Chapter 3
Angels roam free
With the middle of July fast approaching, guards were gearing up and doing construction around the outside walkways on the island, putting turret guns on the prison's defensive perimeters to keep anyone from attempting a rescue mission. Sounds of tools banging, keeping all four Cell Blocks locked down and had the inmates move at linear intervals to eat or work on something else. It was getting way too noisy for Shaundi and Marley. Both were scheduled for lunch at the cafeteria where it was the least noisy, and to assist a very maternal inmate in baking her snicker doodles. When they got to meet her for the first time, Shaundi knew she recognized her from somewhere. She even helped the Saints out a couple times. Her name was Laura.
"Sup sugar mama?" Shaundi said to her.
"Holy moly, I thought that was you. How are tricks, honey?"
"Crazy time in Steelport for Spring Break; this is Marley."
"Heard about you home girl. Fist me." Laura said as she extended her left fist, with Marley looking at her funny. "Sorry, I'm still learning the lingo from my colored friends."
"Don't mind her way of communicating. She may be anti-social but she is a pro at selling product in the suburban neighborhoods. She makes cookies too."
"Are you doing okay here Laura?" Marley asked as Laura was scurrying around for kitchen supplies and talking to herself. "She's freaking me out a little bit."
"She's harmless I swear. Whenever she feels the urge to strangle her son for crashing her car for the seventh time, she gets like this. Trust me, letting him stare at my chest while going joyriding on a hazy Friday night was the last straw; doubt she remembers that though." Shaundi replied.
"Feel free to some of my already made chocolate chips deluxe. It's on a plate next to the oven!" Laura said looking for another cookie sheet.
As soon as Marley took off the plastic wrap covering the cookies, Laura immediately stopped what she was doing and shouted at her to not touch the cookies under the plastic, but rather the ones covered in aluminum foil. Shaundi got curious after Laura said the cookies under the plastic were for a special project she had planned for the Warden and many of his top security guards. Marley wanted to know what was wrong with the snicker doodles and that she couldn't have one. Laura explained it by asking them a question if they had ever stood next to Mt. Vesuvius just as it was about to erupt. Then she put it in plainer terms once she found her second cookie sheet and calmed down.
Her question was then asked if either Shaundi or Marley ever had bad Mexican food. Both nodded as Marley pointed out to never have a pepper stake taco with Cherry soda. Otherwise four walls, a toilet and an air freshener were going to be your best friends. Laura agreed and integrated the same effect for her famous snicker doodles. Shaundi brought up once again her cookies are unparalleled to any rinky-dink bakery ran by Happy Enrico.
"Now I don't like to brag. I just like making taste buds happy, no matter where they're from. Hence the reason I'm here." Laura said putting more cookie dough onto the sheet.
"Yeah, that's another thing. You're not wearing an orange jumpsuit." Marley brought up.
"That's odd. You usually cover your tracks when it comes to dealing. What happened?"
"Well, I slipped. My freaking deadbeat of a son trashed my rental car after I ahem…experimented one of those cookies on him. He was on the toilet for about a month; thought it would finally teach him he's not one of those pasty white guys in the Westside Rollerz."
"Sometimes a belt solves all your problems." Marley said.
"Could if I had one; my ex-husband took half of my house's assets in the divorce. But the dumb bastard didn't think to take my family's inheritance; no sir-ee bub. Long story short, I crashed his "study party" at his friend's house and found out he was getting his wee-wee sucked by a forty-year old tramp. I should know since the lady was in my ceramics class. I've been living on the D.L. ever since."
"See why I love her style?" Shaundi said to Marley.
"Oh my lord, these chocolate chip cookies are like sex in my mouth."
From the perspective of the guards outside the kitchen and from the knowledge of the Warden, Shaundi and Marley were tasked to help Laura with her baking while the reality of the situation differed. Laura was only on the inside for a couple days, and knew full well about the breakout the prison personnel were working tirelessly to prevent. She thought she owed it to the Saints for helping her on special drug runs, acknowledging a certain young Saint known as "playa." Good boy she told them, but didn't talk a whole lot. Her real intention was to take the batch of snicker doodles she made under the plastic wrap, and triple the amount so she could give them to all the security guards the day before the breakout was about to take place.
