Don't Talk to Strangers

XXVIII

Lizzie pulled up to the police station and helped me out. I wasn't on crutches, thank God, or anything like that, but I was still weak and needed some support. I tensed myself and forced my feet to keep moving toward the door. When we got there, I leaned against the porch rail and Lizzie opened it for me.

I limped inside and made my way to the desk. "Hello? I need to talk to an officer," I called out.

A rough-looking man answered, decked out in his uniform and badges. "Can I help you, m'am?" he asked.

I coughed. "Yes, could I speak to..." I began, but a loud, jovial voice broke me off.

"Cassidy Meredith, is that you?" Sergeant John Stones, a long-time friend of my family, appeared in the doorway behind the man at the desk. He was tall, round, but a happy man altogether. I couldn't help the smile of relief when I saw him. [i'm way out of creativity with these characters so ignore the sucky name lol]

"Hi, Mr. Stones," I greeted him. Lizzie looked from me to him and back again before offering a confused wave.

He shooed the man who'd answered us and came around the counter to sit down, patting the seats beside him. Lizzie ignored it, wandering off to explore the department, bouncing a little on her toes. I smiled at her energy, envious because of the lack of mine. I sat down beside John and took a deep breath.

"So, what brings you around here? I see you're still recovering from your little encounter," he continued. I nodded, giving a half-smile.

"Well, you see... I kinda need a favor. I need to talk to you about my... 'encounter,'" I explained. John shifted in his seat, turning to look at me intently. A nervous laugh bubbled up inside me. I choked it down. "Okay, well... it's really complicated. But I really need to be present at the trial. It's in a few weeks and I just have to tell them my side. I promised him—." 

John cut me off. "I was fine with everything up until that. You made a deal with your kidnapper?" he asked incredulously. "Are you sure you're alright?"

I bristled, "Yeah, I'm absolutely fine. I know it sounds bad to you, but it's not what you think it is. I just need to be there, and I know I have to schedule it or something. Am I right?" I pressed on.

John pursed his lips. "Alright, Cass. But only 'cause I kind of owe your mother a favor. How's she doing, anyways?" he babbled, getting up.

I sighed and carried on the conversation halfheartedly. I was almost there. John brought me into the back room—after I quickly told Lizzie she was free to go if she wanted, and she promptly told me she was going for ice-cream—to start planning my testimony.

I inwardly groaned. I'd never done anything so far into the legal system like this before. But I could trust John. I put on a brave face and imagined Dan once again, sitting alone in a cell with his desperate, lonely... amazing face. I shook myself. It wasn't the time to get into that. I was doing my part. Now hopefully he could wait and do his.