Klein

I missed the funeral. I didn't want to show up to such a sacred event, chained up, and escorted like some mad man. Showing up would've brought too much attention to me, when everyone's hearts should be of grief, and thoughts on Dayton.

Despite me not being there, in explanation that was me, hell I was lost...miserable. "I made you something, you want it now? Or later on when you're high off these damn medications?"Her name was Stazey, sounded odd when I read it off her badge. But when she pronounced it as she introduced herself, I guess it made more sense.

Poking at the cold food I stuck my tongue out in disgust. Laughing at my face, she finished washing her hands. "Boy stop doing that, give it here!" Snatching the tray off of the standing table in front of me she shook her head. "The food ain't that bad now is it?"

"You didn't make it, so I don't want it." I admitted through a smile. Mirroring the same, she adjusted my pillow, and gave me a short shove.

"Alright well after, what," checking her watch, and then thinking for a second she continued, "After 11 Vercillia and about 8 others are coming in, they'll watch the floor. And then I'll come in and sit with ya, that sound cool with you?"

"Yeah, I'm cool."I watched her as she left, she was short, and African American with a lot of tattoos. More on the heavier side, but she was still quite attractive to me, so I dealt with her trotting in. Taking my blood pressure, dosing me up with stupid meds, and sitting beside me, talking about her life among other things, when other nurses took over the floor.

She makes me food, practically every time she stays overnight, which I preferred it be that way. So during the day I'd deal with some stranger only to be hers all night. And she just started her shift, I counted all the way down to this moment. As if I stared at the clock on the vomit worthy walls, with my intently glare it'd move its slow ass.

Didn't entirely work that way, but the bitch hit 7 and Stazey is here.

On early nights like these when Mike wasn't here to keep me company, I'd just sit here. If I really wanted to I could've broke out of this so called hospital. And been on my way.

But for some reason I didn't, I was comfortable in here, the thought of knowing that I could leave out of here without so much of trying was convenient for me.

You know just in case I have a change of heart, who am I kidding?

I've just gotten soft, that's what it is. The old Klein wouldn't of gone down this easy. He would've killed some bitches, would've took more bullets than just this one. The old Klein? He would've killed Vindango, stomped the motherfucker's heart into the ground like I killed Sebastian, all of those years ago.

And Renny, and Papoose.

I was into my head for 30 minutes thinking, and plotting my revenge like a mad man, because that I am.

"What are you smiling about?

Klein.."

"What?" I muttered as my thoughts soon began to fade away.

"What the hell were you thinking about?" Mike was in his normal clothes now, just a plaid button down, and jeans. He was simple, and I liked that.

"Thought you said you weren't coming?"

"Oh well, uh Mason's outside. Talking to the other officers about how the night went. You okay?"

"I'm just fucking peachy. I'm ass naked in this damn hospital dress shit, and I can't move, because your got damn brother cuffed me up."

Busting into the room laughing, his arm was full. "I heard you two in here talking shit about me."

"It was nothing I wouldn't gladly state to your face. And what the fuck is that?"

Looking at the bear in his hand, paired with a letter like he didn't know what it was he handed it to me, "I wasn't going to bring this to you, but I promised, so uh yeah." I just looked at him.

"Fucking hell, what?"

Mike as puzzled as me, took the bear and the letter. Giving him the look of 'ok', Mike suspiciously looked at Mason while he cut open the envelope with his forefinger. Ripping it with ease, he pulled out the pink and purple tie dyed paper. "De-,"

"Good evening uh, men." Mason looked over his shoulder with the intentions of punching a good solid into the guys face that just barged into the room without so much of knocking.

Mike standing up, packed the letter back into its envelope, and clenched his jaw with hatred. "What the fuck are you doing here Kamden?"

"Ouch, um well I am a lawyer, and this is a criminal. I'm here to offer my services, since my father so conveniently helped Mr. Masthers get out of some serious jail time many of years ago. I'm sure that with much perseverance, along with patience I and my partner over here, can do it again," Pointing towards the direction of the door we all looked, to our surprise it was still closed, and he was the only person standing by it.

