Be Careful Asking for Help

The cold interrogation room made Eva shiver as she waited for Mark to join her. She looked around, noting the large mirror.

*Just like the movies.*

She’d never been in an interrogation room. Her palms were sweating and she was extremely nervous. After another few minutes, Mark entered carrying a burger, fries, and a coke. He placed it in front of her.

"Sorry, you had to wait so long. Here, I got this for you.”

Immediately she felt sick and pushed the food away. "No thanks.”

He eyed her but didn’t press the issue. "Alright, so let’s start from the beginning. When was the last time you saw Charles?”

"I think right before he punched me. Vision became a bit blurry after that.” Mark opened his mouth then closed it. Something was stirring inside of Eva. An anger she couldn’t control. "What? I’m pretty sure everyone else told you their version of what happened in my marriage. I bet as a decent detective you have plans to issue a warrant for my medical records to see if any of it's the truth. Here, let me save you some time. Give me a paper and I’ll give you written permission.”

He whispered, "Eva, I’m trying to help you.”

She scoffed, "I mean this in the most respectfully, disrespectful way, fuck off. Now you all want to help?! You want to question me about things that other people told you? The same people who knew firsthand Charles was wailing on me and didn’t help. Question me in the same station I found myself terrified in while trying to get an order of protection that was denied. Surround me with the SAME COPS who didn’t believe me because I'm successful and *successful women are smart enough not to put themselves in those types of situations!*”

The lights of the interrogation room flickered and crackled. Slamming her hands to the table, it shook continuously as if being rocked. Eva leaned in close, and Mark could have sworn her eyes redden. The corners of her lips curl up into a smile even though inside she was burning with rage. "I didn’t kill Charles, but if you think for one second, I give a flying fuck about whether he’s dead or alive you’re about as stupid as his waste of space mistress. Now, either charge me with something or get the hell out of my face.”

As she sat back the interrogation room calmed, though Mark felt his terror run deep. He swallowed his spit, looking at the pure evil on her face.

Eva scoffed again, "That’s what I thought.” Standing she walked towards the door. "I know you’re just doing your job Mark, but I suggest you put all the pieces together before you listen to people who know nothing about me.” As she left, the weight of the room seemed to lift. Immediately, he walked behind her, running into his partner who face was equally as terrified.

"Did you see that?”

Mark nodded slowly, "W-what was that?”

"I-I don’t know.”

------------------------------------

Eva felt calm as soon as she left the police station. Lip quivering, she held her stomach.

*What…what’s happening to me?*

Absentmindedly, she walked to the convenience store nearby. Her eyes searched the aisle, landing on the array of pregnancy tests. Inhaling deeply, her shaky hands grabbed at one. She rushed to the counter, trying her hardest not to lose her nerve. As the cashier rang her up, a smile formed on her lips.

"OH MY GOSH, I KNOW YOU! YOU’RE EVA WRIGHT! I LOVE YOUR WORK!”

"That’s so sweet thank you.”

The cashier placed a bit of hair behind her ear, "I know you’re probably uber busy but do you think maybe you could…I mean I came to your book signing, but they told me you had to leave early.”

Eva watched the girl nervously fiddle with the change on the counter. "Do you have a book here?” The girl excitedly turned and reached into her bag. Handing the book over to Eva, her eyes gleamed as Eva asked her name and wrote inside. "So nice to have met you Samantha. I really do appreciate your support.” Seeing how happy the girl was made her feel better instantly, yet soon her face fell again as she looked at the test.

*I can’t be pregnant…it's not possible*

Finally arriving home, Eva soon found herself in the bathroom awaiting the results.

*How would I even tell Alaric…we aren’t speaking. Would he be happy?... Am I happy? Do I really want to keep it?*

She didn’t know, but she’d have to deal with that when it came time. There were too many factors, and even wrapping her head around the idea of being a mother was hard. Eva closed her eyes and reached for the test. The two pink lines stared back at her, confirming what she already knew. She was pregnant, and Alaric was the father. Hot tears burned her eyes and she threw the test across the room. Sinking down to the floor, she allowed her sadness to wash over her and she placed her hands on her stomach. The feeling of warmth permeated her hands.

"Wha-“ It traveled throughout her body calming her, eventually stopping her tears. She smiled. "You’re looking out for mommy huh?” As soon as she said it, she felt the warmth again. Standing, Eva walked to the sink and cleaned herself up. Her choice was clear, no matter what happened, she would keep her baby. "I need to tell Alaric.” She heard the bell of her front door. Walking to answer she slowly got a sinking feeling.

"Mark, what are you doing here?”

He rubbed the back of his neck, "I wanted to check on you.”

"And you couldn’t have called?”

He huffed under his breath, "Okay Eva, I’ll admit that’s not the only reason I’m here…today at the station..." She arched her brow and he coughed immediately deciding to drop it, "Look, I think you should get getting a lawyer.”

Her eyes widened, "But you said it was too early to know if I needed one.”

"That was before my captain pulled me into his office right after you left. Eva, did you know that Charles had divorce papers drafted and was seeking $10,000 a month in alimony? ” She didn’t, her stomach turn to knots. He was going to leave her and planned to still take her money. "He also changed his insurance policy making his daughter the sole beneficiary. Ms. McCoy faxed evidence they were planning to get married after the divorce. ” Eva felt herself spinning. She knew what Mark was trying to tell her. "Eva, I need you to understand I really am trying to help you but it doesn’t look good. It’s flimsy and circumstantial but Jasmine is not letting this go. She's out for blood, and for some reason she's pointing everything at you. I’m not even supposed to be telling this stuff, but I feel in my gut something is missing. I saw the way he grabbed you at the book signing, I talked to multiple people who verified they’ve seen you with scars and bruising. I know you did try to file a protective order. I KNOW you’re telling the truth, but I also know you’re hiding something. If something happened Eva, I need you to trust me enough to tell me so I can figure out how to fix it.”

Eva looked at the exasperation expression on Mark’s face. She wanted to trust him, but the reality was there was only one person who help she wanted. "I will be down to the station soon with my lawyer.” She shut the door before he could respond and raced to her office. Eva picked up Something Wicked.

*Alaric, I really need your help.*

Her words taking to the page.

*His betrothed found herself troubled and yet Alaric was nowhere to be found. Threatened with the possibility of imprisonment, she tried her best to call out for his help. Her words unanswered, she sought other means to get his attention. Writing in his book, she hoped that it would compel him to arrive. The book did compel, bringing her the guidance she needed though did not want. In the form of someone she’d grown to despise, Alaric’s first consort.*

Eva dropped the pen and breathed harshly not wanting to look up. The click of heels across her floor, the red nails on her desk. Anger filled her but she quelched it, finally bring her visitor into view. Drusilla smiled her fangs exposed.

"Hello Doll,” She mused.