Chapter 4
Nikki followed instantly but was not fast enough to catch Yvonne. By the time she reached the landing Yvonne had already left a path of destruction behind her, knocking over property and people alike that got in her way. She said nothing at first, all her energy spent on destruction. Nikki watched helplessly as the screws advanced towards Yvonne. Quickly things spun out of control. The others, who knew nothing of Lauren's tragedy, but always eager for an excuse to riot, joined in the mayhem. Screaming, shouting, crashing, banging. It was chaos. Nikki inched her way towards Yvonne, knowing she had no hope of calming her or preventing this riot now, but needing to try somehow.
"Oy Yvonne! What's up, mate?" Denny asked, concerned. Denny, usually the first to get involved in a riot, seemed disturbed by Yvonne's behaviour. Ignoring the chaos around her she had sought out Yvonne and asked her what was wrong. The kid had changed a lot since Yvonne had taken her under her wing.
"Out of my way, Denny." Yvonne pushed the girl aside, waving a piece of broken furniture towards the prison officers who were advancing towards them. The officers stopped in their tracks to assess the situation.
"What's going on, man?" Denny asked again, placing her arm on Yvonne's shoulder. Yvonne spun around violently. "I said get out of my way, you little shit." Yvonne spat back, poison in her words "Who the fuck do you think you are? You're nothing. A worthless little shit. You're worth nothing next to my Lauren, hear me?"
Denny's face fell and she backed away. Yvonne could see that her words had crushed the girl's spirit, but it was too late to take them back now. Besides, weren't they true? Wouldn't she swap Denny to have Lauren back? What was wrong with that? Lauren was her daughter.
Thoughts of Lauren weighed Yvonne down, she dropped the piece of broken furniture she had been carrying and fell to the floor sobbing. She made no protest as the officers advanced from behind and pulled her to her feet.
"Right, down the block for you, Atkins." Sylvia announced triumphantly. "And the rest of you, back too your cells or you'll be joining her!" Sylvia threatened.
"Oy, get your hands off her you bitch! Her daughter just died, have some compassion," Nikki yelled, lunging towards Yvonne.
"Right Wade, that's you down the block and all." Sylvia announced as two officers came up behind Nikki dragging her down the block. As Nikki was pulled along, she looked up, through the bars, relieved to see Helen standing there. Helen wouldn't let this continue. Helen would put a stop to this cruel barbaric treatment.
It took Nikki a moment to realise that the look of anger and indignation on Helen Stewart's face was not directed at the ass hole prison officers who had dragged a grieving mother towards the segregation block. Every ounce of that anger, that blame, was aimed at her. As she was pulled past the place Helen stood, she heard her whisper the accusation.
Nikki was too shocked to reply even if she'd had time. Before she knew it she had been dragged round the corner out of sight. Behind her she heard the awful racket of crazed women out of control, angry officers trying to calm them. In front of her she heart Yvonne's wretched heartbroken sobbing. But louder and more painful than those two sounds put together, she heard clearly that resounding whisper of accusation from Helen 'You were supposed to be looking after her. Look what you've done Nikki.'