Many of them would be clawing at the bathroom stalls they wouldn't have time to detain escapees. The captured Saints in particular would escape in the confusion. How the actual "getting out" part was going to go down, she couldn't say; just that she hoped they were very good swimmers. As Marley and Laura got to know one another, Shaundi brought up Loa dust and what she knew about it. Laura told her it was definitely not made in the U.S. but it was making a mint in the Caribbean Islands and around Jamaica.
In the old times, the Loa were once a race of Shamans who were initiated to be trained and bred without ears. It all had to do with putting oneself in a mental state. These Shamans were able to see the future by hallucinogenic patterns that were as vibrant and real as if they were actually happening. The dust was making rounds in Stilwater before she decided to lay low. It was nothing major; just within the same rhythm as cocaine.
Whoever was selling the supply from behind the scenes was making a solid first impression. Another side effect of the Loa was that if induced too much, the effects will be in the same league as smoking regular weed. You'll be high as a kite, and hungry as hell. Freedom for Shaundi was a risk she was willing to take if the breakout went down, but she was thinking long term in getting her own little drug business back up and running. The farm outside her campus was probably not doing so hot she thought. Towards the end of their kitchen shift, there were already four dozen cookies ready to make IBS seem like the flu.
Laura wanted the Saints to go free for reasons that they were the only people who really knew how to run Stilwater; vigilantes for the people she said. Shaundi asked her if she was going to join them in the breakout. She refused; for some strange reason she wanted to stay back and make a difference on the island prison and would be able send anonymous tips and chocolate chip cookies that would put Nestle out of business. She knew she was no Saint herself, but as a Stilwater citizen she wanted to make big contributions. Both wished her good luck.
On the eve of the breakout, Shaundi, Lacey and Natasha were out in the yard playing basketball with the male inmates. Marley was tasked to help the security guards put the finishing touches on their defensive placements around the island. While doing turret detail, she kept thinking about Cassie, but at the same time her pride. Ever since she earned her rep inside no guard or inmate would dare cross the line with her. Most left her alone until Marty grew a pair and stepped up after visitation was over.
He was supervising the work, which was another surprise in her eyes. He was more of a tazer carrying type rather than a "take a bullet for the greater good" type. Something smelled wrong in the air; she felt the tension from guards with high powered rifles that seemed pointing in her direction rather than any incoming signs for the breakout to happen. Marty walked up to her as she was lifting ammo caches and placing them next to the turrets.
"This all looks excessive. There's something Joey's not telling us about this breakout. You think the Saints over at the Row will plan a siege on this place?"
"You want to ask Joey or should I do it?" Marley asked.
"Naw it's just…I'm really uncomfortable around guns. It'd be unfortunate to hear them go off in the middle of the night. We're not exactly Fort Knox you know?"
"Is there something you want, man? I'm busy here."
"Just checking up on you; I didn't mean to push your daughter to leave. I was just following orders."
"If guns weren't pointed at me everywhere, I'd have tossed you over the edge by now. But I decided I'm going to stay in my cell. I just want to be with my daughter."
"You'd be wise to do that. Lots of kids in our city grow up without mothers or fathers. I'll uh…let you get back to it."
Out in the yard, the Jailbird Trio were scoring baskets with Tyreese and Scott's crew while the other inmates were sitting it out for the moment. Shaundi couldn't shoot a basket to save her life; Nat was teaching her how while Lacey was doing free throws. They were becoming fast friends in an unfriendly environment; even talked about what they were going to do when they get out. Nat had some personal business to deal with on her own; Lacey knew this. Shaundi was going to do a couple things: shower, smoke from her favorite bong again, and go play some ski-ball at the arcade.
