Hi! I'm doing fine here in China, just working from home at the moment to reduce the risk of exposure.

Here is the next chapter. We're had a bit of a time jump.

TFG

Chapter Twenty-Five

"So, she then asked me, 'What have you learned from your time here?', and all I could think was that I've learned how to fold thousands of sheets without going insane!" Tia said sarcastically as she folded her one-hundredth sheet for that morning.

"It's a fair question, I mean, they do need to decide where you should go. If you've learned nothing and are unrepentant then they'll probably have to give you a tougher transfer than if you actually want to better yourself in a legitimate way," Ella answered as she pulled more sheets from the industrial washer.

The few years that she had spent in the minimum security wing had managed to change the shy young girl who entered Allenview quite a lot. Not enough to be a complete transformation, but enough that she now felt comfortable talking to other people.

And yes, the years had been hard for her. When Madam Isa got sick and could no longer visit her, she had no idea if she would ever visit her again. Her only link to the outside world, who might not ever get better and she would have no way to know. When a young girl she had begun to get close to committed suicide and she found the body dangling from her cell. When the male guards started to take an interest in her.

That was one memory she would forever shudder from. The feeling of hands on her body and knowing that she couldn't do anything about it. It was a real shock when one of the guards who had taken her had suddenly found his conscience and confessed what was happening. But it didn't erase what had happened and that it was probably part of the reason why a few of the young women and girls in the Detention centre committed suicide.

Even more shocking had been when the Warden and Guard Dander had come to her asking for evidence, as she was named as one of the girls that that particular guard had molested and raped. She hadn't thought about it in those terms, trying to hide behind the thought that she had let him touch her in that way. But, as Danders explained, that drake was in a position of power and by taking advantage of her during her incarceration, he had essentially raped her.

The older guard also explained that no one had ever given evidence, as everyone was scared of severe retaliation. but, as Ella knew she was going back to maximum in one of the toughest female prisons on the planet, plus that she could physically take care of herself, she was one of the few hens in the Detention centre that had very little recriminations to fear as they were inevitable anyway based on her sentence.

So, Ella had gone to the Warden and explained what had happened to her and some of the other girls in her wing, as well as some of the girls in medium and maximum. And, just as predicted, she was beaten by some of the male guards and threatened with a return to maximum, with worse treatment than she had already endured.

Luckily, the Warden had developed a little bit of a soft spot for the young hen that had bravely spoke to him. He knew that she wouldn't be lying as she had nothing to gain from it, as well as nothing really to lose. She would be spending another twenty years locked up regardless of what she said.

That had been how the female detention centre had become an all female staffed centre. Apart from some of the staff, such as the Warden and the head cook. It had become a lot more pleasant for all those of were incarcerated there. And there had been a marked decrease in suicides.

Guard Danders had often told Ella that she should be proud of herself, for making such a big change and for her brave decision to speak out. But, as Ella said often, it wouldn't make much difference in the long run. She would still be spending more of her life inside prison than outside of it.

When the bell rang to let them know that the work day was now officially over Tia gave a loud whoop, despite the fact that they would be back there tomorrow. Whereas Ella was a lot more reserved. She actually enjoyed doing the menial labour work that had been assigned to her. She had spent so many years doing absolutely nothing that anything was better than sitting in her cell and counting down the days she still had left to serve.

She had applied for several different details when she had been told that she could now work just like all the other girls old enough to work. Which was the majority of those detained in Allenview. In fact, if she wasn't in class she should have been working since she was fifteen, but no one trusted her to any of the details.

The only one that she had been allowed to work was the laundry detail. She had much preferred to work in the library, but as that was a detail without a guard it was rejected. She had then applied for kitchen or yard work, but those were rejected because she could have access to something that could be used as a weapon. There were also details that were outsourced, such a community restorations outside the Detention centre walls. Ella didn't even apply for those, as she knew those would be instantly rejected for fear that she could escape.

There were even some details that would have allowed her to make some of her own money, in an honest and legal way. Some companies outsourced work to the detention centre, but only to the girls old enough to work a minimum wage job. These were mainly telemarketing or telesales jobs, as well as some manufacturing work. All those were barred to Ella though, as the D.A. did not want her to make any money.

And so, she had been forced to be on laundry duty for the past nine months. It wasn't a bad detail, it was simple enough work and it kept her busy. Plus, she was on the detail with her cell mate, Tia, who had quickly become her only friend.

