Marcella waited in the holding cell. No one came even near her. She tried to ask why she was getting held and whether they would let her go. But no one answered her.
When that didn't work, she screamed at the top of her lungs, asking for one phone call. She shouted that she was held there unlawfully.
But that didn't work.
She didn't know how long she was there. The room had no windows and the lights were on. She was hungry, tired, and hurting. Her worry for her sister made everything worse.
Her sister has a one-month-old baby at home! How is that poor baby holding up without his mother?
She wanted to cry but her tears had dried up. Never in her life did she feel this helpless. She felt like everything around her was crumbling.
Her stomach hurt. She wanted to go to the toilet. But looking at the dirty stainless-steel monstrosity in the room, she felt like throwing up. She curled into a ball and faced the wall.
She heard noises around her. In the holding cell next to hers, there was a drunken man who was shouting profanities. The guard slammed the bar with his torch and that didn't stop that man. He went on cursing everyone he knew.
Marcella wanted to be anywhere but there.
After what seemed to be an eternity, a cop came to her. Marcella ran up to the bars. He offered her a cheeseburger and fries with soda.
Marcella begged him. "Please, Sir. I do not want food. Let me out…"
The cop sighed. "Look, sweetheart. I cannot let you out."
"At least,' Marcella held his hand. She read his name on the tag. "Please, Officer Graham… tell me if they've found Mellissa Romano. Please…"
With tears streaming down her cheeks, she begged. The drunken man got annoyed by her crying and cussed her. She didn't stop begging. The cop sighed again. She could see that he was moved. If she begs him some more, he will tell her everything.
"I'll tell you everything, young one…"
An older cop walked in. He had a big belly that swayed side to side as he walked. His arms were spread wide and he was stuffing his face with a burger.
"…if you kneel in front of me," the other cop stood in front of her cell.
Marcella took an unconscious step back. Her heart started pounding. The smile on that cop's face was creepy.
"Do fun stuff to me. I'll tell you whatever you want to hear…" the fat cop chortled looking at the ceiling. His belly jiggled and he almost choked while he laughed. Almost.
He reached out his hand to her. "You're a pretty young thing. How good are you at s*cking?"
Marcella covered her chest out of instinct and walked backward until her back hit the wall. Now more than ever, she was scared.
She is in a police precinct where a cop wants to take advantage of her. She knew no one could help her here. She didn't even know if she'd be allowed to leave. She's heard of what happened to women in the hands of cops. No one can do anything against the nasty ones who had the power to do whatever they wanted.
"Get lost, Everett. Leave the lady alone!" the cop who brought her the food pushed the fat cop out of the holding area.
Marcella's legs went weak and she squatted on the floor. Hugging herself, she leaned on the wall. She didn't know what was going on around her. She was surrounded by danger.
She was so tired and yet she didn't let herself fall asleep. But without knowing, she dozed off. Hearing a clang on the metal bar, she bounced up.
"You can go now," Officer Graham said. "You can freshen up. There is running water," he pointed at the basin.
"No, I am fine," Marcella got out the moment the gate opened. "Thank you," she said holding his hand. It was from her heart. She knew this kind-hearted cop saved her.
After collecting her things, she ran out of the precinct. She didn't even wait to check the time. She just wanted to get out.
The bright sunlight fell on her face from the midst of the buildings just as she stepped out. She covered her face. The streets were busy with people getting to work.
She ran to the subway. Everyone was staring at her weirdly. She must look terrible. She was hungry, she was tired. She needed to change.
She wanted to use the restroom first and got to her home. On the way, however, she picked up some newspapers.
She went home and after refreshing herself, she ate the leftover porridge from the previous day. While eating, she read the papers.
She didn't have to look far to learn the news. On the second page, she read the dreaded terrible news.
Her sister and her brother-in-law were both dead.