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Chapter 29
"Veer-Maranda?"
"You can call me Veronica." I didn't look at Brian. I stared out the hotel window.
It was starting to rain.
"But your name is Maranda."
"I know."
"I don't like that sentence."
"What do you want me to say instead? I comprehend?"
"That's better."
"Here's your chance to say what's on your mind. Who knows when you'll get the chance? I can't walk because of my lack of blood so I can't go any where."
"I don't want to yell." He walked in front of me and squatted down to be eye level. "You saved my life."
"Don't thank me."
"You've done it before." It wasn't a question.
I nodded.
"Is this a another wound to add to your collection?"
I moved the blanket to the side and tapped my scar by my belly, still not looking at him.
It was starting to pour.
"That happened?"
I told him and he sat silently. "You have more?"
"A few."
"Where?"
I looked down at him then shrugged of the blanket. I pointed to a scar just above the rim of my bra. It was a small knife scare. "An amateur tried to play god and lost."
"You killed him?"
I nodded.
He looked away, but only for seconds. "How many others have you killed.
I shrugged. "It's hard to say. I don't stick around to find out."
"Where else?"
I pointed to my hip and then to my hand. There were no visible scars, but I had broken my hand fighting. I swung to hit and missed. I hit a metal pole that was the size of my body.
"Is there more?"
I shook my head.
"Why won't you talk?"
"I don't know what you want me to say."
"Were you going to kill him? Charles, how'd you know him?"
"Yes, I was going to kill him. I used to love him." I looked down at his eyes that were lost.
"You loved him and you were going to kill him?"
"He's not the man I loved. I don't know if he existed at all. He played apart." I scoffed. "I wonder if he was even 16 when we met."
"You played a part."
"I never took drama. I couldn't conceal my feelings real well." I looked out the window again.
Lightning flashed and was accompanied by a vibrating sound of thunder.
"Manda, we have to move you." Jake approached Brian and me.
I shook my head. "Take Brian and go. And I mean go this time. Jake, I swear, if I see your face again I'll shoot you myself."
Jake smiled. "I'll miss you too." He turned to Brian. "Let's go."
"You can't leave her."
"Did you watch her with a gun?"
"Yes."
"Lets go." Jake started towards the door and then stopped at the bed to wait for Brian.
Brian stood and looked down at me. I refused to meet his glance. I was having a hard enough time controlling my tears. Brian's hand touched my cheek. I reluctantly stared up at him.
"I forgive you." He leaned down to kiss me but I turned my head. I was too emotional for kisses from the only man who seemed to unnerve me. He sighed and kissed my cheek.
"I'm glad."
He left with Jake after that.
~ 2001
"What a wonderful love story." The prosecutor turned to the jurors and started to clap. "It's sure to be the 'feel good movie of the year."
"That's really annoying." I commented more to my self
"Ms. Hunter, I must ask one question."
I shrugged.
"Were you ever caught?"
"You know the answer to that."
"Yes but for those who don't, please answer."
"No, not by those men. I turned my self into the police though."
"Why would you do that?"
"I told you. What the 'Watchers' so is wrong and must be stopped."
"I agree entirely."
Suddenly there was an eruption from the crowd as the door of the court swung open and in walked two men in suits, the President and two more men.
I smiled as I saw him enter.
"Order! Order!" The judge slammed her gavel once…twice…three times.
After minutes of noise the crowd quieted to hushed whispers, then to nothing.
"Your Honor, please forgive me but I feel I have information to add to this case against the woman in the whiteness box."
The prosecutor grinned.
"Please your honor, let him testify." I pleaded.
The judge looked at me if I were stupid but agreed. My lawyer shook his head with distaste as I was cuffed to my chair next to him. I ignored him as I watched, eagerly, the witness stand.
I wrestled in my sleep that night. It wasn't the cell that made it so hard and it wasn't the annoyingly lesbian cellmate with her sidewise glances and smirks. It was the gnawing fact that the President seemed content on getting me and me alone out of this 'bind'. I sighed and turned over as I realized that too many people were too concerned about my welfare. It was unhealthy and not good for my cause. I sighed again, three weeks and no Brian.
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