It made the day go quicker, as they both chatted as they worked. Since they had found some common ground they both were able to talk more freely. Though, as soon as someone else came into the room Ella would often clam up and allow Tia to do the talking.

Today they were talking about the fashion they had seen on the evening news the night before. It had been a big awards show with all the biggest celebrities in attendance to try and win awards for the recently released movies. Tia's aunt and grandmother were seamstresses, and had their own store in Bardon. It was a town they had both visited often while they were out.

"I think green is most definitely your colour, it brings out your eyes," Tia said as they folded the last of the sheets before locking down the equipment.

"Yeah, because I'll have such opportunities to wear different colours over the next twenty years," Ella replied as she undid her hair from the top knot she put it in while she worked.

"That is totally a shame, as you're so pretty. I bet you had so many designer clothes when you were younger. I would have killed to have had designer clothes when I was out! I did see some that needed to be adjusted once. My grandma even let me help to do it," Tia said as they walked towards the mess hall.

"Yeah, the clothes I wore to court were about four thousand dollars and the necklace was a family heirloom. I'm probably never going to get any of that back."

She thought back to the outfit that she had been made to wear by her brother and his lawyer. It had been very demure and sweet, showing how well off and innocent she was. Her hair had been braided back so that everyone could see her sweet green eyes.

Now though, she wouldn't know what to do with anything like that. Not only would she not know how to dress for her more feminine body type, but she had gotten so used to being given clothes that she didn't think she could make a choice for herself. She had spent the last seven years only wearing drawstring cotton pants, white t-shirts and regulation slippers with her hair tied up that she didn't think she could put together any other outfit.

"Well, it would be very unlikely that the clothes would fit you and the necklace should be returned. But then again, you are going straight to Miltaka, so why would they need to give it back before your thirty?"

Ella had learned long ago to accept the fact that she was going straight to the adult prison in a few months. The D.A. had recently been across to the Detention centre to remind her of the fact. When she was told that she had a visitor she had hoped that it was Madam Isa again, having recovered from her surgery, but when she was shown into the visitors room the D.A. sat there with an assistant and a lot of paperwork.

By the time he left the older drake was screaming obscenities while Ella got lead away in handcuffs by Guard Danders. The Warden had to intervene on her behalf to prevent her from being put back in maximum or being placed in isolation. But, she had had her books taken from her cell as well as her collection of sheet music as punishment for her insolence. They had only been returned a few days ago.

Both girls grabbed their food from the counter, with Tia asking for some ridiculous fancy food only to be shot down again. It was a joke she tried every mealtime, and now she was relying on Ella to tell her some new dishes as she had run out of her own ideas weeks ago.

"When you get out, what's the first thing your going to eat?" Tia asked, absentmindedly stirring pepper into her vegetable mush.

"A fresh berry pastry. You know, the kind with vanilla cream and sweet short crust pastry, with a light syrup. Oh, and espresso. You can't have pastry without real coffee," Ella replied wistfully. She had eaten pastries in some of the finest restaurants on the planet but she always preferred the ones with fresh fruit.

"That sounds fancy. I don't think I've ever eaten anything that sounds that fancy. I think I'd just go for my grandma's cooking. She makes the best fish stew. It's so flavoursome and filling that I never want desert after it," Tia answered with a smile.

They continued their meal in relative silence until Guard Danders called Ella over. As soon as her name was called all the girls present made the "you're in trouble" ooh sound causing Ella to shake her head. She would often get that sound as she was often being called to see the D.A. or the Warden.

Guard Danders walked Ella towards some of the visitor rooms, the large ones that you usually speak to your family in. It had been a while since Ella had gone to any of those rooms, as Madam Isa had not visited her in months. She hoped that the older hen had finally come back to visit, but since it was outside of regular visiting time it was very unlikely.

When she was lead into the room she noticed a fairly young hen, probably around thirty. She had light plumage and a dark blonde mane. And though she could look pretty she looked far too flyaway and flustered to make the most of her figure or the well fitting clothes she wore.

"L'Orange, this is my cousin Amanda Danders, she's a public defender and I thought you might like to talk to her before your hearing next week," Guard Danders said plainly, gesturing to the other hen who had stood up to shake her hand.

"Miss L'Orange, it's a pleasure to meet you. I've been following your case for years and Millie gave me a lot of information so that I can represent you fairly," Amanda Danders said quickly with a large smile on her beak.

