If only I could spin back the hands of time and have another chance to try again. If only I had listened to that small voice that repeatedly urged me to stop. If only, if only.
Chris sat in this large prison cell together with the other eighty inmates of all ages, color and creed. Some afraid of the unknown, others fighting the very same demons that got them here in the first place. Yet Chris knew within every man one instinct dominated their thoughts, survival.
The dirty blankets and the stench from a broken toliet filled the nostrils of the new arrivals. There was no order here, the sooner you grabbed a bunk and claimed your space the better or you could be spending the night on the floor. Chris moved quickly to the end of the cell trying to get as far away from the stench as possible. There were no bunks left which meant Chris along with the other unlucky one's were going to have to share a bed. That was not the most appealing thought, afterall, which one of these monsters had murdered, raped and now you get to sleep next to them?
Chris spotted an elderley man alone on a bunk further down the line and made his way there. He looked to old to be in here and whether the ageing had been enhanced by his nightmares or his crime , Chris didn't really bother , except that he knew if a struggle occurred he would have the upper hand.
Chris sat on his bunk and glanced across the cell trying to take in every face in the shortest possible time. He knew a prolonged stare could spark off an argument, something to be avoided at all costs. Frightened eyes of kids who thought they had it all figured out darted nervously across the room. Their faces told of plans gone wrong and now they were all alone to face this nightmare.No freinds, no hype, no chilllin. Just you.
This was only the begining and Chris knew that the courts could take weeks before final verdict was executed. For now this was going to be his home away from home. Earlier in the week his advocate had told him that he had tried his best and that the "best" possible deal was an eight year sentence for his crime. At 35, a family of three kids and an unemployed wife..........
Just the thought was enough to make any man want to cry but Chris knew any sign of weakness could mean unwanted company so he forced back the tears and swallowed that lump in his throat. Supper was handed out a 19:00. Two slices of bread and nothing more. Hunger was the furthest thought from Chris's mind as time got closer to lights out, something that not everyone looked forward to. For Chris it was going to be a long night.
At ten the lights flickered out.
