Desolate

Even the innocent gets convicted of murder

You have to believe me, Diah; this is a setup. "But the evidence is all showing to you, Scott."

The truth will come out, "time up, says the warden as they separate."

Scott is now taken back to his cell, and Diah heads hope.

"Honey, are you home?"

"No response,"

"Jamie, are you at home says Diah in a high pitch voice."

" No response as Diah steps through the house; everything is in place, "

"Checking the clock, it is four in the afternoon already; this is so irresponsible of Jamie. She should be at home already."

"Pacing back and forth, she is about to call the cops as Jamie opens the door."

Where have you been all day?

"At school, I had detention, and the kids kept saying my dad is a murder and they all hated me, and then in the bathroom they attacked me."

"Oh, honey, what awful day; your ad must be horrible."

Are you OK now?

"Yes, Mom Jamie smiles." Jamie walks up to closing her room door, as she takes a Knife out of her drawer, looking in the mirror "that b***h got everything she deserved."

"She now looks up into the mirror as her hair falls over her face touching the tip of her finger on the knife as she walks over to the window."

She looks over to the corner house as she stands up and takes the scissor out of the drawer.

"Jamie now cuts her hair shorter as she looks into the mirror. She sees the resemblance of Lilah."

Jamie, what are you doing scream Diah grabbing the scissor out of her hand?

Nothing Mom! "You have cut off all your hair?"

Yes, because the girls keep picking on me. I figured if I have short hair, they will stop picking on me.

"Diah now sits down beside Jamie, and You have to toughen up then you are doing this to please the girls is going to bring you down in life" Diah now evens out her hair.

" Jamie turns the ring on her finger, "Diah notices Jamie turning the ring on her finger."

"Are you OK?"

"Diah is about to reach for her medication,"

"I do not need that says, Jamie. I am fine now."

Honey, can we talk about something?

Do you see any people in that corner house?

"caught off guard with her moms' question, Jamie hesitated.

It is Ok; you can tell me, honey,

"No, says Jamie hesitantly."

"Diah smiles and looks over at Jamie."

"Did you do it?"

"Do what, Mom?"

"Where did you get that ring from?"

"At school, Mom,"

Sure, Mom, can you remember anything from when you were little?

How little, Mom? "Diah looks out of the window," 

Diah now walks over to the bed, sits beside Jamie, takes the brush from Jamie, and starts brushing Jamies' hair.

When your dad made that accident, no Mom I was a baby stepped in the backseat says dad, no one told you that honey, and you were not a baby; you were nine, love.

"We never saw you were running; we were talking, and at that moment, we looked away; it is when you fell over with the apples." You suffer from a permanent condition called Dissociative Identity Disorder:"

Jamie lo looks up at her mom; her eyes become teary. They made me do it, Mom. I know there were stains on your clothes blood does not come off quickly off you washed it, but there were still stains on.

Do you forget why we moved here in the first place?

We cannot keep moving, honey; one day, we will have nowhere to go to but. " No, Jamie, I cannot keep protecting you. You left so much evidence in that house that could have got you caught. Now innocent poor Scott must take the fall for this one.

But if that nosy neighbors just kept their mouths shut.

"Diah now puts on her leather gloves."

" Walks to her room, taking out her leather  gloves and Pistol."

Mom, where are you going? They saw you.

I will be right back, get you something to eat.

 "Jamie recalls the day her mom entered that house killing all three of those guys."

Jamie goes to the outside upstairs window as she hears five gunshots going off.

"Mom is mad again; we should hide."

"Actually, no, why would we hide? It is not like mom will harm me."

Diah comes back, removing her leather gloves, high heels and leather pants, and a Black Jacket.

That should shut them up, "Jamie, where are you, honey?"

Jamie goes downstairs. Now that Scott is out of the way, what's next?

Now we live here for a while and enjoy life honey, "what about the school, mom?"

"You will go to school and continue living life the way you always have been, and I will be the crying wife says Diah, looking in the mirror."

"Mom, I am hungry?"

"Oh, Jamie, you stay hungry. I am sure there are still leftovers from last night."

Jamie now opens the fridge and jumps backward. What is this, mom? She says. It looks like someone's eyes in the glass bottle, "Diah smile taking a sip of her wine."

When is your little friend Justin visiting again? "Says Diah looking over her shoulder at Jamie."

"I am not sure?"

