Terrorism at Larkhall: part II

Disclaimer:Any references to the characters of ICT's "Bad Girls" are purely intentional, but are not designed to make me any money. So no infringement’s intended. This story is just AND only fiction and takes place after Miss Stewarts' resignation, series 2.

Language warning: Well we ARE in a prison fer crying out loud so...YES! Although I'll try to keep it down.

Love and sex warning: This story definitely portrays a loving relationship between two consenting women. Now if this is illegal in your neck of the woods *insert sickening lovely smile* please move along, if it offends you...well there's this nice yoghurtshop down the street where you can...

Violence Warning: Yeppers, it's in there, couldn't resist...and frankly, didn't you expect that?

Lemme know what you think 'k: Night_sodom@hotmail.com

Terrorism at Larkhall

Part II

Fenner looked aghast, clutching his bloody battered nose he turned around towards the formerly seated inmates, so did the limping Hollamby who was being supported by Karen and Helen, Dominique and three other PO’s.
Slowly they inched back towards the iron door while the angry prisoners advanced on them.

“LET’S GET RID OF THE BASTARDS!”
“FENNER’S MINE!” Dockley warned. “YEAH!!I SAY HANG UM AT THE HIGHEST POLE!!” another inmate called Mandy cried out.
“RIP EM TA SHREDS I SAY!”
All women started to scream at once while they slowly advanced towards the terrified PO’S. Angry faces retorted into even grimier sneers. They had forgotten about their predicament, forgotten about the hostage-situation, forgotten about the good some of the screws had done for them like Dominique who had saved Zandra on the roof, or Helen who had made their lives much more viable while she was still wing-governor and was still trying to although she lacked the power, or Karen who always had the best interest of the inmates at heart.
They had been swept off their feet by the charismatic black leader who had given them such a heartfelt speech, filled with sorrow and pain. So it’s not hard to believe that to them the PO’s really represented the embodiment of evil who did all those terrible things in Yaoundé en killed those innocent kids in Asjantis. They were responsible for all the grief and sorrow caused to so many people AND of course, the PO’s were the reason they had been convicted and put away in this godforsaken place in the first place. The ones who kept them away from their friends and families. The ones who treated them like no-good every day, again and again. They were nothing but scum and they just HAD to be swept off the face of the earth!
Unrelentingly the group shuffled towards the blocked jailers, utterly convinced of their believes and when only 1 to 2 meters separated the two parties a body urgently made it’s way to the front of the angry inmates, shoving with her elbows till she got in front, with her back turned to the PO’s Nikki stood there, her hands outstretched.

“NIKKI!” Helen shouted out.

“WAIT!” Nikki shouted, “JUST WAIT A MINUTE!!PLEASE!”
‘Oh God!’ Nikki thought, ‘how am I am gonna get Helen out of THIS mess! She’s my first priority…but I can’t get the others killed either.’

The crowd halted their advance and the noise stilled. They all looked surprised to be facing Nikki at this point, only Dockley sported an all-knowing grin on her cherubic face.
‘Getting scared ‘er little playmate’s gonna get ‘urt now is she?’ Shell thought, ‘Well if I can lend a hand in that…’
Nikki continued without looking backwards;
“Let’s stop this madness for one minute and think what we’re doing! WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF KILLING A BUNCH OF INNOCENT FOLKS HERE!”
Immediately shouts erupted from the angry mob:
“INNOCENT! MY BLOODY ARSE! THEY’VE KILLED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE!”
“YEAH! LET’S WASTE EM!”
“THIS WORLD’S ALREADY MESSED UP AS IT IS! LET’S CLEAN THE PLACE UP A BIT!”
And again the crowd came a bit closer.

