Between The Cotton - Minicat

Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Prison And The Pride

♢♡Craig♡♢

Approaching the prison feels more like approaching a scared dog.

Why? Because the air is thick, tense, and dank all at the same time. Because the day cells are filled to the brim with criminals and I'm glad I can't see the permanent cells because I doubt they'd be much better. Police men are just strolling around, some dragging prisoners, some chatting, some eating. None doing their job, though. I growl quietly and Brian grabs my shoulder.

"Mr. Wilde can't touch you without causing an uproar, but these men here sure can. Tread lightly" He warns, releasing me and giving me space. I take a deep breath and approach a squabble of police men. "Good day, sirs. I am here to pay bail for one of the prisoners" I explain, folding my hands over the small of my back. "For what prisoner?" One of the men asks, looking me up and down quizzically. "Tyler Wilde, sir. He was wrongfully imprisoned and my father, Mr. Thompson has given me the funds to free him" I lie.

Brian hisses in warning behind me but I know what I'm doing, I've gotten quite good at lying. I've gotten quite good at debating, too. "All you have to pin him to the crimes are a package of cigarettes, which are found in just about every store in this town, are they not? The other crime is slowly becoming less and less of a crime, and more of a bigotry claim. I will pay the fine and have him freed, saved from the noose" I say firmly, refusing to let my shoulders drop.

The police men glance at each other, then me, then each other again. Finally, one of them sighs. "Yes sir. Allow me to check the records for the amount required" He grumbles, walking to a cluttered desk. He opens a large book and opens it to the middle, flipping a few pages. He glances up at me with a victorious smirk. "Sorry sonny, but the fine is five-hundred dollars. Think you can pay that?" He asks, his comrades snickering.

"Why, yes indeed sir" I retort, stepping forwards and pulling out the cash. "My father is the wealthiest man in this entire state, you see. Possibly the country" I smirk up at him, placing the money on the desk. "I demand Tyler Wilde be freed by tomorrow night, and that his criminal record shall be cleaned. If not, I hope you all will expect a visit from my father himself" I lie again, but sometimes white lies are the best. These men will never find out, anyways.

"Yes sir, of course sir" The man says, clearly in shock, gathering the money and scribbling something down. "Good. I would like all of his belongings returned to his campsite, as well. If not, I will sue" I hum, turning around and walking out. I feel my chest protruding just a bit more, pride swelling there. "You're a nasty liar, but a good one at that" Brian says under his breath, elbowing me playfully. "Oh yes, I've tuned my craft" I snicker back, slicking back my hair.

"Carriage boy, take us home, please" I hum, climbing into the cab with Brian in pursuit. "I hope Tyler is alright" I murmur, slowly losing my confidence. I guess it was the high of being powerful, wasn't it? "I'm sure he will be, Craig. He's a strong man. He told me he wouldn't let himself be taken to the cells without a fight" Brian chuckles, and I giggle quietly. Of course he wouldn't. "Some to school with me tomorrow, please" I ask Brian, looking at my lap.

"I fear the news will spread quickly" I add, feeling Brian pat my shoulder. "It always does, in towns like this. But it isn't always a bad thing, now is it?"