A HEALTHY LOVE

CH.23: The Attack (PART 2)

Several days later, Pandora was released from the SHU. She returned to C-block with ice in her veins and revenge on her mind. Whenever she saw McCullough walking around, her hand balled into a fist. However, she had to pick her moment. She was waiting for the ideal time to strike, when she could get McCullough isolated somewhere. Then, she'd let her have it.

McCullough had no idea that Pandora was harboring such a powerful grudge. She saw that Pandora tended to glare at her since her release from SHU, but then again, a lot of the inmates glared at the CO's.

Alex was finishing some paperwork in the library for that day's checkouts. Alex was anxiously filling out her forms as McCullough came in. She smiled at Alex, a smile that still gave Alex butterflies, and Alex smiled in return. "Finishing these last few forms," Alex said.

McCullough: "Looks like a lot of checkouts."

Alex: "Yeah, we got some new magazines. Everybody wants in on the latest gossip. I don't have the heart to tell them that even these new editions are still almost six months old."

"You're sweet like that," McCullough said. While they snuck a quick kiss, Pandora was lurking quietly in the library hallway. She had seen McCullough walk in that direction and was certain no one else was in the hall. She hid behind a corner, holding a shiv she had gotten from her cell-mate.

"I should go. The new warden likes his staff meetings," McCullough said.

Alex nodded. "Have fun with that. I have more filing to do."

"See you later," McCullough said with a grin. A grin that tugged hard at Alex's already confused heart. "Yeah. See you later, Arty" Alex replied back.

McCullough exited the library at a slow place. She entered the hallway, completely unaware of Pandora's presence around the corner. When McCullough was just about to reach the corner of the hallway, Pandora leaped out. She tackled McCullough to the ground and began her vicious attack. She stabbed McCullough numerous times,mostly in her upper torso area. "This is what you get for sending me to medical, bitch!" Pandora yelled.

Alex heard the commotion as she opened the library door. Pandora had McCullough pinned against the floor. There was blood everywhere, and Pandora showed no signs of stopping her attack. Alex immediately rushed forward and pushed Pandora off McCullough. Alex keeled down and quickly checked McCullough, who was clearly badly injured.

"Artesian..." Alex whispered, looking over McCullough's wounds. Pandora slowly got up and stood before Alex. "What the fuck? You're trying to help that fucking CO?" Pandora asked in growl.

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" Alex hissed.

That was the only invitation Pandora needed as she lunged at Alex,shiv still in hand. The two women locked horns, but Pandora had unleashed Alex's rage. Alex managed to get Pandora in a headlock,her left hand getting cut by the shiv in the process. Then, she grabbed the back of Pandora's head and slammed it hard into the wall several times until Pandora had blacked out.

Alex, her left hand slightly wounded, walked back to McCullough. She grabbed McCullough's radio. "Uhhh..CO down outside of the library. McCullough is down. She's badly hurt. An inmate attacked her. Please,send backup," Alex said loudly.

Once that was done, Alex cradled McCullough in her arms. McCullough could barely speak. "Al...Alex..." McCullough said weakly.

"Don't. Save your strength," Alex whispered with tears in her eyes. McCullough's breathing began to get weaker with every minute. Alex tried desperately to shake her awake. "Don't you fucking do this,McCullough. Don't you dare you fucking leave me."

CO Dixon, CO Copeland, and CO Hellman came into the hallway. They did not understand the situation displayed before them, so they had to assume that Alex played a part in McCullough's condition. Hellman forced her onto the floor and cuffed her. Dixon checked Pandora while Copeland went to McCullough.

"Call an ambulance now! Her pulse is in and out," Copeland said.

Alex looked over at McCullough, crying profusely. Hellman led Alex away from the scene. He took her down to medical so that someone could look at the wounds Pandora had inflicted on her left hand. Since they were not that serious, Alex was patched up fairly quickly. From there, Hellman dragged Alex to the SHU. During a quick search, they found the cellphone she kept in her sock. They confiscated it and threw her into the solitary cell.

Tears fell from her eyes like rain. It was then she realized that she didn't want to lose McCullough. She was falling in love with the CO. Story of her life as an inmate. Now, she very well may have lost her forever.