Forever With You

Chapter Forty-Five

          Franky rushes into her office and picks up the phone. "Hello?" She says, out of breath. "Oi, Franks. Fucking on the job eh?" Franky blushes, knowing the thought has crossed her mind several times that week. "Fuck off Booms. What's up?" She hears Sandy yapping in the background. "I uh. I met a neighbor while taking Sandy for a walk." Franky smiles. "That's good Booms." There is a slight pause. "Imma help him with his truck. Ya know, since Dax taught me some shit before I went in." Franky chuckles to herself. "That sounds great Booms." She hears Boomer sigh in relief. "So, I uh. Just wanted you to know I may not be home when you two get in." Franky lets out a laugh. "Good on you Booms. It's alright. We'll see you when you get home." Boomer laughs nervously. "You sure it's okay? Being on parole and all." Franky nods to herself. "It's good Booms. Are you taking Sandy?" Franky hears a muted convo on the radio but ignores it. "Yeah, since no one is home." Franky hears someone rush down the hallway. "Sounds good Booms. Look, I've gotta go. I have an appointment soon." She looks back at the window, hoping to see a shadow pass the blinds again. "Ok Franky. Just wanted to let you know." Franky reaches to turn up the radio. "Thanks Booms. See ya." She hears Boomer say goodbye just before hanging up the phone. She reaches for the desk drawer where she keeps her cell just as an alarm blares throughout the prison.

Bridget jumps as the alarm sounds and Juice looks back toward the door. Bridget walks over to her phone as the door opens and the unknown guard peeks his head in. "There has been an incident Ms. Westfall. Stay here until someone comes to get you." He shuts the door just as an announcement goes over the PA system stating a lockdown and all inmates to return to their units. Bridget hears her cellphone ringing as she hears the muffled message of a Code Black go across the radio. "Franky?" She asks, trying to hide her nerves. "Gidge. Are you alone?" Bridget looks over at Juice, then the office windows. "No." She hears Franky mutter to herself. "Close the blinds and lock the door. Don't let anyone in until I get there." Bridget nods to herself. "Okay. Be careful." Franky pauses before continuing. "I love you." Bridget can only manage a "you too" before hanging up. Saying what she wanted to say would leave her vulnerable in front of the inmate, and she knew Franky understood. She drops her phone on the desk and walks over to shut the blinds, not noticing the figure outside her door. Just as she reaches to lock it, the door is pushed open and a hand pulls her into the hallway.

Rita leaves the body of the junkie inmate and rushes over to her sister. "Where did she go?" Ruby just shakes her head. "What happened?" Allie rushes over with a towel filled with ice. "We pushed her too far Rita. She knows Franky is alive. She just snapped. Ruby tried to stop her after she snapped the newbies neck." Ruby mumbles incoherently. "You gotta to find Ms. Westfall. She's going to want answers." Allie says before placing the towel against the back of Ruby's head.

"I see the sapphic psychologist is still playing games." Ferguson says as she presses Bridget against the wall. "I'm not sure what you are referring to Joan." Bridget says as she feels the iciness of her stare boring into her bones. "Pretending Francesca is dead just to please me." She looks back at the unknown guard, neck snapped, lying against the floor. "His blood is on your hands Ms. Westfall." Bridget raises her chin defiantly. "I never confirmed or denied her death Joan." Not realizing her quick glance down the hallway towards Franky's office. Ferguson just smiles. "You just did." She says as she looks down the hall toward the door. "What do you want Joan?" Bridget asks, trying to keep her attention until help comes. Joan lets out a blood curdling laugh. "You haven't figured that out yet Ms. Westfall. Tsk tsk." Bridget hears the door open and catches the sight of Franky out of the corner of her eye. "Then do it already." Bridget says, as Joan turns quickly to look at Franky. The smile that forms on her face fills Bridget with dread and she pushes against the wall in an effort to break free of Ferguson. In one swift motion, Ferguson grabs Bridget by the neck and raises her off the floor.