Tales Untold

The Prison Cell

Desicated to LB_Jade (Because her book "Heroes deep within" was the very first story that I read in Wattpad and I instantly fell in love with it)

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"Get your paws off me!", I barked at the burly policeman who was holding me way too roughly than my liking.

"Shut your mouth up, brat!", he retaliated and gripped my arms more tightly. Great, now I would have a bruise. As I hissed in pain, the policeman led me to a prison cell, shoved me inside roughly and locked it. "Stay here until one of your family members come to get you", he ordered. I rolled my eyes. "As if I can go anywhere else", I muttered under my breath.

The prison cell was dark grey with something splattered on the walls - it looked suspiciously like blood. It was dirty and a pungent odour hovered all around. It looked like something out of a horror movie, and it gave me chills. Ugh! I never planned to get arrested, but the stupid cops just had to show up at the wrong moment. This was not good for my record at all. Thank god I was just a teenager!

"Hello there!"

I jumped as I turned around, startled to see a middle-aged man sitting in the dark corner of the cell. How had I not noticed him before? He looked like an ordinary prisoner - dirty and haggard, but his green eyes were surprisingly luminous and full of life. After the shock had subsided and my heart was beating at its normal pace again, I said nonchalantly, "Didn't see you there", trying to pretend as if he hadn't just given me a heart attack.

"My name's Gabriel", the man said. He paused in anticipation, waiting for me to introduce myself too, but I didn't. "I don't want to acquaint myself with people like you", I sneered in explanation for my 'non'-introduction. "You are no better", Gabriel said. After a few minutes of a silent glaring contest, he asked, "Why are you here?"

"To party", I snapped, "Why do you think I'm in a prison, genius?"

"Now don't go sarcastic on me, boy", he scolded, "What did you do to land yourself in this hell-hole?"

"Was caught fighting with a guy on the road", I replied. Then I added proudly, "Broke his leg, too!" Gabriel examined me up and down critically and said, "You don't seem like one to be involved in physical fights." I folded my arms and replied, "No, I don't usually. But that guy always brings out the worst in me."

"Ah!", he exclaimed in amusement, "I see you both have a history. Care to share?" I hesitated, but then ended up blurting out the entire story. "His name's Mark - rich, popular and arrogant. He looks down upon other people and always bullies the weaker ones. He used to bully me too, and when I couldn't endure it anymore, I stood up against him. This angered him more and so he began to spread horrible lies and rumours about me. Soon, I lost all my friends. But Mark is all bark and no bite. He was whimpering pathetically when I broke his leg. He deserved it! Unfortunately, the cops showed up just then."

"Hmmm", Gabriel nodded thoughtfully, "But was it really worth it? I mean, you got arrested and this will definitely cause problems for you in future. One little mistake, and there goes your future down the drain."

Grudgingly, I realised that he was right. I hadn't thought about the effects of my arrest on my future. "Well, at least I got my revenge", I shrugged. Gabriel shook his head. "Standing up for yourself is not a bad thing", he said, "But revenge is not the answer, son. You beat that kid, but did it do you any good? Did it bring your friends back? Did it prove the rumours and lies about you false? No! Instead, it landed you in a prison."

I looked away uneasily. "What I'm trying to tell you, son", he continued, "Is that do not hold a grudge. Do not retaliate hatred with hate. Do not hurt a person just because they hurt you. Revenge will bring only darkness, and you'll end up with nothing good."

"What am I supposed to do, then?", I asked, "Kiss his feet?"

"Is forgiving someone that difficult?", Gabriel questioned, "Some people think they are poweful just because they have wealth, or because they are physically very strong. But it is forgiveness which makes a person poweful. Forgive people for their deeds, and they'll learn to respect and admire you."

I scoffed. "You expect me to forgive that devil? Even after all that he has done? Next, you'll be telling me to light a candle and worship him! It isn't so easy to forgive someone, okay?"

"Of course it isn't easy to forgive someone who has caused you so much pain", he replied, "But it isn't exactly hard either. Just because someone is evil doesn't mean you have to be evil too. Prove them wrong. Forgive them - a forgiving person is the most superior of all." I bit my lip as I processed his words slowly inside my head. I thought about it for a while and finally nodded slowly. "Okay", I muttered, "I'll try. And what about you? What's your story? Arrested for scaring little children in the street?"

"My story doesn't matter", he said, "What matters is you. After all, it is you who have to decide what to do about your life. Your present actions is what shapes the way to your future. You are just a teenager, son, don't let your life slip away now. You have millions of other things still to discover in life, don't become a monster."

Just then, the door of the cell opened and the burly policeman from before led me out roughly. My mother stood up from her seat and stomped towards me. Concern and rage flashed in her eyes, and I knew I was about to get another long lecture.

It almost took twenty minutes, and I felt like my ears were ringing. "You better behave from now on, young man!", my mother finished her speech finally. "Ok mom", I mumbled in shame. Next, it was the constable's turn to lecture me, but thankfully it was short, and he finally gave us permission to go back home after a warning. As we began to walk out of the police station, I turned around to look at Gabriel one last time.

To my utter surprise, the prison cell was empty.

(I wrote this story for my English class)