APOV
I walked quietly into my cell, putting my workbook down. I was angry that Leila has pushed me but feeling Mr Grey's hands on my body, it was worth it.
She's going to be so angry when she starts to read that book. It will give her something more to moan and complain about but with all the time she has left in here, she doesn't have much else to do.
"Ana, are you ok" Ros asked, coming over to stand by my bed.
"I'm fine. Don't worry."
"She touched you Ana" and so did he, which brought a smile to my lips.
"I'm trying to see if you're ok after that bitch touched you and you're smiling, which is making me smile. Stop it."
I laughed then, hugging my friend as Gwen told Ros the outcome from being pushed.
"You like him" she asked.
"I do. I really like him" I admitted out loud.
"Maybe I should join this class and have a word with this Mr Grey about looking after you when you get outside."
"What, no" I said, startling everyone. "If you want to join the group to learn English, thats fine but not to interrogate him."
"She's already protective of him. I love it" Ros laughed.
"Stop it."
"I'm only messing with you Mouse. You're a beautiful woman Ana. This Mr Grey would think himself lucky to have someone like you."
"Go out and grab yourself a slice of that hunky man" Gwen told me.
"I would rather have the whole package instead of a slice."
"Weeeell, from what I could see, a nice large package he has" Kate said, before the room erupted into laughter.
Mine, I wanted to say. Mine, Mine, Mine.
…
Breakfast was actually fun when we arrived, Leila staying well clear of Ros. Her complaints could be heard about her book but much to her annoyance, no one was listening.
We all made our way into the library once breakfast had finished. Ros not being in the group with us, had come to read while the rest of us worked on our projects.
"Ana, can you help me find a book" Ros asked, from behind the bookcase.
There was only one bookcase in the room which wasn't against the wall and it looked like Ros was hiding behind it.
"This library isn't that big, that you need some help" I said, joining her.
"I know but this is a secret spot for special moments."
"Oh. Does Gwen know you have brought me around the bookcase under false pretences" I asked.
I could hear Gwen laugh from her desk, so I think that she knows.
"Do you know there are cameras in the room" Ros whispered as we looked for this missing book, a book I had yet to be told the title of.
"Of course, there are cameras everywhere."
"Not in this corner. Where we are now is a blind spot for the cameras. It's perfect for conversations like our own or secret rendezvous with supposed sexy teachers."
"They will still hear you though."
"That depends how loudly you kiss" she smiled.
"Ros" I laughed, picking up a book I hadn't seen before and looking at the back.
"Keep it in mind. Here is the book I was looking for" she said the last part loudly, going to join the others.
I looked back to the corner, walking over to fit into the small space. She was right, it was a blind spot but I wouldn't risk getting him in trouble, no matter how much I wanted his lips on mine.
I had been sat at the table, writing my book report on the one I had just finished when Leila, Gia and Susannah came in. We ignored them as they made their way to the table at the back of the room.
"Ana, have you any idea on how to do this" Hannah asked me.
"What have you got to do."
Hannah showed me her list, a poem was what she had to do next.
"This book is ridiculous, I can't believe I have to read it. I have been set up to fail."
"You will be fine. Just skim through each page, I'm sure you can get him to pass you" Gia told her friend.
Keep wishing I thought, trying to continue with my work.
"Valentines is coming up. Write it as a valentine's message, they usually rhyme" I told Hannah about her latest assignment.
"That's an idea Leila. Leave Mr Grey a valentine's message in your book, I'm sure he'd like that" Susannah placated her friend.
"Keep wishing. The only one who would appreciate a valentine's message from Leila is Hyde or maybe even he's not that desperate." Ros said.
"Are you talking to me" Leila asked, from her table.
"Yes, I am. Do you have a problem with that." Ros told her. "Didn't I warn you what would happen if you touched any of my girls again. Then again, you pushed Ana straight into his arms so maybe thanks should be in order."
"Yes, thank you for that" I said, smiling.
Leila didn't speak back to Ros but as soon as I spoke, he attention was focused on me.
"Teachers pet, you have him eating out of your hand."
"I'm not a teacher's pet, I just know when to shut up and pay attention. You should try it sometime."
