Disclaimer: These are Janet's characters. I'm only borrowing them.
Spidey Sense
Day after day, the monotony continued. Everything was done on a schedule and Stephanie became conditioned to that schedule. She tried to stay upbeat, but it seemed to drag her down a bit more each day. Looking at her calendar, Stephanie could not believe that she had been in prison over three months. She had missed being with her friends and family for most of the summer and it was now fall. She thought fondly of her favorite holiday, Halloween. That was a special time with her Grandma Mazur. They would both dress up and hand out candy at her parent's house. Stephanie really missed her grandma. On their last visit, her parents explained that without Stephanie there to celebrate Halloween with her, her Grandma did not dress up, nor did she hand out the candy. She was waiting for her baby granddaughter to come home.
Stephanie didn't want to think about missing Thanksgiving. Her mom was an excellent cook and she could just imagine the table loaded with all the usual dishes; turkey, dressing, and sweet potatoes with marshmallows on top. She didn't want to dwell on all the desserts her mom prepared days in advance. Closing her eyes, she could almost smell the delicious aromas floating out of the kitchen. It was always a madhouse. Valerie and Albert's children would be there. Mary Alice was still in her horsey stage and would be galloping all over the house neighing. Angie would be in the window alcove with a book in her hands and earplugs poking out of her ears. Little Lisa was now walking unsteadily everywhere and by now the baby gates would be dragged out from the basement to keep her safe from the stairs. Stephanie thought sadly how she used to dread going over there for holidays. What she would give to be there now. Depending on good behaviour and no incidences in prison, she was hoping to be home before Christmas.
One day, as she was cleaning up the kitchen after lunch, she was handed a note which she quickly put in her pocket to read later. Written communication was strictly forbidden and punishable by extra duties. Stephanie wondered who would take the chance. If someone wanted to get hold of her, there was always the rec room in the evening where inmates could gather and socialize. Stephanie could hardly wait for the day to end. Her natural curiosity was driving her crazy. Could it be a note from Maddie? Was something going on? Waiting until safely locked down in her cell for the evening, she carefully removed the note from her pocket and read it in the dim light. It was short. "Die Bitch."
Maddie paced in her cell after lights out. She could feel that there was something going on and the shit was about to hit the fan. She hadn't been at this pen very long, but she had been in her fair share over the years and could feel the vibe. In her heart, she knew that there was a plan targeting Stephanie but her informants were coming up blank. Whispers pointed to a group of women, mostly in for gang raps. She knew that gang members earned more respect from offences committed in prison. Maddie vowed that she would try to protect her new friend as much as she could. Her resources were limited, but she knew some of the inmates transferred here from other prisons and was hoping to call in some favors. It was vital that whatever sinister activity was about to happen be somehow diffused. She'd work on it tomorrow.
Stephanie and Maddie made a strange pair. Stephanie had been raised in a traditional home with two loving parents and a sibling. Maddiegrew up in foster care, bouncing from home to home. Stephanie had a university degree and Maddie hadn't finished high school. Stephanie had at least two steady jobs, mostly financially secure and a strong sense of self worth. Maddie, on the other hand, had drifted onto the streets at a very young age, had become immersed in the drug scene and had nowhere to call home. Her employment history was very spotty at best and she would be hard pressed to remember many happy childhood memories.
Hector knocked on Ranger's door early one morning. At the command to "Come", he stepped in. Ranger immediately put down the paperwork in his hand. He looked at Hectors face and felt all the blood leave his. Hector had developed a special connection to Stephanie and treated her as the little sister he had once had. Sofia had passed away at a very young age from a gang related drive by shooting. He had once told Ranger that he thought of Stephanie as his new little sister, his Chica. The fact that they could not communicate with words made no difference. They had transcended the language barrier and it was always amazing to watch how they worked together so well. Hector didn't like to work with others. Stephanie was bouncy, loud, chatty and a bundle of nervous energy. Hector was the picture of reptilian calm. He could sit for hours observing activities on surveillance. He rarely spoke, even in Spanish. He abhorred unnecessary conversations and did not partake in any of the get togethers at Rangeman. It was rumored that he was an excellent dancer, but not one person could confirm that. He was firmly entrenched in the Mexican district.
His face was lined with exhaustion. Ranger had taken him off all Rangeman duties and assigned him exclusively to finding anything he could through his gang connections. He had not been seen for at least a week in the building. Hector struggled for control as he waited for Ranger to call Tank into the office. As the door closed behind Tank, Hector spoke very rapidly in Spanish. He had been out all night. Rumors had been floating around for a few days, but last night there was more information. Stephanie, his Chica, was in real danger. The hit had been accepted. The timeline was short and word on the street stated one of the conditions was Stephanie was supposed to suffer very badly. The men looked at each other. This was rapidly becoming something they had no control over. As mercenaries, they knew that once a hit had been accepted it could not be rescinded. Information on the street seemed to confirm that a large amount of money had changed hands. There was also a disturbing rumor that it had originated from somewhere in the Trenton Police Department. Ranger blanched at the news and picked up the phone. He needed to speak to the warden immediately.
Stephanie woke up and her spidey senses were on overload. She had been having bad feelings for the past few days. Thankfully, her friends had understood her fear and made sure she was protected. Up until a few days ago she had believed that her cell was a safe place, but she had found objects missing, moved, and added. She had no illusions that asking any prison staff for help would land her in a world of trouble for herself, so she vowed to handle anything that could possibly happen her way.
Her visit yesterday with Connie gave her encouragement that her friends were still trying to get to the root of the whole situation. She knew that Connie could not give away many details as all phone calls were monitored, but the gist of the conversation gave her some comfort. As Connie prepared to leave, she looked at Stephanie and mouthed, stay safe. Stephanie nodded. She was doing her best.