“BUT WAIT!!THESE PEOPLE ARE N-O-T RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE KILLINGS ! THEY WEREN’T EVEN THERE! THEY WERE PROBABLY SITTING ON THEIR COUCHES AT HOME LIKE MOST OF US WERE DOING!! AND THINK ABOUT ALL THE GOOD THEY DID FOR US! DOMINIQUE! KAREN! HELEN! THEY ARE OUR WARDENS, CORRECT, BUT THAT’S THEIR JOB!!!” she paused to get her breath under control but she saw that most of the face showed traces of uncertainty so she quickly started her monologue again.
‘If I could just let them see…’ she thought.
“YOU’VE ALL BEEN SEDUCED BY THAT SOLDIER’S STORY, I ADMIT, I WAS TOO AND IT IS WORRYSOME WHAT HE TOLD US…BUT DON’T YOU GUYS SEE THAT THESE PEOPLE BEHIND ME HERE HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT MASSACRE BACK THEN?! I REPEAT, THEY ARE N-O-T RESPONSIBLE! AND I’VE LISTENED CAREFULLY TO WHAT HE HAD TO SAY AND HE MENTIONED TO HAVE TO RESORT TO SOME DRASTIC MEASURES IF OUR GOVERNMENT DIDN’T COMPLY WITH THEIR DEMANDS BUT THAT THAT WILL BE DEALT WITH LATER, DID YOU GUYS HERE THAT TOO!?”
Some murmurs could be heard here and there.
WELL I BELIEVE THAT THERE’S A GOOD CHANCE THAT IT MEANS THEY WILL KILL SOME OF THEIR HOSTAGES IF THEY THINK IT’S NEEDED!! AND GUESS WHAT! WE ARE THE HOSTAGES!!!
Now complete silence reigned in the mess hall. All were thinking horrible thoughts of their own death by the hands of those black invaders; “Why would they…how…and the kids, who’ll take care of the kids when…
Nikki sensed she had finally won a bit of their attention and in doing so borrowed some time for the PO’s and Helen.
“Listen,” she continued a bit less loud, “I don’t think we will get a lot of help from the government, we’re a bunch of cons for crying out loud! I just don’t get why they’ve taken over a prison, what do we have to offer… but that’s the way it is at the moment and we have to act appropriately. The Minister won’t allow armed interventions, that’s because of his personal view on terrorism he has ordered out so… well…we’re basically on our own! The only ones we can rely one are ourselves and if things turn ugly…we have to be able to bust out of this joint! You guys see?!”
“Yeah, and what does that have to do with those bastards behind ya? Why can’t we off them and THEN get ourselves a plan to escape?” Mandy, a large bulky woman asked.
“That wouldn’t be the most intelligent way to go ‘cause we don’t know our way behind these gates now do we? And if we need an alternative route, were to? And the others? On the other wings? Are we gonna let them be killed in here if we see a way out or are we going to get them away too? What about the possible tools we could use as arms and the supplies stashed away everywhere?
“These people,” and she paused while she cast a glance backwards, briefly locking eyes with Helen before returning to the on-looking crowd, “these people can mean our ticket out. They’ve got knowledge that could mean our escape, our freedom, OUR LIFE…and you guys just want to slaughter them, like you do with wild animals? You guys just want to throw away our sole means of escape!! Think about it!”
Silent whispers echoed off the bleak walls, some eyed the PO’s with unveiled hostility while others looked at them with more curiosity then before.
‘Could that bunch of screws be of any help to us? Do we really need that lot…’
Then suddenly Dockley cried out; “Are we forgetting what they did to us? ‘ow Fenner screwed me over? And Rachel aye? She’s dead because of ‘im! And that stupid cow Stewart! What did she ever really do for us? Whine us to dead did she!? COMMON!LET’S DO EM IN!!” Cries rained again but Nikki was still in between the two groups.
“NO! LISTEN! JUST FOR ONE SEC.! LISTEN!” and again a hush fell over the cons, “I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE ANGRY! I AM TOO! OR DON’T YOU REMEMBER HOW YOUR BELOVED JIM SCREWED ME OVER TIME AND AGAIN DOCKLEY!? OR HOW HOLLAMBY WAS ALWAYS BREATHING IN MY NECK?!!
But it’s not there fault we’re stuck in this mess, not their fault we got in here in the first place! And I can’t condone what you guys want to do. I can’t allow you all to murder innocent folks like that…so if you guys STILL want to go through with this…it’ll be over my dead body.”
And with that Nikki stuck her chin in the air, took a defiant stance and waited for the coming assault.
“Nikki,” Helen whispered through clenched teeth, “don’t do this! You’ll only get yourself killed along with us, stay out of it! Please!