"Are you jealous Leila, because Ana is intelligent enough to hold his attention and have a conversation with him. Your intelligence can be written on the back of a postage stamp."
"Fuck off Gwen, go and kiss Ros's arse."
"Later baby but not at the moment" Ros told her.
"It was pretty pathetic how desperate you were in the last lesson" Mia said.
"Yes, you could have begged at his feet and he still would've walked past you to Ana" Kate told her.
"Are you not going to say anything" Leila said to her so-called friends. Both who were too afraid to say anything against Ros. "Let them gang up on me, you're both as bad as them. OFFICER HYDE" she shouted.
"Miss Williams what seems to be the reason that you're shouting in the library" he said, coming into the room.
We had not seen him for days, hoping he had dropped off the face of the earth but unfortunately, he was back.
"Officer Hyde, all these women were ganging up on me." she complained.
"Is that true" he asked, looking over us all.
"We were just discussing Leila's behaviour at our last English lesson Sir" Hannah told him.
I was proud that she had spoken up and was finally coming out of her shell.
"Yes, I have heard about that" he said, looking back at Leila disapprovingly. He was probably jealous that she had set her sights on someone else and not him.
Realising she wasn't getting any support here, she left the library, leaving her book behind. Thankfully for us all, Hyde followed her.
"Now the interruption has left, we can get back to some work" Gwen said as I started my book report again, ignoring Gia and Susannah who crept out of the room.
…
"Ana" I heard behind me, before I turned to see Taylor stood there.
It was coming up to dinner time and we had all just started to pack up. Taylor's normal jovial smile was gone and he didn't look happy at all, in fact he looked angry.
"My Dad" I asked, breathlessly.
"No Ana. As far as I know, he's fine. Warden Roach has asked me to bring you up to him."
I nodded, getting up from my seat, leaving everything behind. Was this about the library yesterday, had someone seen how close we had gotten. There was nothing anyone could view as us doing anything wrong. Everything is under constant watch, every word listened to. The only thing I could get in trouble for was squeezing his hand as I left but that could be perceived as my thanking him for saving me.
"Jason."
"You're not in trouble for anything Ana, please don't panic. This is the outside world trying to come in."
We walked past a woman, typing at her desk before Taylor knocked on the door to the Wardens office. I know I have been in here before, it was just a time that had passed in a blur.
"Warden Roach, I have Miss Steele" Taylor announced us, once the door was open.
"Thank you, Officer Taylor. Miss Steele, please take a seat."
I quietly walked into the room, stopping short when I realised that Dr Flynn was in here as well.
"Take a seat Ana" he quietly said.
I did what I was asked as Taylor was about to leave the room.
"Warden I would request that Officer Taylor stays for this meeting" Dr Flynn said.
"Anastasia, is that ok with you" the Warden asked me.
All I could do was nod. Out of all the men in the room, I trusted Jason the most.
"Anastasia. As per protocol, when an inmate is due to be released from prison soon, the victim will be notified. This was done last week and yesterday the parole board received a letter from a Carla Morton, protesting your release."
"I didn't apply for parole" I said quietly. I didn't apply because I knew she would do just this.
"I know that. As you know here, all inmates mail is opened and quickly read to make sure nothing suspicious enters the prison."
"Yes sir."
"This afternoon a letter was passed through to me from the mail room, addressed to you from Carla Morton. Due to the nature of this letter, I asked Dr Flynn to read it too. He is the one who asked for this meeting as he does not think it's in your best interest to receive this letter."
I could feel the panic starting at the thought of that horrible woman and how yet again, she is trying to ruin my life. Now I knew why Flynn was here and why he wanted Taylor to stay.
"I don't want to" I said, shaking "I'm sorry. I don't want anything to do with that woman."
"Ana, you don't have to read it" Taylor said, crouching down in front on him.
"Have you" I asked.
"Yes" he nodded and I could see the anger back in his eyes.
"Anastasia, I will keep the letter with your file and inform the parole board what we have received too."
"Can I make an appointment with Luke please."
"Luke?" the Warden asked.
"Yes, sorry. He is my Lawyer, I know the law is on her side but I would like to see if there is anything I can do once I'm out, to make her stay away."