It was the simple things for a hippie to do on her down time. As for Lacey, she knew she was out of the job after the Tee 'N' Ay fiasco with Doug and Tina. She was going to try and apply at Freckle Bitches until she could get back on her feet. Scott called all three of them with Laura's cookies in hand. Shaundi panicked and told them not to eat the snicker doodles. Scott said he was already told the few he took in particular were the good kind. She breathed a sigh a relief and bit into one of the cookies.
"Wow, Natasha said tasting the chocolate, that Martha Stewart clone knows how to bake. What? I used to watch her as a kid."
"I agree. She needs to send us the recipe for these." Lacey said.
"Is she escaping with us, Shaun?" Scott asked. "We could sure use her as our personal chef."
"She wants to stay behind as a network for drug deals and baked goods. I got to hand it to her; she's got more balls than me. Where's Ty?"
"He's looking for ways to break into the armory. Without guns, we ain't getting out clean."
"It feels so invigorating; escaping from No Man's Land and back into the industrial trash heap that is Stilwater."
"I miss the shitty traffic and the trailer park prostitution; our city is fun as all hell." Nat said.
"What could be better?" Shaundi asked before P.A. came on.
"Attention Stilwater inmates. Rumors have been swirling around the prison about a breakout happening tomorrow evening. Now you all know the stories about our prison: anyone who leaps over the gate will be shot on site. Those who tried lay dormant beneath the ocean as rotten food for the sharks. As far as I'm concerned, there are those who have been serving their time the right way without making too many scenes. So my proposal to you is this: anyone who is not serving 25 to life and does not participate in the breakout, you will be released on parole under the fullest confidence of both my-self and the Mayor of this city. Escape regardless and you will be detained, sentence doubled. Resist detainment, and you'll be making friends with your fellow sharks. Think long and hard before you decide your future. That is all."
Other inmates who were not wearing purple and were serving life sentences started the riot early. Security guards and sharp shooters around the yard's perimeter stepped in to contain the situation. Lacey thought it was a good time for the guards to work up an appetite. They were going to need it for Laura's special snicker doodles. Shaundi made a joke if any of them were trying to watch their waistline, it wouldn't matter because the sugar rush would be shooting out of them in no time. For the time being, the trio along with Scott agreed to keep themselves within the status quo of the prison since the guards were already having their hands full.
Lockdown came quicker than usual. Shaundi and Marley sat in their cell thinking about their options as to whether or not to partake in the breakout. Marley was hesitant on the matter. Cassie's safety was all she thought about and even that alone wasn't enough to stay cooped up on an island forever. Before going to bed, Marley had something important to tell her.
"I'm not the easiest person to get along with. I won't lie; I tried humping your waist while you were sleeping at times. Hell, I even enjoyed it. But after meeting you, Lacey, and Nat you three have shown me that you're not a bunch of sloppy seconds from some rancid skin joint. You ladies knew how to throw down when necessary. I was able to see my daughter again thanks to you. What I'm saying is, if the Saints would have us, I'd be goddamn proud to kick ass beside you."
"That's really sweet, Mar. Two months don't exactly feel like a lifetime in here." Shaundi said.
"With the right people, a few years can feel like a few days. So, what are you going to do when you get out?"
"Same thing I told Lace and Nat: shower, get high as a mofo, and play some ski-ball at the arcade. I have a drug farming business outside my college campus to get up and running again too; man I'm going to have a shit load of Science homework. What's in store for you and Cass?"
"To rebuild our family again; whatever that means. We've never had the chance to catch our breaths after those VK drive byes took out Cassie's father. I still kick myself when I think back to that day; those teenage girls getting blown up because of me."
"You didn't know they were in the backseat. It wasn't your fault." Shaundi tried convincing her.
"Is that what Vice Kings say to themselves at night; or the Carnales when they do their share of bloodshed? Ben King may have been a good leader, but honestly he ran his crew to the ground. He stayed true to himself while everyone else became consumed by money. The 3rd Street Saints is the only gang left with any dignity. I'd sure like to meet the others one day."
"Perhaps Ty and Scott can hook us up." Shaundi replied.
"That'd be great. Get some sleep, girl. Tomorrow's going to be a long day."
