Emily

Emily sat on the hard metal bench, her legs swinging slightly as her tiny frame tried to find some comfort in the cold, empty cell. She clutched her knees to her chest, the oversized orange jumpsuit wrinkling awkwardly around her small figure. Her bright blue eyes darted nervously around the room, the dull gray walls pressing in on her like a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from. She sniffled quietly, her freckled cheeks damp with tears as she thought about how she had ended up here.

“I-I didn’t mean to take it,” she whispered to herself, her voice trembling and barely audible. “It wath juth one little candy bar… I juth—juth wanted thomething thweet…” Her words trailed off into a soft sob, her lisp making her sound even younger and more innocent than she already was.

She thought about her parents. Surely, they’d come for her soon, wouldn’t they? She couldn’t believe they’d let this happen. Her daddy always told her stealing was wrong, but she didn’t think it was this wrong. Now she was all alone in this scary place, the tiny cell making her feel even smaller than she actually was.

The silence was the worst part. No one to talk to, no one to explain things. She wiped her nose with the sleeve of the jumpsuit, staring at the heavy metal door. Every now and then, she’d hear footsteps echoing in the hallway outside, and her heart would leap with hope, only to sink again when they passed her by.

“I don’t belong here,” she murmured, hugging herself tighter. “I’m not a bad girl… I’m not…” But even as she said it, doubt crept into her mind. Maybe she really was in big trouble. Maybe this was where bad people went forever.

She sniffled again, staring at the little crack of light under the door, and whispered, “Pleathe, mommy, daddy… pleathe come get me…”

Emily’s heart thudded nervously as the heavy door to her solitary cell creaked open. She stood hesitantly, the baggy orange jumpsuit swishing around her small frame as the guard motioned her forward. Her sneakers scuffed lightly against the concrete floor as she stepped into the brightly lit hallway, her hands fidgeting nervously in front of her.

"Come on, kid, you’re going to the yard,” the guard said, his gruff voice making Emily flinch. She nodded quickly, not daring to speak as she followed him through the maze of gray walls and clanging doors. Each new sound made her jump, her wide blue eyes darting around at the unfamiliar surroundings.

When they finally reached the yard, the sunlight hit her face, and for a brief moment, Emily felt a tiny bit of relief. It had been so dark and cold in solitary, and the warmth on her skin was almost comforting. But then her gaze fell on the other inmates, scattered across the large fenced area. Some sat in groups, others leaned against the walls, and a few paced alone. Emily swallowed hard, her small frame feeling even tinier compared to the adults towering around her.

“Stay outta trouble,” the guard muttered before leaving her alone by the entrance gate. She stood frozen for a moment, her freckled cheeks pale as she tried to figure out what to do. Should she sit? Should she talk to someone? Her lisped voice would probably make her stand out even more, and the idea of drawing attention made her stomach twist.

“It’th okay, Emily,” she whispered to herself, her voice shaky but determined. “You can do thith. Juth find a quiet thpot…” Hugging her arms around herself, she cautiously stepped further into the yard, her eyes scanning for a safe place to sit. The sound of laughter from one corner and the distant thud of a basketball made her jumpy, but she tried her best to stay calm.

As she made her way across the yard, she felt the eyes of some of the inmates on her. A few whispered to each other, while others just stared. Emily’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and she quickened her pace, desperate to find somewhere to hide.

"Why did thith have to happen?” she murmured, her voice barely audible over the noise of the yard. “I juth wanted a candy bar…”

Emily clutched the folded blanket and pillow to her chest as the guard escorted her down the bustling, echoing cellblock. The noise was overwhelming—laughter, arguments, the clanging of metal against bars. She tried to focus on her feet, her sneakers shuffling nervously along the concrete floor. When they stopped in front of a cell, her heart sank. The man inside was massive, his arms covered in tattoos, and his expression unreadable.

"This’ll be your bunkmate,” the guard said, unlocking the door. “Try not to cause any trouble.” With that, he shoved the door open and motioned for Emily to step inside.

“Uh…h-hi,” Emily stammered, her bright blue eyes wide as she looked up at the towering man. He was sitting on the lower bunk, his muscular arms crossed, a small smirk tugging at his lips.

"You’re the kid, huh?" he rumbled, his deep voice making Emily take a tiny step back. He eyed her for a moment before pointing up. "Top bunk’s yours. Don’t argue."

"O-okay," Emily squeaked, clutching her things even tighter. She glanced at the ladder leading to the top bunk and then back at him. "Th-thank you…" she managed, her lisp making her sound even more timid.

The man leaned back against the wall, watching her with a mix of amusement and mild curiosity as she awkwardly climbed up. The bunk creaked slightly under her light weight, and she hurried to arrange her blanket and pillow, wanting to stay out of his way.

"What’d you do to end up here, huh?" he finally asked, his tone casual but gruff.

"I… I took a candy bar," Emily admitted in a small voice, peeking over the edge of the bunk. Her freckled cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I didn’t mean for all…thith to happen."

The man chuckled, a low, rumbling sound that made Emily shrink back slightly. "A candy bar? And they put you in here? Tough break, kid." He shook his head, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees. "Name’s Big Joe. Don’t worry, I ain’t gonna eat ya."

"I-I’m Emily," she whispered, her fingers twisting nervously in the hem of her orange jumpsuit. "Thankth for… letting me have the top bunk."

The loud buzz of the cellblock doors unlocking sent a jolt through Emily as the guard's voice echoed through the hall. “Shower time, everyone. Line up!”

Emily hesitated for a moment, clutching the thin towel she’d been given. Around her, inmates were already moving, some grumbling, others joking loudly. The sheer chaos made her stomach twist. She shuffled into line, her orange jumpsuit feeling even baggier as she clutched it nervously at the collar. She kept her head down, her blonde pigtails bouncing slightly as she moved.

*When they reached the shower room, Emily’s eyes widened. The room was lined with open stalls, separated only by low dividers. No curtains, no doors. She swallowed hard, gripping her towel tighter. Around her, the other inmates seemed unfazed, laughing and chatting as they stripped down. Emily, however, felt frozen. Some of the inmates being men *

“Move it, kid,” barked a guard from behind, jolting her out of her daze. She nodded quickly, shuffling toward a corner stall in hopes of some semblance of privacy.

Her hands trembled as she undressed, folding her jumpsuit as neatly as she could and placing it on a nearby bench. She wrapped the towel tightly around herself before stepping under the lukewarm spray. The water hit her skin, making her shiver. She tried to focus on washing up quickly, her bright blue eyes darting around nervously, hoping no one paid her any attention.