The Lion Game

Chapter six

After we both stop laughing we don't say much we just keep staring at each other listening to the rhythm of our shoes clicking on the cracked uneven pavement. I keep trying to look away but every time I want to I see his bright blue eyes. Then right when I thought I was making a good impression I have to ruin it, just like always.

 No I didn't burp, or fart but, I ran into one of the huge iron street lamps along the path. But It wasn't a girly bump where I just stop a few inches away and just back away, or bounce off. It was a full on collision, including me falling straight on my butt, and getting some of the dead autumn leaves in my brown hair.

I wish I could have recovered but instead I just lay there in shock until Hunter run over and lift me to my feet. He must have been part of a sports team back home because he lifts my body up effortlessly. But it must not be that hard to lift me, since I have been malnourished since I was born, and now I am a healthy weight but still very thin. 

As soon as we start walking again thing return to just the way they were, which makes me glad. I am so used to people making huge deals of things like that so it's a relief not having to answer stupid questions like why did you do that, and what happened. I mean I wouldn't make myself look like an idiot by running into something on purpose.

 Soon we reach our buildings, where we exchange goodbyes, and I walk inside. After inside I rush to the bathroom, hoping to have enough time to get ready, and be in bed before curfew. I get in brush my teeth next to one other girl, who keep giving me a look like she wants to stab me or club me or injure me in some way.

 I quickly brush my hair, and wash my face, before quickly rushing into my room. After I safely secure the door I turn around to find Eleanor, Charlotte, I mean Charlie, and two other girls sitting down, waiting for me. I quickly walk to my bed, and put my new bag of stuff under it. When I stand up one of the girls I don't know is right in my face examining it. After a full examination she finally speaks "you were arrested for stealing?"

"What, How do you know that?" I respond.

"You are so innocent, and pure. So you must be here for the most minor offense you can be sent here for" she rebuttals.

I pause to think to think for a minute before I respond." you sure that's what I got arrested for?"

She responded instantaneously "I'm positive!"

"If I'm going to believe you I should at least know both of your names, and why you two are here"

"I'm Haley, and she's Erika", Haley says nodding towards the girl next to her. Then she added "I was taken here for a bank job I did , but I didn't go in I was only the brains. Unfortunately when the others were caught they sold me out. While Erika is here for illegally selling drugs, and she was caught because she accidentally sold some to an undercover agent."

"Okay", I say nodding." But I never stole anything, I was taken from my room at home, after I got home from volleyball practice."

Erika finally chimes in " You could've been framed we have been seeing a lot of those lately.People just leaving the facilities, and being replaced by someone else who is accused of the same crime as the one who just left. There actually a time where a boy two years older than us was here for around a month, when his rich father hired a very successful lawyer who convinced the jury his girlfriend did it . She came here a week later replacing him. We heard nothing for three months after that then the girls parents hired a lawyer to try and get the jury to go back to the original verdict, and they were successful the boy is back, while the girl is back home, doing really well, except now refusing to date anyone now, or at least that's what I hear."

"Do you think they will find the real criminal and I will be able to return back to my family?" I ask

"I'm not sure but there's always a possibility" Haley answers.

 Then the lights flicker about ten times, making Erika and Haley rush out of our room. Eleanor and Charlie stroll over to their beds and get under the blankets, so I do the same. About thirty seconds later the lights go out completely with no sign of light, even the street lights outside flicker off. I slowly drift off, but it is hard to get into a deep sleep without the sirens in the background. It may seem crazy but living where I did in Detroit there were always sirens so now it just seems awkward without them. 

After a while of just laying there thinking I finally drift off with no idea of what was going to occur that night.