Tension and restriction was felt everywhere on the island prison. What was common knowledge to the inmates was the majority of guards going outside and was on the lookout for anything suspicious. As far as Nat and Lacey were concerned, in their cell block guards couldn't get enough of the snicker doodles; some were taking four or five of them for their mid-afternoon snack. If Laura's recipe was on the money, the amount of sugary, doughy intake was going to have them fight for the bathrooms all around; even crap in the ocean if they had to. For the most part things were quiet out at sea; the Warden thought otherwise.
It was a gut feeling he had, and it wasn't coming from the cookies. A few weeks back the prison had a small break in. The person responsible didn't leave any traces of himself behind. All he knew was the talk among the Saints and the newfound freedom they were about to receive. Back then it was just foolish thinking, but the more he thought about it the more paranoid he got that he didn't authorize every hollow wall and crack to be filled up. Whenever he called inmates to his office he would try to get character descriptions on the mysterious jail crasher.
It was a no-go on that front. Either way, he kept his twelve gauge shotgun and bomb vest handy and close by. Out at sea, a big transport boat was drawing closer to the prison. On the stern it had seven boats chained on top in rows of two. The sharp shooter above the old boating dock signaled the driver to stop and not deviate from his present course. Both took out their loud speakers to communicate with each other.
"Take it easy, man. I just have your delivery of seven drug transport boats on the back here."
"Wrong place; the Warden didn't order any new boats."
"Are you sure about that?" The delivery guy asked looking at his clipboard. "Look, I'm from Universal Sea Exports. Check with your boss."
The sharpshooter got out his radio and was about to get in touch with the Warden. Suddenly, he was feeling weak in the knees. In fact, from the delivery guy's perspective, other perimeter guards were feeling out of touch with their jobs. He got back on his loud speaker and told him not to move until he got back. Things were going according to plan.
As each guard got weak kneed, they ran off holding on to their butts. This gave the delivery guy the opportunity he needed to dock. Once there and got off the ship, he and two other people were helping him get the boats out into the water. Thank god it was flu season he told himself. After the boats were in place, he took out a radio he stole from one of the guards a few weeks back. He got in touch with an inside contact who was not exactly thrilled in putting his job on the line; even if it was for his brother.
"Drug mule to Home Base: your delivery has finally arrived. Your home can scream in excitement when ready."
"This is the very last time I help you. If I get fired over this shit, you will never see your nephew again."
"Just sound the alarm." Mel told him.
He put away the radio and got out his cell phone to contact Troy Bradshaw to confirm his Saints will be getting away soon. Troy assured him he was going to divert the cops in another direction while the breakout was taking precedence. His contact pushed the alarm, sending the entire prison in a state of detainment as the guards were planning to if a majority of them weren't standing in line at the bathroom. Afterwards, all of the cell doors opened. Shaundi, Marley, Nat and Lacey, Tyreese and Scott, and all the Saints wasted no time in getting on the move. They first stopped at the armory, getting out rifles so they can defend themselves if any sneaky guard decided to pay them a visit on the outside.
Once they met up with the four capable ladies, each one including Shaundi got a gun. For the most part, no guards or Warden Joey Vulenti himself made a surprise entrance yet. Tyreese told them they had to reach the old docks at the bottom level of the prison. Nat led the group down there, but it wasn't an easy path. Other inmates not related to the Saints: drug dealers, rapists, typical prison scum were blocking their path in every which way possible. Some were shot down while Marley took care of the hard hitting stuff. Lace and Nat worked as a duo in kicking some convict ass while Lace knocked them out cold.
Warden Vulenti wasn't as dumb as the rest of his employees. He wasn't hungry for Laura's cookies. He had a whole plate staring at him at the center of his desk, but sheer willpower was barely giving him an edge. Flu season was in the air of Stilwater, and all the hacking and throwing up came rushing through like wildfire, impacting Joe with a progressing fever. When he got up, he was feeling light headed as all hell, pressing the front end of the shotgun on the floor to keep him elevated. His gut feeling was right; there was no telling how many convicts that were escaping at that moment. However, he was planning on putting thirty-two souls into the ocean. Since that small break-in, he had a contingency plan in place. He got out his cell phone and dialed a restricted number.
