The One I Knew

Chapter 6

** Picture is of Wes Bentley cast as Joshua**

"Michael no!" I cried, moving in between him and Joshua.

"Rose! What are you doing, he tried to kill you!" Michael said, confused.

"No he didn't! Well I mean yes he did, but it wasn't the Josh we know. Michael I think he might be sick."

"Sick?" He asked.

"In the head," I whispered, low enough so only he could hear.

"That's insane."

"You didn't see what I just saw Michael. He tried to kill me then had this spastic moment and turned back to normal. Michael something is wrong. Plus he just admitted to being in love with Malissa. If it were us, would you kill me?" I asked, not even taking a breath. I immediately regretted asking it. He gave me this look of horror that made my stomach turn. It felt like my heart had risen to my throat, my ears pounded as I waited.

"Rose...Do you even need to ask that?"

"Then why think any differently of Josh? Look I know it's a long shot and he could be completely faking it, but please just give him a chance. At least have a couple days for him to be evaluated by a doctor?" I pleaded. 

"Alright, but only for you. I still don't trust you Josh," Michael said, peering over my shoulder.

I turned around and faced Joshua. "Would you be willing to do that?" I asked. It wasn't really a question. He had no real choice in this.

"Yes." He replied, his face blank.

"Alright, Joshua. Anything you say or do will be held against you in court," Michael said, putting handcuffs on Josh. "Rose, you stay here and get some more sleep. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning and bring you over to the hospital."

"Alright, see you tomorrow," I said, closing the door behind him. I slumped into the bathroom and cleaned up my face. My cheek was still a horrible blue/green from when Josh punched me and my lip was swollen and bleeding. I pulled out some wrap and wrapped my twisted, now swollen, ankle. I limped into the kitchen and threw some ice into a plastic bag. I placed it in a small piece of cloth and hopped to bed. I placed a pillow underneath my ankle and placed the bag of ice on top. I pulled the warm, welcoming covers up to my chin and turned the light out. Moonlight danced across the ceiling as I lay wide awake. My phone buzzed loudly on the bedside table. Grunting I reached over and squinted as the bright back-light stung my eyes.

Wrong man, Rose Phillips.

E

"What?" I said aloud. I checked the number but found it blocked. I threw my phone onto the table and put my hands to my face. I was so tired of this case, I just wanted it to be over. It had released emotions and feelings I hadn't wanted out in the open just yet. Sighing, I pulled the covers back over my shoulders and turned to my side, staring out the window. The full moon glinted in the dark sky. My eyes started to droop and I couldn't keep them open anymore. Sleep invited me like an old friend. Morning would only come too fast.