The Betrayal Within

Chapter Forty-Three

Song of the Chapter: They Don't Even Care About Us by Michael Jackson

Recap (Jasmine’s POV):

When I woke up, it felt like I had a bad hangover. It looked like it was nighttime, since all of the blinds were closed and it was dark.

I saw Francisco sleeping on the same chair he was in. He was snoring like a baby.

I didn't know what happened, until I remembered I was screaming, thinking that Alex was there.

Then, I just started crying.

I felt someone was hugging me and it was actually Francisco. I cried even harder.

“I love you,” I said. “I really do.” Words cannot explain how much I need him in my life.

“And I love you more,” he told me. “We'll get through this together.”

Six months later…

Third Person's POV

Six months. But it felt like it was just yesterday that everything changed.

Jasmine was discharged after another week, since her reaction at the hospital. She was sent to therapy soon after. Therapy had helped her realized that her kidnapper, Alex, wasn't around at all. He was still in that jail cell.

She'd covered her scars from the kidnapping with tattoos; specifically four of them.

It took her a while to get adjusted to normality. She went back to work after a couple of months and she felt normal. She actually quit her job at the clinic because it was too much stress and they didn't treat well anyway.

Today was the day to find out if Alex is charged for kidnapping, sexual assault, weaponry, stalking, and attempted murder charges.

Jasmine had a black jumpsuit on and put on a pair of sunglasses. She looked at herself in the mirror, thinking about how she didn't know how to handle herself.

I need to go to this, she told herself. I have to face this.

Paulene comes in with a tan and black suit brushing her hair.

Paulene took three months off to recover from her head. The doctor said that it was a fifty percent chance that she would live because of her body weight and the blood that she lost.

The rest of her family came and wanted her to live back in New York, but she didn't want to, since that she'll leave her best friend behind.

But, she thought about leaving the CIA and doing something else.

“So, Adam called me and said that he and Francisco are gonna meet us at the courthouse,” she told Jasmine. Paulene thanked Adam for saving her life. If he didn't convince Alex to take her to the hospital, she would've died there.

“Are you and Adam--”

“Jasmine, I would rather get eaten by Godzilla than dating Adam.” Yes, Adam saved her, but she would always dislike him.

She heard Jasmine sniffle. “I don't want to do this.”

“I'm not board on this too, but to find justice, we have to go.” To relive the traumatizing moments is going to be horrible, but they have to do it.

“I'm glad you're my partner in crime,” Jasmine told her.

They decided to take an Uber to go to the courthouse because if Alex was not guilty, they don't need to drive like a maniac and getting into a serious accident.