"Maybe you should invite him over?"

"Now is not a good time says Jamie slicing cold meat."

"When is ever a good time?"

"We will see."

"What are his parents like?"

"What is with all the questions, Mom?"

Eat your food. I will freshen up and get some rest. Oh, do not invite anyone over without talking to me about it first.

Diah places her hand on the railing and looks back. "Honey, are you ok?"

Diah, complete facial expression changes as she smiles and looks at Jamie walking over to her. "Are you feeling sick?"

" I am fine, Mom. It is you I should be concerned about."

"Why would you be concerned about me? I am the parent, honey."

Jamie looks down at Diah,s hand. Her hand is shaking.

"Diah puts her hand in her pants pocket noticing her handshaking," she now walks over to the fridge.

"I will not open that door if I am you." Why not? says Diah opening the refrigerators door.

Looking down, what is that in the Jar? Jamie shakes her head; "we need to call Scott."

We cannot call him Mom. He is in prison, "In prison for what?"

"Jamie was wondering when her mother will have a relapse, and it is today because she lost someone she loved."

Why are you not in school? It is night time Mom, nighttime?

Jamie walks over to her mother and takes her hand, walking her to the window, see mom it is dark and cold outside. 

Where is Scott? It is late. He should be home! Oh, wait for his on a trip, right honey?

Right, Mom, have you had something to eat?" I have some apple tart if you like it was always your favorite Diah, grins.

"I will have later. Thank you, mom."

Ok, what am I wearing? These clothes are so tight. Let me get to change into something comfortable.

Diah heads up the stairs and turns around, Oh one more thing Jamie, that Justin kid is welcome here anytime. You do not have to ask every time you want to bring him over.

"OK, Mom. You are getting so big,"

"Did you complete your homework?"

Yes, Mom " what is today?" It is Monday, Mom!

Yes, It is, Monday says Diah scratching her head.

And do not worry, Scott will be home soon, says Diah. You can start eating without him.

Jamie takes out her mom's pills and heads upstairs.

"Diah is sitting staring in the mirror, curling her hair around her index finger humming."

"Knock, Knock, Mom, Jamie smiles, entering the room. I made you a sandwich and got you vitamins you told me to bring for you". 

"Diah, frowns vitamins? Yes, the one that you always give me to take, you said it would enable me to cope better in school."

Yes, says Diah, taking a sip of water with the pills."

Jamie walks over to the window in her room, staring out of the window. The sky is dark, and it is windy and raining outside.

Picking up her phone, she messages Justin,

"Hey? Are you awake?

" Yes, I am. It is still early to  sleep."

"OK, cool, what are you doing?"

"Same thing every Monday, some random game show on the television, What about you?"

"What about me?"

"What are you doing?"

" Nothing, about to go sleep. Do you want to play a game?"

"What game?"

"Nevermind, I am going to sleep."

"I am on my way."

"I a going to sleep, Justin."

"I am already on my way."

Jamie walks downstairs, opening the door for Justin. I told you not to come. She whispers don,t make a noise. My mom is asleep.

"Justin follows her to the room, so what game is it we playing?"

Jamie walks over to him and blindfolds him, that is my secret, as she sits on his lap and starts to kiss."

I love everything about Jamie.

What did you say?

"I love everything about you, Jamie."

"Jamie turns and looks into the mirror and sees her reflection and climbs of Justin."

"Why did you just stop?"

"Justin, I think it's time you leave."

"But I just got here?"

"I know you have, but you have to leave,"

"Justin stands up annoyed and leaves the house."

Jamie walks over to the window, watching him walk I  the rain as she turns around and notices his phone on her bed.

"Jamie runs down the staircase and runs out of the door to give his phone to him, and out of nowhere there is a car, and it hit her as she falls to the ground the phone is lying on the ground in the rain, and Jamie is laying in the wet road in her white nightgown.

"Justin turns around and sees Jamie lying there motionless her eyes are open. He looks down and sees the phone beside her"

The driver of the car is also unconscious. The glass is scattered all over the road, and the car has a dent in after swerving off the road. Justin drops to his knees, crying for help as Diah switches on her room light, looks out by the window, and sees a body in the street? She runs downstairs and sees it is Jamie lying there. Her head is on Justin's lap. He is crying, holding her hand. Diah runs up to her, crying, what has happened, Justin? I am not sure, MRS. Diah came running up to me with y phone, and the car hit her. Diah looks at the car, and the drive is unconscious. Go inside, call the ambulance, Justin, or wait, let me go, do not let her close her eyes.

