The Psychopath's Prisoner

by Darla Lark

  “I have one question, Doctor Farmer.”

  “Of course.”

  Raina asked, “Is that trach going to be permanent?”

  “No. The reason being we are all born with two lungs and there have been people whom I’ve operated on where I had to remove one of their lungs. These people are still living and they only have one lung. As long as we have one lung or even one kidney, we can still survive. Although, depending on an individual’s health, a trach can be permanent, but that’s mostly in people who have more difficulty breathing on their own. However, with Cheyenne, I don’t see that being a permanent problem for her.”

  “What do you mean it’s going to be a long and painful process?”

  “Once she comes to, she’s going to be in a lot of pain.”

  “She’ll be on pain meds, right?”

  “Yes. I’ll prescribe something for the nurses’ to give her. Any other questions?”

  “Yes,” Raina said. “How long is it going to take for her to fully recover and can we see her?”

  Dr. Farmer sighed. “Everyone is different which makes it difficult to estimate. She is still young, so she could recover sooner. Only time will tell. Yes you can see her, but one at a time and not very long. She needs to rest. Anything else?” They shook their heads in unison. “If you have any further questions, let one of the nurses’ know and they’ll be more than glad to answer them.” He turned to go.

  Michael piped up. “Oh, doc.”

  Dr. Farmer turned back to face Michael. “Yes?”

  “Thank you.”

  With a comforting smile, he said, “I did the best I could.” Then he walked away.

  Mrs. Warner and Raina each placed a hand on Michael’s shoulders. “It sounds like good news. She’s still alive,” Mrs. Warner noted.

  Michael stoically walked over to one of the seats and plopped in it. He wept. “Why? Why Cheyenne? It’s my fault. I should have protected her. It should’ve been me. I should be in that hospital bed, not her. Not my Cheyenne.”

  Raina reached out for him. “Michael, look at me. Look at me.” He raised his head and their eyes met. “This is not your fault. Stop blaming yourself, please. I know she won’t blame you. She loves you.” She gave an encouraging smile and patted his leg. “Now let’s go see her.”

  “Okay.”

  ~

  Mrs. Warner, Raina, and Michael took turns visiting with Cheyenne. Cheyenne lie in the hospital bed with a heart machine and other machines attached to her. It was disheartening. All they could do was hope and pray for a speedy recovery. They wanted her back.

  Chapter 56

  Damn! Too bad I missed on that second shot. I was going to finish the job. Cheyenne could not survive. She had to pay. I’m extremely angry with myself for missing that second shot. If I hadn’t, she would be dead for sure. Eric paced the floor and smacked his head as he screamed. What an idiot I am. Perhaps I should have fired a third shot. At least she would be dead. Eric began to laugh. However, I’m going to finish her off once and for all. All I need is a nursing uniform. Only then can I put my plan into motion and get close to her. No one will recognize me.

  Eric held his knife and ran a finger up and down the blade. I can’t wait to see my handiwork. It’s going to be beautiful. To see the pain on Michael’s face… that will be worthwhile once he sees his wife carved up like a Thanksgiving turkey. “Oh Mikey boy, you will never have Cheyenne.” Eric cackled. “You are going to only know pain from here on out.”

  Chapter 57

  Time seemed to stand still but her condition improved. Michael, Raina, and Mrs. Warner took turns staying with her for the last three days. They talked and read to her all hoping for a quick recovery.

  “Hey Chey,” Raina said as she walked over to her sister. “Guess what I got? I did a little shopping this morning and I bought this great pair of heels. They are turquoise and would look great with that black fringe dress in your closet. When you wake up, I’ll show them to you.” She bit her lip. “You’ve got to come to, Chey. We need you. I miss talking with my best friend.” She pulled a chair next to the hospital bed. She kept talking to her sister when Raina heard Cheyenne moan. “Chey?” Cheyenne moaned again. “Chey, Chey. You’re awake!” Cheyenne opened her eyes. Raina was excited. “Oh sis! You’re back. You’re back.”

