A Million Pieces

Chapter 2

It's been two days since  James confessed. Izzy took the news better than I thought she would, but has barely spoken at all. But since then, something interesting has happened. A few days ago, I overheard the guards outside the cell talking about some sort of escape plan one of the other prisoners had tried.
"This guy, he managed to pull a lose brick out of the wall, and started trying to smash his way out. That didn't work so he tried to hit his guard over the head with it when he brought him his food, and he nearly got him! The guard ended up in hospital, and the other guy is dead!"
"What? Why is the escapee dead?" The other one had asked, shock in his voice.
"Well, two reasons. One, he tried to kill an officer, which is illegal anyway. The second reason, he tried to escape. No one would be allowed to live after that." He chuckled to himself. The second guard made a noise of agreement.
"How'd they kill him?"
"I don't know exactly, but I think the stabbed him or something-"
I stopped listening, I didn't want to hear the gory details. As I walked away I laughed to myself. Why would anyone attempt to escape this place? I mean, no one wants to be here, but it's so high security, you would be a fool to attempt anything like that. But most of the people here are fools anyway I thought to myself.
"Zoë?"
I'm snapped out of my thoughts by Izzy, who has sat down on the bed next to me.
"Yes? Is there something wrong? You look really worried."
"Are you okay? You've barely said anything these past few days, and whenever I look at you, you look to be in some far off place of your own, sometimes crying."
"What?!" I've been crying?
"I'm telling the truth. Even James is worried. Is everything okay?"
James?
"Yes, of course everything is okay. Why would it not be?" I answered, but only half paying attention to the conversation. James?
"How is James?" I ask, trying to distract my mind.
"He tried to get up yesterday, and nearly did. He fell of the bed last night, too. Nightmare I think."
James? Having nightmares? That didn't sound normal.
"Okay, thank you Izzy. I'll go talk to him." I got up and walked to the little bedroom. It was only a couple of metres away, but it felt like it took forever just to reach the door frame.
"James?" I peered in. There was no one on the bed.
"James? Are you in here?"
"Of course I am. Where else would I be?" His voice came from under the bed. I couldn't help but laugh.
"What are you doing under there?"
"I don't know why, but when I go under here I feel completely safe. I know it's silly, but it's true. You try." What little I could see of him disappeared as he wriggled further back to make room for me.
Once under the bed, I did feel like some weight had been taken off my shoulders. The only thing I didn't like about it was the cold floor.
"See?" He said, smiling. For the first time, I noticed he looked and sounded so much better.
"Hey, how are you feeling?"
"I think I'm all better. I have felt like I've eaten lots of sugar for the past half an hour. Is that normal?"
"I think so. You look a lot better." I stated. He grinned at me.
"So remind me why I'm under here?" He giggled and pushed me.
"Can I see Iziz?" Iziz was his old nickname for Izzy when he was a baby and couldn't say Izzy or Isabelle.
"Of course." I said, rolling out from under the bed, and catching my hair on the springs under the bed.
"Ouch!"
"You ok?" I could here the laughter in James's voice. It might really hurt, but I'm glad it made him happy.
"Izzy! James is up and wants to play with you!" I called out, finally able to get to my feet.
"James!" Izzy appeared in the doorway. Her face lit up when she saw James on his feet and smiling. I don't blame her, it's been so long since James has smiled. She leaped over to him and took his hand, leading him into the other room. I could hear them playing and laughing happily. I let out a sigh of relief. I was finally able to relax, and James, finally better. Maybe things won't be so bad.