"I'm sorry, but I don't want representation. And my hearing isn't until the end of the year. Besides, it's merely a formality. The decision was made during my first hearing that I would be going to Miltaka female prison to serve the remainder of my sentence. I'm sorry you've wasted your time," Ella said with all the detached etiquette she developed as a child.

The public defender looked taken aback. It was clear that she had expected to be welcomed warmly, but she managed to recover fairly quickly and explained that her hearing had been moved up to make sure that no one from the Brotherhood could take part in it. She then went onto explain how her initial trial had been a great miscarriage of justice that she should have appealed many years ago, with the correct representation.

The argument didn't sway Ella though. She refused to hope for anything anymore. She already knew how any hearing would go and she knew that if she tried to fight it they might add more years onto her sentence for all the other crimes she had committed before her arrest. She would rather not fight and have the chance to leave prison when she was thirty rather than when she was sixty.

"I'm sorry you wasted your time, Counsellor Danders, but I don't want representation. I don't plan to fight," Ella said calmly as she turned to leave the room leaving both the guard and the lawyer splutter out an answer.

On the way back to her cell, Guard Danders did try to get Ella to reconsider. She even promised to be a character witness for her and to tell everyone what a fantastic prisoner she had been over the last seven years. But, it all seemed to fall on deaf ears. The girl simply would not hope for something good to happen.

"What was that about?" Tia asked from her top bunk once Guard Danders left.

"She brought her cousin in to represent me at my hearing, which apparently has been moved to the end of the week," Ella explained as she sat down at her desk and began to write her newest critical essay.

"What, that's great! You might actually get out of this place!" Tia enthused from her bunk, smiling brightly with unrestricted hope.

"Yeah, because they're really going to release me. I'm not eligible for parole. The judge decreed it. I'm going to Miltaka and trying to fight a losing case is just not worth it," Ella said as she turned back to her well-worn book.

"So, what, you're just giving up without a fight?"

"I'm not going to waste my time hoping."

"But hope is all we've got. Why would you just give up?"

Ella looked up to see her only friend in the world looking at her with the most pitying look she had ever seen. She almost looked sorry for Ella, that she could not even let herself hope for a better future. She knew that Tia was going to go to Miltaka for only two years of her four year sentence, and would most likely be eligible for parole a few months into her sentence. And, when she got out, she was going to do an apprenticeship with her aunt and grandmother so that she could learn a trade and take over their store.

It was Tia's hope for her future that kept her bright and bubbly while she was in Allenview. That she would get out and have something to look forward to doing. Whereas Ella had nothing to hope for. She had no skills and no family that she was willing to go home to, and the only person who she would want to speak to might have died and she would never know.

It was those thoughts that kept Ella awake all night. And the few moments of sleep she did achieve were plagued with dreams of bars and a future looked in a cage.

When she woke up she received the notice that her transfer hearing would be in two days, just like Amanda Danders had said. It was the only piece of mail that she had waiting on her. Looking down the corridor she saw everyone else had a few more pieces to read.

Looking up, Ella saw Guard Danders walking down the corridor, checking on all the girls and reminding some of them that they had class that morning. Everyone looked at least somewhat pleased by news that they had received or their plans for the day.

It was a split second decision that made Ella leap up from her bed and call Guard Danders over. She asked if her cousin was still willing to represent her and if she was willing to testify on her behalf. The older hen answered that both of them would try their best to help her and that she would try and get Amanda back to talk to her in the afternoon.

Turning around, Ella saw Tia with a big smile on her face. She then started singing and talking about all the things that Ella could do once she got out. Most of them were about all the clothes that she could wear with her figure and how she should style her hair. She then started telling Ella how her grandma would love to dress her and that she should visit them when she gets out.

"Aren't you getting ahead of yourself, it's only a transfer hearing. It's not a parole hearing," Ella said after listening to her friend gush for what felt like hours.

"Yeah, but they take those thing into account. Like, if you've been really well behaved they can schedule your first parole hearing for earlier than when you were sentenced. And, if you've been really badly behaved they can push back those schedules. Plus, there's this whole have you served enough time compared to your crime. I mean, your sentence was really unfair and you've spent almost half your life locked up. How does that relate to your crime?"