‘Oh Helen, do you really think I could just stand there and watch you get killed? By the Gods woman, if you only knew…’ But outwardly Nikki stayed silent and waited.

But what Helen and Nikki didn’t count on were the several loyal friends Nikki had made unknowingly throughout her time at Larkhall.
Yvonne spoke first on her behalf; “She’s right, they could be of crucial importance if we have to bust out of here! And taken Hollamby’s nagging at the side, I’ve never encountered serious problems with any of the screws before.”
“Yeah” the 2 Julies piped in.
“Most of em are really nice even!” Julie S. continued
“Nice!” Julie V put in.
At the far end a small voice was heard; “And don’t any of you think of hurting Nikki! Or it’s ME you’ll have to answer to!”
All eyes turned to the back and people stepped out of the way to see who’d spoken so vehemently, but Nikki already knew who was sticking up for her; Barbara, her faithful cellmate came into view. Barbara stepped forward and only came to a halt when she was in front of Nikki.
“I am with you my friend, all the way!” she said and laid her hand on Nikki’s shoulder.
‘I owe you one, friend.’ Nikki’s eyes conveyed to Barbara when Barbara came closer to stand behind her.
Then Yvonne started talking again; “Yeah! No one will hurt Nikki! If there’s anyone in here who has always watched our back in this shit-hole it’s Nikki, if she could help out anywhere she did! If there was trouble, Nikki was in the middle of it!” and she gave a Nikki a small smile when she said that, “And I for one, put my faith in her! If she thinks this is the best thing to do, the best course of action to get us out of here safe and sound…well, then I am with her and I’ll support her the rest of the way!”
And with that said, Yvonne marched out of the group and came to stand behind Nikki, facing the rest of the inmates.
Next were the two Julies who advanced and Julie S. said; “Hey Nik, we’re with ya love!”, Julie V. added; “We’re behind ya babes!” and they too joined Barbara and Yvonne.
Throughout it all, Nikki had been having trouble keeping her tears at bay. They trusted her, they really put their faith and lives in her hands if point came to shove. Whatever did she deserve to earn so much trust! Gods! Crystal was the next to pledge her loyalty to the flabbergasted con and soon others followed her lead.
More and more murmurs rose in favour of Nikki and more joined her following, soon only Shell, Denny and Anna remained standing in front of Nikki.
“ARE YOU GUYS GONE BONKERS OR WHAT?!” Shell cried out, “TAKIN THAT LESBO’S SIDE!?”
“You know what Shell, “ Denny spoke, “I think she’s got a point you know, maybe she…”
“OH SHUT IT DENNY! YOU’RE SO STUPID YOU COULDN’T EVEN SEE A STOPSIGN IF THEY HIT YOU IN THE HEAD WITH IT! SO WHY DON’T YOU LEAVE THE THINKING TO ME AYE!” and with that Shell turned towards Nikki again.
But before Shell could start spouting again Denny stepped forward and spoke to Nikki and her followers;
Listen Nikki, I think you’re right okay. This is right. And if you’d take me I want to be on your side.”
A smiling Nikki gave a slight nod, sending a huge smile on Denny’s face.
Shell realized she had lost this fight but she also knew that she could never join Nikki out of free will so it was best to just walk, she still had Anna and her pride…well, some of it.
“OH GIVE ME A BREAK! YA BUNCH OF NO GOOD CONS! COME ON ANNA! WE’RE OUT OF HERE!”
“Euhm Shell? I think I’ll stay here…with Nikki and the rest…I mean…it’s really for the…”
“FUCK YOU, YOU BACKSTABBING TART! I DON’T NEED YOU! SO STAY WITH THESE WANKERS, SEE IF I GIVE A SHIT!”
And quickly Shell shot off towards her cell, throwing it closed with a loud bang.

