PRESENT

I turned to look at Norman for a response but his eyes shifted in return. He sighed then placed a hand on my shoulder, “This isn’t our doing.”He assured me.

Sweeping his hand from my shoulder to show my contempt, “Yes, it is.”

“We can’t save everyone even if we wanted to. There is no time.”

I dropped my head from the realization. I didn’t want to admit it, but he was right. My heart ached.

“You’re right,” I complied, “But if I’m going, I am taking him with.”

The threes visage turned sour with cow eyes and crunched brows, “What?”

“You heard me.” I firmly reiterated. “He goes too, or you’re on your own.”

“No,” Jason interrupted, “You’re on your own asshole. We don’t need you to bust out of here. So you and your little boyfriend can go play Shakespeare somewhere else.”

“You don’t need me huh?” I baited. “Okay, good luck making past their last line of defense.” Then I walked away.

“Okay, hold it!” Normal shouted out. “Can the kid run fast?” He asked.

I paused then tilted my head to look over my left shoulder, “He played sports.”

Normal looked at the twins who were staring him down, but their attempts to make him anxious fell flat. “We need him,” Norman contended, “Not only to get out of here but after that. He’s got intel and resources that could be really handy should we manage to actually pull this off.”

“So,” I interjected, “do we have a deal or not?”

The two looked at each other then back again at me before yielding. “Okay fine, the kid and that’s it.”

“Okay, now that we’re all in agreement.” Norman motioned, “Let’s go over the plan.

*Ding*

*Ding*

I was startled by the sound of the bell. I was supposed to be resting up for what we had in store, but neither my mind nor my body could sleep. A million things and one could go wrong, and we could all find ourselves meeting our maker. I lay down on the bed in my cell after Norman snuck us back in and reflected on my life.

Sure, I have a good job, a good friend, and a somewhat stable family-life if you count my dad. But what does that all really matter? What is life? What is the purpose of it? It’s crazy how I’d never stopped to ask myself that question until now. I lived life as if I had all the time in the world to do any and anything that I wanted. When in fact, our time is very limited isn’t it?

Many of us don’t even get to accomplish anything really. And even if you do, what does that transcend to? A wealthy bank account, a wife and a kid, a great job and a big house. After we are gone and none of that matters because we no longer exist, what was the purpose of it all?

If I die today, what was the purpose of my existence?

*Ding*

*Ding*

Oh shit! The alarm…

I quickly got up, got dressed then headed to the lunchroom. After I found Alex, I sat down beside him with my tray of food then slipped him a note. Ray and Duran were watching keenly. Our plan had been compromised and they were eager to get answers. I needed to get Alex out of there for a split second so I decided to create a diversion.

“On my signal, go,” I whispered.

“Okay,”

He’ll do just fine…

*Boop*

“Oh shit,” I gave a vulgar outburst.“Did I do that?”

Alex immediately took the hint and slithered out of the area.

I had timed a passing inmate just in time to stand out and collide headfirst into him. Half the room turned their gaze and sights on me and the guards were prompt to respond.

“What happened here?” Guard SH17856 asked, firmly holding his right hand on the trazzer.

“It was my fault,” I said apologetically, “ I didn’t see him coming and well, it all happened so fast.”

Turning to the inmate I once again apologized, “My bad. We cool?”

His rancor, for me, was as evident as the vein that protruded from his forehead. With primed lips and a crooked mouth, he misleads the guards in an attempt to avoid a fight “That’s cool.”Then he brushed himself off and took up his tray before proceeding back to the serving line. His crossed eyes followed me all through to the empty tray line and out security where I made my way to the bathroom to clean myself up from the mess. Well, that’s what I made it look like, but I was actually there to see…

“There you are!” Alex rushed from the corner of the bathroom and ran straight into my arms. “What happened?” His heart galloping, beating freakishly fast between our chests that were pressed so tightly against one another.

He had loosened his grip, only to find that mine had fastened. I was scaring him. “Did something bad happen?” He beckoned for answers, “What happened when you got to the shipment room.”But I refused to acknowledge him. Instead, I just gently yet firmly moved my hand through his soft curly hair.

“We’re not getting out of here, are we?”

I finally gave in, loosening my grip just enough to align our heads face to face. With my hands still heavily around his back and waist, I asked, “What if we’re not?”

My words caused him to recline and he dropped his head in disappointment. “I see.” He sighed, “Well, it was fun to dream about it.”

“What will you dream of now?” I bashfully asked.

His check reddened, and he flung his head to the left. I braced myself forward and bumped our foreheads together. He refused to look at me.

“Would you still let me hold you even if I cannot get you out of here?”

His body stiffened as he became defensive. His signature frown and detestable puckered forehead caused traffic above his brows.

“Do you think I just let anyone get close to me old man?” he shouted.

Then I smiled.

“Why are you smiling?”

My pleasant expression became more earnest, and it infuriated him.

“I asked you a question…” he became worked up over my questioning his feelings. So, I shut him up.

He struggled and fought for release as I suppressed his head between my lips and hand. He eventually caved and placed both hands around my neck. I reached for his back and clasped his tiny body between my arms before picking him up and shuffling into the shower.

I pinned him up against the walls and introduced him once again to the pleasures of playing with the tip. I went down after placing his shirt between his teeth, giving him something to bite down on. He gripped my head with both hands. I wanted to devour him. His toes cringed and his legs eventually gave way. I knew he had had enough.

I took him in my arms, and we sat cuddled on the bathroom floor.

“We’re busting out of here in less than an hour.”

“What?’ He asked out of confusion.

“I don’t really have time to explain, but I need you to trust me.”

He paused then said,“Okay.”

“When I give you the signal, you stay close and run like hell. Got it?”

“Got it.” He nods.

“Got it…” A voice came out from the adjoining stall startling Alex.

“Shh, it’s okay.” I hushed him. “Did you enjoy the show?” I asked.

“Hmm, meh! I’m not into that kind of stuff. D however, well, let’s just say that he’s having trouble standing up.”

I knew as much that Ray would catch up on my little show in the lunch room. I was counting on it. This plan will not go smoothly…

We’re going to need casualties.