Passage 56
James heard the buzz of the door as he was let into a room he knew all too well. He stripped down and placed his effects in a bag and took pictures for the prisoner profile. He was angry that he was serving time in his previous place. He swore he wouldn't come back last time he was here. He reflected when he saw Yuri die and the only man he had killed out of all of his accomplishments.
He saw some old faces and a few new ones. He could tell by the glow in their eyes as they were still having a little fight in them. That was the thing about the newer inmates they still had the fire of freedom still fresh on their eyes. The ones who had been institutionalized eyes become dull and lifeless like they forgot what freedom felt like.
James smirked at the new ones as he knew that their life hasn't set in yet. He wasn't new but he touched freedom for a few years. He hated Bethany made it where the complex got discovered all his crimes. He had always lived there and when him and Jessica moved upstairs to get distance from his parents he still visited his trophies .
He came in as a few men who remembered him from before moved out of his way to let him pass. James hoped he wouldn't have a roommate this time because he didn't like sharing a room with random strangers. James had always liked his alone time and a roommate disturbing his sleep wasn't ideal for him.
But this time James was placed in solidarity not in with the general population. Perhaps last time his crimes were just petty this time he was in for murder . They labeled him as the complex killer as the news broadcast said as the followed the story. James had to admit he grew in popularity as he saw the crowd grow when he left the courtroom as he was taking to his holding cell. Girls wooing with dyed blonde hair obvious to get James attention. James wasn't unfortunate looking he was considered to be rather handsome and him only being twenty -seven years old was still an very aimable catch for the thirsty woman of the city.
James smiled as his perfect teeth would make girls faint on sight and he felt a thrill seeing these woman willing to be his object of his deadly obsession. He smiled as dazzled these fool stricken women not knowing the awful horrors he could do to them. He was like a celebrity in his trial.
But now as the solitairy doors was locking the sound was like hearing his freedom evaporating as James suddenly could catch a breath. Shit he was back. Back to the place he swore he would never be again. It had been only four years since he was out and he was in rehab most of the time. He closed his eyes and sat on his unpaid bed as he could touch the sink and toilet with his legs from his bed. Instead of open bars where he can watch people move pass him there was a solid door with one small window slit that doubled as a tray slot.
He was in a concrete box below ground where the echoes and noises were amplified . The noise itself was nerve racking . The buzzes and the sounds of locks clicking and buzzing could drive a sane person insane. He first thought he was in the hole for the dejected trouble makers but then he realized this had a window to see the courtyard as it was eye level to the ground as he can hear feet shuffling outside. The hole didn't have a single window and was far below the scope of daylight.
Meanwhile in another part of the facility new detainees were escorted to their new assigned area as Bobby-Joe was pushed into a commons cell with his starter bundle as he visit the commissary to get his toothbrush and paste and a single comb . He had never seen the inside of a prison walls but as he came in the room with a hundred other beds in bunk bed style as each had a number as he looked athe the number on his jumpsuit as he walked in with boxers and a tank top . He looked up to see a high cornbread fed guy sleeping on the top bunk as the mattress sank into the bottom one where he was stationed. Bobby-Joe thought it be easier for him to be on the bottom since he was so heavy .
He placed his items on the bed not wanting to lay down as he watched the variations of how the jumpsuits were worn.a few guys sat together and others sat apart. A loud fart sound made from about as the room burst out in laughter.
" Fresh meat inmate got station under pinto beans Chester. " Commented on inmate laughing.
" If the food don't kill him the gas from that lard will." Said another inmate.
The guy kept sleeping as another fart erupted as the room gasped as this one was deadly.
" Darn it Chester eat less grass and beans you stinky bastard or bloody plug it up from that gas chamber in your backside." Said a guy in the bed next putting his pillow over his head trying to escape the smell that filled the room and drifted across the top of the bunks.
Bobby-Joe already hate it here. He couldn't believe he had thirty years of this farting arse. He moved away as Bobby-Joe held his nose in disgust . Chester finally woke up as he jumped down from the top bunk as it was a shirt jump as he was a very large man as the small farts sounded off like a trumpet as he made steps. It was comically musical every step he took to the restroom.
