Forbidden

4

Today is my first parole hearing to see if I can finally get out of this hell hole prison.

I've been locked up in this place for twenty years, almost, and I'm just ready to get out and restart my life and start a new.

According to my lawyer, it sounds like some people from some of my victims families will be at my parole hearing today and it's stressing me out.

Not really sure of what to expect going into that room later, but I hope it all goes smoothly.

"Maldonado. Get up and come with me." A guard says walking into my cell.

I quickly toss my hair up into a ponytail and put my hands out so the guard can handcuff me and take me to meet with my lawyer in the conference room before my hearing.

 As we walk down these long halls, that I've walked around for twenty plus years, it seems like it's taking forever to get to my lawyer.

I just want to talk with him and get this done and over with and be told what my fate here is.

Just really hoping they will hear me out and set me free.

Once we get to the conference room, the guard opens up the door and leads me inside to sit down and wait for my lawyer to come in.

He takes the handcuffs off of me and has me sit at this small table with a bunch of papers laying face down on it.

Just as I was about to lift up the papers and look at them, my lawyer walks in and the guard steps out to give us privacy.

As soon as he sat down in front of me, I knew what he had to say wasn't good.

"I've been working by your side since you were put on trial all those years ago and I'm telling you now, you getting any chance at getting out on parole is not looking good." My lawyer says.

"Are you saying that their minds are pretty much made up about me?" I ask.

He sighs.

"Yes since you are a former assassin that was once on the FBI's most wanted list." He says.

I look down and play with my hands not sure of what to say or think before we walk into the court room to speak before the judges and warden.

"It doesn't matter at how much time has gone by or how much you have changed over the last two decades, they are still going to see you as this serial killer and a danger to society. The only thing that might make them change their minds is how you present yourself once you walk in that court room and speak to them." He explains.

I nod my head and try to at least think of some things I can say when getting the chance to.

After talk for about a half hour, the guard comes back in and handcuffs me and  takes us over to the court room.

My lawyer walks in first and I follow close behind with the handcuffs still on.

After being seated, I look around the court room to see who all showed up and only one person I knew showed up.

Scott and Mitch's lawyer and friend.

Esther.

With her here and possibly speaking on Scott and Mitch's behalf, there's no way I'm getting out of prison.