Ella tried to brush off what Tia said, but it was the exact same thing that Amanda said that afternoon. Only a little more coherently. The lawyer seemed to think there was a chance to actually get her sentence reduced to only two years in the adult prison, then she would have literally served half her life for the crime she committed rather than triple her life.

It seemed like the public defender had been working on her case for a very long time, possibly years based on some of the case notes and case studies she had. Ella had no doubt that Guard Danders had probably spoken to Amanda about her cases before this year.

The cynical side of Ella couldn't help but think that if Amanda did manage to get her sentence reduced she would probably become one of the most sought after defence lawyers on the planet. But, seeing as the hen in front of her was perfectly content to be a public defender and work on behalf of the under-represented, Ella doubted that she would gain anything from this. Or that Amanda would want to gain anything from it.

Arriving back in her cell, Tia quizzed her about what her plan was for the hearing. And was unimpressed when Ella simply replied that they were going to tell the truth. It was such a simple but radical defence, it would be hard to argue with it.

On the day that Ella would have her hearing, Tia decided to try and help her get ready. There wasn't much to do as she would be wearing the detention centre uniform and they weren't allowed any jewellery or make-up in their cells. But, Tia insisted on at least making Ella's mane look nice.

Since they Ella had been assigned to her cell with Tia, her cell mate had been desperate to style her mane. She loved how long it was and the colours that present in it. So far, the morning of her hearing was the only time that Ella had let Tia near her with a brush.

Getting ready didn't take that long, as Tia only brushed and braided Ella's mane. She did make sure she was wearing her nicest uniform. The one where the legs were actually the correct length and the t-shirt was still white as opposed to mottled grey.

The hearing was going to be in the morning, so Guard Danders came and picked up Ella directly from her cell. On the walk to the hearing room, which was one of the larger conference rooms in the administration wing, Ella began to fidget badly. A habit that she hadn't shown since she was a child and waiting to go into her first hearing.

"Hey, L'Orange, don't worry. Whatever happens, it can't get any worse, right?" Danders said with a small smile which had the desired effect. Ella managed to calm down and walked into the room with her head held high.

The hearing room was very simple. There were no benches or gallery. There were no cameras or people watching. There was only a long table filled with files and papers, with three people sitting at it. There were also four other chairs spread out in a horseshoe shape.

Amanda was already sitting in one of the chairs, which had a small desk attached to it. She managed a small smile when Ella entered the room, which was either to her or Guard Danders. The other people seated in the room were the Warden, who nodded towards them, and two other ducks that Ella had never seen before but who nodded a welcome all the same.

"Please take a seat Miss L'Orange," said the female duck who was sitting in the middle of the three.

Ella nodded and took the seat next to Amanda and Guard Danders sat down next to her. She tried to sit still, but felt nervous under the appraising looks of the three ducks behind the table. She did manage to stop herself from fidgeting and sit straight, trying to remember the what she was trained to do in formal situations.

"good morning. My name is Judge Xue and I will be presiding over this hearing. To my left is Warden Belton Contour, warden of Allenview Youth Detention Centre. And to my right is Assistant District Attorney Eric Vaned, who will be representing District Attorney Ruddy. Now, this is a formal hearing to discuss the course of action of Miss Eleanor L'Orange, who plead guilty to grand larceny and was sentenced to twenty-five years minimum in a maximum security prison at age ten. The prisoner is now seventeen years old and we will need to decide what is to be her schedule for movement and future parole dates. Please state your names for the record," Judge Xue explained, before gesturing towards Ella and Amanda.

"Um, Amanda Danders, public defender, representing Miss Eleanor L'Orange, and Guard Millie Danders, who is here as a character witness," Amanda said, getting to her feet and gesturing towards Ella and Guard Danders.

The judge in the centre of the table then nodded and asked Amanda to state her case. Which she did, with surprising eloquence. She stated how Eleanor was unfairly kept in maximum security, against the protocols of underage incarceration. She stated how basic necessities were denied at every turn. She told the gathered ducks how Eleanor was given an unfair sentence against what was acceptable for her age. She then went on to explain how Eleanor was a model prisoner and called on Guard Danders to give examples.

The seasoned guard of course stood up and told everyone gathered about how Eleanor had never caused any trouble, citing the riot where Eleanor could have escaped but didn't. She then told everyone how Eleanor gave evidence that stopped a ring of sexual assault against the girls in the detention centre. The Warden confirmed everything that was said by Guard Danders, explaining more about the incidences and what he was told to do during each.