" Does he have a gastro problem." Asked Bobby-Joe between breaths.
" Ask him yourself . See how well that goes. " Laughed another inmate .
" No . I am good. I'm just taking advantage of all the clean air that I can manage ." Sassed Bobby-Joe. As the room broke out in laughter from his remark.
" What did you say about me ." Said a deep voice hovering over Bobby- Joe. Chester was a large man but he hardly heard him come back to where he was previously standing.
" You think he is going to shite himself or take the hit. Perhaps both." Whispered an inmate.
" I said you are polluting good breathing air." Bobby-Joe said as the room held their breaths in an anticipating gasp.
" Polluting ?" Chester said as he repeated the word like he didn't understand.
" To contaminate with harmful and posionous substance. Therefore polluting good clean breathable air every move you make. You are a walking stinking bug stinking up the room with your I'll adjusted bodily functions." Said Bobby -Joe firmer as the room grew quiet. The room was pin drop silent for a moment. Chester breathed heavy as his eyes looked angry and offended at the same time.
Then it happened. A loud crack followed by an astounding pain and dizziness as Bobby-Joe fell crumpled to the ground. The giant stood there as he sniffled . He looked around the room as the other inmates stopped talking . No one made a move to help the man that appeared dead.
" Well if he didn't shite himself before he sure did when he got it knocked out him just now." Cracked an inmate. The room erupted in laughter now.
" I'm tired of y'all making fun of me. It's always the same damn jokes. " cried the big man now standing over the man her knocked flat out.
" Then stop eating beans ." Snarked one inmate. As he made sure he was far enough back when he said it .
" I like beans. " Retorted Chester .
" Whatever man pick up him and put him on the bed before the officers make their rounds and see him on the floor and we all have to line up for damage inspection . Probably caused brain damage with that love tap. " Said a man that was shorter but muscular as his tattoo under his eye read his credentials.
Chester picked up Bobby -Joe like a light kitten and placed him on the bed as he crawled back to the top bunk and the rest of the room settled back in. Chester was as big as a giant ,but sensitive since he grew up with all women in his household. The food here was edible but chester liked the beans here. In fact his mother use to tell him they were good for his heart.
When his mother died he went crazy and tried to rob a bank hoping they would kill him in the process . Armed with only a finger in his pocket and a will to do it he made the grand mistake of doing it on a deposit slip with his mother's name on it. He made it out of the bank but he was slow in running and they caught him fast with the stolen money in hand. He really didn't want to rob the bank he was just not wanting to be home with his older sisters reminding him his mother was gone.He was just a sad country man who missed his mother. That was a touchy subject for Chester. But he had heavy hands and all it took sometimes one hit to get the other inmates to back off.
Lenard was the tattooed guy who called the ropes. He had scarred over scratches on his cheek . Thirty in total with tally marks. He wasn't no bigger than five foot, but he was vicious and accurate in his kills. He came in under embezzlement . But he had at least thirty kills under his belt in the twenty years he had served . Some were pinned on him others never weren't. It extended his release date. After his old lady divorced him while he was in the pin he didn't want to go home to an empty home.
Lenard respected Chester but didn't take him seriously at times. Chester was entertaining in a brawl , but not much more after that. He gave the new guy props for a slick mouth and guts knowing the enviable. But he lacked strength in a true fight. Perhaps he would wake up perhaps he wouldn't he just had to wait and see.