“Well,” Nikki spoke again, “that’s settled then I guess.”
She was met with smiles and large grins when she turned towards her group. ‘Yeah, they were HER group. Now what was she going to do with them?’
Nikki went from kamikaze-screw-safer to leader-of-the-pack in no time and they were all watching her with so much faith in their eyes, it was wonderful and frightening at once.
‘What do I do know? Helen and the screws are safe…for now…’ unwontedly her eyes travelled up the smooth planes of Helen’s cheek, meeting with a steady brown magnificence that captured her whole existence.
It seemed as if those eyes said; ‘Thank you my love, thank you for saving our lives. Just keep it cool now, don’t loose your nerve and stay calm so they don’t get agitated. These people depend on you now, so try to get them at ease and some regularity back in their lives. They need rules to live by, explain it to them.’
A tin smile played on Nikki’s lips and they were mirrored in Helen’s face, then Nikki grabbed one of the tables who had been stacked in a corner, put it in the middle and stood on it.
“Okay people, listen up!” Nikki’s voice spoke with more strength than she thought she could muster, “we’ll have to wait and see how the government’s gonna deal with this situation here. There’s not much we can do for the moment expect keep our noses clean and eyes open. Let’s stay alert and absorb as much information as we can, maybe something useful will turn up sooner or later.”

At that moment two armed soldiers took place at the other side of the gate.

“Okay, come closer.” And Nikki jumped of the table landing in the middle of the group, “Let’s do as they say, for now that is. We go on with our daily routine; Crystal and the two Julies are in charge of the kitchen, get some folks to help you guys out ‘k. Since the screws will join our lives for a while they’ll have to have some sleeping-quarters. We have to get them settled somewhere and I propose sharing cells.”
Instantly the women started complaining; ‘Screws in their cells? AS IF! The next thing they’ll jump in ya bed! Get raped by Jimmy-boy! Risk flees in yer sheets? Shagging up with a screw? Has that girl gone off the deep hill or what?’
“HEY! Listen! We can’t put em in the hall now can we?! Well ‘I’ wont! I am a volunteer then, a screw can sleep in my quarters, I’ll just lay a mattress on the floor, no biggie! Are there any other volunteers?”
“I’ve got a free spot, no prob.”
“Thanks Yvonne, others?”
“Well,” Julie S. started.
“We’ve got 2 spaces left…” Julie V. continued.
“We don’t mind sharing…” Julie S. took over.
“At all!” Julie V. ended the dialogue.
“Thanks Jules! You guys are the best!”
Julie S: “Oh no!”
Julie V.: “No Nikki!”
Julie S. and Julie V.: “You are!”
“Well alright,” Crystal said, “I’ve got a free bed too, mind as well show our good Christian soul aye.”
“Great! And since Mister McAllister and Fenner are the only two lads amongst us, they can share that vacant cell on basic. So, now, the only thing that remains to be done is who sleeps with whom and find something appropriate to splint Bodybag’s…euhm… I mean Hollamby’s leg. Well, for starters, who’s gonna bunk with whom?”
A coy smile played across her lips while her gaze fell upon Helen.
‘Well I know whom I want as my new cellmate.’ Nikki thought.
‘Why do I feel like the canary…just before she gets eaten…’ Helen thought at the same time.

“Okay! That’s settled than! Since Miss Hollamby’s incapable of doing steps,” ‘thank the Lord for that one!’, Nikki thought, “she’ll be staying at the 2 Julies’ place alongside Miss Bowden.”