It is too late for that Jamies eyes to be closed, " WAKEUP, JAMIE!" 

The ambulance arrives and takes her to the hospital.

"Jamie is in a coma."

Days become months, and months become years. Diah sat every day by her bedside until one day Diah falls ill and passes away.

Fifteen years later, Jamie wakeups up out of the coma.

"Where am I she says as she finds a strange man sitting by her bedside."

"You are in a hospital, says the unknown man by her bedside."

"The nurse calls the doctor as the doctor checks Jamie,s vital."

"Do you know where you, Mrs. Johnson?"

MRS? "Do you remember anything?'

"Jamie tries thinking back."

"What is your name?"

"I do not know. The doctor now takes down notes."

"Do you know how you ended up in the hospital"

"Jamie shakes her head no."

"You were in a car accident and admitted here two years." 

The other hospital beds were full, so they moved you over here

"Jamie looks disorientated."

"What is the last thing you remember?"

I cannot remember anything.

"OK. I am going to let your husband in."

"I am not married. I am only a kid."

"how old are you?"

"My name is Lilah, and I am fourteen, doctor."

" The doctor takes down notes."

The doctor now stands up and calls the unknown gentleman aside, "Your wife has amnesia. She will have to go to rehabilitation."

"Justin now enters the room and kisses her on the forehead. You will be fine, love."

"Who are you?"

I am Justin, your husband. Jamie looks around the room as Justin stands up and brings a six-year-old girl into the room. This is our daughter. We named her after your mom. 

"My mom, where is she?"

"She sadly passed away. She became ILL and passed away."

"Jamie starts to cry."

"You have us, and your memory will slowly start coming back. We will have to take it one step at a time, and you will be OK, "

"Justin now takes out an album. Do you remember these?"

"Jamie shakes her head no."

"It is photos of them getting married."

Nothing is making sense to Jamie. She does not recall marrying this guy.

She looks over at Diah. Mommy will be OK. She says as Diah climbs in beside her.

"Jamie holds her and looks at Justin, trying to remember who he is."

"A nurse now walks in, I am nurse Kelly, and I have been praying every day for you to wake up."

Thank you,

The good news we can now finally stop feeding you through a tube.

"Jamie smiles. Thank you"

The nurse now walks up to her with a bowl and sits beside her. Open your mouth, she says.

"Jamie has forgotten how to eat"

"She is a fast learner. The nurse smiles at Diah."

"I bet you are just as fast a learner as your Mom, right."

"Diah shakes her head, smiling her two front teeth is out. Diah has tanned skin and long silky hair."

"There we go. Now that you have eaten, we need to freshen you up for your physiotherapy."

"Why does she need physiotherapy? Says Justin'"

"Well, usually patience who wake up after a year or a few years later, they forget how to walk and talk."

"Her speech is quite fine."

"The nurse, now calls the doctor."

"Jamie, do you know how to walk?"

Who is Jamie?

The doctor looks over at Justin.

Lilah, do you remember how to walk?

I should be able to walk, Doctor.

Jamie now climbs off the bed. And can walk, that is great. Your memory will come back over time, but we still need to do an MRI scan to make sure you are OK,

That is fine, doctor, do whatever you need to do so I can leave this place.

Unfortunately, that would not be happening soon. 

Doctor, I am sure she is OK to leave the hospital. You cannot keep her against her will.

"The doctor looks over at the nurse."

Well, we can because of her history of suffering from schizophrenia Cariprazine.

"Doctor, when is the soonest we can get her out of this place?"

As soon as we are done examining MRS. Johnson

"It is OK, honey. I have been in here for years. A few weeks would not make any difference."

Thank you for understanding, Mrs. Johnson. I want to ask you a few more questions about what you can remember every important detail.

"Kelly will let out, for now, MR. Johnson."

"I can help her recap those details you want from her says, Justin."

Unfortunately, it does not work like that, MR. Johnson.

"Visiting hours are over, MR. Johnson. You are welcome to come back tomorrow."

Justin kisses Jamie on the forehead. See you tomorrow. "Give Mom a hug and kiss, honey."

Justin and Diah now leave the room.

"The doctor now takes out his notebook."

"Do you remember this gentleman with you?"