Idiot.

"Well in a moment they'll arrive," fixing his tie, he attempted to shake off his embarrassment.

"Nice to meet you Casper. I often thought you stayed locked up in that big ol house with your cousins, they're your cousins right?" Nodding my head I grabbed the apple juice next to me, and kindly took a sip. Kamden, Mason, and Mike, staring at me blankly, I proceeded.

"Well no problems buddy, my name is Klein!"

"Cut it out." Mason urged with a serious expression laced on his face, whoever this Kamden guy was, Mason and Mike were about to kill him.

Barging in the door, she staggered. With four big ass cookies in her small hands, she was chewing a mouthful.

Their eyes almost fell from their sockets, un- phased I obnoxiously continued drinking. "Did you bring one for me too Casper?" Almost dropping her treasure she attempted to make herself appear professional. Mason turned away, his anger apparent on his smug facial expression. Mike just held his laughter, cradling it like a newborn in fear of dropping it.

"This is my partner Kassaundra Winters, please excuse her behavior, she normally doesn't venture out this much on business."

She hobbled towards me, Mason putting out his arm to withhold her from getting too close to me, she stopped. Looking at him confused, he grabbed the cookies out of her hand. "They're not poisoned! I just baked them, sorry I'm late Kamden." Turning to who I'm assuming is her boss she flashed an uncomfortable smile.

Examining the cookie, Mason reluctantly handed it back to her. A puppy, an eager, over excited puppy. But she had nice legs, smooth and brown, trailing my eyes over every feature. A sound of multiple throat clearings were audible. "Hi, I'm Kassundra!"

Handing me the cookie I smiled, "chocolate chip?"

"Basic I know but I wanted to just bring you something, I'm sorry for your loss. And what's happened to you as well I hope that you feel better."

I kept my smile, kindly taking the cookie, I looked behind her,"You both can leave now."

Her smile fell flat. Her eyebrow raised, and she firmly pressed her lips together. "He's just dosed up right now, maybe you guys should just come by later?" Mikalango declared suggestively.

"I'm not dosed up, all I wanted was the cookie, she gave it to me," Gesturing my hand out to Mason, I continued. "Your services have been served. And hey Kassundra," giving her a nod, and taking a bite out of the cookie, "if I ever need you to cater my jail mates birthday parties I'll give you a call. These are delicious."

"She isn't catering for any damn event." Mason angry now, dragged Kassundra away from me. His protective instincts taking over his short body. They knew each other, smiling intrigued now, I stared at the beautiful woman before me.

"Say you know what guys, my bad for being a dick, have a seat! Please! Hey Mike will you make some room for my friends?" Suspiciously eying me down he did so.

"Leave. All of you. Klein needs to take his ass to sleep."

"Oh c'mon dad! We're just going to have an innocent little chit chat, look. My future wife made us cookies, so smile! You know you look better when you do pops, don't spoil all of the fun."

He gave me that I'm going to punch you in the face look, loosening his grip that he had forced on Kassaundra, she shrugged him off.

"Well I think that's the kindest thing I've heard all day." Dusting off her suit jacket she smiled, "But we just came to introduce ourselves to you Klein. Davis and Schworskey only serve the best clients with our best services. We will guarantee your freedom, and a clean slate at life itself. With the best thought out strategic game plan we've got we can promise you that you will see no jail time."

She was confident in herself, and I liked that. All eyes were on her, she smiled and stood accomplished, as if she swayed me with her half decent cookies, and delicious looks.

"Well. I think that this little crayon deserves a slap on the ass, and a kiss on the cheek. Nice job Kassuandra, would you like a cookie for that wonderful performance? I've got extra!

Kamden I think this one deserves a mug with 'worlds greatest liar on it.' Because that is what you lawyers do, you lie," fully sitting up, once again her dazzling smile faded as my true self began to shine for the heartless prick it truly was.