Kathleen Bowden was still a young PO, she was 24 years old and had just joined the ‘ fabelhaft forces’ of Larkhall. Last year she graduated cum laude in Psychology at Oxford. She could’ve gone off, get a great job and ditto pay-check, a hubby and 2point4 kids… yet…she didn’t, to great annoyance of her parents may I add.
She had had a younger brother named Lucas. He had light brown hair, skyblue eyes and a deep tan colouring his boyish good looks. To top it off he was smart and could’ve graduated in practically anything if he’d just put his mind to it. But he didn’t.
He’d rather party and fool around than study and by doing so came in contact with the wrong crowd. He began using and dealing drugs, at first for the kick, later because he needed the money for his daily supply.
Kathleen didn’t have a clue at the time, she just thought he went out a lot. What would she have done if she knew…well… she’ll never know now will she…
Lucas needed more and more money and started handling bigger and more lucrative deals. Naturally he ended up bumping into a special narc-unit and got himself arrested, it was bound to happen sooner or later.
Lucas was found guilty and had to serve 5 years at some prison in Bolton but after two months, he was found dead in his cell because of an overdose, the needle still sticking out of his arm.
That’s the reason why Kathleen had joined the Prison Service, although she would never reveal it to her parents, she wanted to become involved in the prison-scene so she could mean a difference…or so she thought.
And now, now she just wished she could turn back time ‘cause this situation was bound to turn out ugly.
‘Not to mention I have to share a cell with Hollamby…the Gods help me!’ Kathleen thought glumly.

Nikki, completely oblivious to Kathleen’s inner struggle, continued, “Miss Barker will be bunking with Crystal, Helen with Yvonne and Miss Betts with me.”
Well it was not how Nikki would’ve liked it but after the discussion they had had previously…well, best not to raise too much attention to the two of them.

Nikki had first suggested Helen to share her cell but Fenner had interrupted them, alluding that if the coming nights turned out to be too cold they would’ve to share a bunk, keeping warm and all since there aren’t any extra blankets, maybe ‘the lesbian’…oops, pardon me, Nikki Wade, would get a bit amorous and she might feel the urge to…
At that point Helen had interrupted him saying that Dom oughta be worried than, ending Fenner’s anti-lesbian-crusade earlier than he had liked.
’Didn’t the ogre realise that the so-called ‘lesbian’ had saved his life merely 5 minutes ago!’ Helen thought angrily but she kept silent about the sleeping-arrangements, so the others wouldn’t get suspicious but also because she felt a bit scared.
What would happen if they shared a cell together, she would’ve to talk to Nikki…
‘Of course you would doofuss!’
“Oh great! You’re back!”
“Sorry Helen, you said something?” Nikki asked, hoping it was Helen agreeing to bunk with her.
“Euhm…”
‘Shit!’ Helen thought, ‘I said that out loud!’
‘Yep darling you did, watcha gonna do now huh?’
‘Get the fuck out of my head! I really don’t have the time nor the patience for you now!’
‘Alright, alright! Keep yer knickers on will ya!’
“Well, I just said…euhm…’oh great, what a fine rack’!! Yes! That’s what I said! Uhu!!”
‘Wow! Great safe! NOT!!’ Nikki, Karen and Yvonne looked totally aghast, what was this woman on anyway?!
“Ooookay than!” Karen broke the tension, “I’ll bunk with Nikki, Helen with Yvonne, ‘s okay?”
“Fine by me.” Yvonne replied.
“Yeah, sure.” Nikki answered dismayed.
Helen just nodded thinking it ‘d be best just to keep quiet for the time being.
Nikki couldn’t quiet hide the disappointment she felt when she spoke up again, but it was only noticed by 3 others; Helen, Karen and Yvonne.
‘Wonder what’s going on between those two.’ Karen mused.

