Duskwood: Unrecognisable

Part 31

After two days of the uncertainty and stress of being on the run, all I wanted to do was lounge around in Jake's hoodie on a nice, cushy king-sized bed and never get up again. The wall-mounted television was on, but it was just noise that I wasn't really listening to. I had relocated to one of the spare rooms of the penthouse, one in which I had a clear view of the home office across the hall, where Jake sat working at the desk. I had no idea what he was doing, but it must've been serious because not only had he gotten fully dressed, but he pulled his hood over his head and put his earphones in to focus. I had to admit I was watching him more than the television because he was so intense. It made me wonder what he was getting up to, but I didn't want to bother him, so I never asked. Occasionally he would glance at me and catch me staring. I'd blush and look back at the television. He smiled and went back to concentrating on his work.

An advertisement for the evening news suddenly caught my attention. It brought up the two international fugitives that held up the local prison while promising updates to the investigation at 6 o'clock, which I found curious as we haven't moved since last night. However, the advertisment had an updated wanted photo of me, which was obviously taken from the prison when I signed in for the hearing. This concerned me - my short, black hair was no longer going to work. I'd have to make use of my new wig, but would that be enough? What else could I do to change my appearance? Using a different makeup style, even going goth would probably confuse the casual observer. Would that be enough? Jake had it easy with that lousy police sketch and for that I was a bit jealous, but at the same time, having a license to experiment and not caring what anyone else thought for once had its own allure. It almost felt like I was a kid again, playing with my appearance to pretend to be someone else.

As soon as the next commercial started, I checked my phone again to see if there was any word from Lilly about Richy's parole, but there was still nothing. I closed my eyes and let the scene replay again in my head. There was something about the way Richy looked at me that I just couldn't put my finger on. The twisted man had done everything to Amy, Hannah Jessy, and me so selfishly just to remove his own guilt. Yet the man I saw the day before was so different. He was vulnerable, exposed, beaten, tortured, and even humbled - as if he had already punished himself to the fullest extent. I started to have second thoughts. Maybe it wasn't a lie. Maybe he was honestly remorseful. Maybe it was time to forgive him and move on. It wasn't his fault that Hannah received the time she was given. It was out of his control, even if he did testify against her. It wasn't like he would ever be able to forget the wrongs he had committed. He had to carry that weight wherever he went. Find a place where he would be accepted would be a struggle and maybe that was enough. Maybe it was time to let it go.

I opened my eyes and found Jake standing over the bed watching me. I subconsciously averted my eyes.

"Is something bothering you?" He questioned.

"Ah no, I was just resting my eyes," I lied. I couldn't bear to admit I was considering accepting Richy's remorse.

"You keep checking your phone," he commented. "It is stressing you out and it's definitely stressing me out."

"I was just wondering if there had been any updates regarding Richy," I explained.

"Lilly will let us know when it is time. Checking your phone will do nothing to hasten the outcome," he frowned. "You're not reconsidering your stance, are you? I saw his pathetic pleas as well."

"No, of course not," I lied again. "He is guilty of far more than what he was convicted of. He should see out his time."

Jake said nothing and just stared at me for a bit. I felt like he was trying to determine whether I was lying or not, which made me uncomfortable. I squeezed my hand to try to keep myself from faltering.