Gambling With Life

7

"kalem" kalem dropped his smoke in the ashtray and followed Bronx to the office. "Take a seat kalem" in kalems mind he has done something to piss the boss off. The office is usually only used for business. Kalem hesitantly took a seat as bronx sat down in his chair. Kalem witnessed Bronx put a file on the desk and when he read the name, his body felt cold.
"I went to the prison today. I spoke with Clyde and Rey. Emit was still asleep. I know you are close with emit" "yes" Bronx sat back "I took jaylahs file for a reason. Last night jaylah was suffering in her sleep" "nightmares?" "You could say that. My guess is she is reliving what she went through at the prison" kalem nodded "I brought you in here because I know you are close with jaylah and emit" 'i don't like where this is going' "emit, Rey, Clyde and kia are in the wing where jaylah was. I have looked through the file and those who dealt with jaylah are kia and emit" "what?" "Listen to me before you flip your lid at emit. Every single detail is in this file. Emit is struggling with what he has done. It was his job but finding out jaylah is innocent, he's now struggling" kalem put his head down. The guy he speaks to the most, is the one who hurt jaylah. "Kia is the one who had done the most and more than he should've. He is paying for what he had done" kalem raised his head "paying for it?" "Yes. When I took Casey in there, he went against my order and was giving her food and was about to take her out of the cell. Now he is next to her and not only getting whipped, he has to listen to Casey scream too. It shows in this file that emit had only dealt with jaylah once. While kia wanted to hurt her. He took it in his own hands, another reason why he will suffer. Do not hate emit for doing his job. If anything, you need to be there for him" kalem looked at the file "I want to read that" with hesitation Bronx pushed the file to kalem "it's not going to be good for you kalem" "I want to know" as kalem looked at the file, he read every detail. Bronx was right. Emit did do it, the first day she arrived. After that, it's all been kia. And more than fifty lashes a day. He took it in his own hands to hurt her more. Some days eighty lashes. Kalem closed the file and put it back on the desk. "Why did kia want to hurt her?" "I asked him that question today. He said she deserved it. I said I'd up Casey's then and he basically begged me not to" kalem showed a slight nod. "can I see jaylah?" "Okay but..let me speak with her first" kalem nodded.
As they both left the office, Bronx walked into his room. There sitting on the edge of the bed was jaylah "jaylah" "Bronx" "don't want to lay down?" "Not right now" Bronx walked around in front of jaylah and knelt down "kalem wants to see you" jaylah raised her head to look at Bronx "okay" "are you comfortable with him in here?" "Yes" "alright" Bronx stood up and walked out.
"Kalem. go see jaylah" kalem wants nothing more than to see her. As kalem entered the room, he closed the door. He doesn't know how this will go but he has missed having her around. As he moved to kneel in front of her, he looked at her figure. He needs to do all he can to help her. Shes way too skinny. He can't see her body due to the pants and jumper but he's not sure he wants to. "Jaylah" when jaylah raised her head, kalems eyes watered "I have missed you" jaylah showed a slight nod "you didn't come in" "I wasn't allowed to see you" "yeah.. i already know that. Have you been okay?" Even in her worst state she asks if he has been okay? "Worried but healthy. We need to get you back to your old self" jaylah sat silent "you don't want to?" "I can't kalem. These scars will last forever" with that, tears travelled down jaylahs face "I may..I may be able to gain weight and walk properly again but the scars will remain. Physically and mentally" seeing jaylah break, kalem put his head down "I can help build you back up mentally and if you want, I can take you to get laser treatment. You shouldn't have went through that. We know you wouldn't kill anyone and especially not Sawyer. He was your little buddy" jaylah swallowed the lump in her throat "I couldn't do that kalem. I only came here for the finances, not for the violence. You have taken up smoking again haven't you?" Kalem looked at jaylah. He knows she will be able to smell it "yeah.. I know I'm a dickhead" "why?" "I was stressed and worried. The smokes were there" "they aren't good for you" kalem grinned "here you are worrying about my health" "you had been off of them for four months" "yeah I know. When you get better you can kick my ass verbally again" for the first time since jaylah has been back, she smiled at kalem "I will" "I will hold you to that. Is there anything I can get you?" "No I'm fine. Bored but fine" "do you think you can still play poker?" "How could I forget" "then hold on one moment and try get comfortable" jaylah showed a slight nod. As kalem left the room, jaylah slowly moved herself up the bed and got comfortable.
As the door opened, kalem walked in and closed the door again. Kalem sat opposite jaylah and put the deck of cards and a bunch of change next to it. "Count that" "what?" "The deck..no cheating" kalem smirked "it's a full deck" "better be".
Kalem shuffled the cards and dealt out two each. Jaylah looked at her cards. A king and nine. Placing her bet, kalem grinned "check" kalem put a card aside then placed three on the bed face up. Six, king and a three. "Check" "check" kalem put one card to the side and then another face up on the bed. 'a nine' so far, a two pair for jaylah. Jaylah put an extra twenty on the pile "how much was that?" "Twenty" kalem grinned and upped her another twenty. Without hesitation, jaylah made it even. "Alright last one" kalem put a card to the side and another card face up 'a six' "check" kalem grinned "check. Show me your cards" jaylah put her cards down and kalem chuckled "beginners luck" kalem put his hand down. Seeing he had a six and a three jaylah grinned "mine" "rude" "it's part of the game".
When the door opened up, kalem turned to see bronx "playing cards?" "Jaylah was bored and she bet me" Bronx held in his grin "you can play?" "Beginners luck" "yes. Kalem taught me" "just now?" "No. Months ago" Bronx hates that she is so short with him. He knows he needs to build the trust with her though and it will probably take some time.
"Again?" "Well I haven't taken all your money yet" kalem laughed while Bronx internally grinned "I will get you some food jaylah" jaylah looked at Bronx "okay. Thanks" "it's fine".
Bronx walked out closing the door on the way.
"Bronx, how is she holding up?" "She's got company at the moment. Sitting up in bed playing poker. I'm just getting her some food" "maybe a smoothie?" Bronx grinned "that would be good for her. Thanks Sally" "want me to make it?" "If you would like to" "I don't mind. Have you actually made a smoothie?" Bronx shook his head "no" "well best you learn" "who is boss here?" "Are we talking female or male?" Bronx let a small laugh slip "oh wow. Did you hear that?" Bronx smirked "get to work Sally" "on it Bronx" Sally had a cheeky grin on her face as she turned away making Bronx grin. 'Argh this woman can get away with anything'. She is also one that can break Bronxs hard shell within a second.
"Do you know if jaylah wants a shower?" "I haven't asked" "she needs to keep those wounds as clean as possible. She can't have another salt bath for a few days. It can dry out her skin and that's the last thing she needs" "I appreciate the help Sally" "speaking of the subject. Have you made that phone call?" "Oh shit. No I haven't" "avoiding it?" "No it slipped my mind. It was a rough night last night and with everything else, my mind has been occupied" "it's best you do it. If it's hidden from him, he will lose his mind" "yeah I better do that soon".