“You are dumb, aren’t you?” Clarissa says mockingly as she tries to control her laughter. “I don’t care what anyone has been through, a crime is a crime.” Before Annalise can muster up any courage to say a word Clarissa continues. “You know I just arrested a couple who was beating their children. The husband grew up in an abusive home and the wife insisted that beating the kids was the only way she would’ve been safe from her husband. I should have just let them go… poor things.” Clarissa didn’t have to say another word for Ann to feel attacked.

“That is not what I meant!”

“Oh, then what did you mean?” Clarissa’s tone now becomes aggressively mocking or as many would say, this is the tone you use to piss off a monk.

“I didn’t mean you should have let them go,” Ann replies as calmly as she can. “But you don’t know Kane like I do. There is something wrong with him and he needs help.”

“You were supposed to be giving him help, weren’t you?” Annalise bites her lip in anger unable to find an answer. “But you did help him I guess, you did give him those sleeping pills.” Ann looks at her confused. “Did I forget to mention the man was knocked out with sleeping pills… medically prescribed sleeping pills.” As a flashback plays before her eyes, Ann is utterly horrified and speechless.

“…,” Ann tries to speak but is horrified.

“I hate people like you, think they know better,” Clarissa says in a smug tone. “I’ll tell you this. The man that was killed, was a single father and now his kids have lost both their parents.” Annalise feels guilty for a split second but tries to reclaim himself.

“You’re not being serious right now.”

“You think I’m not,” Clarissa gives out a two-syllable laugh. “Must pain you to break away from your ‘oh-so-perfect everyone is good on the inside’ world. Well, that isn’t reality now is it.” Annalise finds it difficult to swallow but she knows Clarissa wasn’t wrong. This was a truth she always dreaded, she always wanted to believe the best in people and never wanted to assume otherwise. Ann suddenly remembers all the times people asked her why she chose her profession and everytime her answer was the same.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

‘To help people…’

Her memories of being bullied left a permanent mark on her, she wanted no one to feel the pain she did. But now she was in a dilemma, what was she supposed to do when someone who was hurting was also the one afflicting pain on others? This was too much for her.

Ann suddenly leaves, bolting out the door on the verge of tears but Oscar stands at the corner of the room motionless. Clarissa stands with her head held high and after a moment she turns to stare at Oscar.

“What?”

“That was strange,” Clarissa says and before Oscar can open his mouth she explains. “You’re normally so protective of her. What happened?” Deciding not to answer Oscar finally bolts out of the room to catch up to Ann. He quietly opens the car door for her as she gets in. They drive silently back to her place, both wanting to say so much but holding back.

As Oscar drives Ann back to her apartment, Andrew is now lying down talking to Emma who is by his side.

“Are you feeling better now?” Emma asks in a sweet voice.

“I am,” Andrew replies as he sighs looking exhausted.

“Helping solve a murder case is a lot, I would not recommend you try that again?” Emma asks out of pure concern over the man lying pale before her.

“Tell me something Emma, why do you think Oscar took me to that crime scene?” Andrew replies with a tired smile.

“What do you mean?” Emma asks curiously.

“I might be dense sometimes, but I know Oscar took me there for a reason. I know Ann and Ben aren’t telling me the entire truth either.”

“Andrew,” Emma says sighing. “I know they might seem odd now, but they really mean you no harm.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know, but all I’m saying is don’t think too much about it. Just focus on yourself right now,” Emma says smiling as she’s happy with Andrew’s progress. She sits there as Ann walks in through the door.

“Emma? Andrew? What’s going on?”

“I should ask you that? You look like someone died,” Emma replies.

“Andrew are you ok?” Ignoring her best friend Ann runs up to Andrew who is lying down. “What happened?”

“Nothing severe,” Andrew replies as Ann is overwhelmed with emotion. “Are you ok?” Ann nods her head not wanting to worry him further but then she turns to Emma.

“What triggered this?”

“Well,” Andrew begins to explain. “Oscar took me to a crime scene and…”

“HE WHAT!”