"Anastasia. Just because you have been in prison, don't think once you get outside that the law won't protect you. It will. The reason I'm keeping this letter on file is that if at any point she harasses you outside, then this will go down as evidence against her."
"Thank you, Warden Roach."
"I will let Officer Taylor take you back to the wing" he said, as I stood beside Taylor.
"Thank you, all of you."
"Ana if you need to talk, you know where I am" Dr Flynn said.
"I know."
I walked quietly beside Taylor as we made our way back to my cell. Everyone was still at dinner so the cells were quiet. All except mine, which had the girls waiting for me.
"Don't let her get to you Ana" Taylor told me.
"Her. No, that bitch hasn't" Ros said, standing from Mia's bed.
"Ladies please" Taylor said, before turning back to me.
"I won't Jason. She has taken too much already, I won't let her take any more. Thank you for staying."
"Anytime."
"I need to call my Dad. If she tried to contact him too."
"When you're ready, come and find me and you can use the office" Taylor said before leaving the cell.
"Ana talk to us please" Gwen asked.
"She has contacted the parole board, trying to mess with my release. She doesn't realise that I refused to apply so the power she thinks she has, doesn't even exist."
"Taylor's right Ana, don't let her win. God what I would do for five minutes alone with that woman" Ros said, throwing her fist about.
"All right Tyson" Gwen laughed. "Take Ten instead."
Ros smiled, kissing her wife's lips before settling down as I told them about what happened in the office.
…
I spoke to my Dad, ruining his good day but I was glad to hear that she hadn't been in touch. She said her part, made sure I was here but her power over my life has ended and I don't think she can handle that.
My mood had been subdued since my visit to the Warden's office. Not knowing what she would do next. Luke had been called and he was due on Wednesday. He was in court until then and had offered to send one of his colleagues but trust was a big issue with me and I would rather speak to someone who I trusted, than someone new. He had been sent a copy of the letter but as I told Taylor and the rest, I didn't want to read it. I just hope he has some ideas on what I can do to make her go away.
Sunday evening, I attended the service with the girls in the prison chapel. I'm not a religious person, never really have but I suppose like outside, in the chapel I can find some peace. It's also a place that we can express ourselves, singing loudly without being told by Morgan or Hyde to shut up.
When Tuesday morning came around, I was more upbeat for the day. I had been working on my project, even selecting some of my journals for Mr Grey to read. Maybe reading these he will see a different side of me but I'm pretty much, a what you see is what you get kind of girl.
I was back outside, taking in deep breaths of the cool winter air. February had arrived but still the snow lay on the ground. The heater was fixed, hot air hitting you as soon as we were inside. We were introduced to Babs who had joined our little gardening group from another wing. She was a chatterbox, I will give her that. Far too happy to be inside a prison but maybe like me, being out here, she feels an escape.
"How did you end up in here" "Jessie asked her.
"Let's just say, I put too much trust in my ex-boyfriend. Thought nothing of it when he said we were taking a romantic trip to Vancouver. Getting stopped at the border and finding drugs in the car, pretty much put an end to that."
"Did they think they were yours" I asked.
"Not really the car part, but the ones he had stashed in my purse, pretty much yeah. My sentence was a lot shorter than his but I'm still here."
We chatted away, making sure we didn't fall behind on our work and went our separate ways once dinner was ready.
"She will keep you entertained when I'm gone" I told Jessie as we left the greenhouse.
"I don't mind, I would rather be with her than some of the nutters in here."
"Amen to that."
We climbed the steps towards the door, buzzing to be let back in. They like to take their time, especially in this weather but I didn't mind, more time to breathe.
Looking over the yard towards the gate, I saw it was closing behind a car that had just entered.
"Where did that smile come from" Jessie asked but my focus was on Mr Grey, who had just gotten out of his car.
They could take their time opening the doors at the moment as he was looking our way. I wanted to wave, acknowledge him in some way but I couldn't draw attention to the feelings that I had for the man who helped me escape the wing, two evenings a week.
"That's your English teacher" Jessie asked, pushing my shoulder as we watched him walk to the door.
