Will Love Ever Come?

Chapter 117

AFTER BEING BROUGHT BACK down to the cells, Eschewal is kept behind lock and key for almost three hours. He had to wait until they had enough bodies to fill the prison bus. That day only two people out of 14 made it to bail. The rest will be locked in the same prison with Eschewal, except for one, who had to be brought to a youth prison. The youth almost lost the use of his legs when the Judge put him on remand. It was his first offense. He tried to impress his friends by knocking out a shopkeeper, just for laughs, but now he has found himself up for attempted murder.

As a court officer brings the youth towards the prison bus, a wrinkled-faced court officer lets Eschewal out of his cell and leads him towards the reception desk. Eschewal and the youth cross paths.

Eschewal takes notice of the youth and thinks, 'Look at him, no older than fourteen, shoulders hunched, looking distorted and with eyes showing regret, slowly being lead into the wide jaws of the beast that swallows up the ignorant who fall into the many pitfalls laid by the system.'

Eschewal reaches the desk. A young-faced court officer hands him his possessions.

Eschewal signs a few papers and is hand-cuffed to a female court officer.

Just before being led away, Eschewal says, "Excuse me, can I get a pencil and some paper, please?"

The court officer raises his eyebrow because people usually ask for a cigarette, so he queries, "What do you want a pencil and paper for? Do you plan to write a letter to God, asking him to get you out of this situation?"

Eschewal does not make a reply.

The court officer huffs and looks under his desk and hands a pencil and some paper to Eschewal.

Eschewal does not say thank you as he is led away to the prison bus.