"It's me. The breakout is happening right now. It's time to send these bastards to the sharks."
The Purple escapees finally made it to the old docking bay where they were introduced to seven getaway boats as well as the man who supplied them all. Mel told everyone to get on each boat in groups of three. He thanked his lucky stars the Saints came strapped and ready to make his job go a lot smoother if need be. He was surprised when he noticed Shaundi holding a gun as well. She gave him a delightful passing glance before getting on the boat. He told everyone else to get a move on.
As they headed out to sea, Joe tumbled out of his office and had a sudden urge to throw up. He came across a tall plant to lose a lunch or two. Marty and a few guards who were not so easily swayed by snicker doodles found Joe in an uncomfortable predicament. Marty helped him off the floor and wanted to escort him to the infirmary. Unfortunately however, one guard brought up about a few doctors using the sinks as their toilets.
"How many convicts are still on the island?" Joe asked Marty?
"About half of Cell Block C and some of A and D are still on the premises. It seems likely they want to be released early."
"Or fear of getting shot by our guys up there."
"I'll get you back to your home, sir. I got a helicopter prepped and ready."
"No need; you and whoever's left keep the inmates detained." He said as they were moving down the hallway. "Does your chopper have a chain gun?"
"It has 200 hundred rounds of pissing metal. Are you sure you're going to be okay?" Marty asked.
"Don't make me say it twice. I'll handle the escapees."
All twenty-one Saints plus the Jailbirds were out at sea and making their way towards the city limits. Nat and Shaundi were cheering about how the breakout was going without a hitch. Lacey on the other hand heard something brewing in the sky. Marley went over to find out if anyone was following them. She couldn't explain it, but she was armed and ready for any surprise attacks.
Marley went back and told the others to be on the lookout; they weren't out of the aquatic woods yet. She then told Mel to contact Ty and Scott on being on the lookout as well. He was already on it. Suddenly, a gunshot went off so loud that it nearly sent one boat spiraling out of control. A second shot hit the same hole the first bullet went into, causing it to explode killing three Saints in a blink of an eye. Out of panic, Mel told Tyreese to tell the other Saints to spread out and stay out of the line of fire. The six remaining boats scattered in different directions leading to the city.
On a city rooftop overlooking a grand view of the ocean, three attack choppers were ready to move by one's say. Jason was taking in getting his first shot at the Saints. They were nobody important when it came to running the Row or any other significance to Stilwater, but it was enough for him. His personal vendetta against the purple street gang was just getting started. He contacted the other two choppers to get high and go in guns blazing. En route to the getaway boats, he made a quick call to the Warden to see if he didn't fall for the snicker doodle trick and was crapping in a cell somewhere in the prison. Before he knew it, Vulenti confirmed his personal chopper was out and was going to flank the boats from turning back.
"You don't sound too good, Joe." Jason said over his radio.
"I guess flu season is in full swing this year. Don't worry about me. I got your back."
"Don't you mean my front?" He chuckled at the bad joke.
With the six remaining boats on the run from the three attack choppers, Lacey noticed another chopper coming from behind them. Marley noticed it and was pissed Joey would turn on her. Then suddenly, one attack chopper was following them with frightening precision. Every turn Mel tried to take the boat the chopper would follow it just as quickly. Lacey and Nat got out their rifles and began firing at the chopper's base. It didn't slow it down however; they weren't standard issue that could be taken down by two rounds of rifle fire. Its armor was thick, and was closing in fast on them.
Suddenly, the tail end of the chopper was destroyed by an RPG shot by Tyreese, sending it into the ocean. It became hell under the sea when Shaundi saw blood gushing to the surface; sharks too were out for the blood. Mel thanked Tyreese for the help. As for the other Saints the best effort they were able to do was to send lots of bullet holes towards another flying menace. Scott and his Saints drove by the ones who were wasting ammo and tossed a second RPG their way. Before they knew it, after fifty bullets made shrapnel out of the still functional chopper it got blown to smithereens.
"Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo, Scott shouted in victory, that's what I'm talking about!"
"Good work, Saints. We're not far from the city now." Mel told them.
"We still got two more in the sky!" Shaundi said.
"Guys, Vulenti's chopper, it's not prison issue." Marley told everyone looking through binoculars.
"Why what's different about it?" Mel asked.
"It has the Ultor symbol on it: a red sun."
"You shitting me; what's a clothing company doing with aerial weaponry?" Lacey asked.
Two choppers went after the remaining Saints. Another boat was taken out by Vulenti, leaving five left as they got closer and closer to the shore. Jason circled around on the eastern sector of the ocean and caught a glimpse of Mel's boat via sniper scope. The pilot flying told him to take the shot. Just when Jason was going to pull the trigger on him, he noticed Natasha on the same boat. He had his head down for a few seconds regretting ever giving her the anonymous tip to find her parents' killers.
Then again, he should've known never to take any understanding from a stripper at face value. His eyes were taken by her hidden beauty he told himself. Looking at Lacey, Shaundi, and Marley, he decided to go for the big fish and take all of them out for good. Suddenly, the pilot told him he was getting communication from Vulenti. Tyreese and Scott were alive along with fifteen Saints finally reaching the shore, leading to the fish packing district. He had a good chunk of the inmates within his sights until he saw six purple cars and vans pulling up to their rescue.
He was getting hammered by the gang's weaponry and almost got blown into the water. His fever was getting worse. Jason told him to hold out the best he could and was going to go help him out, but much to the pilot's surprise, Jason took his radio and threw it out the window. Vulenti was in the wind; all that was left was Mel's boat. He wanted to play God.
Marley was getting annoyed with one of the surviving choppers pursuing them. She took the AK-47 with an attached grenade launcher and fired like there was no tomorrow. Then out of nowhere, all background noise was sent to oblivion when a single sniper shot hit Marley in her left shoulder blade, sending the boat unsteady. Shaundi, Lacey and Nat were shocked by this; they got out whatever weapons they had left and continued shooting the chopper. Marley got back up and fired a grenade at its foundation. Suddenly, she took another shot to her upper right thigh. She fell back with blood spurting everywhere. Mel looked back and acted frustrated as he was trying to make the boat go faster and evade the chopper's sight. She ran out of ammo and there was nothing left on the boat to reload. She tugged on Shaundi's jumpsuit as she moved up next to her.
"Mar, stay back! We can still make it to shore!" Shaundi told her.
"Shaun-di…this is for you, girl." Marley replied giving her an object wrapped in old newspaper. "Tell Cassie…" She said before taking a straight shot to the head and falling overboard.
"NOOOOOOO," Shaundi cried immensely.
Seeing Marley toppling over into the water without any proper goodbye, sent Shaundi into a state of shock. She was no stranger to gunfire, but only if it was heard from far away. Natasha yelled out her name as she covered Lacey in keeping her head down. When they finally reached shore, the chopper ceased its pursuit as if whoever was flying fulfilled its purpose, and nothing more. As for Vulenti, he was feeling too sick to finish off the Saints. He retreated back to his prison. Troy and Dex were front and center, welcoming their homies back safe to find out the results of their escape.
Dex hated the fact the Row lost more crew members added to the long list of the ones who died taking out the three main gangs. As he was getting the others into back of the trucks, Troy looked at his clock and told Dex there was one boat missing that didn't get destroyed. Before he left, Troy made an observation about the cops never showing up when everything was going on. Dex was wondering about that too, giving him a suspicious look as he was driving away. Tyreese and Scott met up with Dex as well as they were welcomed back home.
However, they didn't ride with them back to the Row either. Ty mentioned they had a few guys watching over somebody important, and that they had to go see them right away. Dex gave them one of the cars and they drove off.
Shaundi couldn't process what was happening in front of her. She could still hear the gun shot as if it went through her head instead. Marley was lost to them; the others rested for a minute while Mel was looking at a map to find the safest route back to his nest. He then turned his attention to them.
