Escape.

My eyes trail over the words scribbled into the blank parchment paper for the hundredth time, the elegant handwriting floating in front of my eyes as I process his words once again. The entire letter engraved into my mind as I know what’s written word for word, letter for letter, dot for dot.

Letting out a deep sigh, I fold the now worn out piece of paper and stuff it underneath the lumpy pillow that resides on the hard mattress which I’m currently sitting on, making sure the letter- along with the other numerous letters I have piled away- doesn’t get scrunched up or distorted in anyway. Bringing both hands to my eyes, I rub at them in almost a childlike gesture before I lay on my bed, my head hitting the pillow with a thump as I shift my gaze to the blank white walls.

Having nothing better to do, I guess having some shut eye will help. However even when my eyes are closed and I try shutting my mind off, I can’t help but to keep thinking of the numerous letters that I’ve gotten from one person in particular. Hell particular is putting it slightly since he’s the only person who’s kept in contact with me this entire time. With these thoughts of the man lingering in my mind, I don’t realise I’ve fallen asleep and gotten pulled into a deep slumber. My left hand underneath my pillow the entire time, subconsciously holding onto that one single letter which I’ve been started to hold close to my heart.

I wake up with a jolt, my heart hammering against my rib cage a mile a minute as I sit up in bed, eyes wide and searching for any signs of danger, body starting to flood with adrenaline as my mind prepares to either fight or flee. Assessing my surroundings, I let out a deep groan as I take in the white walls that I’ve grown accustomed to in the past two years. The hard bed still under me and the cold concrete floor just inches away from where I currently sit.

Like always, I look around the small cell and take everything in from the tiny toilet that’s a few feet from where my bed is, to the heavy metal door that obscures my vision from the outside world. All that I can see through is a small square window which is more often than not, closed.

My ears catch the sound of what I assume woke me up in the first place, the distant sound of thumping footsteps marching down the eerily quite corridor. Not that that’s anything out of the ordinary but I guess living the way I have been turns you into an extremely light sleeper. Even the subtlest of sounds makes me jump to my feet in a panicked frenzy, ready to defend myself at whatever’s the cost.

The thumping of feet comes to a halt as a loud buzzing rings throughout the entire area before the sound of footsteps resounds again. I feel the knot in my throat tighten as I ball my hands into fists. The nerves coursing through me causing me to take in sharp breaths as my stomach turns in anxiety for what’s to come.

As soon as the melodic sound of knocking reaches my ears, I let out an exhale of air, slight relief running through me though the other part of me is still on guard, expecting anything to come, to attack.

The heavy metal door doesn’t creek nor groan as it slides upon showing a man with balding white hair that showcases the middle of his scalp. The hair seems to have fallen from there and onto his lip as he sports a bushy moustache that twitches every time his lips move. The mans blue eyes shine at me as his thin lips pull into a grin, wrinkling hands placed on his hips as his belly proudly protrudes in front of him, making his small stature seem slightly larger just by the way he carries himself.

“Ms. Ricci ,” The man speaks up, voice deep and gruff as he smiles kindly at me, “I have some good news for you.” The excitement in his voice is quite clear as he almost bounces on his feet, eyes alight with some sort of emotion that makes the rest of his stern face lighten up.

My eyebrows widen as I let out a short laugh, bemusement coursing through me as I compose myself and allow myself to lean against the wall, becoming relaxed, “What could have possibly happened for you to give me good news?” I question, half intrigued. That is till my lips split into a grin and I lean slightly forward, “Have they started serving edible food in the cafeteria?” The simple thought of good food causes my mouth to water and stomach to grumble in protest.

Oh what I wouldn’t do to bite into a cheese burger right about now.

Harvey lets out another deep chuckle as he shakes his head at me in amusement, hair flopping this way and that. “I can tell you’ve been in here a long time. Nothing like that should make a person happy.” He grumbles for a moment, losing humour but only for a split second before he regains his usual chirpiness.

“Get up now. Come on.” At hearing his words, I immediately tense up, not sure what to do. I mean I do have to listen to him but every fibre of my being is screaming at me to not. Eyeing him for a few seconds, I finally decide no more harm could actually to come to me and so I slowly place both feet on the ground, hoisting myself up.

Looking at Harvey, I motion to my secret pile of letters under my pillow. He seems to figure out what I’m trying to say as he shakes his head in dismissal. “Grab all of them and take a final look at your room missy.”

I raise an eyebrow before turning to my small stash and grabbing all the letters, my mind once again flitting to the man who sent them.

