Poisonous

Chapter One-

"Pass the ball Franky!" Yelled Liz.

"Come on, one more point!" Screamed Doreen. Franky wiped her brow, then glanced around at her team. She made the split second decision to pass the ball behind her to Jules, who then bounced it once before neatly throwing it into the basket. H Block cheered, and G Block hung their heads in shame, having lost the basketball game again. Nikki smiled at Franky as she jogged over to their table while the screws escorted G Block back to their units.

"You should have been playing with me," said Franky, kissing the top of Nikki's head before joining her at the table.

"I have an exam in two days; I would have put you off your game," said Nikki, motioning towards the open textbook in front of her.

"And with my help, you'll ace it. You need to stress less," said Franky gently.

"I know, but this is important," said Nikki.

"And you'll be fine," assured Franky. Nikki nodded, and dropped her head, mood instantly changed.

"What's wrong?" Asked Franky, concerned. Nikki handed her a letter.

"Who's Kim, and why does she write your name with hearts around it?" Asked Nikki.

"You don't need to worry about Kim," said Franky firmly. Nikki closed her textbook, and stacked her notebook on top. She climbed off the table, and started inside.

"Wait! What are you doing?" Asked Franky.

"I need to study, and you have a letter to read," she said simply. She walked off inside, and Franky could have cursed Kim for her impeccable timing. She ripped open the envelope, to find a heartfelt note from Kim inside...

Franky,

I know I was angry with you, and I shouldn't have been. You've loved me for so long, and looked out for me. I'm getting better, but I'm bored here.

I miss you Franky.

Will you wait for me to come back?

I love you forever and always.

Love Kim.

Franky balled the note up and tossed it on the ground. She kicked it for good measure, then stalked off inside, almost bowling over Vera.

"Franky, I was just looking for you. You've got a visitor," said Vera, steadying herself. Franky looked confused for a moment, then her face cleared.

"I don't want to see my father," said Franky firmly.

"It's not your father. It's Miss Davidson."

Erica...

Franky allowed herself to be escorted through the halls through to the holding area. Linda put her through the usual body search, and Franky's mind still wasn't on the moment.

Why was Erica here?

Did she really want to talk to Erica?

Was she ready to talk to Erica?

"You can go through now Franky," said Linda. Franky nodded, and headed through, mind in turmoil. As soon as she spotted Erica, she froze, all the words she wanted to say quickly vanishing.

"Franky. I've missed you," said Erica warmly. She stepped forward to hug Franky, and Franky sidestepped the movement.

"What are you doing here?" Asked Franky, taking a seat.

"I said; I've missed you," said Erica, a little hurt.

"You left me, not the other way around. You didn't have to leave, but you did," hissed Franky.

"I'm pregnant; I would have had to leave at some point," replied Erica.

"You didn't have to stay with your fiancé," snapped Franky.

"Mark is the love of my life!" Exclaimed Erica.

"And how long have you been holding this engagement over his head? You've been messing around with me as well, doesn't that make you feel guilty?" Retorted Franky.

"We've been engaged for five years, and we're planning the wedding, looking at houses, getting ready to live life," said Erica.

"So that's it? You string me along for two years, and just leave?" Exclaimed Franky.

"It was never like that! You were the one that decided to throw yourself at me, that you wanted me. Not the other way around!" Exclaimed Erica. Franky stood up, and for a brief moment, Erica almost feared for her safety. She glanced around, catching Will's eyes. He nodded perceptibly, a cue that he was watching the situation.

"Franky, sit down, or be escorted out," said Will firmly. Franky sat down, folding her arms, clearly defensive.

"Now do you want to talk about this, or not?"

Nikki sat in her room, books open on the bed, rereading notes for her upcoming exam. She hated studying alone, but needed the solitude to be able to focus.

Yet she still found her mind wandering to Franky...

She was perfection, even though she seemed rough as nails, and her family unit was important to her. She'd out her life on the line for them, if it meant protecting them, and Nikki loved that about her. She was warm, and caring, but get on her wrong side and you'd quickly find yourself wishing that you stepped into a lions den instead. Someone knocked at her door, and Nikki glanced up to find Emily standing in her doorway.

"Can I help you?" Asked Nikki, uncertain.

"Look, I think that we got off on the wrong start when Charlie and I got here. We're just trying to fit in, and when we were placed here we were having trouble adjusting. Can you imagine being split from your twin?" Said Emily. Nikki shook her head.

"Not really," she replied.

"Well, it's not a lot of fun. So Charlie and I were hoping you'd come to our unit and have a cuppa with us, help ease the tension a little. You probably need a break from studying, right?" Suggested Emily.

"I suppose so," said Nikki.

"Great! Come on," said Emily. She grabbed Nikki's arm and dragged her down the corridor to H4, not allowing her time to protest. She pulled her into H4, and pushed her onto the couch. Charlie was waiting, and pushed a cup of tea towards Nikki.

"So, how are your studies going? Ready for the exam?" Asked Charlie, sipping her tea. Nikki took a sip of her tea, and screwed up her nose at little at the sharp unusual taste.

