The Convict

Harboring a Killer

Lesly meets us at the house and she has a gun with her.

"Seriously," I frown at her.

"Yes, seriously! No wonder why you were acting weird. I should have listened to my gut. I can't believe you have her locked up here Melony." Lesly says.

"I'm gonna beat her ass," BB growls.

"Guys stop! Please! Just hear me out, hear Dakota out. She's different now, she's changed. Don't go in there guns blazing, literally. Just, give her a chance."

BB and Lesly share an unconvinced look.

I sigh but unlock the door and go inside.

They follow behind me.

The house is quiet, too quiet.

I close the door and lock it.

"Dakota?" I call. "It's okay, you can come out now."

No movement.

Lesly grips the gun tighter in her hands.

"Put the gun down," I snap at her.

She huffs but does as she's told.

"Dakota! It's okay, we didn't call the cops. Come here." I shout.

Then slowly, soft sounds of movement. I step toward the hall but BB gets in front of me to protect me. Dakota peeks out from the hall, hiding in the shadow.

"It's okay," I call to her, pushing BB out of the way.

"Jesus fucking Christ." BB curses as Dakota limps over to me.

"I'm gonna be sick," Lesly makes a face of disgust.

I walk over to Dakota's side and grab her hand in mine.

"See, she's harmless. She's okay." I say to BB and Lesly.

"Melony this is insane," Lesly says.

"Hi," Dakota forces out.

They go silent and look at her.

"Um, please don't call the cops." She says.

"Melony, you have got to be kidding me," BB says to me.

"You guys are being too hard on her! She hasn't done anything bad this whole time! She hasn't yelled at me. She hasn't hit me. She even apologized to me for what happened when she kidnapped me. She helped me with the house, even though her legs were injured! She's not like that anymore. Please." I beg.

I feel Dakota squeeze my hand and a flash of fear runs through my body.

There is a small voice in my head that says, but what if she is still like that?

What if it was all an act?

I glance at her nervously, she gives me a mirrored look.

"Okay, we have officially left Normal Ville and entered Crazy Town! Are we really debating about whether or not we should harbor a killer?" Lesly says.

"Thank you! Melony come on, let's be real." BB pleads.

I sigh and look at Dakota, she gives me those sad puppy dog eyes. I squeeze her hand back before looking at Lesly and BB.

"You two do what you want, but I'm not turning her in," I say slowly, sternly. So they understand how serious I am.

"Melony," Lesly whines and leans against the wall, slowly sliding to the floor.

BB sighs and finally averts her eyes from me as she looks for something else to focus on.

"If you turn her in, then you have to turn me in too," I say.