There we were, in our cell. It was a tad cramped, and mostly empty, aside from a "toilet" and a stack of hay for us to sleep on. Of course, I wasn't expecting a four star inn room. But they could do better than what we had, right? Anyway-
"Hey, Miguel," Tulio interrupted. "You said you were going to tell me about the DAY we met. This story has gone on longer than that."
"Oh! Um, yeah," Miguel said sheepishly. "I guess I kind of lied about that, yeah? I'm just, uh... trying to work on my storytelling... skills. Don't worry, We'll get into the interesting parts soon."
As I was saying... Tulio and I were not in a good mood after that. Well, obviously. But Tulio took it the hardest, I think. He took to blaming Anita for our imprisonment.
"This is her fault, Miguel! She's the one who reported our game to the guards!" he said angrily.
"Well, she did try to warn us that this would happen and that we should leave," I tried to point out.
"We're probably going to die because of that b-"
"Hey, hey. I'm sure what we did isn't severe enough for us to have a death sentence. Life imprisonment? Maybe. But-"
"Shut up," Tulio said to me. "Just... shut up," he said, sighing. "I never wanted it to turn out like this, Miguel. I... I promised my parents that I would be someone someday. That I would make us famous, and wealthy, and... respected. And that I would never turn to a life of crime. I wanted to make them proud of me, is what I'm saying. But I guess I broke that promise. When my father died, my mother and I struggled a lot. I turned to stealing, but I kept that a secret from mom. And... she said that if I were ever to become a gambler or thief or... whatever, that it would ruin me. Well, she died a few years after dad did. And around the age of 15, I started to gamble with dice."
"What are you getting at, Tulio?" I asked.
"I think my mother was right, Miguel. Playing dice hasn't done much for me, has it? I'm still poor, I'm still hated, I'm just... I don't know, a nobody. And look where it's gotten me. In prison. I should have listened to her, or at least stuck to being a thief..." he sighed again. "We're going to die here, aren't we?"
"Well... it's better than dying alone, Tulio."
He smiled a bit. "Yeah... I guess it is."
There was a silence in the cell that seemed to last for hours. We didn't even look at each other for that time, just at the walls or ceiling. Finally, Tulio turned to me, speaking.
"Miguel."
"Yeah?"
"Um... if we're really going to die in this prison, well... I just want to say that..." he sighed. "I wouldn't mind dying with you? I... I don't know. I don't know how to word it. I guess what I'm trying to say is... I appreciate your company."
"Well... thank you, Tulio. I appreciate yours, too..."
Suddenly, I felt Tulio hug me, his arms wrapping around mine. He started to sob quietly. It took me by surprise. We had only known each other for a few days. But we both expected to be in that prison for the rest of our lives, and I was the only real company he had there. Still, I had never seen him get this emotional before. I did my best to comfort him. It seemed to me that he had a much more troubled life than I did. He certainly had a more difficult childhood than me, anyway. My parents were both alive, for one.
We were in that cell close to a week, but it seemed like years. I tried to make the best of things, but Tulio stayed pessimistic about the situation. Despite this, we did take the time to get to know each other better and improve our relationship. I told him about my aspirations, about my dream to become a famous musician. I wanted to play in front of kings and queens. Of course, Tulio dismissed this as unrealistic and overly idealistic. I suppose he was right, though...
A guard walked up to our cell just then, unlocking the door. We were both taken aback by this. Why would they be releasing us?
"Um, excuse me," I was about to ask the guard, but then I saw Anita beside him. "Anita? Did you..." she nodded.
"It took a lot of persuading, but I finally got them to release you two. I hope you're happy," she said, glaring at Tulio. He still looked shocked. I guess after the way he treated Anita before, he didn't expect her of all people to release both me and him. He stuttered a bit before speaking.
"...Thanks," he said begrudgingly.
"You're welcome," she replied, still glaring at him.
"So, how did you get us out?" I asked.
"A very, very large payment. At least for me," she said. "I spent up almost all of my money just to get you two out."
"Well, thank you. Again. Is there any way we can repay you?" I asked. Tulio tried to protest, but I shoulder bumped him.
"Let me think..." she thought for a moment, then smirked. "OK, yeah. I got a favor to ask you two."