Why?

Scapegoat

It's been 5 years since I've been locked in this shithole. 1,928 to be exact. I only know cause I had nothing else to do but count away the days.  It was the only thing that kept me sane. That, and knowing it'll all come to an end someday.  And that day has finally come.

I look around the place for the last time. That red stain on the wall has been there since I got here. Where it came from, I don't know. Although I have a pretty good guess as to what. My back aches when I glance over to the metal structure, that was a far cry away from being considered an actual bed. If I didn't have back issues before, I sure as hell do now. Can't forget the awful stare my inmate feels the need to give me every 5 seconds. It's like he's trying to assert his dominance or something. These things kept me up for nights on end. The thought of being murdered in my sleep was always present in my mind. However, what terrifies me more is how normal it all seems now.

It's really been that long huh.

I've lost a lot of weight being here as well. Here, the people seen as weak get picked on like it's high school all over again.  Given my feeble stature, this was the case for me every day being here. The guys would always take my meal portions and eat them while laughing in my face. There were far too many nights I had to go to sleep on an empty stomach. The guards didn't care enough to do anything about it. 

Even after 5 years, whenever I think about all this, I can't help but feel enraged. Why didn't I just leave that night we found her? Why didn't I stand up for myself? Why did I ever think those guys were my friends?

Soon after the girl regained consciousness, she told authorities she had been drugged and raped, but by whom, she couldn't remember. It was after this that the police came to the house at a time we were all hanging out, and began to question us. Things started off smoothly but as soon as they said there were allegations of rape, Sean, Carlos, and Luis began spouting their innocence. Each fighting to be the loudest. I did the same only my cries went unheard. The police weren't buying our excuses and began to dig deeper. It is then I heard the words I'd never thought I'd hear come from a friend's mouth.

"It was Kunle!" Sean screamed.

I, along with the others, looked at him in bewilderment. Before even being able to process my thoughts, Sean began stating how I touched all over her. That was a lie, but one I could not disprove. My fingerprints were on the girl after all. The police then asked Carlos and Luis if this was true, but was met with silence. I looked over to them, who both stared into space. Why are they hesitating? They know this isn't true, so why are they hesi-

"Yes." They said in a way that almost felt rehearsed.

Why? Why are you guys doing this? Is it to save your own skin? What about me? I never wanted any of this. I didn't even want to go to that party that night. Yet here I am taking all the blame for a sin that was not my own.

My thoughts were interrupted when the police asked me to confirm if this was true.

It wasn't me. It wasn't me! I screamed, yet no one heard me. Why won't my words come out? Say something!

"Yes." I said.

What? Why did I just say that? Why didn't I tell them the truth? Why didn't I just say they were all lying? 

Before I knew it, I was sitting in the back of a police car heading to my new home for the next 5 years.

At first I thought this is what friends are supposed to do for each other. I'd even considered it noble. All in a pitiful attempt to make sense of what had happened to me. My so called 'friends' sold me out to save themselves. That was the truth of it. Whether I wanted to believe it or not. 

The second I walked into that jail cell I knew, I'd fucked up. My last hope was that the girl would miraculously get her memories back and testify that I didn't do it. My prayers went unanswered. Who am I kidding. The odds were never in my favor. I guess Sean was right. The only proof they needed was my skin color. To them, that in itself was enough to lock me up.

As I make my way outside; back into civilization, I quickly realize there is no one waiting there to greet me. I was told that my family and friends would be able to come see me the day I was finally released. So why is no one is here? No Sean. No Carlos. No Luis. I guess they've all moved on with their lives, while I spent the last 5 years of mine stuck on the day we found her. 

How cruel. 

It was a mistake to move to America. The people here are just as corrupt as their government. They made a criminal out of me when I did nothing wrong. They're to blame for all this! If it's a criminal they're looking for, I guess I might as well give them what they want. I have nothing else going for me anymore. It was all taken away that day. I had a goal of achieving the infamous, "American Dream," and bringing wealth to my family. I didn't expect a nightmare to be waiting for me.

I never was the kind of guy to get revenge, which is why I shall just get even. My life was taken away by what you guys did. So I shall do the same in return. A life, for a life, if you will. 

Sean. Carlos. Luis. I'll see you soon, old friends. 

I hope it was worth it.