  Cheyenne blinked her eyes, wondering what happened. Where was she? How did she get here? She gazed at Raina questioningly.

  Knowing that Cheyenne wanted answers, Raina grabbed her hand. “I’ll tell you everything, but I’ll go get Michael and Mrs. Warner first. Okay?” Cheyenne nodded slightly. “Be right back.”

  When Raina walked out, Cheyenne looked around the room trying to get her bearings and figure out where she was. It was a small room with white walls. It was lined with pink and blue flowered border paper. Instead of there being a door, a set of curtains was in place. Reaching up to touch her neck, she felt something down her throat. She looked up and saw all the machines beeping around her. Frustrated, Cheyenne hit her side where she had had the surgery and cried out in pain.

  Michael walked in, saw her eyes open, and rushed to her side. “Baby, you’re awake.” He noticed her agitation. “What’s wrong?”

  She held her side with one hand and pointed with the other. She tried to talk, but she couldn’t. Cheyenne wanted to scream. It upset her to not understand what was going on.

  “Hey. It’ll be all right. I promise.” He kissed her.

  Cheyenne started to cry in her attempt to communicate with him, but he didn’t understand her. Raina walked in and Cheyenne looked at her with pleading eyes.

  Raina understood. “Michael, I know what she wants.”

  “What’s that?” he asked without taking his eyes off his wife.

  “She wants to know how she got here. Am I right, Chey?” Cheyenne nodded. “I’ll explain when Mrs. Warner comes back from the restroom.”

  Cheyenne nodded and pointed to her throat. “Your throat hurts?” Cheyenne nodded. Raina held up her index finger. “I’ll go ask the nurse what she can give you to help with that.”

  ~

  Cheyenne brows furrowed in anger while she stared up at the ceiling after her sister’s explanation. Of course. Eric did this. Hopefully the ones’ who helped him escape would be severely punished for putting her life in danger once again. Now she had to worry about fighting for her life again. When would this nightmare end? She started to wish she had died. At least, that way, she wouldn’t have to endure more. Why didn’t they let her die so she didn’t have to have any further fears? He wasn’t going to give up until she was dead anyway, so why not let her die?

  “Cheyenne, sweetheart,” Mrs. Warner said, “don’t worry. The police and Detective Lawrence are keeping an eye out for Eric. Detective Lawrence also has an officer outside the door twenty- four seven. You are protected. Eric won’t ever hurt you again.”

  Tears streamed down her face, Cheyenne moaned and shook her head. No one could protect her from him. He would always find a way to get to her. Over the last year, he had more than proven it.

  A nurse walked in. “Hello Mrs. O’Neill. Welcome back.” She checked Cheyenne’s pulse and replaced both bags of saline and pain medicine. “How are you feeling?” Cheyenne waved her hand. “I’m refilling your pain medicine to make your pain go away for a while because the pain you feel now would be a lot worse. Trust me. I’ve seen it before.”

  Everyone watched the nurse. Cheyenne suddenly felt sleepy. She began to fall asleep even as she tried to fight it, but her attempts to stay awake failed. Cheyenne drifted off and heard Michael whisper, “I hope a police officer being out there can keep her safe where I could not.”

  Chapter 58

  Two weeks later, Cheyenne moved out of ICU and was talking. Her voice sounded like a frog’s croak, but she was talking. Michael, Raina, and Mrs. Warner were at the hospital every day with her.

  Cheyenne gazed out the window and quietly watched the tree tops sway in the breeze. “Rain?”


  “What’s up?”

  “Thank you.”

  “For what?” Raina asked from the leather chair she sat in and studied her sister across the room.

  “Being here for me through all this craziness.”

  “Stop thanking me. It’s what sisters are for. I’m just glad that you’re alive and doing better.”

  “You know it’s not over yet, don’t you?”

  Raina sighed. She knew what Cheyenne was talking about. “Yeah. I know, but we have to have some faith in the police.”