Mario Ricci .

The name itself sends shivers down my spine as I think back to the practically unknown man. A complete mystery who was like a light in the dark. His monthly letters made my life so much easier, that is till they abruptly stopped and I had no more contact from the man.

“Am I relocating cells?” The question is rather odd since that’s never happened to me in my entire two years of being here. Tucking the letters into my grey shirt, Harvey takes out two handcuffs and motions me forward so that he can cuff me. With that he leads me out of the cell and into the corridor. Taking us down twists and turns that I’m somewhat used to, prison cells go by on either side until they stop as we pass down heavily guarded doors. As security increases but inmates cease does Harvey deem it okay to answer me, “You’re free to go love.”

The words don’t register in my mind but when they do, I stop walking immediately. Almost bumping into Harvey who turns to grin at me, his smile the biggest one I’ve ever seen.

“W- what?” I choke out, my voice coming out in a whisper as I look at him wide eyed. Not believing any word that’s come out of his mouth. Grabbing me by the arm, he escorts me to some place I’ve never been before. The rooms here aren’t cells nor are they offices, from what I can tell they look like interrogation rooms. Only one steel door that allows you to enter and exit the room. I follow after Harvey who continues to smile at me as he motions me into the room. It’s incredibly bleak and dim lighted as I make my way to the metal table and chair, seating myself down onto it. I assume it isn’t anything serious because if it was, Harvey wouldn’t be looking like he is now.

Another officer enters the room, the loud bang of the door echoing behind him as he strides into the room with a purpose. Wearing a light gray suit, the mans dark brown hair is swept to the side as his face continues to hold a blank look. “I’m only here to ask you a few questions and after that you’re ready to leave.” I sit in awe, not uttering a word as the man stares back at me unblinkingly, already bored with these turn of events. I nod my head as fast as I possibly can, hoping I can convey that I’ll do anything to get out of this hellhole.

The entire time speeds by in a blur as I answer multiple questions here and there till my head is swimming with a few of my own. They show me multiple pictures of a man, a man which I recognise. The image of him scoured into my mind as they ask me if I saw him at the night of the accident. Soon all I hear is garbled voices but I manage to make out one, “He stepped forward and confessed to the crime. We looked into it and the court sentenced him guilty. You checked out. Like I said you’re free to go. You’ve been innocent all along.”

Air seems to be getting sucked out of my lungs as my handcuffs are undone and my previous clothes are placed into my hands. I don’t even have time to register the simple frayed jeans and t shirt that I’m putting on along with the incredibly scuffed shoes. The same very clothes I was wearing two years ago when I got arrested. The few items I had on with me are also returned and in the backpack that was with me, my letters stuffed safely inside. Only by the time I’m standing at the gate do I finally snap out of it.

I turn to look at Harvey and the outside world some more. Still not believing anything I see. “A few of us chipped in to help you out a bit. I know it’s not much but we wanted for you to have it easy for a bit.” I blink in confusion as I finally look down at his hands, a white bulging envelope placed in his before it gets passed on to me.

My eyes widen and tears pool in my eyes. Unable to help it, I launch myself into Harvey’s arms, the man returning the embrace and giving me a fatherly hug along with a pat on the head. “Thank you so much, everyone. I didn’t expect this at all.” I wheeze out, trying to dry my eyes so I seem like less of a mess but nothing seems to be working as tears keep pouring out.

Harvey gives me a half hearted shrug. “I’d say I miss you but I quite frankly never want to see you near this place ever again.” I joke which causes the man to wheeze out the most mirth filled laugh I’ve ever heard.

“Stay out of trouble kiddo. I hope I never see you again either.”

With one last wink from his side, I find myself exiting out the heavily secured facility and facing the dirt filled parking lot that holds a few cars including my taxi. Sliding into the taxi, the man gives me a cautious look before asking me where I’m headed to. I rack my brains for a few seconds, trying to think where the hell I’m actually going to go. Almost immediately does a name pop into my head and I give the driver directions. This earns me an even weirder look before the man shrugs and takes me where I need to go.

My eyes are wide open as I keep the window down, enjoying simple things like the wind in my hair and the roads passing by. The thought of me looking like a dog runs fleetingly through my mind causing me to let out a laugh. Never did I think I’d miss such simplistic things like this ever before. My eyes stayed glued open as the wind continues to ruffle my air, the air caressing my skin as the city lights come into view and we near the place. I seem to be getting teary eyed as the roads become familiar and we finally reach the place I’ve been thinking about all this time. The nostalgia running incredibly thick as I look at my surroundings.