"You dress her up, give her an easy bake oven, hoping she could come in here and 'offer the best?' Well I have to say well done for trying Kamden, you've got yourself a looker here. She's smart, she bakes, and she shops at the thrift store. Sounds like the best you've got to offer, I can't suggest to say that I'm in. But if it involves her, just sitting at the wooden table looking pretty in the courtroom, I believe we've got ourselves a solid,"

The more he stood at her side, the angrier he became. His nostrils flaring, as his hand ran over the holster of his gun. Mason would shoot me, yes I never doubted that, but when and if he did shoot, the bullet wouldn't be marked for the kill. So that I didn't too much pester a thought on. I wanted to actually confirm that, Kassundra and Mason, have a past together, or well in this case a developmental past.

One that I was unfortunately about to intrude hellishly upon. Quivering with the coldness of my words, she stiffened, but more of a raged up stiffen, than upset, or sad. I felt her anger deep within my gut it enticed me to keep trucking forward.

"Did big man Kamden over there decide it's time for you to play dress up? To pretend that in some odd, strange universe you had the chance to keep me from going to jail? Haha, that you could possibly win this case legally? Hmm, well, I think what you need to add into that little living advertisement Kamden, is that you offer 'the best' false encouragement. I'm honored truly I really am, so I'll tell you both what. I will make my decision, after, haha you hear that, after,"

Turning my stare to Mason his jaw was so synched tightly into his face, that if he held on to it any longer he'd look like one of those botched celebs. Fucked up and just ugly, Mason wasn't
that ugly, well at least to me he wasn't.

Devilishly triumphant, I leered at Kassundra, her eyes shot evilly with no emotion.

"I get 20 minutes alone, with Kassundra. 20 is all I need, I'm not going to hurt the prized possession. She seems to be the favorite person of many in here. And besides, there's not much that I can do handcuffed to this hospital bed. It's just a request, it is your decision to honor it or not. But if not, just leave the cookies, and enjoy the rest of your Thursday."

"Alright fine. 20 minutes? It's done. Get out." Sternly holding her own with her demands she glanced over her shoulder as a confirmation.

Reaching out his hand to try and reason with her, Mason lifted his eyes and buried them deep within me. It was good to say that in fact she was safe, I could kill her and make Mason's life more unbearable to even continue on living. But this kind of torture that I plan on implementing, will just make life a bit more exciting. Two is too boring, often times an obligation.

But I've heard through the grapevine, that three is a crowd, welcome Kassaundra winters, the fun has truly just begun.

Determination in a woman is quite attractive to me, she's on a mission to prove herself to others but in particular her own self.

The past holds many scars, and I was about to bust open every single last one of them.

I hope she doesn't take it too personally collateral damage is often times unavoidable, no matter how hard you truly try to eliminate the latter.

"If you insist. Mike," shoving away from her, Mason snatched his brother up with a mighty grasp, and dragged him out of my room. Sternly warning me with his brown eyes, I waved happily at him exit.

"Just a little while dad, she'll be out soon! And don't worry I'll take good, good care of her." With the door closing, Kamden left reluctantly, his grey heart weighed down with guilt, and regret.

Finally alone she lifted her sharpened brow fiercely. "So what do you want?"

"Well, I want you to be my lawyer Kassundra." Taking her steps carefully until she reached my side completely, she sat down where Mike once rested.

"You want more than that, you and I both know this, so what is it? You couldn't possibly need anymore money. Security? Blackmail?"

"I just want you to be your best. That is why I need you to do just that, and bomb the case. Lose." Confused on if this was a joke or not she laughed.

"Oh my god, you're serious? Haha oh no you're really not. Because if you were serious I'd probably laugh my ass into a coma. WHY THE FUCK WOULD I EVER LOSE A CASE?" Her demeanor changed, that grace she once held as a beautiful angel, dissipated. She was a gorgeous devil I could at least say that.

"You're going to call me in here, waste my time, EAT MY COOKIES! To tell me that you want me to be your lawyer just to lose the case? You sure that gunshot didn't cut off something in that deranged head of yours? I'm not going to take it,"

"Then, I'll go elsewhere. I appreciate the cookies."

