The Corruption of Innocence

Chapter 24

Mr Pomeroy felt his blood run cold as he entered through into the cold, lonely cell of Jack. He had returned to the cells three days after the attack and was being closely supervised. Mr Pomeroy usually checked on him, and Jack did not look up as he came in. Tears streamed down his pale, battered face, but he quickly wiped them away as Pomeroy sat on the edge of his bed.

"I have some news for you, lad," he said. The little boy twitched slightly and immediately shot his head up to look up the officer.

"Do I get my new identity?" he asked, a foreign sound of glee spilling from his tongue. Seeing the man shake his head, the boy let out a sigh and lowered his head.

"Jack, the judge does not think it is safe for you to be here after your attack," a gentle voice told him, and the boy laughed bitterly.

"No shit."

"Jack," Pomeroy said again, his voice tougher, "he thinks it would be better if you live temporarily somewhere where you are not in danger."

"Where?"

"Beverston in Gloucestershire, with the Preston family."

"Who are they?"

"Jennet Preston is the sister in law of James Tyrell. He was the one who asked the judge to send you there. It is his command that you go into Jennet Preston's care, where you will be held until your execution," he explained. "Is there anything else you want to know?"

"What about Philip Device? Is he going to one of these places too?"

Standing up, Pomeroy shook his head. "Philip is being held in Devizes Asylum."

"Asylum?"

"Indeed," was the simple reply. "the judge made clear Philip is mad and needs to be in complete isolation."

"It's the judge that's fucking mad," mumbled Jack, and Pomeroy gave him a puzzled look.

"The judge could have left you in this cell to be targeted and attacked repeatedly. I honestly thought you would be glad."

Sighing, Jack rested his chin on his knees and swallowed. "I am," he muttered.

"Right then, there is not a problem if so, is there? You shall be moved at nine tonight."

"What about my family?" Jack asked suddenly, head up. "What about my sister? Will she move in, too?"

"No, Jack, it is not a holiday you are going on. You are being held in secure accommodation waiting for your execution." There was a pause, a tense, awful silence, and Pomeroy then opened the door, breaking it.

"At least you will not have to hear the creak of a cell door anymore, Jack," he said as tears glimmered on the boy's cheeks. They weren't fought away, but instead were accompanied by a harrowing crying. Pomeroy stepped out of the door and locked it, sighing at the sobs from inside. He then turned and walked off down the hallway, just as Michael Edington was being led back into his cell. The boy turned, stone faced, his eyes flickering between Pomeroy and the cell door that held Jack.

"He won't last long; we all know that. Listen to him. Pathetic. He'll break in the end. They will find him. They will kill him. The noose will never crack Jack's neck. Ever. Something else, might, though. A table leg, perhaps, or two strong hands. Don't look at me like that, Mr Pomeroy, you know I am right. That boy will be slaughtered in the most awful way in that place where he will learn to feel safe. That's how all children die. Lured into a false sense of security. Luckily for me, I will never feel safe here. Perhaps Jack Edgar should have been grateful for that. It might just have saved him. Saved him from the noose."