Amanda then took out a letter that was sent to the prison from the previous teacher, Mr Trill. The teacher wrote a glowing character assessment as well as describe how much of a tragedy it was that Eleanor had never had the opportunity to learn. He even reiterated that the prison service should have provided the opportunity as it was every child's right to an education.

"Thank you, Miss Dander, that is a very thorough argument. I would like to ask Miss L'Orange some questions though," Judge Xue asked with a small smile, gesturing for Ella to stand up.

"Now, Miss L'Orange please describe the events that lead up your arrest and what you have done during your time in Allenview?"

Taking a deep calming breath, Ella described how she was orphaned at a young age and was left in the sole care of her older brother. She described how she had always been a thief and had not really done anything other than that since the age of six. She went on to tell the judge how she didn't want to steal the emerald but was talked into it.

"And since being imprisoned, what have you done to improve yourself?" the District Attorney, who had been remarkably quiet for most of the hearing, asked.

"Well, there hasn't really been an opportunity. I did try to join classes, but I was told there wasn't a level suitable for me and that there were no books that I could use. Mr Trill, he would give me novels and essays to write, but nothing more. I did apply to some apprenticeships and work details when I got to minimum security, but they were all declined."

"And, what do you hope to do in the future?" Judge Xue asked, leaning forward.

"To be honest with you, ma'am, I've not actually ever thought about it. I assumed I would be in prison for a long time," Ella said with a sad sigh before continuing, "I did hope to go to school. I don't know what I would study, I just wanted to go to school. To feel normal for a while. I would like to get a job, one where I could get better and have recognition for improvement, but I don't know what job I'd get. I'd like to settle down somewhere. Build a life where I could stay put. I think, just live, really. Nothing extraordinary, just live."

Ella finished, looking around the room. She hadn't expected that question. She had expected questions about her behaviour and experience in Allenview, not about what she hoped for the future. She had barely thought about the future since her sentence was handed down.

The judge just nodded, and motioned for her to sit down. Which Ella did, looking at both Amanda and Guard Danders, who didn't know what to say next. Whereas at the main table the three ducks were whispering quietly to each. Each seemed to be arguing a point with everyone either nodding or shaking their heads.

After several moments of whispered arguments the judge asked that everyone stand. As a prisoner of the past seven years, Ella is used to following orders and rises almost instantly, while Amanda and Guard Danders rise a little slower.

"Now, Miss L'Orange, I have been following your case for the past several years. And I've had many updates form Warden Contour, which were also made to the District Attorney's office. It has been the opinion of both myself and Warden Contour that a retrial should be done. But, as we have not been able to grant you this, we can schedule the rest of your sentence instead," Judge Xue explained, pulling out several pieces of paper from one of the folders in front of her.

"It is the opinion of both Warden Contour and myself that parole be granted to Miss L'Orange starting from the first of the month instead of being transferred to an adult prison, as she has been serving her sentence for almost half her life. Miss L'Orange will serve the remainder of her sentence, which is eighteen years, on parole, in the community. She will be in contact with a parole officer and registered in a community within one three days of release, or a warrant for arrests will be issued. She will find employment and lodgings within one week of release, or a warrant for arrest will be issued. The parole board will be reconvened in one years time, and then once a year until the board decided that her sentence has been fully met. This case is adjourned."

The judge taps a tiny gavel on the table and stamps one of the papers in front of her. She then signs it and passes it to the other ducks present to sign before all three get up and leave the room. All the while Ella is standing next to her chair, completely frozen.

She is so shocked by what was just said by the judge that she did not hear either Amanda or Guard Danders calling her name. It wasn't until Danders shock her that she finally came back to herself. The two other ducks were over the moon with the outcome of the hearing, as it had been the best possible outcome that neither had thought it would happen.

Ella barely registered the walk back to her cell, or the notice what got handed to her later that day. Which was her signed letter of parole. She barely noticed when Tia walked in at the end of the day, asking what happened and where Ella had been all day.

"I, um, got parole today," Ella answered eventually, after handing Tia her letter of parole.

"What! That's fantastic! And your out in like, six days! What are you going to do!"

"I have no idea," Ella said simply, looking out of the window to the world she was about to enter.

Crystal-Wolf-Guardian-967: thanks!

Rocky704: thanks, I'm glad you're enjoying it.