Trash: A Collection of Stories

Chapter 3

"Let's pick it up guys!" I called over my shoulder. I was back in the kingdom, doing the weekly exercise with the prisoners.

"Ok, so the princess sends you out to invite people to this banquet, and you come back instantly? From the way you explained it, it sounds like she was expecting you to be gone for like a week or two," Azuma kept up my speed. We were at the front of the group I was working with today.

And yes, Azuma is supposed to be the tree at Fairy Tail's Mavis's grave, but the Magic Council found a way to keep the tree still there, but remove Azuma. He's been here for a while and he's not that bad, honestly.

"But if you were in my position you would have done the same thing. Seeing old friends is extremely awkward when you've pretty much cut them out from your life."

"I can see your point. I feel the same way with Capricorn.."

"Noted." I steered us over to the middle of the court yard, the pack panting behind us. "Positions." They got into their spots and dropped to the ground.

"Thirty push ups," I decided to go easy on them this week, even though according to the guards I go easy on them with my regular work out. I got down and began doing it with them. "Fifty jumping jacks." This continued for a few minutes until a few of them looked like they were dying. "Take a water break, the guards will escort you," I directed them to the other side of the court yard.

"Continue your story. What happened with Sting?" Azuma and I took a seat on the concrete.

"I don't even know, I tried not to show any emotion and I'm pretty sure I succeeded in doing that. But he seemed interested to see me. It was awkward talking to him."

"He cheated on you, of course it would be awkward. I find it stupid that he still hasn't apologized yet."

"He doesn't need to, it's in the past and I've gotten passed it. I think I'm going to skip the banquet, it was hard enough to talk to those people for a few minutes, wonder what it would be like for a few hours."

"It's this Friday night, correct?"

"Mhmm."

"You should go, don't let them ruin your night and just hang out with Jura and Eve or something."

"Maybe, I'll think about it. Ok guys, let's do a few more laps and you will be done for the day," I called out and we started jogging.

I sent them to the showers after that, this group being all men I didn't have to go supervise the girls showers.

It may seem weird, but I have bonded with some of the inmates. Usually others who have my position are demanding and treat the inmates like dirt. But I don't, or I try not to for the most part. I know they all have their reasons for what they did, and you can't just blame them for the rest of their lives. People make mistakes.

Just like Natsu and Sting did, but we don't talk about that. Obviously I've forgiven them, but I still decide its best not to get involved with those two.

I made it to the side of the kingdom that the castle was at and made my way through the complex layout to my room. Half of it was my bedroom and the other half was my office (my room is separated down the middle with a wall.).

In my office I have a desk up against one wall and the rest of the wall space is taken up by filing cabinets and shelves packed with folders. Those folders contain information about every inmate in our system.

We have gotten a lot more in the past years since the Magic Council proved they could not keep track of the prisoners. They've all been moved here to a newer jail that was built a few months after Arcadios hired me. At first I was just supposed to protect the castle and royal family from attacks and intruders, but that began to expand with the prison was built and more prisoners came. I now have multiple tasks and it keeps me busy. It's nice because I'm never left alone with my thoughts.

I pulled out the folders of my group of inmates and took a seat at my desk. I made logs to keep track of improvement or where they need to make improvement. I think it helps make their lives a little better, I guess.

I sighed and got to work, thinking about what I would do with my next group tomorrow.

**Hope you enjoyed!!**