Jamie s determined to get out of the hospital.

"Yes, I do. He is my husband, and that is my daughter."

What is your name?

"I am Jamie Johnson."

"Why did you call yourself earlier, Lilah."

"That is my sister who passed away. I am not sure why I said I am her"

That is fine, says the doctor. You are doing well.

The doctor now hands her a pen and paper. Can you write your name, surname, and your daughter's name on this page?

Jamie takes the pen, remembers how the doctor gripped the pen, and slowly writes down her name and surname and the daughters' names.

Well done. Mrs.Johnson, we will be running a few tests, and if everything is fine, you will be on your way.

"Jamie smiles. That's the best news. Thank you, doctor."

Weeks have passed by, and Jamie is released from the hospital.

Upon arrival, Jamie climbs out of the car and sees this huge house with tall black gates.

"This is your home, honey."

Jamie does not ever recall staying with her as she looks around the house is beautiful. Varnished tables and marble tiles and caretakers outside trimming the trees.

The staircase is made of marble, and there is a huge chandelier in the middle of the lounge roof above the dinner table.

Jamie now recalls the house. This is the same house she visited as a child, the corner house. But its walls everything has been redone, and gardening and land look bigger. Justin had a lot of work done on this house. It looks completely different.

Justin, is this th same corner house close to where we stayed?

Yes, I am glad to see your memory is coming back.

It looks stunning. Why did you purchase this place, though? I never purchased it, honey. You did. Shortly after your mom passed away, you used the inheritance to buy this place.

I did? "Yes, you purchased it"

Where was all the stuff that was in this house, the mirror, the furniture?

In the basement, OK, where is my room? I will get the caretaker to assist you to our room,

Jamie looks around. Nothing seems to make sense. 

She walks up the staircase to her room. As she enters, she notices the bird on the window sealing.

She walks over to the window and looks out, and she could see her old house where she stayed. She turns to the caretaker.

Who stays in that house? She points to her old house.

I am not sure, MAM," I just heard the lady who was staying there had a daughter who died shortly after her husband got locked up for murders" His name was Scott he was set out on parole, and the parents of those kids who was murdered one evening shot him in front of his gate he fell in his wife's arms. 

They later found out that he was innocent after new evidence came in traces of the girl's mother at the crime scene. She flees the country back to her hometown.

So she was never ill? No, mam, she was fit and healthy. She had to leave the country because the authorities were after her.

Justin now steps into the room and notices Jamie is pale on her face.

"Is everything OK? Yes, says Jamie, everything is fine."

It is sleeping time for Diah. She needs to take her afternoon nap Christelle.

Ok, MR. Johnson, "Diah leans in and hugs her Mom."

Thank you Christelle, It is my pleasure, Mrs. Johnson.

Christelle leaves the room with Diah. Justin now takes out medication and gives it to Jamie. These are the pills the doctor prescribed. That's odd. He never mentioned anything about pills to me?

Yes, that is strange, but these are the pills " Justin hands her a glass of water to down the pills and stands by her while she is taking the pills."

"Shall I have you something made to eat?"

No, I am fine thanks you can leave, I will be OK.

I will be home after eleven.

OK, says Jamie walking over to the window, staring out looking over at the house.

Christelle?

Yes, mam?

"Have I stayed here before?"

I do not understand Mam, I mean, have you met before today?

"Christelle hesitates and says yes, Mam."

Are you sure? You seem uncertain?

Yes, Mam, how long have you been here, Christelle? 

Four years Mam, I got to go. I got a few things to finish before sunset Mam.

MR. Johnson will get angry if I am not done before sunset.

OK Christelle, you may leave. One more thing?

Yes, Mam? where is the basement around here?

It is below the staircase, Mam. Is there anything specific I can get you?

No, It is all good, thanks, Christelle, I will manage.

Christelle now leaves the room, and Diah looks around the room and sees photos of her and Justin's wedding pictures. 

There are pictures of Diah of when she was a baby and Jamie holding her in her arms.

Jamie looks closely at the picture picking it up. She is wearing a blue gown holding a Diah. Jamie notices halfway up her neck to her face there is a slight skin tone difference.

Not taking much note of the photo, she puts the photo down and walks across the room. Then she goes to the bathroom and takes a shower freshening up. She opens the cabinet and sees a d b****y knife as she wipes her eyes and suddenly there is nothing but the toiletries.