  “Yeah. Well. You saw how that worked out. No one, not even the police, can protect me. Eric is highly intelligent. One way or the other, he’ll find a way to get to me. There’s just no stopping him, Rain. You and Michael should just go away and let him finish me off. Protect yourselves.” Cheyenne felt defeated. She knew there was no hope. He was going to kill her.

  Raina rushed to her sister’s side and grabbed her hand to squeeze. “Don’t talk like that! We are not giving up on you or finding Eric. I know we’ll get him, Chey. Michael, well, he’d be even more discouraged if he heard you talking like this. He’s blaming himself for this.” She nodded at Cheyenne’s wound. “Don’t give up, because we’re not giving up on you nor are we losing hope. All I ask is that you not mention this conversation to Michael. Okay?”

  Cheyenne reluctantly agreed. She knew her sister was right. “I won’t. The last thing I want to do is hurt him any further.”

  “Besides, sis, by giving up, you’re letting Eric have the control over you that he so desperately craves. Don’t allow him to do this to you again. Be a survivor, not a victim.”

  Cheyenne sighed. “I know. You’re right. It’s just so hard to see you guys worrying over me so much. To see what you and Michael have gone through because of me and what Eric has done. I can hardly bare to see how difficult it has been for you. Don’t try to deny it, Rain. I can see the toll it’s taken on you. I know things have been especially difficult for Michael. Neither of you have been very good at hiding the wear and tear on yourselves. On top of everything, Aiden is dead because of me.”

  “He’s emotional. So am I. It’s because we love you so much. No matter what, Chey, we’ll never stop caring or worrying about you. You know you would do the same thing if the situation was reversed. Yes, it has taken its toll on us, but we would do it all over again. We love you and so does Mrs. Warner. If we didn’t want to be by your side, we wouldn’t.” Raina gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and whispered. “We’re family. What else is family but to support one another?” Raina sighed. “As much as I hate to say this, I’m going to admit it. I think Aiden deserved what he got. The marriage was pretty much over with, anyhow.”

  Cheyenne began to respond to what Raina said when Michael walked in. “Hey baby. How are you feeling?”

  “As good as I can for being in here.”

  “I hear that. At least you’re doing better and out of ICU.”

  “Yeah. Well. All I want to do is go home and get out of this place.”

  “Soon baby. Soon.”

  “She’s been impatient. That’s all she’s been talking about.” Raina gave her a warning look. “I keep telling her to be patient, get healed up, and it’ll happen.”

  “One thing I’ve learned since she’s been living with me is that she definitely knows what she wants.”

  “Hey! Guys! I’m right here.”

  “Sometimes we have to talk in front of you to get your attention, sis.”

  “I’m sure that’s what it is. Why don’t we switch places and see how you feel? Keep in mind that I’m the one who was stalked and shot. Remember that,” Cheyenne reminded them.

  Michael pursed his lips. “I’m sorry. It should’ve been me. You can’t imagine how it makes me feel and how much it hurts to see you in here. It pains me, Chey.”

  She stared at him and her heart melted. The look on his face was filled with pain and sorrow. “Michael, I know it’s not your fault. I’m just frustrated with being here. All I want to do is go home.”

  “I know, baby. I know, but you’ll have to be patient. Okay?” he whispered.

  She shrugged her left shoulder. “Okay.” When she looked over to say something to Raina, her sister wasn’t there. “Where’d she go?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe she went to the restroom.”

  Cheyenne sighed. “Maybe.”

  ~

  Fifteen minutes later, Raina reappeared. She had been crying.

  “Sorry, Chey. I had to give you two sometime alone. It was getting too emotional for me.”

  The nurse’s form shadowed the door. She came in, checked her vitals, and gave her pain meds. “How are you feeling today, Mrs. O’Neill?”

  “Let’s put it this way, I’d rather be at home. I’d definitely be much happier there.”

  “I understand. No one wants to be in the hospital, but there is an upside to it all.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You will go home. Being in here won’t last forever.” She patted Cheyenne’s leg. “Just focus on getting better, honey. You’ll get there.” The nurse snapped up the clipboard, winked and smiled. “You’re getting there, sweetie.” She left the room.

