In Between

Chapter Eighteen: Inside the Prison

After many twisting hallways, Garrett brought Apryl and Kieran to a row of identical cells that looked exactly how she had pictured them. Each was nothing but a large metal room with a wall made of unbreakable vertical bars—exactly like you would expect a prison cell on Earth to look like. They even had their own toilets, bunk-beds, and sinks just like on TV.

Some of the cells were empty, some were housing men and woman who looked very much like your stereotypical criminal, but mostly they were home to people who didn't look like they'd committed a crime in their life. The cell that Garrett brought them to had nothing inside but a single mattress, a metal toilet, a tray of dirty dishes on the floor, and Mr. Dalhart. Apryl saw Kieran's face fall when he saw the conditions his dad was living in. She clung to his arm, immediately forgetting about the previous awkwardness between them.

"Oh Kieran, I'm sorry," she whispered. "This is my fault..."

He turned to her instantly and said, "This is no one's fault. Don't blame yourself." His tone was so sincere that Apryl was sure that he had also forgotten about the comment she'd made about him marrying Jasmine. It had been a stupid thing to bring up anyway.

"Uh...Uncle Gabriel, are you alright?" Apryl said awkwardly with a pointed glance at Garrett who stood motionless behind them. The Warrior had either not noticed or didn't care that she'd spoken in English. Mr. Dalhart was momentarily confused by the way she had addressed him, but he was quick to figure out the real reason.

"Apryl, honey, don't worry about me. I'm more worried about you and the others," he said quickly, and it didn't seem forced at all.

"We're fine, dad. All of us," Kieran said, sounding so choked up that Apryl unconsciously squeezed him even tighter.

She hated watching his face as he spoke to his father through the bars and knew that no matter how upset she was, she could never fully empathize with his situation. It's my fault for suggesting that we come here...Apryl thought, but she scolded herself for continuing to think that way. Kieran was right. There was no point in blaming anyone, because they had all agreed with the risks in mind.

"That's wonderful, but I'm very surprised that you came here. Why?" Mr. Dalhart asked. This time he was clearly implying something in between the lines. Apryl could tell by his tone that he was scared for them. This was a dangerous thing to be doing, and if they were caught or their secret was exposed than it would mean death for everybody involved.

"Dad, I came in case you had something important to tell me," Kieran said.

Mr. Dalhart took a deep breath, and Apryl could tell that Kieran was holding his. "...I just want you to know how much I love you, son" he said finally, but his eyes were wild with desperation as they strayed to Garrett.

"I love you too," Kieran answered, but at the same time he was shouting, What is it? What can't you tell me in front of a Warrior? And where's your team? Are Timon and the others okay? Kieran sent it on a private frequency for Apryl and his father only, but Mr. Dalhart didn't respond in the slightest. He sat there staring at them with the saddest, most regretful expression, and made no sign that he had heard Kieran in his mind.

Apryl, what's that thing behind his ear? Kieran pointed out. He had noticed something that looked like a small, mechanical computer chip sticking out of Mr. Dalhart's skin.

Oh no, Apryl thought, dismayed. I think that's some sort of jammer that probably keeps the prisoners from communicating mentally.

And they attached it to his head?! Kieran answered, horrified.