A Way Out

Part II: Loyalty

The dreams stayed the same, always ending with me dying. The setting was all that ever changed. One would be where I was lying in a deep trench that laid at the bottom of Normandy Beach as men are hammered by the turret guns in the bunker ahead. Same screams, same soldiers, same blood, but different death each time. Sometimes Im cut into swiss cheese by the turrets, others my throat gets slit by a dirty fucking Nazi. In the end, all I got from these dreams, was Im going to die eventually. No matter what I did to avoid it.

A bang on my cell door jolts me awake, my eyes pierced by my ceiling light. I sit up and look towards the door as it scrapes open, Fred waiting.

Dinner time Leo. Fred says, gesturing for me to hurry up. I cough, then get to my feet. I can hear screams on the lower floors as an inmate freaks out over a guard entering his cell. I walk towards Fred and head down the corridor and turn right. The line stretches out of the cafeteria door.

I stand in line behind a tall white male, looking as if he was in his early thirties. I read the back of his shirt where his cell number is, realizing that he in fact, was Mac Sloan. I stare a moment longer at his shirt when the line moves forward. We enter the cafeteria; the stench of processed food and bodily fluids fill the room. We reach the serving counter and then Shorty, some punk kid from cell block C, cuts in front of Mac.

Hey buddy, I was next. Mac says to him as he stares him down. Shorty smiles at him.

What are you going to do about it old man? Shorty says, spitting in his face and hitting him with his tray. Mac falls to the ground. I look at him then to Shorty, getting in Shortys face. He laughs.

Everybody look, big bad Leo has to protect his little butt buddy. Shorty laughs and everyone in the cafeteria stares, no guards in sight.

How about you fuck right off Shorty. I say, pushing him back. He pushes me back, then I lunge forward, my fist colliding with his jaw. He falls back as I throw a boot into his stomach. Guards rush in as people cheer, their arms wrapping around mine.

Who started this? Fred says, holding me back. By this time, Mac was standing away from it all, holding his temple.

I did. I say. Fred sighs.

This is your last warning Leo, and as for you Shorty, get the fuck out of my cafeteria. Shorty stands up, holding his stomach.

Youre dead Leo. Shorty spits at me as hes pushed out of the cafeteria. Fred lets me go, handing me a tray of food.

I mean it Leo, not another fight. Fred whispers in my ear before moving the line along. I sit in an empty bench, Mac sitting across from me.

Thanks for that back there. He says to me, our eyes meeting.

Dont mention it, you must be new here. I reply, taking a bite of my food. He nods and takes a bite as well.

Here for a crime I didnt commit.

Thats what they all say. I scoff.

Well I mean it. He says in a stern voice.

Well we are all here whether we like it or not. I reply, eating more food.

Yeah. By the way Im Mac. He says, holding out his hand to shake. I hesitate, remembering what Shawn had said about this guy.

Leo, were neighbors. I say, shaking his hand. We eat the rest of our food without another word. Fred walks in and announces that its cell time. We all line up, my thoughts circling me. If this is the guy, we can get out. Set things straight with Hector and my family, thats all that matters.

This time the nightmare was different. I was running from something, something I couldnt see. I ran for a while, running through trees and bushes. Then suddenly, I just fall, no cliff, just nothing. I fall for the rest of the dream, the wind cold. I felt something as I fell, something I havent felt in forever. Fear.

Fred knocks on my cell door, Mac standing in front of him. I sit up, getting out of my bed and stretching.

Come on Leo, the boss said to give you and Mac an early recreation time today. Fred says as I walk up to him.

Why? I ask Fred as we start walking down the corridor.

Something about a military jet flying over the prison today, I dont know. Fred says as I stop and think, Fred could help.

Fred, I need one last favor from you. I ask him in a quiet voice. Fred hesitates then nods.

What Leo? He replies.

If any debris falls from the jet, put it in my cell. He looks at me with wide eyes. Its quiet for a moment, Mac stopped a little further ahead.

Leo, thats a tall order.

I just need metal Fred; can you get me some? I put a hand on his shoulder. He sighs.

I can see, I doubt Ill get any debris, its a military jet, but Ill see what I can do. Fred says as I smile and hug him.

Thank you, Fred. I say as we start to walk towards the security gate.

You owe me big time though Leo. He says, waving and the security gate opens. Mac and I head into the courtyard. I lean up against the fence, staring into the sky. Please Fred, I need this. Mac leans next to me and I turn to face him.

I know its none of my business, but what did you guys talk about? Mac asks me. I sigh, thinking if I should tell him.

Can I trust you?

Why couldnt you?

Because I heard you were ex-cop, went rogue. I reply, him gasping slightly.

Yeah, I went rogue, I didnt like the force. He says, staring into my eyes. I didnt trust many people, but something seemed right about this guy. I sigh and look around to make sure no one was near.

Alright, I have a plan to escape this place. I need Fred to get metal so that we can pick the locks in the prison.

Then what? He asks.

We head to cell block A, break my friend Shawn out, and use the emergency exit to get out of here. I explain as he nods.

So where do I fit in?

You look like you know how to handle a weapon, and youre my lookout. If I can trust you. I say to him.

You can trust me Leo. He holds out his hand and we shake.

If youre lying, Ill slit your throat where you stand. I say, smiling. He chuckles and nods. We sit and enjoy the fresh air a little longer then Fred calls everyone inside.

We enter our cells, Fred locking them all up then standing at my door.

Might want to check your toilet Leo. He says, shutting my door. I look at him and nod. After Fred walks away, I open my toilet to find a small pocket knife in the bottom. I smile and shut the toilet, sitting ack on my bed. A knock on my wall echoes.

I walk up to my bars and Mac is at his.

We got our way-out Mac, were leaving, tonight. I say to him as he nods and disappears back into his cell. I sit back on my bed, thoughts filling my mind. We finally can make it out. I can finally undo what Ive done.