South Side - A Prison Break Story

1. Prejudice

Michael

"Michael," began Director Hanks, "because I trust you the most, I expect this to go well."

I noticed myself growing curious. What on earth was he talking about?
I looked him straight in the eyes and gave him a brief nod, signaling that he could trust me.
Director Hanks nodded back, and his expression turned serious. Whatever he was about to say had to be important.

"Alright then, you're getting a cellmate."
I stayed silent and looked at him questioningly.
"Her name is Isabelle."
Wait a second, my cellmate is a woman? That has to be a mistake, right?
Apparently, my confusion was written all over my face because the director quickly explained the situation.

"All the women's prisons in the area are full, and since we still have space here, she's been placed with us."
He sighed. "I know this isn't the ideal situation, but she'll stay here until a spot opens up at another facility."
I nodded again.
"Don't let me down," he said softly, almost pleading, as he extended his hand toward me.
"I wouldn't dare," I replied, shaking his hand.

He stepped out of my cell, and Isabelle was shoved in by a rather rough guard.
Bellick.
God knows how much I despise that man.
Her gaze was fixed on the floor as Bellick unlocked her handcuffs.
"I see everything," he said before stepping out of the cell and locking the door behind him.
If looks could kill, he'd be dead from the glare I shot at him.

I watched Isabelle rub the red marks left on her wrists.
She wasn't very tall, definitely a head shorter than me, and had an athletic build.
It was clear that she took good care of herself.
Her golden blonde hair was tied back in a loose ponytail, with a few strands having escaped the elastic, hanging in front of her face.
I decided she looked beautiful, even in the shapeless blue uniforms we were forced to wear.

I found myself wanting to introduce myself and extended my hand.
She shifted her gaze from her wrists to my hand and then looked up.
The moment her eyes met mine, the world around me seemed to stop.
Her eyes bewitched my mind, turning it into mush, making it hard to think clearly.
The depth of the light blue reminded me of the sea, and the small hint of green around her iris made me think of a green field.
Her eyes were the most beautiful I had ever seen.
It took me at least ten seconds to realize that she had already taken my outstretched hand.

"Isabelle," she said, her voice confident and warm.
"Michael," I replied, my voice unsteady.
I let go of her hand and shoved mine into my pocket.
Shit, I needed to get a grip on myself.

I looked away toward the bed; the top bunk was still empty.
"Where are your things?" I asked, my voice now back to its usual low tone.
"Bellick said another guard would bring them over when we go outside," she replied simply.
When I looked back at her, I saw that she was eyeing me with curiosity.

"I have a hunch, and you need to tell me if I'm right or not."
That piqued my interest, and I sat down on my bed.
"Go ahead," I said.
"I think you're in this prison for a reason," she began slowly.
"Aren't we all?" I interrupted.
She stared at me intensely, and the look in her eyes made me keep my mouth shut as she continued.
The control this woman already had over me was concerning.

"But," she went on, "I think that reason is you want to be here, not because you actually intended to do anything illegal."
I had to work hard to hide my surprise.
How on earth did she know that?
I opened my mouth to respond when the deafening bell rang.

It was time to go outside.
I stood up and walked out of the cell, onto the landing, and turned around.
"You coming?" I asked as I saw her hesitate at the cell door.
"Tell me if I'm right," she said.
I sighed and stepped back into the cell, standing just inches in front of her.
When I saw she wasn't intimidated by my close proximity, I decided to narrow the distance even more by leaning my head toward her right ear.

"You're right," I whispered.
Oddly enough, I trusted her, and I got the impression that I had earned her trust too because she stepped out of the cell with me.