Chapter Three-
A few hours later, Franky found herself face to face with Liz in their unit during lockdown.
"She's upset," said Liz simply.
"Who is?" Replied Franky stupidly.
"Nikki! You know she's been hurt in the past, and now you're throwing that back in her face. How could you when she trusted you?" Snapped Liz.
"She wouldn't tell me who hurt her!" Exclaimed Franky.
"And hurting her was the best way to fix this?"
"No!"
"Then how are you going to fix this?" Asked Liz. Franky sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose tiredly.
"I don't fucking know. I can't lose her Liz, but I sure as hell can't protect her right now. What am I supposed to do?" Asked Franky miserably.
"Apologise to the poor girl. It's not her fault," said Liz.
"And it's mine?" Retorted Franky.
"No! Nothing like that," assured Liz.
"Then what?"
"She wasn't going to tell you because she knew what you were going to do, and she was trying to protect you from doing something stupid," said Liz exasperatedly.
"Oh."
"Exactly. When we're freed from lockdown you need to go up there and apologise, and you can't wait until she's released," said Liz. Franky rubbed her neck uneasily, and glanced at Liz through her fringe.
"Actually, it might be a better idea if I do wait until she's released," said Franky slowly.
"Why?"
"Cause I was the one that broke Charlie's wrist and gave her a concussion, and Nikki's going to know it was me, because it was those two bitches that hurt Nikki!" Exclaimed Franky.
"God Franky, what have you gotten yourself into this time?" Drawled Bea, standing in the doorway.
"Enough damn trouble for a girl, that's what," retorted Liz.
"So how are you going to fix it?"
"I don't fucking know!"
"Better do something about it soon, otherwise she won't forgive you," said Doreen, joining in on the conversation.
"Bloody hell, when did you all become shrinks? Back off and let me deal with my own problems!" Exclaimed Franky angrily.
"We're just trying to help," said Liz.
"Yeah, because you all have fucking fantastic relationships in your lives! Just... back off, okay?" Bea, Liz and Doreen backed away from Franky's door, leaving her to her own devices. She sat on her bunk, dropping her head in her hands.
God, she stuffed this up good.
"So what's the damage this time?" Asked Joan of the group of officers standing in front of her.
"Miss Gallagher isn't speaking, and is currently confined to the medical unit awaiting psych analysis. Emily Wilson has a broken nose with possible concussion, but will be free to return to the compound when the Doc gives her permission. Charlie Wilson has a broken left wrist in two places, and has since had it secured in plaster. Doc also suspects a concussion, and would like to keep her in medical for a few extra days just for observation," said Vera, consulting off a sheet.
"The women have been kept in lockdown since the incident involving the Wilson sisters, but no-one has come forward," added Linda.
"Okay. Lockdown is over, resume regular duties. Beth, James has been placed on a different rotation for a few weeks to help out C Block. Are you okay to start your duties with G and H Block early?" Asked Joan.
"Of course Governor. Not a problem," answered Beth.
"Alright. Vera, if you'd like to distribute updated rosters, we can continue our meeting later. Dismissed." The officers split off, and soon Beth found herself standing face to face with Joan Ferguson.
"Governor, I had a small request," started Beth. Joan's eyes flashed briefly, but was quickly masked.
"Go ahead."
"I know Vera was in charge of Nikki Gallagher's case when she came in, but I wondered if I could take it over and handle it myself for a little while," requested Beth.
"Why on earth would you want the little whore's file?" Asked Joan incredulously.
"I think I might be able to help her, but I don't know her history. I know both you and Vera are very busy, and I thought I might be able to help out this way," said Beth carefully. Joan considered it for a brief moment, then nodded. She turned to the filing cabinet behind her desk, and pulled out a considerable file.
"This is all you need to know about Nicole Gallagher, including the details of her arrests and priors," said Joan.
"Thank you," said Beth simply, taking the offered file. She retreated from the office into the lunchroom, and opened the heavy file. Pictures assaulted her first; bruising, bloody flesh, a girl barely recognisable. Beth felt her heart sink as she read through the report, finding out that Nikki's family had essentially abandoned her after the initial arrest, and the courts, whilst understanding that the young girl had been raped, had sentenced her heavily in light of the fact that she had killed one of her attackers and injured the others. Beth knew as she read that sending Nikki to Reiby had not been in the best interest of the child, neither had moving her to Dyllwynia on her 18th birthday.