"Oh, that's a new blend Uncle Vin dropped in for us. It's a little stronger than normal, but you get used to it after a while," said Emily, noticing the expression on Nikki's face.

"It'll grow on you, don't worry," said Charlie. Nikki took another sip, and still found it to her disliking, but out of politeness, continued to drink the foul tasting liquid.

"I saw you were studying; big test coming up?" Asked Emily.

"Yeah, a general science exam, and then a mathematics exam in two weeks," replied Nikki.

"How are you going with it? Do you need any help?" Asked Charlie. Nikki felt her stomach twist, and she shook her head.

"No, I'm alright," replied Nikki uneasily.

"Well, Charlie and I are great at maths and science if you need any help," said Emily. Nikki shook her head and stood up abruptly, upsetting the teapot on the table near her and spilling the scalding liquid down her bare legs. She winced, but didn't let on as to how much pain she was in.

"I need to get back to my study," she choked out.

"Oh. Sure. Okay, yeah. Good luck, and hope you do well in the exam," said Charlie. Nikki stumbled out of the room, and headed back for H2. Her world swam in front of her, and she instantly knew something was wrong. She headed back to her room, staggering slightly, her legs still burning. She made it inside the unit door before hit the floor, unable to stand. She heard footsteps from behind her, then a bottle of thick liquid was tipped over her. As she inhaled, she realised that she was covered in bleach, and she could feel it blistering her skin. She coughed, then vomited over the floor. She collapsed on her side in a pool of the liquid, unable to move...

Unable to call for help...

Franky...

Save me...

"So I told Jules that she couldn't use my answers, and she had to find her own," said Liz, ambling away from the library.

"Why doesn't she just study for herself? She's smart enough," remarked Doreen, following her.

"She was stealing Lex's answers, but Lex hasn't been in class, she she's been using mine," said Liz.

"That's hardly fair! You study hard Lizzie," exclaimed Doreen.

"Thanks Dor. I need to stop off at my room to grab a letter, do you mind?" Said Liz, motioning towards their unit.

"Nah, it's cool. Hey, can you smell bleach?" Asked Doreen.

"Must have been a spill in the hall," said Liz. The two continued towards their unit, and turned inside the large gate.

"Oh my god, Nikki!" Liz dropped to the floor, covering her mouth and nose as the fumes started to affect her. Doreen hit the panic button, unsure of what to do. Alarms screamed throughout the entire complex, and screws came in from all directions. Vera was at the head of the group, and quickly pulled out her radio.

"Sierra One to Mike Three, we need medical teams to H2 immediately. Sierra One to all units, I want everyone in the yards now, we need to ventilate this building and get it cleaned up immediately; we're on lockdown until further notice."

"She's unconscious," said Linda gravely. Vera looked concerned.

"Start opening windows, get as much airflow in here as possible."

"Franky, you can't still be angry at me," pleaded Erica. Franky refused to speak, instead folding her arms across her chest. Erica opened her mouth to speak, and alarms sounded throughout the building. Franky glanced around at Will, who was listening to his radio. His face hardened, and then he motioned at the other guards in the room.

"Code 24. All visitors are required to leave immediately," ordered Will.

"Will, what's going on?" Asked Erica, confused.

"I don't know, but you need to leave. Now," ordered Will. He grabbed Franky by the arm and dragged he back into the secure area of the prison.

"Get off me!" Exclaimed Franky, shoving Will's hand aside.

"Head out to the yard now, take the second corridor; your unit has been blocked off. Become a hindrance in any way, and we'll put you in the slot. Got it?" Hissed Will. Franky nodded, then sprinted off. As she travelled through the halls, the smell of chlorine became thicker, and she knew something was seriously wrong. A medical team pushed past her with a stretcher, and she watched in horror as Nikki's limp body was shifted to the stretcher, then carried out in a hurry.

"The fuck happened?" She asked.

"Franky, get out of here, now!" Ordered Vera. Will intervened, pushing the slight girl out of the way and out into the yard. He left her and headed back inside. Franky crossed over to where her unit as sitting on the ground. Liz and Doreen were sitting to one side, Bea crouched down next to them, Boomer standing guard.

"What the hell happened?" Asked Franky, pacing; too agitated to stay still.

"Is Nikki okay?" Asked Liz, coughing a little.

"I don't know, I just saw them taking her out on a stretcher," said Franky.

"Do you know who did it?" Asked Bea.

"Why the fuck would I know that?" Demanded Franky.

"She's your girlfriend. You should know something. Any ideas?" Asked Bea.

"I can count at least eight women who would like to get even with me for one reason or another," remarked Franky.

"Who would want to kill her though?" Asked Bea.

"I have some ideas, just don't know who yet."

"I don't have the tools here to treat this."

"I'll start irrigating her skin."

"Get someone to grab me some milk or water, see if we can neutralise any bleach she may have swallowed. And grab me an IV kit!"

"These burns on her arm look bad; are you sure we shouldn't transport her to a hospital?"

"There's no time."

"Nikki, you stay with us, you hear?"

"Nikki!"