Prison Royalty

Anarchy

Anarchy. That's hardly enough to describe what's going on. I looked to my left, the fire getting dangerously close to me, what once was my home was now a pile of burning wood, ash, and a lovely pair of corpses holding hands. Cute. I unhooked my watch, placing it down on the top of my old home's driveway. I turned away from the house. Everything was so gray today too.

"It's over here!" Someone screamed, directing people to the fire. Not that they needed to, it wasn't just my house, the whole street was in flames, not one house or shop on California's Sycamore street was still standing. Motors began to come within earshot.

"Well, Mother, Father," I said sadly looking upon the burning flesh, "I'm leaving." And with that I began walking down the street of fire, wiping sweat from my forehead.

"BLLLYYTTTHHEE!!!!!" The screech was loud and raging, easily heard over the sirens blaring only a few blocks away. A girl stood a bit farther up the road in front of me.

"Luse!" I said, raising my eyebrows. "I believe that's the first time you've called me by my given name!" I told Luse. She clenched her fist so tight I could see tiny drips of blood from where her nails dug in. Her face was read, ashes and soot covered her, and Luse's usually neat hair was messy, no, wild. She was shaking and biting her lip.

"Why?" She croaked, looking me directly in the eye, her already red and puffy eyes starting to tear, probably not for the first time that day. She went quiet, wiping her eyes, maybe waiting for an answer. I said nothing, so she continued. "They're dead. Mom, Dad, Nickie." The last name was barely audible, but I knew who she was talking about. Nickie, or by non family members Nick Stillet, younger brother to Luse Stillet. She broke down sobbing, her legs finally giving out in the middle of the street, causing Luse to collapse to a kneeling position. Her face was buried in her hands. I gazed at my best friend. Okay, I didn't think we were best friends anymore, well not after this.

"Yeah. I did this," I gestured to the flames on both sides of us, looking up at the sky, "... I did this to Nick." I spoke with childish amazement, maybe a bit of pride. I brought my eyes back to Luse.

"No...NO, NO, NO, NO! Don't lie Blythe! You're supposed to get mad at me for yelling at you, tell me you're innocent..." Luse cried even harder, she knew it was me. Her sobs turned to angry screams. "WHY BLYTHE?! WHY DID YOU KILL MY BROTHER?! WHY?!" the part of Luse that realized the reality screamed, anger mixed with her tears. I played with some of my long silver hair. The smokey smell would be hard to get out later. A police car, followed by a whole squad, pulled into the street. Next were fire trucks, putting out fires left and right, only to have more flames roar at them. I didn't even turn around to look at them, I knew that was what was happening. The noise made it a bit obvious. Taking a step forward I smiled at Luse, walking towards her. Fear quickly became apparent in her face and her body became rigid. It made me smile a bit more, but i simply stepped right passed her. I didn't look back at the police, the sobbing girl, corpses, or flames. I inhaled, smoke filled my lungs satisfyingly.

"Ah..." I exhaled. "Today was a good day. Too bad I'm going to The Palace," I sighed, putting my hands in the pocket. I close my eyes, only moments later I heard the click of several pairs of shoes. I opened my eyes to see three men wearing black suits, one was holding a paper. He read off of it.

"Blythe Ludwood-"

"That's me," I interrupted. He glared and continued.

"Blythe Ludwood, age 15, female," He paused, pushing his glasses up on his nose. "Arsonist. sentenced to life in 'The Palace', the new world jail." I whistled at the last part.

"'New world jail'," I repeated, "Do you have to say that sales pitch every time you bring a criminal in?" I asked emphasizing the exasperation in my voice, but the guy's expression barely changed. He was no fun. The guy to the right of him spoke up this time.

"One more word and we have to power to deem you uncooperative and use force...got it?" He growled lowly, stepping forward a bit.

"Got it, ma'am!" And that was the last snarky comment out of my mouth, because once my words reached their ears, a fist was coming directly at my face, and my vision went black.