"Guilty!"

That one word sounded through the courtroom, and for a split second it felt like the world stood still until everyone caught up to the verdict. Then followed a loud sob from Lotus. A sound that made everyone understand the verdict perfectly. Voices started buzzing, and still her sobbing was louder than everyone else.

"Why are they doing this to me? I'm innocent!" She cried.

ONE AND A HALF YEARS LATER

"It's weird how you suddenly miss things you always took for granted. Things you thought you would always be able to do. And it's not the normal things like sex, walking in the park, or even showering alone, although I miss all those things too. What I miss is being able to dye my hair pink. Isn't that weird that I miss that the most? Pink hair instead of this boring, dark blonde color I was born with. Pink hair was funny, and it was so me, and it always made my grey eyes pop. I don't know anyone else with grey eyes. My mother told me my great grandfather had it too but he died before I was born so I can't know for sure.

Anyway, I'm rambling again. You're used to that by now. It's weird how little action that takes place inside these walls, and yet I'm able to write several pages to you every week.

Thank you for being my friend, Baron. I know we'll most likely never meet in real life, and you might not even have told anyone about being penpals with me, and that's okay, but it means a lot to me. So thank you.

You be good now. Stay out of trouble and have fun. Enjoy your life and have a fireball whiskey in my name tonight. I know you're into the expensive, high class stuff, but fireball was always my jam. I'm sure you can get one shot down and deny it to everyone if anyone ever asks. Your secret is safe with me.

Your friend,
Lotus."

She put the letter in an envelope and sealed it. She placed the letter in the waistband of her pants and pulled her sweater over it. If anyone saw her carrying a letter, they would take it from her, read it, and make fun of her.

She walked up to the kiosk and was happy to find no one in line there. She would always wait until people had cleared out if there was anyone there. If anyone overheard her buying a stamp or saw her send a letter, they would tear her cell apart in search of his letters. The friendly woman named Vickie Guerrero who worked the kiosk never told anyone what other inmates bought.

"Good afternoon, Lotus," Vickie smiled. "What can I assist you with today?"
"Just a stamp. There should be money in my account for it," Lotus said.

Vickie checked on her computer screen and nodded. She found the stamp, and Lotus quickly pulled the letter free and handed it to Vickie.

"I'll mail it today after work," Vickie said.
"Thank you," Lotus said.
"Just doing my job," Vickie smiled again. "It's funny how the small amount for a stamp always makes its way to your account every Monday."

Vickie kept smiling, hoping for Lotus to tell her a story. Most inmates got bigger amounts of money put in their account so they could buy snacks or other things that were allowed. Lotus only ever got enough for a stamp. Baron transferred that money every week. He had offered more many times but she always denied it. She didn't want to be his charity case or owe him anything. She just wanted a friend to write letters to. He was the only one she could talk to even though it was only in written words.

"Because I won't allow him to give me more than that," Lotus said.
"Clearly not a boyfriend then," Vickie giggled.
"Just a penpal," Lotus said. "Bye, Vickie."

Lotus left the kiosk and walked back towards her cell. She turned a corner and accidently bumped into Tamina. Tamina scared most other inmates. She was the queen on the inside. A second later Lotus found herself pressed up against the wall with Tamina's arm across her throat.

"Did you just push me?" Tamina asked.
"No, it was an accident. I'm sorry, Tamina," Lotus said.
"Accident?" Tamina sneered. "Ladies, do you believe it was an accident?"
"No way," Natalya said.
"Punish her, Tamina," Dana said.

Tamina smirked at Lotus and removed her arm.

"Kiss my foot and apologize," Tamina said.

As always Lotus did as she was told no matter how humiliating it was. She dropped down on all four and leaned down to kiss Tamina's right shoe.

"The other one too," Tamina said.

Lotus switched to the left shoe and kissed it too.

"Keep your head down and apologize," Tamina said.
"I'm so sorry. I know it was my fault. Forgive me," Lotus said.

Tamina looked at Natalya and Dana, lifted her right foot, and kicked Lotus in the head. A cry of pain sounded, followed by more when all three women started beating up Lotus.

"What's going on here?" Shayna yelled.

The three women ran away and left Lotus on the floor. She pushed herself up to sit and watched as some of the prison guards came walking towards her with Shayna in front. Shayna was not one to mess with. She was brutal when it was needed, but also kind when it was needed. She kneeled down in front of Lotus.

"What happened?" Shayna asked.
"Nothing. I slipped and hit my head," Lotus lied.
"Come on," Shayna sighed. "I just saw them run away. Why are you lying for them?"
"Because I wanna stay alive long enough to be let out from this place," Lotus said.
"We both know that won't ever happen. When they say life in prison, they tend to mean it. Other states would have given you the death sentence with the amount of people you killed," Shayna said.
"I didn't kill anyone. I'm innocent," Lotus said.
"Everyone's innocent in here," Shayna smirked. "Come on. You need to see the doctor."

Shayna stood up and held out her hand. Lotus swallowed her pride, grabbed Shayna's hand, and allowed the prison guard to pull her up. Just another trip to the hospital. Nothing new there. Over the last year and a half she had seen the doctor about once a month. Whenever Tamina and her little buddies lost their cool. It was hard to think about this would most likely continue happening for the rest of her life.