Our Time Bomb

Chapter Five ~ Time Bomb Starts

Erika's pov~~

I fear my head will split itself in half with pain. I have not a clue that time of day or night it is, so I have slept hardly at all the last six or seven days, I'm guessing that's how long it's been but I really can't say for certain.

I lie with my head awkwardly angled against the wall. I am almost glad I'm pregnant during this time, it makes me feel that I am not alone. I don't know if my baby can hear me, or cares to, but I talk to it often.

Since the cells around me are seemingly empty, and the prison guard won't say a word to me, I have to resort to the company of my unborn child.

"It's alright." I quietly say, my hand on my belly, "For as long as I have you my darling, I shall protect you with all I am. Even if your father takes you away, I know he must hate me now, but he will care for you. Although things may be hard now, you have two parents who love you. Someday... Everything will be okay."

My mind drifts back to how Jefferson and I came about seeing each other again after the time when he visited my classroom.

It was in the marketplace perhaps a month later. I remember that I was having an argument with a shop vendor. He was embarrassing me in front of everyone else in line behind me.

Well this guy and me happened to have a past, his son used to be in my law class until I kicked him out. He was disrespectful and incredibly stupid.

So here's how it happened. I placed my grocery items on the counter and he recognized me immediately.

"Well well, I remember you. You think you can just prance in here and expect me to serve you after you shamed and kicked my son from your prestigious stupid class? You had no right! He is very smart, you just can't see it through your stuffy eyes can you?! You ruined his life chance!"

My throat tightened, "Excuse me Sir, I am on a tight schedule, I uh don't have time for this."

He jabbed a crooked finger at me, "How dare you!" He grabbed the money from my hand and purposely shoved all my things off the counter onto the floor. "You deserve to go to hell! Ripping the dreams from an innocent boy!"

I remembered his son in my class. Innocent boy didn't quite fit his description. He was a demon with the IQ of a goat. He'd gotten into my class because of his parent's money and reputation. I think his mother must have been on the school board or something.

Anyway, I wasn't about to cause a scene in the crowded marketplace. I opened my mouth to speak.

Suddenly someone in line behind me stepped out and defended me, "That Sir, was beyond inappropriate. You take back every word you said or I'll report you for customer abuse, and trust me, I get around."

I spun around to see the Captain of the Guard standing just to my back right, he was scowling at the shopkeeper.

The man behind the counter glared at me, "I refuse to serve her. She needs to leave."

The Captain guided me aside and stepped all the way up to the counter, he stood straighter and a foot taller than the man. "Is that so? Personal bias is not permitted in the workplace. I can speak to one of my connections and have you lose your job just like that." He snapped his fingers.

The man cowered, "Okay okay, I take it back, I apologize."

I began to pick up my items on the floor.

"Very good then." He bent down and helped me. "Are you alright Miss? Wait... I know you don't I? You're a professor right?"

I nodded and smiled, "Yes Sir. You visited my classroom a month ago."