When Cherries Fall | Kingston Prisoners

CHAPTER 12 - CHERRY

"Testing. Testing. This is Director Frazier speaking through the intercom. We will be reverting back to our regular schedule. It seems all of you have ahem ... learned your lesson so to speak. For many of you, reform is not without hard work - even through something as trivial as running the mile. Breakfast is at 8:00 today - it is now 7:30. Those not on time for breakfast will still need to head to their respective departments for work today on time. That's all."

I just want to sleep. I can't find the will to care about Director Frazier's message over the intercom. Before I dose off again, I feel someone trying to gently shake my shoulder. It's Vaughn. "Cherry, wake up. We have to go for breakfast. Get changed, I'm heading to the bathroom." I groan into my pillow. I don't know what the day is going to look like considering everything that happened yesterday. And that scares me.

      As I get changed, I think about how Director Frazier mentioned going to work. I also remember Vaughn talking about how much he liked money. If I get a good enough job, I can give him the money I earn. It'll be a late birthday present dating back to the first day we met. He'll love it! Today, I'm determined to get a good job no matter what.

Vaughn walks out of the bathroom and goes to grab the bag with my medicine from the dresser. Right! I've got to take my medicine.

"Don't forget Cherry. You got to take it in the morning too," Vaughn warns.

I smile. "Don't worry, I didn't forget." That's a lie. I totally forgot.

Vaughn walks over and hands me the pill. I down it with the water from the bottle I had the night before and let out a sigh.

Vaughn takes a sip from the same water bottle.

"So, this whole job thing, do you make money from it?" I ask.

I notice Vaughn stops drinking his water mid-question.

"Not a lot. I didn't get a good posting. I work in hard labour. You can work extra hours if you really need too, but this place isn't meant to be a paradise - it's reform, so I didn't expect much."

I nod.

"How do people get good postings then?" There's got to be someway.

"You have to know people on the inside, but I wouldn't worry about it too much. Considering your condition, you'll probably be exempt from labour." I notice Vaughn's shoulders relax at the mention of being exempt from labour.

I watch as Vaughn moves to the edge of the bunk to tie his shoes.

I wonder if cupcakes will work as a bribe. They were the only piece of food I had when I came here, but it's worth giving up if I can make the money for Vaughn.

"You ready to go now Cherry?" Vaughn asks interrupting my train of thought.

"I'm ready!" I say with a big smile.

We walk out of the room and Vaughn grabs a key out of his pocket to lock our door. I watch as everyone scrambles out of their room to get breakfast.

The door beside us opens loudly and I see a girl with bright red hair laughing with someone before her eyes land on me. She stares for a few moments and then sends me a small smile before looking down at the floor. A man walks out from behind her laughing as he goes to lock the door. Her eyes rip away from mine as she walks away with her roommate.

I guess the Institute doesn't care who you bunk with. Man or woman. Maybe they don't care about us in general I think to myself. Vaughn taps my shoulder letting me know it's time to go. I don't know where I'm going, so I just walk wherever Vaughn is headed.