The Convict

The Crazy Ex

I am not delusional. The moment I found out that Dakota was alive and was in my house, I knew I was screwed. Maybe there was a chance for me to get out, if I turned her in right away. But the moment I decided to hide her, I knew, I was royally fucked.

The only thing running through my head was Melony, what the hell are you thinking? What are you doing!? Dakota needs to be in prison, Dakota is unwell, Dakota killed someone. What if she kills someone again?

Dakota is a monster.

At least that's what everyone keeps telling me. My therapist. My doctor. My parents. My girlfriend. My best friend. Even the people on TV. She's a monster they say...

Part of me believed them.

The other part...

The Crazy Ex

"Hey, did you sleep?" BB says in surprise when she wakes up and finds me already wide-awake sipping coffee while I stare at the news.

The TV is on mute because I didn't want to wake her, I have subtitles on, seeing if they have found out Dakota is not the body they found. So far nothing. But it's only a matter of time before they figure it out.

"Hmm? Yeah, yeah..." I can't meet her eyes.

"Mel, you need to sleep. Come here," she pulls me into her arms.

"You should go to work today, it's gonna be a long day for me anyway," I say.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I have to talk to the realtor and my bank to get everything situated with the house. Then I have to go to the courts, talk to my lawyer, the whole nine. I'm gonna be swamped today, you should go to work."

"I can come with you," she kisses my cheek.

"No, we need the extra cash. With the lawsuit and the house, we are gonna be pinching pennies for a while."

"Okay, but we can grab lunch together. On my break."

"Yeah, sounds good. Just text me the deets," I peck her on the lips before getting out of bed.

I finish my coffee and place my cup in the sink, staring at it. My mind is trying to figure out what to do next. Should I tell BB? Should I turn Dakota in? What do I do? I feel sick to my stomach.

"Hey," BB places her hand on my shoulder.

But it's not her I see, it's Antonia screaming out.

"Help me!" She screams.

"Jesus," I flinch and jump away from BB.

"Whoa, sorry, didn't mean to sneak up on you." She says sheepishly.

I take a few steady breaths and shake my head, trying to blink away the gory image.

"Mel, talk to me. Are you okay? I can take another day, it's okay." She assures me.

"No, no, I'm fine. Go to work. I'm just thinking about all I have to do today." Technically not a lie, but BB doesn't know that Dakota is on the list of things for me to deal with today.

"Don't force yourself, take your time. I know this is hard for you." She pulls me into her arms.

I feel awful for lying to her.

"What if Dakota were still alive?" I say.

"Melony, I know you want that but—"

"No, listen. You said there was a problem with the DNA right? What if it's not her?" I challenge.