I'm sorry," replied Franky.
"You better be, or I'll make you pay more than I did. No one messes with my sister and lives to tell the tale. You better think yourself lucky," snarled Charlie. She left, and Franky sighed, before twisting a little and leaving her unit. She needed to run off some steam. The entire walk to the gym, she hung her head, focused on her one goal. She flung open the door and found the treadmill was blissfully free. She started on it, feet pounding her way through the kilometres. She ignored Bea coming in to use the weights, and Simmo using the stationary bike. After she'd finished, she hit the showers, eager to wash away everything. She turned the hot water up to scalding, enough to leave her skin red and angry. The shower cut out after five minutes, and she towelled herself dry before heading to the cell. She found Simmo, Charlie and Megs waiting outside her cell door for her.
"What is this, welcome back party?" Asked Franky.
"No, this is a payback party bitch," responded Charlie, her trademark snarl on her face.
"Three on one is hardly fair, wouldn't you say?" Stated Franky.
"Bashing my sister for no good reason is hardly fair," replied Charlie evenly.
"So you're just wanting to get even, is that it?" Asked Franky.
"I just want you to feel as much pain as she did. Simmo and Megs feel the same way about Bea killing Jacs, and they'd take it out on Bea, but she's got a pretty good following at the moment. You on the other hand, just lost your standing a little because of what you did to my sister. So, we're going to make you feel the same pain she did," said Charlie simply. She waved a hand, and Simmo and Megs quickly had Franky on the floor. A swift kick to the chest finally broke the two fractured ribs from earlier, one of them puncturing Franky's lung. She struggled to her feet to try and fight the women off, but with her oxygen quickly running out, she knew she needed help.
The red button.
Don't ever press the red button.
Franky dragged herself across the floor, feeling her chest tighten with every breath she took, blood streaming from her mouth and nose, wrist tingling painfully.
One touch of the red button, and help would be there.
She pressed it, then fell to the floor, gasping.
"Code Red, Code Red H2 Unit. All prisoners to return to their units now, this is a complete lockdown." Charlie, Simmo and Megs fled the scene, leaving Franky on the floor. Liz, Doreen and Boomer were heard down the corridor as they returned back to their cell.
"It's like all hell has broken loose; we had two extra counts today," complained Liz.
"And Franky bashed in Emily's head," giggle Boomer.
"Yeah, what was with...?"
"Franky!" Exclaimed Liz. She raced forward, dropping to her knees. Franky was slowly turning blue as the oxygen failed to pump around her body.
"Dor, get Mr Jackson and tell him we need Medical down her now!" Exclaimed Liz. Doreen ran, and Liz turned to Boomer.
"Pick her up," ordered Liz.
"What are we going to do?" Asked Boomer, picking up Franky.
"We're heading to medical now. If we don't get her help, she might not make it," said Liz, taking charge.
"Outta my way!" Called Boomer, carrying her precious cargo. They moved through the corridors, before Doreen and Will caught up with them.
"Keep going," ordered Will, following them through the halls. They took a left, where Dr Ward was waiting for them.
"Quick, put her on the gurney," he ordered.
"You three, I'll escort you back to your cell now for lockdown," said Will, leading Boomer, Liz and Doreen away. Dr Ward glanced down at Franky, peeling back her shirt.
"Come on Franky, not like this," he urged. He felt through her ribs, and quickly found the newly broken ribs.
"Elise, I need the biggest needle we have," he ordered. She scrambled through the drawers, and pulled one out, passing it to him.
"Tension pneumothorax." He drove the needle into her chest, and upon hearing the hiss of released air, let out a sigh of relief.
"Atta girl Franky. Just breathe, and Elise will clean you up."
Blackmoor had made her who she was.
A formidable woman.
One to be feared.
Wentwworth Correctional Facility wouldn't know what hit them
Governor Joan Ferguson was in charge now.
And she meant business.