Brittany slammed the phone down as they told her it be three months before he would get a visit with James after he was fully acclimated into the populus . She had become obsessed with sticking it to James that it made her angry the dead ends that was placed in front of her. Aunt Chloe overheard the conversation as she grew concerned over her only nieces newest obsession. They went to many pain staking years of therapy after Kaylee disaperence for Brittany to stop obsessing over details. Brittany had a hard time accepting her cousins disappearance. She was the one who said many times James was the last person Kaylee went to see ,and noone took her seriously. " Brittany I'm concerned about you. I overheard you asking to see James . That won't be the best idea considering how long it took you to let Kaylee go." She said softly as she whispered her dead daughters name like it was sacred . " That's the thing . I never got over Kaylee. That was just something I told those overpaid quacks to stop trying to prescribe me antipsychotics. Kaylee deserved to be remembered." Stated Brittany as she saw the hurt look on her aunt Chloe's face. " I see. So what do you hope to accomplish with seeing James? Are you trying to find closure? " Asked Aunt Chloe now more concerned. " No quite the opposite. I want some payback. He ran around free for years while she was locked in a room behind a wall. He visited her and deprived us from her. He kept her in her very own prison as she rotted away. The least I can do is show him what it feels like to be stuck behind a wall and he can't get to me. Remind him what he did Everytime I see him. Make his conscience eat him alive." Said Brittany not skipping a beat in between bites of her low fat cereal she made during her conversation. " Then what. What if he gets out. Tracks you down and kills you? He isn't in there for robbery ." Said Aunt Chloe upset at the irrational thoughts she heard Brittany admit to . " He is in there for five life sentences and a second degree murder . That's twenty-five years a pop. He won't get out for one hundred and thirty years. I did the math before I came up with this plan. I'm not stupid." Spatted Brittany upset her Aunt didn't understand her efforts. " So your going to waste your time paying him back as you say. Now who is the real victim here. You or him. You give him too much power over you. He wins if you allow him to stay in your thoughts. Leave it alone. Know that justice have been served and do not stir the pot." Advised her Aunt Chloe . " Unbelievable . You of all people I would think you want to know how it all ended for Kaylee's sake. I am doing this for Kaylee I seem to be the only one righting the wrong inflicted on this family." Retorted Brittany. " Kaylee is dead and you are alive. You are doing this for you not her. Let her rest in peace. The justice system did their job and put her murderer behind bars . Stop creating problems when it's already been fixed." Pleaded Aunt Chloe. " And whose fault is that? I won't rest until I see that monster break before my very own eyes. I want to see him utterly destroyed down to his core until his only option is to take a long walk off of a short cliff. My parents are dead. My only cousin who was My best friend that was like a sister to me is dead. The only thing I have to lose is myself and that's a risk I am willing to take. I have nothing to lose that matters anymore anyways. If I destroy him in the process of destroying myself so be it" Screamed Brittany as she left the room now aggervated at her Aunts passafist attitude. Chloe sat there dumbstruck by her nieces misguided idealism. This was a dangerous games she was playing and she knew it wouldn't end well for Brittany. She already lost a daughter now her niece was volunteering to jump in the lions den for the sake of her own personal form of justice. Tears filled her eyes and she grabbed a wine bottle without a glass and popped the cork and drank from it directly from the bottle. Chloe was a small racked woman so it didn't take much in her to make her forget about things. Chloe went to go sit by the pool as she sank in the hot tub wine bottle in hand as she tossed up the contents trying to drown her sorrows. The opened wound Brittany opened was devastating. She felt all her efforts was going down the drain with her only nieces words. Meanwhile Bethany smiled as it had been several months since her and Axel had gotten married . She lined up four pregnancy test on the bathroom counter as she waited the results. One by one the splash window filled and she saw two lines and plus signs across the counter tops. She smiled in happiness as she smiled at the results. She heard of false positive results so she stopped by Fairview to get actually results. She didn't want to create false hope. The cold jelly ran over her abdomen . It felt weird . She looked at the black screen as she saw a tiny motion move to confirm a baby was indeed there. Then as she was about to conclude her single pregnancy another heartbeat appeared. Bethany knew it was a possibility since Axel himself was a twin. Her eyes well up with happiness. " Can I have four copies I have