"Yes, that's him" I said.
We watched him as the doors opened, one last look our way before he disappeared from sight.
"Sorry about the delay" Officer Reynolds said, finally opening our door.
"Don't worry about it sir, you were just about to get two new ice sculptures in the garden" Jessie told him as we made our way inside.
They talked back and forth between themselves as we went through the metal gates and onto the wing. My thoughts hadn't been on them though, it was on the man who had just arrived.
"How was the frozen icecap" Kate asked, when I entered my cell.
"It was fine, once I was back in the heat. We have a new girl with us now, she seems nice."
"She on this wing" Mia asked.
"No, she's on D. Babs is her name."
"Who's Babs" Ros asked, walking in with Hannah.
"Ana's new best friend" Kate wined. "She's replacing us."
"Behave" I smiled. "I will never replace my girls."
"Good Mouse because you're stuck with us. Forever" Gwen said as we left our cell and made our way to the dining hall for dinner.
Waiting in line, Leila's screeching voice, reached us at the end of the queue.
"Doesn't she ever shut up" Hannah asked.
"No, she's a new breed of dinosaur" Kate told her.
"Dinosaur" I laughed, snorting to myself.
"Yes, she's a loudmouthgobasaurus" we all laughed then, looking Leila's way.
I don't think she was happy with the attention but she usually attracts it. It felt good to laugh though for a moment, especially with all the worry I have had since Saturday.
"Tray" Leila said to me, when it was my turn to receive the delicious offerings of the day.
I handed the tray to her, seeing her put the food on it and waited for her to give it back.
"Officer Morgan could you help me with the door" Susannah shouted, struggling to come through from the kitchen with the trays of food, she had overloaded herself with.
"You silly girl" Morgan said, leaving her post to go and help.
"Can I have my dinner please before it gets cold."
"You think you're something don't you Steele, laughing with your friends."
"Give her the dinner Leila" Ros said, by my side and I continued to hold out my hand.
"Fine, don't choke on it. I sure wouldn't be helping you out."
I waited for her to put the tray in my hand but it was her hand on my arm I felt, my tray clattering onto the counter.
"Let go" I said, trying to pull my arm back.
"Fucking let her go now" Ros demanded, grabbing onto my arm too.
"Williams let go of her arm" Gail called, coming forward from her position at the other end of the counter as Morgan span around to see what was happening.
"Let's see how lover boy likes his girl branded" with that I felt a searing pain shoot through my arm.
A scream which could only be my own, echoed around the room.
My hand was wrenched from hers by Ros as Gail slammed Leila to the floor. Morgan was dealing with Susannah who had obviously been used to lure her away. Leila had in her hand a metal ladle, one that they use all the time and from the feel of it, one that had been left on the heated top.
I felt sick, like I was going to pass out as I stumbled back into a body. There was screams and shouts, the alarms adding to the noise but I was trying to focus on my breathing. I could hear Taylor talking, it was him I think that held me now but it felt like I was going further and further away.
"Ana stay with me please, talk to me" Jason said.
I couldn't. When I had arrived here in the prison, the walls I put up, were protecting my mind. With every step I stumbled, no matter how I fought them, the walls were coming back. These past couple of days had been too much, dealing with her and now this.
I was lifted into someone's arm before being placed down on to something soft. Taylor spoke to someone then before leaving to go for help.
When it felt like my mind had won, it was his voice that I heard, pained, anguished telling me to let him know that I was ok. His voice which was like an anchor, pleading with me to hold on.
He continued to talk to me, brushing the tears away that fell. It was one word though, one word he had said that kept me here. Christian. Having him here with me now, the emotion flowed.
"Too much" I whispered "too much" my tears falling freely.
"I know baby, I know" he whispered in my ear. "Stay with me Ana Please, talk to me."
I'll try, I will, I promise. I will try just for him. As my eyes opened and the tears fell, his eyes, his face was what held me there. His words bringing me back to him so the wall around my mind wouldn't win.
Thank you for reading.
I know most inmates can apply for parole but for the sake of this story, when Ana is released, I wanted her to really be free.
The next chapter is written and will be up as soon as i finish editing it.
Take care
Caroline.