Innocent

Chapter 9: Poker Chips and Prison Friends

    "And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."

~Ronald Dahl

    I could hear the rain falling outside the medium sized suburban houses, the loud heavy drops smacking the front porch, as the wood creaked giving into the persistent drops. I took out the deck of cards, Ben the warden had given me. The brand-new deck felt heavy in my hands, as I opened it and threw away the plastic lining. As I layed out the cards, I noticed that they were all blank. "I know what to do," I muttered as I took my knife and cut my hand. I sighed as I took my bleeding hand and used it as a paintbrush  to cover the deck of cards. Instantly the cards began to reveal themselves. I ordered the cards in order and read the message.

        Isabelle when you finish reading this. Burn it. I need your help. In the agency there are dirty cops and FBI Agents. Hurting innocents and not doing their job. You have to stop them. You must stop them. There's a greater conspiracy here, something you can't understand yet. Find the clues, solve the problem. By the time  you read this, I've already been killed. Avenge me Izzy. They are going to tell the world it was a suicide,  but it was not a suicide. Find Joey.

        "Find Joey?" I asked the cards,"Joey's dead." Confusion overwhelmed me. What did he mean a greater conspiracy? Ben had been killed? I shaked it off, I couldn't process the meaning of the cards. Joey's  body was never found, I reminded myself, but no one ever saw him rise from the water, I argued. I took a lighter and lit the cards on fire in the fireplace. The fire burned until there was nothing left but ashes. I heard a car pull up and I knew my parents were back. I waited for them at the dinner table, I was silent. The internal war going on in my head, was giving me a migraine. I heard the keys jingle as my Dad struggled to open the door. He was always struggled opening the door, I guess he still hasn't repaired it. A ghost of a smile made it's way to my lips. The door swung open, and my mother gasped. I guess I could imagine the shock. Dad was silent. Amari, now a grown-up searched my face for any familiarity's with my old self. It's still me. I wanted to say, but my lips were frozen in place. I still have black hair. I still have green eyes. It's still me. I'm still your daughter.

        "Isabelle," My dad cleared his throat awkwardly, "Have a seat we ordered pizza." My dad offered. They were waiting for me to speak, I realize.

        "Im already sitting." I gestured to myself, as I pointed sarcastically to my chair.

        "Okay then, let's eat." I bowed my head and began to pray. My family watched me with utter confusion.

        "I didn't know you were religious." My mom said.

        I raised an eyebrow at her, but said nothing as I munched on my pizza. I just realized how much I hate prison food.

        "So, how's life?" Amari, my brother asked, unsure of what to say.

        Everyone gave him a pointed look.

        "It's peachy." I replied to Amari.

        I had finished my two slices of pizza, and looked down at my plate. 

        The awkwardness was unnerving.

        "Well I'm going to bed." I said quietly.

        "Really? Isn't it too early?" Amari questioned rudely.

        "Goodnight." I muttered and left for my room.

        I slammed the door and fell to the floor. I heard quiet breathing from my closet. I was puzzled. Slowly I walked towards the closet. The room was dark, there was enough light to see some shapes but the things behind the shapes were a puzzle. "Who's there?" I whispered to the closed closet door. I opened the door slowly. Adrenaline made my senses stronger. I felt like I was in a scene from a bad horror movie. The door was open and I could see clearly who was there. Emilia stood in my closet, breath ragged, in blood-stained clothes.

        She looked at me tears began to fall from her cheeks.

        "Ben's dead." She said softly. "He tried to kill me." Emilia sobbed out.

        "Who Emilia? Who tried to kill you?" I asked her, desperate for answers. 

        Emilia looked at me, her brown eyes became mysterious, "The same man who put you in prison."