"Lacey, we got to go." Mel said pointing at Shaundi.
"Give her a minute would you?" Nat angrily told him.
"Channel 6 is going to be all over this area." He said getting off the boat. "We have to get low. I have an underground nest not far from here we can use."
"He's right." Lacey told Nat. "The less exposure the better."
Both helped her out of the boat and got on solid land. Mel noticed something wrapped in newspaper on the back end. He put it in his pocket and rejoined the others. Running back to the city and sticking to side streets to avoid the 5-0 and news trucks, Mel's phone went vibrating in his right pocket. He took it out and it was Troy letting him know the Saints he brought back were being taken back to the Row safe and sound. Troy also let him know he made the cops turned a blind eye to the breakout; something Valderamma was going to have a field day with the Chief of Police.
Mel told him not everyone made it. He already knew six Saints got killed and couldn't do anything about it. Seven was the official number he told him, concluding the phone call that his job was finished and to remind him of what Mel told him two months ago when talking about the parameters of the job. Purple angels were roaming free on this day, but those who are more observant can see through the deception of those trying to justify the means. Being cryptic as he usually was with all his clients, he hung up and continued moving. Eventually, they came across a sewer entrance which made Lace and Nat give Mel an awkward look like if he was serious about his home being in the sewer.
It was a lot safer than living in Shanty Town he told them. By the time they reached his humble abode, he asked them to place Shaundi gently on the couch. She was still in shock; Lace asked if Mel had anything to put her to sleep. He didn't keep any medicine in his nest, just a couple of warm blankets, an old TV, and the couch she was resting on. He then asked Nat to go check some trash bags to get a small towel with water on it; he assured her it was completely sanitary. Lace sat by her side and comforted her. When Nat came back with the moist towel, she told Mel she had it handled in washing her up. He got up and went over to his table to check in his little black where to go next since his job in Stilwater was finished. Suddenly, the TV was turned on and Jane wasted no time in delivering the news update on what happened at the prison.
"Breaking news: the Stilwater Penitentiary was under complete duress after a sudden breakout of over two dozen inmates escaping the island. This is a first in this city's history to have a prison break without any bodies or sharks involved in the aftermath. To contain the situation, Prison Warden Joseph Vulenti and three unknown accomplices flew out in four attack choppers as they attempted to lure the Saints back to the Prison's mainland. One of the choppers had a hollow red sun on its passenger side, which breeds suspicion as to how a clothing line like Ultor could be involved. This is very concerning indeed.
Though 3rd Street's sons and daughters were now reunited at Saints Row, Prison personnel have been less than satisfied to apprehend the escapees. Vulenti couldn't be reached at this time due to flu season being in full swing with his immune system, but I managed to land a quick interview with one of the security guards, Martin Colbeck. Mr. Colbeck, do you have any idea what might've provoked the breakout?"
"Well ma'am, over the past several weeks there has been rumors indicating an outside source helping the convicts escape on boats. No doubt it was someone from Saints Row since the two dozen inmates all wore purple hats with wristbands and whatnot. To be honest, some of us guards have been too lenient on their stay with us."
"It sounds like some of your partners aren't having the best of days with their health."
"The Latrine from every cell block has been clogged if you want me to be explicit."
"Ugh, no need. One last question: your boss was flying an attack chopper with the company line, Ultor on it. Can you disclose any minor details as to how a clothing company got in touch with this level of weaponry?"
"No I cannot. Listen ma'am I'm going to have to cut this interview short. I got a lot of sick people here that need attending to. Good night."
"They seemed to be more concerned with their bowel movements than their prison breach. According to my sources, Police Chief James Floyd received a phone call from one of his officers to pull back any mobile pursuit of the convicts; another concerning state of affairs. Stay tuned for more info on the prison breakout as I speak to the Chief of Police tomorrow. I am Jane Valderamma: Channel 6 News."
