Candace

The tension was thick as I sat in the passenger side of Luke’s truck. The cop car, carrying Officer Flowers, apparently someone Luke knew, was escorting us through town like a cheap parade.

I was grateful that he’d allowed me to ride with Luke. I couldn’t bear the thought of riding in the backseat of the cruiser, handcuffed, guilty, my life over.

“Candace, I hate to ask, but if there’s anything you want to tell me, now’s the time,” Luke said sternly, his eyes offering a contradictory kindness from his tone.

“I’m sorry I pulled you into this,” I whispered.

“You didn’t pull me into anything. I’m a big boy. I make my own decisions in life,” he stated just as firmly as his first statement.

What it must be like to make good decisions in life, or to at least be able to make your own.

“I ran away from the foster home, from you, because Mr. Craft was hurting me,” I admitted.

“Donald?” Luke asked.

I hated hearing that name: Donald. He used to make me say it while he had his way with me, tell him how great he was, that he was the only one. It was disgusting.

“Yes,” I stared down at the floorboard of the truck, unable to look in Luke’s direction.

“You could’ve told me. I would’ve got you out of there, left with you,” he claimed.

“He told me I was dirty, that you’d be disgusted by me if I told,” I explained.

“I understand how he could make you feel that way. But, Candace, that is the furthest thing from the truth,” Luke assured me.

“Damien told me the same thing, that I was dirty. He beat me, Luke. He degraded me in ways I’m ashamed to admit,” I sobbed, pushing my hands into my face.

“You’ll have to tell me everything, Candace. And we don’t have much time before we reach the station. I don’t want you talking to anyone except your lawyer, Evelyn Pierce. She’ll be waiting for us there,” he informed.

I really appreciated his help. I knew without it, I’d be going to prison for certain. He at least made me feel I had a chance, not a good one, but a chance.

I took a deep breath and then told Luke everything.

“He held the knife to my wrists, telling me to end it. He’d tortured me for hours on end, raping me, beating me. I didn’t think it would ever end. When he took a break, stopping to drink another beer, I found my chance,” I explained.

“Your chance?” Luke questioned, his knuckled white against the wheel.

It was obvious he was angry, but I wasn’t sure if at me or Damien with his silence dragging out for so long while I told my story.

“I took a ball bat. I hit him hard, hit him again, hard. I thought he was dead. I ran away; that’s all I knew to do. I didn’t have anywhere to go, and then you found me. I’m so sorry, Luke,” I cried, more shame in my heart than I’d ever felt before.

“Don’t you dare apologize, to me, or anyone. Be thankful I found you. Be grateful that it’s Jake and not some other hyped-up hick cop ready to make an arrest that showed up at our door, but do not apologize,” he said sternly.

Our door. Those words must’ve been a fluke, but they sounded so good to my ears.

Luke pulled his truck into the parking lot of the small police station. Officer Flowers pulled beside him, quickly getting out of his car and walking in our direction.

“Remember what I said: you say nothing to anyone, except Evelyn,” Luke instructed, then opened the door to the truck.

I felt sick as Officer Flowers opened my door, holding out his hand to escort me down. I pulled back, feeling my body tense with anxiety, and started to shake as he continued to reach for me.

“I’ll get her,” Luke called out, rushing to the passenger side of the truck.

I was relieved he stepped in and grateful the cop let him.

His hand was strong and tight around mine as Luke helped me to my feet. I stood in the parking lot of the police station, scared, uncertain of my future, and all I could think about was never seeing Luke again.

“There’s no need for those,” Luke glared at the officer who reached for his cuffs.

“It’s standard procedure,” the officer replied, not willing to give up his authority that easily, even to a friend.

“She’s not under arrest. She came of her own free will to answer questions. There’s no need,” Luke stated with a firmness that vibrated between my thighs.

“Consider it a favor,” the officer smiled, releasing his hand from the silver cuffs attached to his side.

We walked into the station, the officer in front, and Luke by my side, gripping my hand tightly, squeezing every so often for added assurance.

“Candace, I’m truly sorry for everything you’ve gone through, but I’m going to take care of it. I promise,” Luke said as the officer pulled me away from his safety.

A disheveled woman no more than five-feet tall made her way towards me.

“Miss Lennon, I’m Evelyn Pierce, your attorney. Do not answer any questions unless I’m present, and even then, let me answer them. You stay quiet, and we will get you out of here as soon as possible,” she assured me, extending a hand to mine.

I shook it, half-heartedly believing what she promised. I saw the shape I left Damien in that night. It was bad enough that I was certain he was dead. I wasn’t going anywhere, except to prison.

The officer ushered me into a small room with a large table, two chairs, and nothing but blue paint on the walls. A large window was tinted in the center of the outside wall, and I’d seen enough television to know it was a two-way window where I’d be watched and listened to by who knows who, possibly Damien.

My chest started to tighten, and my breath was growing rapid. A full-blown attack was coming on, and I knew in this tiny room, with that giant window, I wasn’t able to stop it.

“Luke,” I gasped for air, pleading with one of the officers to bring him inside.

“I’m sorry, Miss Lennon, he can’t come inside,” Officer Flowers apologized.

“Evelyn,” I gasped again, unable to remember her last name in my fit of anxiety.

“You want your attorney present?” Officer Flowers asked.

I nodded just before my entire body froze, that fucking elephant back on my chest making it hard to breathe.