The Brave and Beautiful

Escape Route (Part 1)

Izzy's POV

The stench of pee and metal was all I could think of, as I lay awake here in my jail cell. I toss and turn, trying to find comfort, but my hard jail bed felt as solid as rock. I close my eyes, and try to not think about anything. About how awful these days in jail have been. About how awful the court was. How all of Elmsville hates me now. How they all think I'm a cold-blooded murderer, that I killed Marcus, and maybe even pushed Cate off that tower.

I curled up in my blankets, and tried to think of happy things. But the screaming and clanking of other metal kept me wide awake.

I couldn't believe they tried me as an adult. I understand, I guess, because apparently I murdered people. But if only they knew. If only they knew I was just being framed, and that I didn't do anything! But nope. They tried me as an adult, and I got sent to prison. Awful.

I missed my home. My parents constantly talking about their upcoming wedding, me going to hang with Jullia, and even school. I miss normal life. And I'd only been in this cell for about a week. What would it be like to be in here for years and years! I couldn't imagine.

When my eyes finally closed, I began to dream of a life. A life where Cate was still alive, 236 didn't exist, and where I wasn't in jail. I dreamt of a happy life. A life that maybe one day, I could have.

*

When I woke up, the jailers were yelling, and telling my to hurry out of my cell for breakfast. After waiting in line, I finally got some disgusting looking gunk thrown onto my plate. Then, I sat down at an empty table, and began to dig in. It was the grossest thing I've ever tasted. I looked around and saw tons of other criminals, sitting and eating. Some were chatting normally, others were chatting quite suspiciously. Almost all of them were in their twenties, so I felt super out of place, and scared. Some of them would look at me and laugh. Some would look at meet as if I were their worst nightmare. Even some adults were scared of me. 

Every meal time I come to the same table, and sit alone. No one to talk to, no one to be with. If this is what the rest of my life was going to be like, I don't know if I want to be able to live anymore.

I felt a tear come down my face. I couldn't cry hear. The worst thing to do was act weak. Last time a girl cried in the cafeteria room, a few days ago, they got beaten to a pulp.  I didn't want that to be me.

A bell rang out, signifying that lunch was over. I had only taken 4 bites of the bread, 2 bites of the  nasty gunk, and barely got to drink my water. I sighed. Officers took my food away, and began to guide me to the laundry room. I was forced to do some work in there for a while, throw some jumpsuits in the wash, stuff like that. When suddenly, I felt a hand grab my shoulder. I whipped around, and there was a 20-something looking girl, with long brown hair, and tons of tattoos. I backed away, but she just came closer.

"So, you're apparently the one who murdered a police officer and maybe even a young girl. Wow. A little girl. Intriguing" The woman said. She kept coming closer to me.

"I didn't do it," I said, scared. By the way she was looking at me, I could tell she didn't believe what I was saying.

"Tell me why. I'm curious. What gave you the urge to kill?" She asked.

"Nothing. Because I'm innocent," This time I wasn't so scared. I was angry. I stood my ground, and looked the woman in the eyes, and said. "Now would you please leave me ALONE!" 

The woman backed away, fear in her eyes. She left the laundry room, and that's when I realized. People thought I was a monster.

***

Adam's POV

In these past few days, I'd lost more weight than ever, and gained so much muscle. I'd done nothing but running, finding my way out of Elmsville. I did. I made it so far away, and now I'm in Toronto. My parents.. or anyone for that matter, hasn't come looking for me. I think they think I just went to stay with a friend. Little do they know I am hours away, and not coming back. Thanks to Cameron's bus ticket, I ended up getting pretty far. The rest of the way, I ran and ran. Now I'm just hiding. Hiding from everyone, because I feel like there's no one I can trust.