Retribution

Chapter Twenty-Two

It was finally over. The reign of terror, so many lives. Both were ended abruptly.

Was this the end?

Of course not. Things are never that easy.

---

Crystal was awake. She was supposed to be asleep, just like everybody else in the prison.

She couldn't help herself though. Those hellish thoughts of hers always kept her awake. It was always "what if" this and "why" that.

What if Crystal had never joined The League?

Why did Vanessa give her life up?

What if. . .

Why. . .

Crystal was crying now. Just like so many nights before.

Morning came with her not even remembering if she fell asleep or not. It was like that now. Sleepless nights versus nights she slept without feeling rested.

"Morning Smurf," her cellmate said. Crystal sat up slowly and told Pepper that she was going to hit the showers. It was best to shower early, because less people would be in line. Plus there was still hot water.

Sometimes, Crystal was glad Vanessa died. She'd never make it in prison. Truth be told, Crystal was barely surviving it. She had lost so much weight being here and probably looked like she aged a good amount.

Twenty-three years old with no real life ahead of her. She'd be in here for the rest of her life.

She was angry. Angry about a lot of things, but mostly angry at herself. She should have never joined The League. What was she thinking?

"Yo, hurry up!" somebody called from outside the shower stall. Crystal finished up quickly, not wanting to make anybody upset. The simplest things could set somebody off here, and it was understandable. All your anger has to go somewhere.

Crystal was awake, but she felt like this whole ordeal was a nightmare. She felt like a caged animal, like a lion kept for the sole purpose of entertaining others. Crystal needed to be free, but there was nothing she could do that would bring her freedom.

She'd thought about offing herself, but never planned it out. It wouldn't be the right thing to do. And above all, it'd be selfish. She deserved to be here.

Maybe she never killed anyone, but she came pretty damn close. She helped others end lives. So what if she didn't hold the gun?

She wanted to stay strong, but who was there to stay strong for? All those years of doing her best to be strong for Vanessa meant nothing now. Were they a waste? Or, worse yet, was it a mistake? If Crystal and Josh didn't look out for her so much, there was a possibility she'd still be alive. Coldhearted, but alive.

But then she'd be like Boss. Crystal shuddered at the thought.

Vanessa could never be like him.

Especially not now.

It made Crystal wonder if Vanessa would be given a proper burial. She had no family left, so who would pay for the funeral expenses? Would the poor girl even be remembered?

Crystal wished she could have seen Vanessa at least one more time. Just to tell her how much she really cared. Maybe she wasn't the best at showing it, but Crystal cared so much for that twerp.