“Okay! I guess we better get on with our daily routine. The kitchen-staff, can you guys get busy?”
After receiving a positive nod she continued, “Misty, you got some medical experience no? Weren’t you a nurse once?”
Misty, a lean blond woman answered with a high-pitched voice; “Yes, for almost 6 years.”
“Good, could you help me with Miss Hollamby’s leg please? Judging her face it needs some serious attention.”
“Oh okay, but she’ll have to keep that gob of hers shut, don’t like being distracted while working. And I know THAT woman!!”
Hollamby started to say something when Helen quickly put her hand over Sylvia’s mouth.
“I’ll personally see to that Misty!” Helen answered while she kept her hand steady.
Her answer was met by a smiling Misty and a grinning…well, all of them! Everybody knew what a bleedin pain Sylvia could be and everybody planned on getting as far away from her as humanly possible.

Nikki, Helen, Karen, Di Barker, Misty and the two Julies took Hollamby to her designated cell and started working on her battered knee. It had to be said, the old bag could take some pain! She didn’t even glimpse when Misty made a splint on her knee with an iron plate they had found in the kitchen earlier.
After that they had given her some painkillers Yvonne always kept close by for emergencies and put ol’ bodybag to bed. Lunch had been served and it seemed as if the inmates just ignored what had happened all together. The afternoon seemed like any afternoon at Larkhall and wonder above wonder, there had been no fights or arguments. Maybe it was because of the welcomed absence of Shell. She had stayed in her cell all day, not even coming out for some food, not that many of them minded really.
It was 19h38, most of the inmates had come and eaten some sandwiches and were retreating to their cells by driblets. Even Fenner had said he was going to hit the sack and had gone off. Only a few remained in the mess hall, Yvonne, Karen, Nikki, Barbara, Helen, Di and Dom sitting at a table discussing what they could and should do when action should be needed.

“No! We can’t risk it! Even if you got to overpower one, there’ll be at least another one to consider and they will not be shooting with blanks you know!” Barbara said harshly.
“Barbara’s right, it’s too dangerous, I think it’s better to stay in the defensive and wait for now. Let’s first see what they’ve got on their agenda before taking some serious action.” Nikki contributed.
It was Karen and Yvonne who had been trying to persuade the others into taking matters in their own hands and trying to overpower the guards standing outside the gates.
Helen continued, “And we don’t even know what we’re going to find outside. What if there are 30 heavily armed commando’s standing there? The odds are too high.”
A grateful look passed between Nikki and Helen before Karen gave in.
“Yeah, you guys are right. It’s just…well these walls are getting to me you know, I feel awful being cooped up in here.”
Immediately after she said it Karen looked to Nikki and Yvonne, sorry written all over her face.
“I am …” she started but Yvonne was quicker with her reply.
“No shit! Doesn’t feel good now does it Miss Almighty! Not a pleasant experience aye!! ” she rose from her chair and stomped off towards her cell
“Oh Gods! Me and my big mouth! I should go and apologize.”
When she started to rise Nikki said; “Leave her, she just needs to cool off for a while ‘k. Lately she’s been thinking more and more about her Lauren and being locked up in here while your kid’s growing up…just leave her for a while.”
“I…I just didn’t realise what this could evoke in someone. It’s like feeling trapped, being hopelessly adrift and…I don’t seem to cope well.”
“It’s normal to feel this way Karen,” Helen told her, “I feel the same. I’ve been struggling to keep control over my emotion’s all day but it’s hard, I know. It’s hard for all of us but know that you’re not alone okay. I am here,” she looked at the remaining people at the table, lingering a bit longer on Nikki’s frame, “we’re all here for you if you need us.” And she laid her arm over Karen’s shoulder.
Karen gave Helen a grateful smile and nonchalantly tried to brush a stray tear from her cheek but all had seen it, all had seen how the iron governor had broken down, even for this little moment…and by doing so gained a lot more respect. She was human after all, who would’ve thought!

