I Hate Love

911

Beep. Beep. Beep.

I heard a heart monitor as I slowly came to. The stench of booze and cigarettes was gone. There was a clean and sterile smell. I did not know where I was. Slowly, I opened my eyes and attempted to sit up. Almost immediately, someone jumped up from a chair across from me. It was Gabriel.

"I'm so glad you're ok," he said, a single tear dripping down his cheek.

"You're an excellent actor, Gabe," I growled in response.

"What are you talking about? Do you have a concussion?"

"Cut the shit."

With that remark, I felt a firm hand being wrapped around my wrist. He was squeezing it. This was what he usually did to make me play along in his games.

"We were robbed, Oakley. They tried to kill you. I tried to scare them away, but it was too late. You were already unconscious, so I brought you here," he smiled, "I hope you are ok."

It wasn't until I heard someone shift that I realized we were not alone in the room. There was an officer. She sat against the wall, writing on a clipboard. Seeing as Gabe had explained the situation, she asked for him to step out of the room as I gave a statement. Giving me wrist one last squeeze, he left.

"Hello. I am Officer Dee. I was wondering if you could recall anything from the night of the incident. Who strangled you, how many people were there, how they got in, etcetera."

I looked up at the officer, tears welling in my eyes. If I told her the truth, I would lose everything. I have no job, no money, no family, and no friends. I had no where to go, so I would have to lie.

"I don't remember. It happened so quickly," I whimpered.

"Ma'am, I want you to know that anything said during this questioning stays between us."

I responded with a long sigh. I made zero eye contact, and had no interest in asking her questions. I didn't want to lose everything I had.

She spoke up again, "I heard you say something about your boyfriend being an excellent actor. Is he onstage or in front of a camera?"

I watched her curiosity grow. She lightly tapped her pen on her notepad as she awaited my response. I could sense her patience growing thin. It wouldn't be long before she finally left me alone. Then, by the grace of goodness, she did. The officer stood, adjusting her uniform and nodding to me before opening the door to let Gabriel in. It was obvious he had been listening through the door. He almost fell inward as the officer tried to exit.

"Well, Is everything alright?" He questioned.

"I didn't tell her anything, Gabe," I mumbled as the officer closed the door behind herself.

"Good. We're going home soon, so get yourself together."

"Yes, sir."