Confinement

Chapter 2

Note: I apologize this was a bit rushed as I wanted to developed the story a bit more. Promise the next chapter will be more interesting!

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It was hard to comprehend how people could hurt another so bad, to go to the extent of cutting their life short. Most of the people held in this prison had done the exact thing, some of them various times. When I first came here, I always feared what they were thinking inside those heads of theirs, what they were thinking when I asked how they were, all that time I had been in the same room as the convicts as I continued to wonder whether they really were guilty or not.

I've been working as Ediths assistant for nearly half a year, she is the prison therapist; me being her assistant, I take notes and determine whether the convicts improve throughout each appointment. Working with Edith was a positive as I wouldnt pick anyone else to work with in this place; even though shes a lot older than me shes the only person I've really gotten along with from my first day here. I also worked around the prison when I was asked, though it wasnt in the job description I didn't mind as I seemed to need the extra wages. I had been through university and had completed my exams in psychology and counselling which took 3 years but in the end I did get the double degree I needed. I've been thinking about leaving my job and pursuing to be the therapist, somewhere else, not the therapists assistant, but I didn't have the money for the training to get such a position.

"Goodmorning, Edith" I spoke closing the door behind me before removing my damp coat.

"Morning dear, has the weather gotten any better?" She said making small talk; She knew the answer as she looked at me from head to toe, I was soaking wet.

"I'm afraid not, I just hope the weather settles down before Christmas" I replied wondering why I care what the weather would be like then, I had no plans it could ruin anyways.

"Oh, I'm sure it'll be fine Belle, Christmas is still two weeks away" She raised her eyebrows, changing the subject quickly "You look like you could do with some dry clothes, here take this key and go get a new uniform in Mrs. Mardens office, I'm sure she won't mind" Edith handed me the key, immediately redirecting her eyes to the paper she was working on before.

I wasn't feeling the best and the long walk to Mrs. Mardens office with this damp and cold uniform on didn't make me feel any better; my head was pounding and I constantly felt dizzy. Knocking twice when I had got to her office, I waited for her to respond but she never did. Surely she wouldn't mind if I just got what I needed and left. Closing the cupboard and locking it I quickly escorted myself from the room, suddenly becoming nervous when I came across Mrs. Marden as I closed the door.

"I, I just got a new uniform from the cupboard" I spoke "I hope thats ok"

"Oh, Mabelle, its fine. Don't be so nervous, its only a uniform" She said laughing slightly but no smile appeared "But the new uniform cost will be deducted out of your wages"

"Of course." I replied, but she had already disappeared into her office.

I was quick to make it to the employees restroom, picking a stall and changing clothes before two women came in. I decided to remain in the stall I was in.

"But, Mary did you hear about what the new boy Styles did to Cook?" The soft voice spoke just over a whisper.

"Yes. I had to clean up the mess. That boy can sure do some damage, I was just surprised Cook didn't fight back" the other spoke quickly as the voices faded out of the restroom and down the hall.

I wasn't the biggest fan of eavesdropping but what was I to do.

I walked to the sink and took my hair from its tight bun. Splashing my face with water and wiping my face with my hands, I looked in the mirror.

"You can't get away that easily"

Someone hid behind my reflection in the mirror I stumble backwards as the person showed the resemblance of Jack Cook. Though, it was just a hallucination my heart pounded that I could almost hear it. I picked myself from the ground, grabbing my damp uniform and making my way back to where I came from. I knew I had taken longer than I should have, I just hoped I hadn't missed the first appointment.

"Belle?" Edith spoke from across the corridor. I had stopped mid way towards her office, thoughts crowding my head as the ache subsided.

"Belle you've already missed two appointments. What have you been doing?" She spoke again as I came closer.

"I was just caught up with... something" I replied and she gestured me to hurry.

As she walked back into her office Jack Cook walked out with two guards holding either side of him. I immediately darted my eyes to the floor, making eye contact impossible.

"Mabelle" He acknowledged as he walked past. I ignored.

I tied my hair back into the bun it was originally in and continued to walk back into the office, closing the door and sighing with relief.

Just before I could sit down and take my notebook from the drawer the door opened, displaying Harry. Two guards were holding him at his sides and handcuffs were holding his wrists together. The guards left the room but stayed outside the door, allowing Harry to seat himself in the chair in front of our desk.

"Welcome, Harry." Edith began. "So, how are you finding it here at Newgate" her voice soft and inviting.

"How am I meant to find it? It isn't extravagant" His voice deep and raspy. I couldn't help but admire his good looks.

"Oh, how about we talk about the brawl you and Mr. Cook had this morning" she replied ignoring his last comment and changing the subject to avoid another sarcastic remark.

"What about it? Don't eventful things happen like that everyday? I would have thought so, this is Newgate Prison." His fast replies leaving Edith with nothing to say. Usually the prisoners would rarely give her an answer or just swear or mumble a few words and then request to be taken back to their cell.

Before Edith could speak, the telephone on her desk rung, she answered with a nice tone.

"Why'd you fight him?" I questioned Harry. Edith was still busy on the phone.

"Why are you scared of him?" He responded, a smirk spread across his lips.

"I'm not" I lied, my eyes darting between him and the notebook I held in my hand.

"I know you are, I saw you in the corridor when he walked past. You are afraid. You know, it isn't good to look so vulnerable in a place like this" No worry in his eyes, just the smirk that stuck like he thought he was somehow funny.

"This is a prison, Styles, what is so wrong with being scared? You're asking me why Im scared of the convicts here? You are one of them, you murdered women, Harry, you killed them, they can never come back. Of course Im afraid of people who do that, what do you expect? But its what you want isn't it?" The words running from my mouth, like he needed to hear it, to get that smirk off of his face.

He took a few moments to respond, which was unusual considering how quick he had replied before.

"What did he do to you?"