AN~ Hey guys, sorry that the last chapter was kinda short, and in bold. I hope that the following chapters will be longer. Thanks for reading!
Hope That Lingers- Chapter 2
4 years into Griff's prison sentence-The Riot
"Come on! Move 'im out." The stout prison guard shouted at two of the convicts as they carried a weak older prisoner out of a dark, menacing sweat box. The two cons, both raggedly dressed, gently laid their comrade on a dirty, bug infested blanket on the ground. The younger of the two, about nineteen years old, shook angrily as he examined the dying man.
"They 'bout killed him!" The boy stood abruptly.
"What did you say?" the guard, almost eager for a chance to get one of the cons in trouble. He brandished his gun wildly.
"I said he's dying." The teenager's friend, a middle age man, spoke up.
The guard transferred his glare from the curly haired kid to the other man. "Cooper," he growled, "you said I killed him!"
"Maybe I did," Cooper looked nonchalantly at the guard.
"You never learn do you." It was spoken as a statement, not a question; the guard growled in excitement, "Well, maybe a few days in the Hellbox will cure you of your tongue." The guard once more turned to the boy, "You can join him," The vile man barked.
Cooper started forward, "Griff didn't do anything!"
"Silence! Five days, I hope you'll enjoy them." Hizer, for that was the man's name, began to shove the cons toward the Hellbox, a damp, pitch dark, awfully hot, cell. However, luck was on the prisoner's side, for the prison inspection was just beginning. Hizer reluctantly shoved the men towards the tiny kitchen and gave them the only fresh food there was. Cooper and Griff set to work making the ever famous, Inspection Stew. While they worked, Cooper began to lecture.
"What were you thinking? That mouth of yours could get you killed, not to mention ruin the whole plan we've worked on for months! Just because you don't care if you live or die, doesn't mean you should ruin the chances for the rest of us." The second year Griff had been at the Nevada State Prison, he had received a message. He didn't tell anyone what it said, but it must've been terrible. Griff had lost the will to live. He ran his mouth a lot, challenged the guards, but did everything he could to help the other prisoners, no matter what the cost. Most of the prison guards would love to see the convicts die, Griff did everything he could to prevent it. Cooper was puzzled, this could be their chance to survive, and Griff almost compromised the whole thing. He watched the teenager angrily chop vegetables and meat, he was silent.
Suddenly, Cooper heard voices; the men coming for the inspection were here.
Back at the Ponderosa
Jamie had just arrived home from school; he was in the barn, tending to his horse when he heard a girl calling his name.
"Jamie! Ah, there you are. You left your spelling book on the desk. I volunteered to bring it to you." A pretty young girl with long wavy black hair entered the barn. She held out a thin book to Jamie.
"Thanks Al, though I might've preferred to leave it there." Jamie ruefully accepted the spelling book.
"The teacher thought you left it there on purpose, but I said no way, Jamie Cartwright would never do such a thing, he has a high respect for education."
"Oh really," Jamie laughed, "What did you really say?"
"Probably." Al smiled back at her friend.
Jamie shook his head, "I don't suppose you'd like to come in and ask Hop Sing for something to eat?"
"I thought you'd never ask."
The two teenagers hurried inside to eat, the spelling book lay forgotten again on the stable floor. Once inside, Al and Jamie called out for Hop Sing.
"Miss. Alissa, Hop Sing happy to see you, much better manners than boys."
The fifteen year old laughed, "thank you Hop Sing, it's nice to see you too." The Chinese cook gave the hungry kids a plate of cookies and retreated into the kitchen. "So Jamie, where's your pa and Joe? The place seems deserted."
"Joe's probably in Virginia City, Pa's doing a prison inspection. I'm not sure when they'll be back. Hey, what's wrong?" His friend's face had suddenly turned white when he mentioned the prison.
"Uh, nothing, nothing." She shook her head, as if she was shaking away a bad memory. At Jamie's questioning look she said, "really, I just know someone who's in there. That's all."
"In prison? Who?"
"My brother…"
Reviews:
Quwelli: thank you for your advice! Don't worry; you have not seen the last of Griff in jail, unfortunately for him.
AureaD: thank you, I'm very glad you liked it!