Hands shackled by handcuffs. Everything around me was grey. From the enclosed walls and iron bars to the uniforms the staff wore. Even…even the eyes of everyone staring at me, grey.
"Get in the cell, Maggot!" Roared the officer who brought me to this dull place. His build was as thin and pale as the cigarette in his mouth.
And, normally, I'd scoff at anyone who said that you can feel a person's emotions through physical contact, but this bloke's hatred was quite evident; as he managed to shove me into a darker, soulless room.
"So, Martin, what're the specs on this group of delinquents?"
"Mmmm, Grayson, age fourteen, second offense. Look at that! Robbing a liquor store…. Come on kid, mommy's not gonna give you anymore candy if you keep creepin' where you don't belong."
"Tsk, you can hear the sarcasm from a mile away."
I muttered to myself, while the constables scrummaged through a folder of portfolios.
"Boring! Who's next?"
"D-D-De- grrrr! Can't pronounce his name!"
Martin exclaimed as he crumbled and threw the piece of paper to the ground.
"Hmm, from the looks of em' he's just another measlyblackie"-
Suddenly, the hair on the back of my neck shot straight up, as the pale bloke continued: "..who's got no business existin'!"
"What gives YOU the right!?"
"Eh, you hear that Martin? The new kid's got something to say!"
"Whatchu bugging about Palvera? ohohohh….him!"
Our eyes meet.
"Hah!" Martin chuckles.
"Thomas Bax, age 16, charged with…HOMICIDE!"
"YOU'RE WRONG!"
"…and ya might as well stop your rattlin'. From the looks of the rest of your records, although this is your first offense; there's no friends or family listed who'll bail you out, neither!"
…..
"Oh, that seemed to shut him up, Martin."
"Ya, darn straight, Palvera. Well, it looks like you'll be rotting away in here, like the rest of these scum , ehh Tom-tom?!"
"Don't compare me to the rest of these lowli—"
(!!! What am I saying?) The hatred that embodied these adults was starting to wear off on me. Still, this isn't right..
"That's it! Palvera! Let's cut off the lights early tonight. These kids need a time out, before they cause me to-"
"Yeah, yeah, I gotchu, Martin. Alright kids, Lights Out! Your new life starts tomorrow!"
As Palvera shut the lights off in the Juvenile Detention Center; my blood was boiling. None of this was right. This was NOT how the supposed "honorable, constables" were supposed to feel about people. Right?? Truly faux, indeed. This cold, dull place was far from the warmth I grew so used to. And, yes, I never thought that me, of all people would wind up here; of all places.
But, one thing I do know for sure. While I do regret what led me to prison; I am truly in love with where it led me…
8 years ago
"Thom- ….ime… et up!"
"Yaaaawwwn. Is- is it roller derby time, yet?"
"Hahaa, no dude, it's time to g-g-get up. You must have h-had a crazy dream, again, huh?"
"I- I guess so, Clarence."
I mumble to my friend, as I struggle to make sense of his choppy words. He may stutter a lot, but Clarence is a very friendly and simple minded boy who's easy to get along with. Although, I can't always look at him straight in the face when he talks. His bland, black eyes betray his bright blonde hair and spontaneous nature, which always seems to make me laugh.
"L-le-let's make our b-beds afore La-lady Ortiz gets heere!"
"Oh yeah! It's golden star Friday innit?"
That was more than enough motivation for me to get myself moving. As I quickly tuck in my sheets, before…
Tp, top, tip, tp. Footsteps echo down the hallway leading to our bedroom.
"Buenos Diassssss, childrennnn!" She's here!
"G' morning Lady Ortiz!"
All the children exclaim in unison; as if we were all awake for 4 hours, rather than 4 minutes. Who can blame us though? Every Friday, Lady Ortiz rewards the 3 kids who had their beds clean the most, throughout the week, with golden stars that allows them to have a weekend free from chores. What kid doesn't want a chore free weekend? Especially after all the homework and orphanage duties we have throughout the week! Makes no difference to me though, I'm only after one thing.
"You know what today is, right kiddos?" Lady Ortiz generously inquires as she digs into her apron. Now, don't get me wrong, Lady Ortiz is a very nice woman who's the ideal head of the orphanage we all stay in. But on Golden Star Friday, her warmth can melt even the coldest person's heart.
"First, up. Sachiko."
"Yay!"
"…Peter."
"Oh yeah!!"
"….And, last but not least, Thomas."
"Banging!"
"Thomas!!"
Lady Ortiz quickly removed her hand from my head.
"I know you're excited… as you should be. And your British vocabulary is very catchy, but, watch your tongue! Or else you'll forfeit your star to someone else."
"Ooooooooh, the boy scout's in trouble!" The other kids whispered. And, while I may not know why our dear Lady Mother doesn't like one of my favorite words; I still must comply with her, for the sake of my honor.
"S-sorry ma'am…" I bowed my head, in shame. "How bout, ace, instead?"
"Yes, Tommy, that'll do." Lady Ortiz replied with that gentle head pat I oh so love!
"Hehee, ace!"
"Now, children, off to the cafeteria. Friday classes won't start right without my darlings having a hearty breakfast!"
"YES Lady Ortiz!" The orphans exclaim as they rush out the bedroom doors.
As I attempt to catch up with my peers, I suddenly spot someone in the corner of my eye. "All three of our beds are made; clean even. But, there's not a single wrinkle on his. Almost as if it was a store model."
"Sachiko, what's up?" I interject with a puzzled look on my face.
"I-isn't it great having another golden star to add to our portfolios!!??" Sachiko's rushed reply revealed a rather flushed look on her face that contrasted her long, pitch black hair. But before I could reply, Sachiko continued.
"The more stars we have, the higher likelihood we'll get adopted!" Her eyes gleamed a light brighter than the sun. But just like the sun's overwhelmingly blinding light; Sachiko's enthusiasm; in this instance, caused me to turn in the opposite direction.
"Tsk! Why would I ever want to leave this place? Life's perfect at OGG." I silently mutter to myself as I make my way towards the cafeteria.