“Helen, could I have a word please?” Nikki asked while she stood.
“Yeah sure,” she answered and to the rest of the group, ”I’ll be right back.”
They had gone off towards the kitchen since no one was going to be there at this hour. They walked towards the far end of the room while Helen inquired after their reason for being there.
“Nikki what’s wrong, why did you want to talk to me and you know, we shouldn’t be doing this too often, you know if they knew about u…” before she could finish her sentence she was engulfed by a pair of strong arms, pulling her tight against Nikki’s body.
“I was so afraid today! When I saw them kicking you in the back this morning I was seeding angry and…when the others wanted to off you…they really…
“It’s okay Nikki, it’s alright, shhhhhhh. I am alright, we’re alright. Calm down sweeth…it’s okay.” Helen stood back a bit but remained in Nikki’s embrace, “It’s okay Nikki.” Helen kept reassuring her while she smoothed Nikki’s brow.
“You know, first I thought this was all a joke, something to do with candid camera or something but than, when they hit Hollamby and…kicking you guys…I almost lost it.”
“Well I am glad you didn’t, and I know how you feel. At first I thought the same thing. It was so unreal and I couldn’t really process what was going on…till they cuffed us that is, then I knew.”
Nikki noted Helen’s ashen face.
“Are you okay? You look a bit pale. What you just told us at the table, is it true? Helen you can always talk to me you know that right?”
“Yes…yes I do but…it’s like Karen said, it feels weird and I still don’t totally grasp it all I guess. We are hostages Nikki… oh Gods, what are they going to do to us!!” she exclaimed loudly when finally registered what had truly happened to them all.
“Come here, I’ve got you, it’s gonna be okay love.”
‘How quickly the roles have reversed’ Nikki thought when she seated Helen on the formica table in the back-corner while she remained standing herself.
‘She even looks magnificent when she’s crying her heart out!’
Huge tears were rolling down the cheeks of a crying Helen Stewart, leaving streaks of mascara-smudges in there wake.
“Helen? Hey, look at me!” Nikki asked and gently lifted Helen’s chin while trying to look more confident than she really felt, “We’re going to get out of this okay? We are in no imminent danger and at this time the authorities will have figured out what’s happening here and they’ll have you out in no time!”
Helen seemed to believe her for one fleeting second but then tears started welling up again and sobs racked her body anew.
“Ow, come here.” Nikki moved in between Helen’s legs and gently took her back in her arms, trying to seclude her from the world outside, protecting her as best as she could.
Between sobs Helen managed to croak out; “It’s not… it’s not about me getting out of here Nikki…it’s about…you…I…I don’t want you to get hurt…and…you…”
“What is it love? What?”
“Ugh…you always get yourself smackdab in the middle of things don’t you!” Helen exclaimed while she pulled back, “You really know how to push my buttons you know!” she angrily spat towards Nikki and she jumped off the table.
Nikki was momentarily taken aback by this sudden outburst , “Excuse me?! What have I done now?
“What have I done now?! You are the leader now aren’t ya! That large group of women out there look to you to sort things out! And when the shit’s gonna hit the fan YOU are going to be wobbling in it!!”
The two stood facing each other now, sparks flying from one side to the other.
“Helen! It’s not as if I had a choice now did I?! What should I’ve done? Let you get ripped to pieces? For some this could account for paybacks for ditching one but I just don’t work that way!!”
“No wise-ass but you could’ve stayed off that table aye!! You could’ve kept your mouth shut and mind your own business after that! But NOOOO! Miss WadeslashCheGevara had to run and play friggin amazone now did she!! Trying to lay a coup or what!? This is not like on television or in some comic-book you know!!” Helen kept getting angrier and angrier and with that came a more pronounced Scottish lilt Nikki hadn’t had the pleasure of hearing before.
‘Scratch my earlier remark! She’s breathtaking when she’s pissed!’ Nikki thought, amused by Helen’s little outburst.
“Helen, breath, slowly. Get some oxygen in your body.”
