CHAPTER 6

VALESKA

My commander sent over a police car to get me. And the one who came to fetch me was John.

He hurriedly rushed up the stairs of my apartment, traced my door, and knocked gently to get my attention.

I already saw him through the window, and I wished I hadn't picked my commander's call.

Having no other choice, I wore my sweater over my top, and answered the door.

When John saw me, he was broken.

"Val, what happened to you?" He asked with pure concern, taking hold of my hand, feeling how cold my fingers were.

"I heard you were sick but not this kind of sick. What's going on?" He questioned, hoping for an answer.

But I wasn't going to tell him the truth. I just lied that it was the cold that caused this heavy sickness on me.

"The order was to stay in bed, but the commander had to call me in."

"Yes, he's the one who told me to get you. Still..." He stared at me sadly and sighed, taking hold of my hand to help me over to a chair so I can sit down.

"We really need your help, Val. The prisoner block is a total mess. Dante is just... That man is turning that place into hell."

"The commander told me," I said, looking down on the floor.

John went on to tell me of all the insane things that monster did in my absence. From taking over the cafeteria to turning the prison into his kingdom... He's a loose cannon, dominating anywhere he steps in.

"It started on the day you took your leave. I was assigned to attend to his cell, only for him to ask me of your whereabouts."

"He asked?" I gulped, my insides shaking.

"Yeah. I told him you didn't come and he went silent. I didn't see any problem with that until he told me he wasn't stepping out and yelled at me to get lost. I did and boy was I scared," John narrated, his hand trembling to show his fear.

"It didn't take long for us to see Dante roaming around the prison yard, out of his cell. I... I didn't even open it. How did he get out?"

Hearing that, I immediately remembered that he did the same things that night. I know I locked him up, but suddenly, he was out.

Does he have a spare key or an object he uses to get himself out?

"Scarlet accused me of being careless and reported me to the commander. She thought she could do a better job, but Dante scared her off with a dagger."

"What?" I was stunned to hear this shocking news.

"No one knows where he gotten it from. He... Val, it's a nightmare over there. I know you're not in the best shape for all this stress, but we need you at the station, please."

John held my hands, begging for my help.

I could feel the fright in his hands and it affected me too.

What's the guarantee that Dante would listen to me? That man raped and almost killed me. I fear he'd end me once he lays his eyes on me.

Still, I've been called in by the commander, so I have to come.

"Okay. Let's go."

"Thanks," John smiled, assisting me.

He helped me down the stairs and into the car, driving me down to the station to solve this case.

When we arrived, the first person to step out and welcome me was the commander.

He looked like he had been avoiding his office all day because I know his office is nowhere near the entrance, and look at his face.

He's petrified.

"Cathaway, thank you for coming. Where's the wheelchair?"

"Wheelchair?" I was confused, seeing a female cop rushing out with one, placing it in my front.

My commander explained that he got this to support me since I said the doctor advised me not to step out of bed.

To be honest, I needed it. I don't think I'll be able to stand for four minutes straight.

So, John helped me into the chair, wheeling me into the station.

When other officers saw me, they began hailing me like I was Superman or Supergirl, here to save the day.

But I was way more terrified than all of them in this building.

I don't know what Dante would do to me.

"Valeska!" Scarlett jumped out of nowhere, acting sweet and caring towards me.

"Oh, Cathaway. I didn't know you were this sick. I'm so glad that you came to help us. Dante Cross is in the prison yard. They're having a bloody wrestling match," She shared, leading the way like she knows it all.

John wheeled me right behind Scarlet, as the commander followed far behind, afraid to even get near the prison block.

He just left us to go on our own. So, it was just me, John, and Scarlet.

When we stepped into the building, the few criminals in their cells, immediately saw me and began with the name callings, expressing their joy in seeing me again.

The name calling that made me proud back then, now scared me. It sounded like they were attempting to lure out the beast to come and finish what he started.

"No, no please," I muttered in fear, placing my hands over my ear to block my mind from replaying that night.