"What the hell do you want from me?"

"I guarantee Kassaundra, there's so much more to this than you are secluding your wonderful mind to. This is apart of the plan and I'm blindly counting on you to make sure it goes through accordingly. Bomb the case, allow me to go to jail. I deserve it, you don't know me, so don't try to sympathize to my situation, I don't need it."

"My job is to keep you FROM going to jail you little idiot, why pay thousands of dollars for a case you're planning to lose on purpose? YOU'RE WASTING MY TIME! Get a state attorney Klein. Because if you choose Davis and Schworskey I'm winning the case, I have to. What you're asking is stupidly ridiculous, and they call you smart?"

"Typically, average minded beings look at the picture in one particular angle. Smart people like me, take the time to analyze, break down the complexed meaning behind the work of art.

To construct a intellectual explanation of the simple, yet perplexed hidden lining. Everything is never exactly what it seems Ms. Winters take heed of things that seem normal, because they usually aren't. What I'm simply asking is for you to represent me, think of this as your big debut. Klein Masthers lawyer's Kassundra Winters and Kamden Schworskey. Have a nice ring to it? Aye? I think so!

But! Your hard work will not be in vain, I just need you to trust that what I'm telling you is true.

We have a hearing, and then the trial date. They're going to be broadcasting this trial on television, that is why it is important that you give it your all this is exposure. Make things believable, then lose. It has to be that way, I'll be in jail, you'll get promoted to partner Kamden will have no choice but to. You'll replace Davis, and everything will be dandy.

This isn't about me Kassundra, it's always been about you. I'm doing you the favor here, because when Kamden comes back. You'll be the great big crusader that convinced me, after I denied your services, to spontaneously take up your offer.

And if he and the others ask how you did it, you'll just say it was the cookies, my cookies.

Between you and I Kassundra, Kamden is standing by just to watch you crash and burn. He doesn't believe you'll pull it off, and you'll give him what he wants, for you to fail.

You're bait. To reel in the men, they do say sex sells, and to be quite honest your honey pot looks pretty appetizing."

"Okay, for a second I was actually listening to you, until you broke my concentration with that terrible metaphor of my vagina," Taking a second to let things soak in she paced about, her cheap heels clicking away at the tile.

Annoying the hell out of me.

"You want me to blow everything I've worked hard for, just for you? You're cute buddy but you're not drop dead beautiful. And even if you were douchebag, I wouldn't hang myself to dry after all of these years of taking shit from shitty people-,"

Cutting her off, I traced my brain for something to knock her in the stomach with, "You carry a gun in your purse, but you've never used it. In fact you don't even know how, your best friends with a cop that is madly in love with you, yet he hasn't shown you how to use a gun? He's afraid for you, more than you're afraid, cute really just pathetic. But then again, you just don't have the heart to actually shoot, or kill someone.

That's a little sad Kassaundra, but it's not as sad as, the way they killed your brother that, was even sadder. Savagely, truly it was evident that the bastard had no heart. I mean what moral holding being would shoot a good man eight times, and have a joy ride downtown in the city with his body tied on the tailgate of their pickup truck only to be then left to die in the ally. Behind that, what was it? Oh! That sushi place, on Main Ave. Damn me though, I forgot the name. But never-mind that, that's not the point of our conversation. Now is it?"

Her facial, and stance softened into reality, it felt cold didn't it? "Kassundra, Mason didn't tell you that he watched your brother die before him helplessly? Ask me how I know, and I'll simply give you the juicy details of why, and who did it. I know them personally, and if you call for their heads by all means I'll be sure to take it willingly. I do have people on the outside that wouldn't mind getting their hands even dirtier.

But, all I need from you is an award winning performance, the fascinating thing about it is, only you and I will know of it. I'll give you three months to think about it Kass, can I call you Kass?"