She now gets a flashback of Scott,s pocket knife being in the same spot, the same one she planted as evidence to the murders in the house.

"Jamie walks back to the room feeling confused as she sits facing the mirror blow-drying her hair."

This hair. Jamie gets dressed and heads downstairs to the basement.

She opens the door and looks down. It is dark as she searches for the light switch. She finds it and walks down the staircase.

Reaching the bottom step, she looks around and sees all the furniture of the old house and the mirror standing in the corner of the rooms as she dusts it off.

Christelle?"Yes, mam?" Have someone bring this up to my room for me.

OK, Mam.

Jamie now wonders around in the basement. As she looks around, she comes across old photos of her and her friends. She picks it up and dusts it off. The one photo she does not recognize is with a guy she does not recall ever seeing this guy.

Who is this, she asks Christelle? I am not sure. MR Johnson said we should not throw anything away and just put whatever we find in here.

Jamie leaves the basement and walks around the house. This is one beautiful place, but it still carries memories of her past, Jamie now heads back to her room, and she closes her room door, looking into the mirror, Lilah, Rebecca, Raphael, anyone I need answers.

Nothing is happening. There is no one answering her.

She looks down hopelessly. I guess not. It is just me. I guess as there is a sudden voice behind her, I am you, and you are me. Jamie looks up, smiling. She recognizes that voice is she is happy to have Lilah back.

"The room suddenly gets cold as Lilah appears. Welcome back to the land of the living."

"How long have I been gone?"

"Very long, about fifteen years."

"Fifteen years?"

"That now makes sense."

"Who is this guy I am living with."

"He claimed to be the husband. That ouija board created a destiny for you both."

" I do not understand?"

"He claimed you guys are married and stole the inheritance of your Mom, claiming she is dead."

So she is not dead, is that what are you saying?

Of course not! What about that guy in the photograph I saw earlier.

That is the guy who was supposed to be your destiny. That is Nick.

I am confused. Nick is dead, Yes Nick is dead, but the killer was never you or your mom. It was the stranger sharing your bed. He planted the murder on Scott. Then after Scott was killed, he changed the murderer to be your Mom.

What about the accident?

That night you ran after him, he was never there, Jamie, you had a relapse after your Mom put you to bed and tucked you in the Pills you never really took it.

You became delusional because you never took the pills, and you ran into the road. That is when Justin saw you running after Nick.

Nick was at your house, and that evening you asked him to come over.

That is when Justin saw you guys together and killed Nick, and you saw his face.

Whenever you do, please do not take any pills from him.

The girl? That is not your daughter. It's a kid from his previous marriage when he thought you were not ever going to wake up again.

"She thinks you are her real mom."

The pills he is giving you will kill you, which is why we need to take action.

What are we going to do?

The pills he gives you give it to him instead play along.

Raphael now appears, and Rebecca, he deserves what's coming to him, says Rebecca as her image fades away. Lilah is standing behind her.

We got this.

"Honey, I am home says Justin,"

"Jamie looks at h. Asas he smiles and attempts to hug her, she pulls a knife out from her back and pushes it up in his chest."

I warned you when you play with fire. You might be burned. Jamie grins as she stabs him multiple times. His briefcase falls to the ground as he lays there bleeding out. His briefcase opens up.

"Jamie, what have you done?"

"It is Avery. She has a bright light reflecting in the mirror. You just killed your husband."

"Lilah said he was not really married to me."

"Lilah never existed Jamie or Rebecca and Raphael."

"They are all in your mind. You created them to feel safe and protect you."

"What about all those murders that Justin did?"

"It was never him. It's all you. The accident you were the driver you drove Nick over when he did not want to go out with you."

"Justin stood by you, and that is your daughter."

"Scott was freed after your mom said she is the one who committed the murders."

Your, Mom got sick in prison and died. You were not supposed to be here for another few years. They put you under medical observation and transferred you to a psychiatric ward, and you escaped.

"No, this can,t be. How did I get married?

You were never married. That guy in the picture is your psychiatrist.

"Mam, this is the police. Come outside with your hands up. Jamie drops the knife to the ground and starts remembering everything."

It was all along with me. She breaks into tears, falling onto her knees. The cops now run into the house, kicking down the room door. Jamie picks up the knife and stabs it into her heart as she falls over onto Justin's body.

Yours forever

The end

.

"