Writings for Got

House Martel/week 2/prompt 4/story

Seeing Through The Lies

“Tell me the whole story,” he said calmly. “Take your time.”

“I'm not sure where to begin.” Lana held her head low and couldn't make eye contact.

“At the beginning. Start at the beginning.” The detective was standing, leaning on his desk, arms crossed waiting for the young girl in custody to give him something to go on.

Lana still had shaky hands and tried to take a sip of water but choked trying to swallow.
Her memory was coming back slowly but the truth was horrific.

“I was jogging, just jogging-you know. I had my ear buds on and listening to music.” Her eyes blinking trying to stop the tears. “It was supposed to be the most beautiful day of my life.”

“So as you were saying, you were jogging.” Drake couldn't help but feel pity for Lana but felt impatient at the same time.

“Yes, yes I was jogging. I was going to meet my boyfriend and then we were making plans for our graduation night. He wanted to go and check out dresses with me. He's like that you know-he doesn't mind shopping.” Lana smiled at the thought.

“So did you reach your boyfriend? Was he where you expected him to be?”

“I did see him but he didn't wait for me. A car pulled over and he hopped in. That isn't like him. He wouldn't do that to me. Adrian is much more considerate than that.” Her hands rubbing together and still in disbelief about what had happened.

“What did you do Lana, when he jumped into that car? Did you recognize the car?”

“No, no sir I didn't know the car at all. I just stood there and the car drove right by me. The windows were tinted so I saw nothing. He must have seen me. I can't imagine why he didn't stop.”

Detective Mercer walked around his desk and pulled up a chair facing Lana.

“You do know what happened today, right? You know that Adrian was apart of this horrific crime. Lana you were the only person in his immediate life. There has got to be something you know about him to help us out here.”

“No! I have nothing to tell you. I swear that Adrian was a great student, we did things everyday together. His family lives far away and they sent him here for a better life. Yesterday we had to get him a new cell phone because his broke. He said it was urgent for him to have one because he needed to reach his family, so I bought him one.”

“Do you have that receipt Lana?”

“Yes I have it. Adrian was going to pay me back when his parents sent the money. I don't know what a cell phone has to do with any of this. You are making accusations sir. You have no idea if Adrian was apart of that crime or not. Maybe he was a victim.” Lana wept and shook at the very thought of Adrian dying in such a terrible way. She wished she knew his parents number so she could call them. They needed to know.

“Lana, do you know his parents? Have you ever spoken to them? Or seen them on a computer or a picture?”

“Actually, no I haven't. Adrian was very private when it came to his parents. When he spoke to them on the phone it was always in another room. Mostly when we are together his parents aren't mentioned.”

“Okay, then. Lana if Adrian didn't discuss his parents with you why would he ask you to replace a phone in your name on his behalf? How long have you known him? Do you realize that he was placing you in a situation that could damage your future?”

Lana tried to stand up but was placed back into her chair. “I want to leave. I want to go home.”

“Sorry, but you can't leave just yet. There is way too much at stake here. Your name is now involved with the crime. Do you know where Adrian lived?”

“Of course I know. We never hung out there but I do know. He said his apartment was a dump and it wasn't very tidy. He would be ashamed to bring me there.”

“Right.” Detective Mercer paced the floor with his head in his hands. He knew that this girl was innocent and he really wanted to let her go. Knowing it couldn't happen, not now anyway. He had to play his cards right.

“Lana the only way I can help you right now, is if you tell me how long you have known him, where he lives and the receipt for the phone you purchased.”

“I told you everything I can. I mean what else do you want from me. I met Adrian six months ago when he came here to go to school. He lives on the North side of the city. An older part of the city. It is an apartment building across from the butcher shop. I knew that because he always promised he was going to cook me dinner from the freshest meat in town. He also promised me that when his parents came to visit, I would meet them.”

“It seems as though Adrian made a lot of promises didn't he.”

“Yes, yes he did. That is why I don't understand him getting in that car without saying a word to me.”

“People like Adrian make promises they never intend on keeping Lana. They use people to get what they need or want. You were the perfect person for Adrian to scoop up under his evil spell. He needed you to stay connected with “his” people, not his parents. Understand?”

Reality was setting in now and Lana started to think back to when Adrian first introduced himself. His English was very good for someone who just arrived from half way around the world. He was confident and not shy. He was so self sufficient. He always took control of their relationship with so many secrets.

Hours and hours went by before Lana was allowed to leave but not without an escort. She was now in protective custody. Curled up on her sofa the news channel played it over and over again. The bombing of a very populated mall. Over a hundred people died and so many more hurt. Children without parents and parents looking for children. It was too horrible to watch. As she was about to turn it off, his face appeared on the screen. His name wasn't Adrian, he wasn't the person she thought he was.

Her life has changed for ever.

word count/1113