After four hours, Beth had a better understanding of the shy, frightened girl, and why she was so terrified of everyone. She closed the file and picked it up, wishing that she could somehow forget the horrifying evidence. She returned the file to the Governor's desk, noting that the Governor wasn't in, and started down the hall to Medical. She heard frightened screaming before it died quickly, and quickened her step. She flung open the door to find Nikki held up against the wall, Emily's hands against her throat, throttling her whilst Charlie threw low punches. Beth ducked to the side, and spotted Will strolling down the hall.
"Will, I need your help in here, now!" She whispered loudly.
"What's going on?" Asked Will, joining her quickly.
"Radio in; Charlie and Emily have cornered Nikki," said Beth. Before will could even grasp his radio, Linda soon added to the group.
"Linda, you take Charlie, Will, take Emily. I'll deal with Nikki," said Beth decisively. The two guards nodded, and quickly moved forward into the small room. Linda removed Charlie quickly, taking her to a medical room across the hall. Will struggled a little more with Emily, but quickly subdued her and removed her. Beth crossed over to Nikki, who was huddled in a corner, fright holding her still.
"Nikki, it's alright. Mr Jackson and Miss Miles have taken Emily and Charlie away, and it's just you and I. Are you okay?" Asked Beth.
"I want my father," she whispered. Beth's heart sank, and she hesitantly wrapped her arm around Nikki's shoulders. Nikki started sobbing, and Beth drew her close, allowing her to cry. After a few minutes, Will returned.
"Wilson sisters are in the slot. Do you want me to get Liz or Franky up here to calm her down?" He queried softly. Beth looked at the tiny young woman next to her, then glanced up at Will.
"Better bring them both up."
Will marched quickly down to H block, and counted the doors until he reached H2.
"Mr Jackson, what's going on?" Asked Doreen.
"Why are we still in lockdown?" Added Bea.
"Liz, Franky. With me please," ordered Will. The pair looked at each other, then followed Will out of the unit and up the corridor. Liz shrugged at Franky, unsure of what they were doing or where they were going. Will stopped outside the medical unit that he had just helped to clear out, and found Beth still on the floor, Nikki still wrapped around her. Liz rushed forward to help out, but Franky stayed back, unsure of where she was needed or wanted. Beth extracted herself from Nikki's grasp, and Liz took over comforting the young girl, reassuring her.
"What happened?" Asked Franky, surprisingly calm.
"Wilson sisters," answered Beth simply.
"Oh." Will and Beth glanced at each other, an unspoken message between them, then Will disappeared to find the doctor. Beth stepped back in, crouching down in front of Nikki.
"Nik, the doctor is going to come in and check you over, and make sure you're okay. Then I'm going to chat to the Governor about returning you to your unit. Does that sound okay?" Asked Beth softly. Nikki nodded her head, then glanced up to see Franky. Liz felt her tense, then Franky crossed the room to join them.
"Nik, I am so sorry for what I did. Fuck, it shouldn't have happened," swore Franky. She looked at the deep red handprint on Nikki's face, and the ligature marks around her neck, and wished she'd been around sooner to save the poor girl.
"You couldn't have been here. No-one could have been here," whispered Nikki. She reached out for Franky, and Franky wrapped her up in her arms. She felt Nikki flinch under her grip, and loosened her arms.
"Show me your ribs," said Franky. Nikki hesitated, then lifted her shirt a little. Handprints and bruises littered her chest, and Beth was reminded of how similar the bruises were to Nikki's file. All of them were fresh and painful looking, and Franky understood Nikki's reaction.
"How did you get those bruises Nikki?" Asked Beth.
"Clumsy," replied Nikki, dropping her head to look at the floor. Beth recognised the action, and stopped her questioning as the doctor came in.
"What have you been up to this time Nikki?" Joked the doctor. Nikki didn't appreciate his tone, and refused to look at him or answer him. He checked her over before announcing she needed to be more careful, then left, shaking his head a little. Franky stood next to the examination bed, and held Nikki's hand tightly.
"I'll leave you here with Will supervising, and I'll go and speak to the Governor about you returning to the unit today," said Beth quietly. Nikki nodded, and refused to look up. After Beth had disappeared, and Will was back outside, Franky lifted Nikki's chin so she was looking at her.
"What happened?" Asked Franky, keeping her cool.
"You wouldn't believe me," whispered Nikki, dropping her head.
"We're not some jury behind a panel. We're in this together," said Liz softly.
"I'll ask again then. What happened?" Asked Franky, still very calm.
"The Governor came to see me," said Nikki softly.
"What did she want?" Asked Liz.
"She wanted to know who hurt me. I told her I couldn't tell, and she sent Miss Bennett outside, and then... then..." Nikki broke off and started to sob, and Franky wrapped her arms around her, pulling her close, and Liz rubbed her back soothingly.
She didn't need Nikki to tell her who had hurt her.
She had first hand experience.