"Times up Klein, your nurse is here." Mike encouragingly announced as he waltzed in with the accompaniment of Mason and Kamden.

"Ohhh, what a knight in shining armor you are Detective, Kassundra was literally aching for your arrival. And here you are, guns a blazing, as you race to save her from the big bad dragon, that I can freely say is none other than myself. I'd have to admit so was I, I'm a sucker for romance."

"Will you just shut the hell up Klein?"

"Possibly, doesn't mean I'm going to."

"You can leave Kamden." Mason demanded without looking Kamden's way. Waiting for Kassaundra to join him in their exit, he remained patiently. Concern marked his face, as he looked at his co-worker stuck in a confused daze.

"Yes of course, Kassuandra and I have other important engagements we must attend, shall we go Kassie?" Searching my eyes in hopes that she'd find a soul through all of my pain, she finally turned away.

"You have time, no need to rush Kass. We got this." Taking a large bite of the cookie, I managed a grin. Disgusted, she snatched her bags, and remaining cookies. And strutted her fine ass out of the door, attempting to leave dramatically she slammed the door. It slowly lacking her hopeful dramatization, she walked back to precisely slam it. Grateful with the loud sound she didn't return.

The silence still lingering in the room I looked about carelessly.

"What'd you say to her?"

"Dad..that's between me and my lawyer. If I wanted you to know I would've offered you an ear, but I didn't so you'll have to find out later. Besides secrets make things more exciting, I like being on my toes. Don't you?"

"Call me your dad again, and I will shoot you. Got that?" Showing off his gun proudly, he heightened his brow. "Try me."

"Aim to kill pops, but you won't do it. You know that, you have everything to lose, me on the other hand I don't. Well besides those cookies she so stingily took away. Say, is she single because she-,"

Knocking on the door I figured it was Stazey, but as it opened it appeared to seem she brought company. Two doctors, great. "Good evening Klein, detective," turning to Mason, with his brown eyes vaguely glancing his way, he rudely shrugged. "Klein we've established the time frame for your stay, and Dr. Mendoza has suggested and we all agree that three months a minimum, we've found some severe damage to your spine.

The bullet as it entered it severed some very important nerves I'm surprised it didn't paralyze you permanently. But through extensive physical therapy, you should be up and walking regularly. Being temporarily paralyzed from the waist down is a blessing, truly Klein.

Because you were left so long without emergency surgery, it allowed for you to bleed internally. Which also produced numerous blood clots particularly in your lungs. We've been giving you a low dose of blood thinners, and once you've built up your blood count we will be placing you on one much more stronger. Just so that we can eliminate those blood clots.

As for your legs and things of such you will be in physical training often, because being in the bed all day, and not having the grace to move your legs or walk around your more prone to more blood clots. Ok?

How are you feeling?"

"Yeah great." I muttered, trying to comply with politeness, I kept my eyes on him. Timidly afraid of me, he turned to the doctor beside him. Staring each other down mentally battling who was going get stuck with checking me out.

The female finally bucked up, pulling down her stethoscope she faked a smile. "Don't touch me."

"Si-,"

"Don't. Fucking touch me." Baffled she grabbed her things and raced out, following behind her was the other Doctor. Laughing hard, Mason rolled his eyes. "What? They started it." Mike amazed was mouth wide, smiling. Serious, as he always is, Mason just stood there, ransacking his brain of what happened between me and Kassundra.

Accomplished that I got under that thick skin of his, I leaned back. "What's on your mind dad?"

"Dammit Klein stop calling me that. And nothing, you're fucking paralyzed." The last part of his sentence I could tell was a thought that he accidentally spoke aloud. The tone of his voice shattered to a low grunt of disappointment.

"Just temporarily, I'll be fine. I'm happy, that I at least matter to someone." I egged on sarcastically. The fact that I was paralyzed didn't seem to bother me much.

Why limit the mind when it can take you farther than your legs ever can, I didn't need to move them, or walk to get what I planned done, and executed how I imagined it, detail by detail.

Everyone lost in their heads miserably, I drizzly doze off.

