LETTER FROM HOME

LETTER FROM HOME


Savannah’s POV

I joined the queue with a plate in hand to receive my lunch of dry bread, half a spoonful of sauce, and a morsel of meat. Some days, I prefer to starve than eat such a meal but today, I have every reason to eat and stay strong because the new warden is returning.

He promised to return with more information and knowing that my parents are out there gives me more reason to be strong. I have a purpose now.

“Next!” The chef yelled after serving me.

I sighed and turned around with my plate in hand. Not even the swines in my home were served this kind of food but look what life did to me? I’ve been subjected to so much suffering and degraded to the extent that a swine feeds better than me but maybe, not anymore.

My parents’ sudden reappearance had sparked hope in me and now, I’m ready to fight my way out of here.

I went to the table and realized that my seatmates were almost done with their meals. Well, what’s there to waste time about? A few bites and chews and you’re done especially after having a watery porridge for breakfast, you’d want to rush lunch.

I placed the plate in front of me and watched all nine of my seatmates depart the table one after another. I sighed, grabbed one end of the bread, and tried to rip it apart but it seemed too hard.

I picked it from the plate and began to bite. It tastes bland. Everything here tastes so bland that with each passing day, I’m starting to forget what an ideal meal tastes like.

Michael thought his little tricks about reducing my life sentence were going to rattle me. Well, he’s not prepared for what’s coming. Since my parents destroyed his home which I learned from my new ally, more danger awaits him.

He doesn’t know what they’re capable of.

Speaking of a new ally, I was about to take another bite of the stupid bread when I saw him standing in front of me. I immediately dropped the bread which fell on the plate with a thud.

The warden was holding a baton. He sat right in front of me. He rolled his eyes around and then darted them back to me.

The coast was clear.

The other inmates were almost done with their meals while the rest had returned to their rooms. The kitchen staff seemed carried away with sharing the remaining bread.

He cleared his throat loudly and leaned toward me. I cocked my head closer to him.

“Your parents send their regards. He asked me to give you this,” he said, and pulled out an envelope from his pocket.

I blinked.

He propelled it toward me. “I think it’s a letter,” then he stood up. “I can’t be here for long. I’ll see you tonight. Wait for me in front of the hall right after tonight’s movie night,”

I pulled the letter toward me and hugged it tightly. My hands began to tremble. This was the closest thing to home I’ve had in months.

The warden disappeared.

I spotted another warden moving toward me. I quickly slipped the envelope inside my shirt.

“What are you waiting for?” The huge officer barked in my face. “Meal time is over,”

“Of course,” I stood up and quickly left the table, holding onto my shirt to ensure that the letter didn’t slip out,”

I traced my way back to the room, opened the door very quickly, and locked it from the inside. I quickly took out the envelope, rushed to my small bed, and crouched against the wall.

I quickly tore the envelope and pulled out the letter. I held it tightly and began to read. I read through the first sentence and tears began to spill from my eyes.

It wasn’t a dream. My parents are here, in New York and they want me to collaborate with the warden.  

I read through the whole letter and by the time I was done, tears were already flowing down my cheeks, uncontrollably. I hugged the letter and then supported my knees with my chest.

I closed my eyes and fell into a deep snooze.

By the time I opened my eyes, it was evening. I turned to the door and saw lightning piercing into my room even though the corridors were dark.

I gasped. It’s happening.

My lips trembled and I quickly turned away, backing the door m my eyes shut.

Lately, my hallucinations begin with lightning and then strange voices followed by illusions of Michael and Madison.

\~~~~

The logistics warden switched off the television right after the end credits rolled on the screen.

“Back to your rooms,” he turned to the crowd.

Everyone stood up and rushed back to their rooms.

I stayed behind but didn’t catch a glimpse of the warden. Then I dragged my feet to the door. When I stepped out, I continued to roll my eyes around, searching for the warden then I saw him emanating from the shadows. I was about to walk up to him when Glen, the logistics officer stepped in front of me.

“Where are you going?”

I began to stutter.

The warden I was meeting that night immediately came forward. I can’t believe I don’t even know his name. I should ask him once he delivers tonight’s message.

He cleared his throat loudly and turned to his colleague. “I asked Miss Green to wait. I have a message from the headquarters regarding her case,”

Glen took another look at me and then turned to the warden. “Then you’d better hurry up. It’s bedtime,”

“Of course,”

Glen left.

The warden turned to me after heaving a sigh. “That was close,”

I nodded repeatedly.

He walked up to me and looked me straight in the face. “Now, I need you to listen very carefully. Your parents have assembled mercenaries and are closely working with them,”

My eyelashes wavered in confusion.

“They sent that letter to assure you that they are working toward your rescue and trust me, they are working fast,” he said.

“But they can’t fight the state. My case is with the state and even the lawyers given to me by the government said I don’t stand a chance at freedom,” I replied.

He chuckled. “Who is talking about a legal fight? Didn’t you hear me? They have assembled mercenaries. They plan to raid this prison,”

My eyes widened in horror.

He nodded repeatedly. “Damn the consequences. They are ready to risk it all for you Savanah and tomorrow night, they shall strike,”

A feeling of astonishment suddenly flushed all over my body. My parents want to initiate a prison break.

How touching!
How fascinating.

“What’s the plan?” I turned to him.

“By 1 am tomorrow, they shall strike. By then, I would have obtained the keys to your cell from the officer on duty so I’ll come to you, open the door, and set you free,” he supplied.

Sounds like a thoughtful plan but we both know it won’t be easy especially with the way the prison was heavily guarded.

He continued. “The mercenaries will create a diversion at the entrance and I’m sure the other officers will be ready to defend when the commotion is going on and that’s the right time for you to head out,”

“What next?” I demanded almost immediately.

“Once I open your cell, you’ll go to the backyard. Right where the kitchen is located. You’ll walk toward the right and see a tunnel. That should lead you outside the prison so you must crawl to get there,”

I nodded. “Got it,”

“You must know that there will be guards around the area because every perimeter of the prison is being watched but don’t worry. The mercenaries will secure that area and ensure they put down all the guards to grant you an easy passage,” he told me.

I had stars in my eyes. This was the moment I’ve been waiting for.

“Once you can crawl out, you’ll see a road leading to the street. Take off your uniform and put this on,” he handed over some clothes to me.

I took them.

“It’s an open road that is accessed 24/7.  Stop a cab and go to your parents. They’ll be waiting for you and once you come, all three of you will leave the city by shore,”

I blinked. “But how do I locate them? They didn’t mention it in their letter and I’ve searched everywhere for them in the past before I ended up here,” There was a blank expression on his face. “Even you don’t know their location,”

He sighed. “They wouldn’t tell me. I meet with your father every day in an old warehouse and he’s the one who comes to see me. He says he doesn’t want to compromise the safety of his family,”

I groaned in frustration. “Then where do I find them?”

“He said you’ll know,”

“But how?”

“Are you sure you searched everywhere?”

“Yes!” I replied and then something struck me like lightning. “I searched all possible places except one place,” I turned to the warden. “There’s an underground warehouse in Cannan Street,”  I gasped. How could I be so stupid? How could I forget? If I had looked there, then I would have found my parents a long time ago,” I turned to the warden. “I’ll find them there,”

He nodded. “I’ll see you tomorrow night, then. Don’t forget the plan,”