a plan for the news. My husband and daughter will be overjoyed ." Said Bethany welling up in tears of joy. " There you go Mrs. Jing and once again congratulations on your pregnancy." Said the technician as she cleaned up the jelly and printed out the photos of the sonogram. She quickly packed up the test and held the picture of her and axels babies and went to get a box and a ribbon for the reveal. She went to the store and got axel's favorite cake since it was Paul's night to come over for dinner. Bethany sang as she prepared her surprise. Axel is came home tired from the gym as she missed her normal training day. " Paul and I missed you at the gym." Stated Axel. " I wasn't feeling well. But I'm all better now." Stated Bethany glowing. Bethany had prepared three gifts . One for Sunny. One for Caden ,and one for Axel. Paul had the instruction envelope as Bethany wanted to make this night special for all tonight. " Hi honey I'm home what's for dinner?" Jested Paul as he walked through the door catching axels look as he came in. Paul busted out in laughter. " Sorry man. I couldn't help myself." Said Paul as Axel knew he was found of Bethany. " You feeling better , Bethany."asked Paul as he sat at the table . " Much better . " She smiled setting the table with food. Paul looked down at the envelope propped against the water glass. " What is all this?" Questioned Paul eyebrows arches at the calligraphy of his name on the envelope. He then looked at each place setting to see a box in front of each setting . " It's a surprise I have planned for tonight's dinner to be served with dessert. I got axel's favorite cake and have a prize at the end of the game." She said all gitty. Axel looked at Paul and shrugged as he motioned for him to humor Bethany. Axel personally didn't like surprises but he was going to humor Bethany anyways. They ate dinner and Caden eyed his box impatiently. Bethany touched his arms to let him know she noticed. Hercules layed at his feet under the table as usual and mercy on the stairs. Bethany smiled as she turned to everyone. " Each of you have a box and a card labeled with a number. In sequential order we will open our items one by one. Remember this is a game we eat with cake." Said Bethany excited. " Why does this feel like clue and we find out professor mustard killed someone with a candlestick in the kitchen." Said Paul in a sarcastic tone. Bethany lifted her eyebrows in amusement at Paul's comment." Who has card number one ?" Bethany continued. " I do." Said Paul. Paul opened his card as he saw the sonogram photo as he read the card." Day by day we cherish family. Tonight's dinner is sponsored by such a moment. Card number two open your box but remember to not look inside the envelope." Said Paul as he tried to compose his face. Caden looked at a box and opened it slowly as he held up a pink and blue hearts made out of construction paper as he read the hearts" with two hearts starting a new begining . First came a cousins close as any brother and sister , second came a brother and sister puppy pair. And next card number three . " Said Caden confused now. Sunny looked at her card and smiled. " I'm next as she opened a box to reveal a disposable camera. She scratched her head and looked at her mom." Take a picture of Axel when he opens his surprise and on the count of three open all your envelopes to show him. " Said Sunny as she aimed the camera towards Axel has his face glared at Bethany. Axel opened his box and saw three pregnancy test strips and a sonogram photo he couldn't quite make out as his eyes grew big as he realized what it was . He looked really shocked now as Axel saw a flash go off. " 3.2.1." yelled Bethany as the room opened their envelope showing Axel three sonogram photos. He looked at each image before it clicked in his head. " Are you serious." He said smiling at Bethany. " Yes. I'm have not one but two babies." She cried full of joy as Axel picked her up spinning her. " Wait momma your having a baby." Grinned Sunny overjoyed. " She is having twins. Way to go man." Congratulated Paul. Caden sat there in deep thoughts." Does that mean I need to go back home now you don't have any more room for kids? " He said as the room looked at him. " No Caden . There is plenty of rooms . Babies only need one room . And well we have five rooms. So you don't need to leave." She said comforting the confused boy. " Oh. I just thought. I overheard momma and Roger saying he wanted to send me to a fancy school overseas since they had no room for more children." He said as anger plastered on axels face. " You are my son now. You can stay here with me." Axel said removing his nephews title . All three adults looked at each other wondering what else was done to him at that house. " Besides who would take care of Hercules. He is rather fond of you." Reassured Bethany as the boy finally let out tears he held in from all he just processed. Bethany and Axel held the boy as Sunny and Paul fell in to comfort him now. Bethany looked over the top of Caden's head as she looked at Axel as they secretly knew what the other was thinking. Was Avery truly going to allow Roger to send Caden away