Stazey rolled back in, with meds strongly held up in her hands."Hey baby, you ready? I picked up a couple of extra juice boxes. And before ya little ass asks, yes it's apple. Give me your arm," laying it out for her, she quickly wrapped it up in the arm cuff and manually pumped for my blood pressure.

"I see you've got some nice company, hello men, how's the night going?" My eyes trailed to her round face, a milky brown. Eyelashes falsely long, and eyeliner to compliment her silver and blue eyeshadow.

Her lips stuck out into a thick, plump pout, they were bare unlike the rest of her face. She was focused, but her face was bunched up seems like our contagious act of overthinking affected her gorgeous atmosphere.

"We're pretty good, we were just getting going. Klein will be alright tonight right?" Mike queried with his hands anxiously tied down into his pockets.

"I take care of your boy, he's perfectly fine with me. No need to worry. Right Klein?"

Catching me in the act of admiration, I softly gave Stazey a genuine smile.

She reminded me of my first crush, Liah Sheeran. Gentle with the touch, and perfect for the average eye to look upon. Confident, and unintimidated by my demeanor of misunderstanding.

They embraced it, of course I didn't start to actually like Liah until I seen her get a boyfriend. I blew my chance with her, after Ronn shamed me for liking a fat mixed breed. So after Ronn teased me about it, I stopped going over to her house to hang out with her. Chinky eyes, and chubby cheeks, she was short. Carmel skin of lusciousness, and thick thighs of goodness, she held her head up high, through every fat joke, and every rejection.

When I'd fuck with her she'd fuck with me back, she kept up. After a while of not talking to her I buckled down and called her. Pouring out her heart to me over the phone about how much she cared for me, I was the dick that I am, I hung up.

In my surprise Liah never hated me, she told me she loved me too much to ever do that. Years passed to our freshman year, and she was holding hands with Jarel Rodgers.

He was a black boy, wasn't bad looking, he just wasn't me. And she knew that, she never changed though, still a size 18, and had bigger feet than me. She never thought of herself as a girl because of the constant worry of her flaws. And she looked to me for encouragement, to embrace them.

Back then I never noticed them, until Ronn pointed it out, I was embarrassed that I actually thought about liking her. When Ronn would pull all of the 'normal' gorgeous girls. But I just kept away, because for some odd reason I was stuck on her, and her imperfections.

She was broken like me, but she never needed to be fixed.

_______________________________

Waking up I fought for breath. Gasping loudly I grabbed my throat, forcing myself to inhale air until I got a grip. The room was dark, besides the light on the nightstand beside the bed.

Mason and Mikalangelo were sprawled out on the futon, what the fuck were they still doing here?

Searching around me, I plopped my back onto the bed fatigued. This is my high maximum security, annoyed I turned to my side.

Mason was fighting his sleep. Normally when ones sleep they are peaceful, but in that dreamland of his it looks like he's in a full blown war. Fists clenched tightly he was knotted up, and constantly moving about, trying to get away, away from his regrets.

And that I knew, that I did.

Stretching my arm over to grab that envelope Mason brought in I roughly pulled out the letter.

"Dear Klein,

I'm sorry that your brother died he was the cutest person on earth. My favorite movie ever was faded, he played this really cool kick ass spy! I've watched it well over the amount of times a standard person would call normal.

Besides the point, I know what it feels like to lose someone you love, because I've gone through it too. The first month sucks, so does the second one, and the third one. The first year, and even the years after that.

You'll continue living, create new memories. But it'll never be the same, cause you're still missing them.

I know you're going to jail, maybe for a long time, but I understand. Hopefully you'll get out soon you know, when you're feeling better and stronger.

When everyone was scared of you, I was scared for you. It's understandable why everyone is scared, you do bad things. But I was told doing bad things doesn't make you a bad person, it's a normal human thing to do.

Feel better, and I hope that you'll change so they'll set you free Klein.

P.S The teddy bear isn't from me.

Xoxo, Sincerly,

T-"