It was going to be some time before the island prison was going to be fully functional again. Mel was looking in his bag where a remaining two grand was in from the payment he got in advance for the job. He zippered it up so Nat and Lacey didn't notice. He told them they were welcomed to stay for the night and leave first thing in the morning. He didn't have any clothes to offer or food to give; just beer and maybe some Ritz crackers somewhere in the nest.
The jailbirds weren't hungry. Suddenly, Shaundi passed out in Natasha's arms. When Mel went to check on her, he breathed that it was only her just sleeping the events away from her mind. Lacey thought she was shot during the escape but thank god that wasn't the case she said. However, they decided to hike back to their old apartment and settle in for the night. Nat wrote on a piece of paper their address and gave it Mel to give to Shaundi when she was able. They both thanked him for getting them out of the prison in one piece as he helped them find their way out of the nest. Before following behind them, Mel took out the object wrapped in newspaper Marley gave her, and placed it on an old coffee table in front of the couch.
The next morning, sounds of water drops hit the surface of the nest, making it sound like boulders crashing and scratching the ground due to the acoustics. Shaundi slowly opened her eyes while feeling a little too warm under a blanket. She raised her head to see where the others have gone; Mel was sitting at his small desk looking at his black book, and was on the phone with a new client. As soon as he saw her woke up, he hung up and went over to see how she was doing.
"Where am I?" She asked.
"One of the nests I occupy in. How are you feeling?"
"Well, I'm having an insane urge to pee but I can't feel my legs. I smell like a rusty jail, and I just lost my cell mate and friend. Other than that, I'm free."
"Yes you are. I'm sorry about Marley. She seemed like a good person. Shaundi, I have to go."
"Why?" She asked.
"I have a new client in upstate New York. You know how it is. They get testy if you don't give them their male enhancement drugs."
"Please, stay awhile." She begged him. "I really need a friend right now."
"You're in luck." He said pulling out the written address. "Nat told me to give you her address when you woke up. Are you familiar with the area?"
"Yeah, I know it."
"I'll let you rest. Nobody else knows about this place so you'll be safe." He said getting up with his things together.
"Mel, she said looking up at him, when are you and I ever going to hook up?"
"Sleep well, Shaundi. I'll catch you on the flip side."
There has been some awkwardness between Mel and Shaundi for over the past two and a half years. They were two sides of the same coin: one got around with guys, the other got around the states. One makes the drugs while the other transports them across state lines and get a hefty payment towards the end of his delivery cycle. But something drew both of them together every time they crossed paths. Apart from their less than acceptable qualities to the rest of society, both were empty inside.
Relationships were overrated; emotions get in the way. Mel was always afraid to have a one night stand with her because if things got too intimate, he would develop genuine feelings for her despite her reputation. She on the other hand was always curious as to how he would treat her; there was always a sense of mystery to his cryptic sayings and having to live in Stilwater the longest. It was one feeling they had for each other that couldn't be explained with common sense, but in the general sense they respected and gave each other their space when they needed. After a few more hours of resting her eyes, she had finally gotten enough to wake up completely and sat up on the couch as she looked at her hollow surroundings.
The basic amenities were still there, but it felt more like a crypt than a hideout. In front of her on the coffee table were some goodies. For someone who had shyness in expressing how one feels about someone, he sure made up for it with breakfast and some old clothes from the Salvation Army. She had a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich and a Mango Coolatta from Dunkaroos. She tore into the sandwich like it was eating normal food for the first time. About halfway done savoring the bacon, her eyes set upon the newspaper wrapped object Marley gave her before she died. Her breathing stopped when she put down the sandwich, and un-wrapped the paper. It was a purple bandana with a note attached to it.
"Something Ty and I scrounged up for you. Wear their colors proudly, Shaundi. We are Saints now. See you on the other side, girl."
She gripped the bandana tightly as she was fighting back tears. Then suddenly, it hit her when she was reminded of another note she found on her first drug run with Lacey. It was old and crumpled up, but it held no fear over her head anymore. The best thing she had to do at that point was to keep on living, keep on moving through the unpredictable life that was Stilwater. However, she was going to do so with a stronger head on her shoulders.
"Thanks Mar." She said to herself putting on the bandana.
15
