CHAPTER THIRTEEN
I switch my gaze to my hands, as the tape starts and I hear the familiar voice of Lisa speak.
‘Exhibit A, from San Francisco, California, Sara Thompson!’
I hear a soft sob, and don’t have to raise my head to know its Meagan crying.
I wipe the tear that rolls down my cheek and glance at Laila, who is staring at her hands as well.
I close my eyes, trying to ignore the sound of the tape in the background as well as the soft murmurs of Detective Marshall and his partner Detective Jameson as they watch the tape in a medium sized television that an officer brought to the room.
I hear someone sigh and raise my gaze towards a blushing Emilie.
I furrow my eyebrows, switching my gaze towards the television, where a naked Emilie is trying to submerge herself in the cold lake.
It’s too dark outside to expose Emilie’s bare body, but you can tell by the dim light of the moon that she’s not wearing anything.
A few minutes pass and I hear Laila crying softly beside me.
I squeeze her hand softly, and freeze hearing the sound of the recording.
‘Ready?’ I hear Lisa’s voice say ‘Go!’
My eyes rise involuntarily, as I watch Laila run towards the men in the campsite.
The camera zooms and freezes as I watch the four men turn around.
‘There.’ I hear Detective Jameson tell Detective Marshall as I start breathing heavily. ‘This is all the proof we need, beside their testimony.’
‘Turn it off.’ I whisper staring at the face of the skinny man with the raspy voice.
The same man I shot to his death.
‘Turn it off!’ I yell standing up from my seat and walking towards the TV.
Detective Marshall holds me back as I start sobbing. ‘Please turn it off.’ I say in a broken voice, feeling all strength leave my body as I feel myself slipping into darkness.
I wake up in a hospital room, my eyes being partially blinded by the bright white lights in the ceiling.
I try bringing my right hand to shield my eyes but fail when I feel it being held back by handcuffs.
I stare at my right hand, handcuffed to the railing of the hospital bed before I hear a familiar voice say ‘Spencer.’
I switch my gaze from my wrist to my left, where my brother seats by the bed.
‘Luke.’ I breathe out and feel my eyes tear up. ‘You’re here.’ I tell him as he stands up seating by my side in the bed.
‘I’m here.’ He tells me and I watch his eyes tear up.
He helps me sit up in bed and asks me ‘How are you?’
I shake my head, moving my handcuffed wrist against the railing. ‘Not so good.’ I tell him managing a small sad smile.
His soft brown eyes stare back at me before pulling me towards his body, hugging me to him.
‘I’m so happy you’re ok.’ He starts in a broken voice. ‘When I heard what had happened—‘
‘It’s over now.’ I interrupt him feeling tears escape my eyes. ‘I’m ok now.’ I reassure him as he pulls back.
I watch him nod as a single tear rolls down his cheek.
‘I went to see Theo.’ He tells me after a minute of silence.
I feel my heart warm up at the mention of Theo’s name and remember how he chose being shot rather than giving me up.
‘He’s awake.’ Luke says and I smile with tears in my eyes.
‘Good.’ I tell him with a chuckle relaxing my body against his chest.
I close my eyes, letting the comfort of being safe in my brothers arms sink in.
A couple of minutes pass in silence before we hear the door being opened.
I raise my head from his chest as he sits straight beside me.
A middle aged doctor walks in followed by Detective Marshall.
‘Ms. Hale. Mr. Hale.’ He says nodding towards my brother and I.
I shift my feet under the covers of the hospital bed and that’s when I notice I’m wearing a hospital gown.
‘You were extremely dehydrated and presented signs of exhaustion.’ Dr. Potter, as his name tag reads, says. ‘Add the amount of stress you went through..’ He trails off with a sigh and he switches his gaze towards the detective. ‘I would like to keep her under observation tonight.’
Detective Marshall nods and Dr. Potter switches his gaze towards my brother. ‘I recommend her seeing a counselor, to help her go through any post trauma.’
I glance at my brother from the corner of my eye and see him nod at the doctor. ‘Thank you.’
He nods back and stares at me with a small smile. ‘Take care Ms. Hale.’ He says before walking out of the room.
A minute passes and I hear Detective Marshall sigh. ‘Mr. Mattheus is awake.’ He starts and walks to the right side of the hospital bed. ‘He gave his testimony of the events.’ He says and I watch him take out a key and unlock the handcuffs from my wrists.
He takes them and places them inside his pocket before replying ‘As soon as you’re discharged, you’re free to go.’
I stare at him with teary eyes ‘Thank you.’ I tell him, my voice full of emotion.
‘You’re welcome.’ He nods and continues. ‘I still need your testimony.’ He says and I nod understandingly. ‘and I need you and your friends to testify during the trial on Tuesday morning.’
I nod once again, knowing it’s all over; they can’t hurt us now.
‘Ok.’ I tell him and he nods walking towards the door.
‘I’ll come tomorrow morning to get your testimony before you leave.’ He announces giving us a last nod, before leaving.
I let out a shaky breath, rubbing my right wrist and closing my eyes briefly.
It’s all over now.