"Valeska, are you okay?" John called, placing his hand on me.

His touch made me quiver, and he suddenly saw fear in my eyes. Something he had never seen in me before.

"Val," I called with concern, slowly moving with the wheelchair.

When Scarlet noticed we were slow, she angrily came over and pushed John aside, pushing my wheelchair towards the entrance that leads to the prison yard.

"Captain! Captain wait!" John called, running after her to stop her from forcing me to see Dante.

I wished I could jump off the wheelchair myself, but I might get injured and I don't want that.

Scarlet successfully wheeled me over to the yard, keeping me in the safe zone which had a barbed wire fence separating us from the prisoners.

And on the open ground stood a ruthless Dante, beating other inmates to a pulp, like they were nothing but his punching bags.

He was extremely violent and didn't care about their state.

"You see what he's doing, Cathaway? That's how he's been beating everyone around. He even threw me from a high floor, trying to kill me. Now..." She pushed me a little bit forward, aiming for the entrance into the open ground.

" You need to work your magic on him, Val. Do what you always do at the cafeteria. Yell at him."

"I... I don't..." I stammered, feeling my heart tighten as we got nearer and nearer.

"I don't want to, Captain. Please," I pleaded, memories flashing back again.

John dove in and forcefully yanked Scarlet off the wheelchair, telling her to let me be.

"Can't you see she's uncomfortable?"

"I DON'T BLOODY CARE!" Scarlet roared, unknowingly attracting Dante and other prisoners' attention on us.

The moment the prison boss saw me... He froze.

Dante's eyes went wide, as he slowly released the inmate in his grip, staring in my direction.

He slowly began to approach us, keeping his eyes locked on me.

When I saw this, I was immediately terrified and began pushing myself off the wheelchair, desperate to escape!

John, who was arguing with Scarlet, saw Dante coming and immediately panicked, grabbing me out of the chair and racing back into the building!

Scarlet was too slow to notice him. But we soon saw her running behind us, screaming!

Behind her was Dante, who didn't need to run but marched speedily, trying to catch up with us before we leave.

Scarlet missed her step and fell to the ground, calling out for help as Dante came close.

But to our surprise, he ignored Scarlet and came after John and me, increasing his pace like the beast he was!

I was scared and really wanted to get out of there, but something pushed me to pull out of John's hold and face Dante.

This is why I was called over. To put him in his place.

If he doesn't listen, maybe it'd be best if he kills me. That'd be better than living another day in loneliness, fear, and of ever seeing his face.

Making up my mind, I pulled myself out of John's hold and stood my ground with my shaky legs, waiting.

"Val!" John was worried and wanted to help me.

But the moment Dante came before me, the prison boss suddenly stopped in front of me, staring at me without moving another inch.

I was expecting him to drag me by the neck and finish what he started, but this man just stood there, staring like a robot who finally got his switch in his master's hold.

"Wait, Is he waiting for me to order him?" I noticed, but it was hard for me to even look at his face and tell.

I was trembling, feeling that dark cold feeling all over again.

Still, I had to give it a try for everyone's safety.

"Go... Go..." I stammered in a low voice only him could hear, keeping my head down as my fear came flooding my system like flood.

"Go... To your cell," I completed, my lips and hands shaking as I staggered back, almost losing my balance.

John swiftly came from behind and caught me just in time.

And at the moment when my legs gave out, I swore I saw Dante's hand flinch, like he was going to reach out and grab me.

I was glad John was the one who caught me.

Thinking of Dante's hands on me again is like asking him to kill me all over again.

"Are you okay?" John asked, holding me close.

Before I could answer... "Yes, ma'am," Dante responded to my order, stunning me.

I saw how he lowered his head and walked past John and me, heading for his cell like I ordered.

I couldn't believe he actually listened. Is this a trick?

"No way. He's actually going!" John gasped, as we watched Dante head for his floor, taking one more look at me from above.

When I saw him looking, I quivered away, holding John close, requesting he takes me away quickly.

"I've got you," John said, lifting me into his arms, taking me away.