Helen stood there still fuming, trying to regain her self-composure and she seemed to get there after a minute or two.
“Okay, okay, I am good. But I am still mad at you you know!”
“I know, but Helen, there wasn’t any other option. I wanted to get their attention away from you guys and that’s the only way I knew how, you see?”
“Yeah, I guess.” Helen exhaled, “Euhm…I think I need to apologize, I was a bit out of line there…sorry Nik.”
Nikki was delighted when Helen had said called her Nik but kept that joy bottled up inside, “No need to, all water under the bridge okay. You feeling better now? Get all that negative energy out of you?”
Helen smiled at that and answered; “Yes, thanks…again.”
“My pleasure.”
Their eyes locked again and they didn’t look away this time. A heavy silence fell upon them while they kept staring at the other, each lost in her their own thoughts, feelings and the other’s eyes.
For Helen it was as if she was falling I a huge brown pool, blinding her with it’s magnificence and Nikki felt lost in the deep orbs of the woman standing in front of her. Ever so slowly they inched forward. It was as if there was a strong magnet pulling them together and when they were just a breath away from each other, Dominique entered the kitchen, loudly asking where they were.
Quickly they jumped away from the other, looking sheepishly to the floor. It was as if Helen came out of a daze, she tried to get her bearings back by pulling her vest down and looking at everything but Nikki.
Nikki for her part was seeding as hell and cast an angry glance at the oblivious Dominique still standing in the doorway.
“Stupid little boy, figures he would walk in on us!” Nikki angrily muttered through clenched teeth.
“Yeah Dom! Where here and we’ll be right out okay!” Helen answered him.
Dom seemed pleased by the answer and left the kitchen hurriedly, not understanding why Nikki gave him the evil eye.
“What do you mean by that Nikki?” she whispered.
“Huh! That’s a good one! Or are you just trying to play the ignorant one?!”
“No! I really don’t get it! Tell me!”
“This is rich! The boy’s been after your arse for it seems forever and you have the gall to tell me you haven’t noticed?! Or is HE the reason you had enough of me?! Lately I’ve been hearing more and more of the women speculating when you two are going to get together and I’ve…I’ve always thought it was just bollocks but…you wanted a man all along anyways didn’t you Helen!? You know what!? You can have him! You both really make a match!!” and with that Nikki ran out off the kitchen, passed the stunned people still sitting at the table, straight towards her cell where she threw herself on her bunk and started sobbing uncontrollably. The whole ordeal and now Helen being infatuated by McAllister…it was all a bit too much for her. Why couldn’t life be a bit more simpler and easier?
Helen still stood there, rooted to the ground.
“What the hell just happened here!” she asked herself.
‘Well, you made the woman you’ve got the hots for thinking you’re into acne-boy over there!’
“What!! I did no such thing! Why the hell did she get that impression?!”
‘Maybe because you didn’t argue the fact when she brought it up? Because you were still not over the strong attraction you shared with her and you just stood there like a pathetic vegetable when she called you upon your so called ‘liaison’ with Dom?’
“Oh Gods!”
‘You can say that again!’
“Oh Gods!… Maybe, maybe it’s for the best, we agreed to stop whatever was happening between us so we would remain safe.”
‘No Helen, YOU stopped it…’cause you were scared. THAT’s the real reason and frankly, it’s pathetic. I thought I had more spine than that. She’s the best thing that ever happened to you. You DO realize that don’t you?! She even risked her life today saving your sorry ass and you’re just willing to throw away such a brave loving woman…for what?! Afraid of the reaction you’ll get of the world? Scared to tell your family? Maybe even loose them? Ashamed to walk hand in hand over the street with her?!’
“Oh give it a rest. We’re better off on our own and that’s how things will stay, end of discussion.”
And with that Helen strode out of the kitchen, back to the table were the others were casting curious glances in her direction, wondering what happened between the two friends.

Will be continued...