to persue her relationship. This was beyond selfish even for Avery. They knew Caden didn't like Roger but what was Avery thinking wanted to send him away so they wouldn't have kids in the house. How far was Avery willing to go to secure Rogers attention. It was bad enough Caden felt a certain way about his mother when Paul came over all busted up and his uncle's car . But what Caden said right now. Bethany and Axel were now given no choice. They had to adopt him. Avery was not serving Caden's best interest . Sure it was supposed to be a happy moments with her telling Axel they were expecting but Caden was also their priority. Meanwhile Avery was in the phone time to make a call as Ruth -Anne had been her constant shadow . She hadn't had any more problems from Lucienda or Tara's crew. Avery leaned against the wall as she made her one call she signed up for. The phone rang as Roger saw it came from the correctional facility number . He rolled his eyes thinking it was one of his more mischievous clients in jail again. He picked up the phone as he answered . " Roger Evenburg." He said professionally. " What the hell Roger ? You can't call or check up on me or anything. Do you know how long it has been since you did that?" Sassed Avery. " Avery where are you?" He said now realizing who it was. " I'm in the woman penitentiary. I got sentenced for contempt of court. I haven't heard a peep out of you since my deliberation." She fussed. " Oh is that how you got locked up?" He said not following her grievance. " No. My brother took our son and took the house. He even turned my own mom against me. When he wouldn't answer my calls I went to his work and lost my temper." She said having no patience explaining events. " Ok what do you want me to do about it?" Asked Roger sounding like a prick. " He is your son too. Can't he stay at your place while I'm here so he won't be stuck with his uncle." She scolded him. " He sounds like he has it good at his uncle's place. Plus my loft isn't exactly kid friendly. I don't know what to do with him." Complained Roger as he loathed the fact of a child touching all his things and messing up his space. " Roger!" Yelled Avery over the receiver. " Oh I'm so sorry Avery I can't hardly hear you. What's that echoes?" He said looking at his watch knowing there was a time limit on the supervised prison calls. " Roger can you hear me now?" She asked annoyed. Roger kept looking at the clock only a few more seconds. " I'm going through a tunnel it might cut out." He pretended . " You are I called your office." Just then the phone clicked off the timer and the call was dropped. Avery was mad now that not only did Roger not care she was in prison he didn't want to do anything about caden.ahe screamed as she slammed her hand against the wall. " Next." Yelled the officer monitoring the phone times. " You can call your boyfriend in a couple more weeks. Move it along your holding up the line." Said the woman now pointing Avery to move along. Tara layed against the wall as she turned the corner. " I see you gained a shadow. You don't go many places without her do you?" She said as she referred to Ruth -Anne. " More like she don't let me go anywhere without her." Rebuttaled Avery . " You got some nice moves. Where you learn to fight like that?" Asked Tara interested now. " I pick it up here and there." Avery lied knowing minimum information was safe information. " Well you picked up quite a bit . I've been here close to six years . Back then a lady named Deloris ran this place. She took me under her wing and when she retired out I took over." Explained Tara. Ruth-Anne stood a good distance back as the women talked. She kept her eyes on Tara as she remembered her brother Bobby -Joe saying she left him for being difficult,so how did she end up here? " Is there a reason why your giving me a history lesson?" Said Avery now bored with the current conversation. " No reason. Just filling you out. It's not everyday a new inmate catches my fancy." Smirked Tara as she like direct smart alecs . " Lucienda was one of your crew correct?" Stated Avery. More of a fact and less of a question. " Yeah. Been with me from the start. She was like my shadow. Came across her the same way you came across princess there. " She said fondly. " So why didn't you help her when you saw she was in trouble?" Asked Avery curious. " It's simple. I told her we had no beef. She took it upon herself to go against my orders.sometimes the best lessons learned is the ones taught ." She chuckled as if it amused her somehow. " I see. " Avery said short as she was really not interested in any further conversation. " Well I'll see you around ,Avery. " Tara said as she pushed off the wall to make her call. Ruth-Anne caught up to Avery as she looked around to make sure the hallway was cleared. " That seemed a little random. Did it not?" Asked Ruth-Anne in a cautious low voice. " It sure did." Confirmed Avery as she began to think how strange the conversation was all together. " Come on let's get something to eat we will catch the back end of the line and all the food is probably cold now." Said Avery as the woman went to the mess hall.