Burdened Love - A Peaky Blinders Story

22

*Six months later*

The slow drip of water is what I focused on as I stared at the stone floor from my bed. The only thing steady was the leaky ceiling creating a puddle in the corner of my cell, this time I had been in prison. My mind was anything but steady. I was heartbroken, angry, and lost.

I had contemplated multiple times ending it. I knew it was coming one day soon, but I could never bring myself to actually do it. I guess there was still some glint of hope in me deep down.
I hummed to myself rocking back and forth on the bed with my knees up to my chin. I had lost so much weight, my ribs felt sore against my legs.

I heard my cell door open and stood up. Two women guards unlocked the door and I put my arms out in prepared for a search but then slowly put them down when I saw a priest. This was it. Tommy lied.

In defeat, I put my hands behind my back as they cuffed them and walked me out of my cell.
I couldn't bring myself to cry. I didn't think of anything. The only thing I thought of is if my brother knew I was here. If he knew I was about to die.

The guards turned into a dimly lit room and I looked up to see two nooses. Two...I shuddered and looked down again. From behind I heard shuffling of feet and someone mumbling nonsense. I turned over my shoulder slightly to see Polly. 

"Polly" I said trying to turn to her but the guards' tight grip prevented me to do so. She met my eyes still muttering words to her God, I presumed. I knew that she saw me, her eyes told me so, her eyes told me she was scared, but she said nothing to me. I was almost thankful that she was there with me. A familiar face to die next to. At least I was not alone. 

The guards guided us underneath the noose. I looked down and saw the hatch that would open up and lead to my death. The guard slid the noose over my head, and I stood there shaking like a leaf. Tears now streamed down my face and Polly's muttering grew louder.

The priest began saying his prayer and the guard had his hand on the lever ready to pull it as soon as the priest was finished. I closed my eyes and memories flooded my mind. Memories of my childhood, my brother, music, Tommy. 

All of a sudden I hear "Stop!" my eyes shot open as I watched an officer run into the room with a sheet of paper. 

"These women are pardoned by the King" he said.

The room fell silent, including Polly's constant muttering. 

"Get them out of here!" he yelled at the guards and turned and walked out. 

The guards slipped the noose off my head and I immediately collapsed. I had no strength to hold myself, I had just faced death. The guards pulled me off the ground and dragged me out of the room, and out of the prison un-cuffing me before  sending me out the front door. Polly was right behind me, I could hear her cries. I pushed the door open and the sunlight blinded me. My head pulsed. It had been the first time I was outside in six months. 

My eyes soon adjusted and I looked around. Tommy was standing by his car staring at me. I just stood there staring at him thinking about all of the curses I wanted to yell at him. My face got hot and me ears burned with anger. 

He walked up to me slowly and I turned to see Ada consoling Polly. My face was still wet with tears and he approached me silently.

"Amelia" he said in that signature low tone of his. I shuddered at him saying my name. 

"I can understand if you hate me-" 

"Hate you? My neck was just in a noose!" I said sternly and I could feel more tears start to slip from my eyes. "Of course I fucking hate you" 

He reached for my face and I backed up. He just looked me over and then pulled something from his pocket. 

"Five thousand pounds" he said handing me a stack of cash. 

"You think that will help?" I scoffed. 

"No but it is what I can do" he said his head low no longer looking at me in my eyes. 

"Fuck you" I said and then stormed off. 

I did not think to say anything to Polly or Ada as I passed them, but Ada stopped me. 

"Where are you going?" she asked. 

"New York" I said coldly and then I left the Shelbys behind me.