  “She seemed optimistic,” Raina stated.

  “Let’s hope things get better.” Hearing the words aloud, Cheyenne knew she didn’t mean only herself. No matter how much she wanted to get better, she wanted Eric to leave her alone even more so. Though there were no further discussions about him, he wasn’t far from her thoughts.

  ~

  Michael and Raina stayed for a few hours before leaving for the night. Mrs. Warner visited for a little while as well. After they left, Cheyenne breathed a sigh of relief. Though their visits were welcome, she was also glad when they left. The only bad thing about being alone was that it made her think. Eric. When would he show up again? What was he planning for her this time? Oh God! Please help me, but mostly my family.

  Chapter 59

  I felt the cart vibrate as its wheels wobbled on the highly polished floor. It reminded me of how Cheyenne would quiver when we came face to face. Getting out of prison was easier than I thought but only because I had assistance—the chumps. Now, Cheyenne and I will be together, but only for a short time. Her time was up. She’d committed the worst act—trying to put me behind bars. There was no recourse: she had to die. “Sorry, babe, but you have to die,” I whispered, listening to the giddiness of my voice. I nodded. Time to pay your dues. Long overdue.

  Chapter 60

  Cheyenne stared out the window and considered things. When would Eric show up next? When would she be able to return to her normal life? She and Michael hadn’t gotten the opportunity to start their life together. She felt guilty especially after seeing the pain in his eyes and on his face. It made her heart ache. Poor Michael. He had been through so much because of her. Raina wasn’t faring much better. Even though Raina hid it from her face, she couldn’t hide the sorrow in her eyes. It made Cheyenne feel extremely guilty about everything she had put Michael and Raina through. She wished she knew how to stop Eric and ease her family’s pain. Her gut told her that things would be coming to a head soon. It would all be over soon enough. She knew that he was on his way. It was only a matter of time, but he was coming. It wouldn’t surprise her if he showed up in her hospital room.

  Cheyenne closed her eyes. All I can do is be a sitting duck. It’s not like I can go anywhere and I doubt the officers outside can protect me.

  ~

  Shuffling noises in her room woke Cheyenne. Barely opening her eyes, she noticed someone moving around. Not thinking much of it, she closed her eyes again. After all the nurses were always in and out of her room throughout the night so she didn’t fret. She tried to go back to sleep, but as she lay there she felt a sudden overwhelming rush of uneasiness. She slowly opened her eyes and saw a familiar pair of eyes staring down at her.

  “You.”

  “Did you miss me, Cheyenne?” His twist
ed smile appeared eerie in the shadowy light.

  “What are you doing here?”

  He stroked her hair. “You already know.” He crawled into her bed while kissing her.

  Repulsed, Cheyenne cringed as he fondled and kissed her. It sickened her to see him again, but she had expected him and here he was. It was like before. No one to help her. She knew that even if someone tried, they would be killed. Now she really was alone and was going to die that way.

  “Why can’t you leave me alone? What have I ever done to you? I never even knew you before I moved into my apartment. How could you do all those horrible things to me? Why?”

  “You ask a lot of questions.” He scoffed. “Of course. You’re a writer. You’re supposed to be curious. Curiosity kills sometimes, Cheyenne.” His hand moved up from her breast to her throat. “If only you weren’t so smart. It wouldn’t have to end this way.” His hand compressed on her throat.

  Cheyenne tried to scream, but his hand was cutting off her ability to even talk much less breathe. She stared into his eyes and saw an evil like she’d never seen before. He was enjoying her torture and wasn’t about to stop. There was no way she was going to make it out alive this time. She was sure of it.

  “You nearly destroyed me, Cheyenne.” He laughed. “You didn’t and you won’t, but I will destroy you and your family. What you did to me is unforgivable. I don’t understand why you wanted to turn your back on a life we could’ve had together. I’ve given you all the chances I’m going to give.”