Never did I think I’d miss simple things like this.

My emotions are a mess as I thank the taxi driver a hundred times. Making my way down the dangerous sidewalk that leads to one pace of importance. I don’t think I should be seen here immediately after being released from prison but the thought of seeing my best friend makes me feel giddy and all excited inside.

Turning into the dark and dingy alley, I spot the familiar shady figures perched up against the brick walls, various boxes and crates lined up against them that have been shattered from the idiots kicking at them. Their heads snap up immediately and I can detect the glint of a knife shining from the sleeve of one of the guys. I let out a laugh and raise my heads in mock surrender. The cocky persona that I hate putting up, coming to life.

“Calm down girlies. It’s just me Lia.”

The grunts I get in return are none too welcoming nor is the huffing of laughter that sounds rather similar to a hyena trying to laugh. Not that I’ve heard a hyena laughing.

“Well, well, well. Looks like the Ricci bitch finally got out of jail.” I roll my eyes at the man’s word, not falling for any of their stupid schemes as I gaze around the alley, only now realising its missing one person in particular.

“Where’s Zach?”

The chuckles erupt once again as a hooded man steps forward, “Haven’t you heard?”

I heart thumps in my chest as the numerous possibilities run through my mind of what could have happened to my friend. I hope he hasn’t landed himself into some shit.

“Heard what?” I ask, thankfully my voice composed as I take another step forward, trying to feign confidence even though I’m completely unarmed and not to mention out numbered.

The cockiness in this guy is ten times stronger than what I’m eluding as he takes another few steps towards me, trying to get into my face.

“Why the fuck should I tell you anything you whore?” He practically spits in my face.

I grimace at his stupidity and take another step forward, meeting his stance as I speak up, “Because you know damn well I can make you my bitch just like Zach made you his. So tell me where the fuck he went right now before I start to get fed up with your bullshit.”

The mans eyes glower at me for a few seconds, not enjoying the disrespect at all but finally he speaks up, voice tight, “Zach landed himself in jail for a few months. When he came out he decided he had enough of this life. Haven’t heard from him since.”

Of course that idiot would land himself in trouble when I’m not there. No one to make him responsible in my absence either.

Well I am being slightly hypocritical since I wasn’t the most responsible either.

Brining my mind back to the presence, I raise an eyebrow and put one foot in front of the other till I’m practically in the mans face, “Spit it out Tyler.”

I can see the man rolling his eyes before he grumbles out, “He’s at that pub, the one a few blocks from here. Something called Doherty.”

I let out a scoff and take a step back, “The Doherty Irish pub?”

Tyler nods his head and snaps his fingers, “The very one.” Nodding my head, I take a couple more steps back before and turning around. I don’t waste a second more in that good for nothing alley and make a run for it, ignoring the grumbles coming from Tyler, “Didn’t Zach say that broad was shy or some shit?”

I’m almost out of breath by the time I make I make it to the pub designed in the style of an old Irish tavern. Loud singing and hollering reaching my ears all the way from the other side of the road. I can’t help but to shake my head at the thought of Zach working here. He probably gets his ass beat every night just by looking at people the wrong way.

Crossing the road, I take in the man standing by the entrance to the pub with a gruff look on his face, stance threatening and I already know I won’t be allowed in there.

Looks like I have to find the back entrance.

Making my way through the shadows and into yet another alley, -though this one does have slightly better lighting thanks to the lights outside- I let out a sigh as the other guy standing next to the back entrance catches sight of me. He even seems more threatening then the guy at the front.

“Before you tell me to get lost, I’m simply looking for someone.” I splutter out, hoping against hope he doesn’t kick me out back into the road flat on my ass.

I take another hesitant step forward till I’m a few feet from the door and angry looking man who grunts at my words, “Get lost.”

“Just please listen to me. I’m looking for a man named Zach. He works here,” I know the same tough guy approach won’t work with the people here so I try to put on my best damsel in distress façade. No one seems to be having any of it though as he takes a threatening step forward.

“I. Said. Get. Lost.”

I curse under my breath and turn away, already deciding to wait the night out till I find Zach either leaving the pub or entering it. Hell I don’t even know if he actually works here or not.

However before I can even turn around, the back door swings open and a tall lanky guy steps out into the shadows, blue eyes landing on me and gazing at me in wonder.

"Zach?"