NV

I must have fallen asleep from being fear-stricken. I peeped from under the bed to ensure it was safe to make a run for it. I glanced at my phone; it was 3:30 am. I have been under here for 6 hours. My legs were cramped, and I couldn’t wait to take this cocktail dress off, but I was too afraid to move to get this charley horse out of my thigh. It was so quiet, and I had no idea where Ericka, Andrea, or Victoria were. All I know is that we messed up. I slowly got up from underneath the bed, trying not to make a sound. The only thing that could be heard was the rain hitting the mansard roof. It had been raining since we arrived 2 days ago, and right now, I wish I could turn back the hands of time and listen to Samuel and Rochelle; they both warned me not to come, so much for seeking honest advice. I asked for it, then turned it down. I looked around again and spotted the doors I came through, which led out to the pool area.

I saw some black Converse by the door and slipped into them. I ran outside through the sliding doors into the pouring rain. It was so cold and dark that I used my phone to see where I was going. It was so cold outside, so I used my hands to warm myself up. As I looked around, all the cars were gone; no one was in sight; it seemed completely different from when we first entered this vast estate. I had a pain in my stomach the moment we arrived here. I had no idea this was all from something we did over 25 years ago. I should have listened to my gut or, better yet, stayed at home where I could be finishing up my morals and ethics paper for my American literature course.

I dialed Samuel’s number, which rang three times and went straight to voicemail. “Damn it, Did he just hang up on me while I was in a crisis?” panicked Oshea

The phone rang, and it was Samuel. I picked up.

“Samuel,” I whispered, continuing to walk

“Hello,” Samuel answered

“Samuel, I should have listened to you.”

“What? Oshea? Girl, why are you whispering?

“Samuel, can you please come get me? I can send you my location.

“Where are...” “The phone hangs up

“Samuel, Samuel, damn it! Did you not have your phone charged?

I continued to search and walk around for someone driving or someone to notice a girl with a dress on and no jacket walking in the rain, and yet no one was in sight, not a car, not a bicycle; it was like the town and its inhabitants had disappeared into the night. The rain was beginning to slacken, and I could see a bus stop. I sat down, hoping a bus would come. I was away from my home in Jacksonville, Florida, where they conveniently ran 24 hours a day. After sitting here for what seemed like 8 hours, it was only 10 minutes, and I was more nervous than before I sat down. I am in an unknown city surrounded by darkness and silence.

Suddenly, I heard a bus, and it was coming my way. I quickly reached into my pocket to see if I had some change, and I only had my American Express. Luckily, when I got on the bus, I could swipe my card for the bus fare. I went to the back of the bus, calmer as I was closer to escaping this weird party that Irene had invited us to. I should have known that something was up with her. We haven’t heard from her, but she pops up out of nowhere. We thought she didn’t make it from what we did, but here she was, haunting us.

I lay my head on the seat next to me, and suddenly, I felt the bus slowing down, and the doors swung open. Who else was getting on the bus at 4 a.m.? I thought. I glanced at my phone again, and Samuel was calling back; before I could answer, I looked up, and Irene stood right before me. I jumped back and was awakened by an elderly woman standing in my face

“Ma’am, Ma’am,” She shook me. “Are you okay? Has the bus already come? Said the old lady with a plastic bag covering her head from the rain.

I looked around and was still at the bus stop; it was daylight.

I’m not crazy, goddamn it! I’m so tired of people looking at me like I’m making this shit up. I did everything she asked of me and brought them to her. I knew what they had done, but I was too afraid to speak up. But this, I am not taking the fall for this.

It’s been almost a year since I was charged with 3 counts of 1st degree murder, and the trial is one week away. The only thing I can do now is tell the truth, no matter how ridiculous it may sound. For no,w I have been stuck in a crazy house. The name of this place is less important; just know I am not supposed to be here with the rest.

“Shea,” whispered the nurse. Nurse Hill had been the only person here whom I hadn’t had to snap at. She spoke to me like a person, and since I’ve been her,e we have had time to get to know each other. She is a very caring and patient lady, and when I get out of here, I plan to come back and visit her.

“It’s time for your medication, dear,” She handed me a cup of water and 3 big ass pills. They had me on 3 different medications and diagnosed me with psychosis and schizophrenia. When I was 10 years old, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. No one knew. I was able to hide it with the medication I was taking, but my illness had nothing to do with this.

During the trial, my lawyer advised me not to say anything and to let her do all the talking, what a mistake that was.

“Let me see,” asked Nurse Hall

Even though she checked to make sure I took the meds, I never did. I knew that if I took them, it would really mess me up. I hated to lie to her, but I was on a mission to get my life back in order, and I didn’t care who I had to lie to.

In a few days, I will be going for a retrial. After replaying what had happened in my head many times and seeing pictures of the bloody scene, I almost didn’t believe it happened to me. I have only shared it with one person, Mr. Riley, my therapist, who was the one who advised me to tell my part; other than that, I would have been sitting here living in my misery.

“Mr. Riley, good to see you again,” said the receptionist while hanging up the phone.

“Okay thank you.”

Mr. Riley is a criminal psychologist. When I was first introduced to him, I thought he was going to be like the rest of them, asking me all these ridiculous questions to make it seem like I was really crazy, like a project to get into my mind, but he was a different breed; he actually listened to me. Everything I’ve told him he has never second guessed me. He really believes my story as he tells me he has been through a similar experience, but we won’t get into that in this story. Mr. Riley is genuine and loves what he does.

“And how are you today, Ms. Oshea?” he asked sitting his briefcase on the ground and sitting next to her.

“I’m alright,” I told him

“Well, it’s almost time, and I have some paperwork for you to sign.”

“Look, I know you are nervous, but you have nothing to worry about. I am going to be right there with you. Don’t worry about anyone else there, it’s your truth.” He looks at me and smiles.

I signed every document he gave me. We talked for a few more minutes, then he left. The next time I was to see him would be in court.

It was 4 am, and I heard a knock at my door. It was Nurse Hall.

“Time to wake up, dear, it’s time for court.”

“What the hell, people really wake up this early for court?” What was the rush? Even though I was super tired, I was ready to get this day over with. I was able to put on normal clothes for the first time in months. Even though it wasn’t quite my style, I felt good. Mr. Riley waited for me at the front gate.

“It will be over soon my dear”.

We drove off, and 30 minutes later, we arrived at the courthouse. Before we went i,n he said a prayer. I didn’t believe in god much these days, but Mr.Riley had enough faith for the both of us. Moments later, we walked into court with our battle faces on, carrying nothing but the truth.

The setting was much smaller than a regular courtroom. The only people that were present were Judge Shaw, Mr. Riley, myself, and another gentleman that Mr. Riley introduced to me as his colleague, Mr. Graham, who was the prosecution. Then, a small jury of my peers of about 6 people.

The smell of the courtroom terrified me, but I sat straight up in my chair, hoping no one could smell the fear radiating from my root chakra. I had been waiting for this for a while, and it’s finally here. My life is in the hands of these people that sit before me, either I will be leaving here, going home to raise my daughter, or be classified as a crazy, psychotic murderer.