Chapter 2: Burden
I could feel pain at every step I took towards the main gate that leads to the courtyard. It was unbearable, Swollen cheeks, bruised back, and to the best of my knowledge a cracked calf bone.
'Ordell really did a number on me.' I thought to myself.
As we approached the main gate to the courtyard we started hearing shouting and screaming coming from outside. We picked up the pace a bit without saying a word to each other.
Right before we opened the gate we started hearing muffled screams and gunshots.
"Stop right there or we will kill all of you." A muffled voice said.
"Don't open it yet Andrew." Said Sergei cautiously.
"He is right there might be some bad things happening out there." I agreed with Sergei.
We heard screams get closer and closer to the gate and we started backing up slowly.
The gate was swung open and in came a bunch of the inmates running in like crazy.
We waited for them to get in and then we made our way outside. The scene was horrifying, blood and bodies literally everywhere in the courtyard. Some alive and some dead. There were about twenty armed security guards aiming their sights at us.
"Hands up in the air and freeze." Shouted one of the officers.
We naturally held our hands up and waited for orders or being shot. My heart started racing and almost beating out of my chest. The scene and the guns aimed at me, they just made me feel like I was going to die at any given second.
"Daniel Hughes, what in the world are you doing with these nut jobs. And I thought you were a good man." Said one of the officers angrily.
"Sir I just came outside I didn't know what was going on here." I tried to justify myself.
"Officer I don't think he was involved. Because while the other idiots were running in these three were walking out. Plus look at his face, obviously Ordell didn't go easy on him." Said a security on my right.
"Well then, I've had a bad day so excuse me will you. Take these three to the interrogation room, I will have a word with them." Ordered the head of security of the prison.
"But sir..." Sergei was interrupted by two guards dragging him from his arms.
It wasn't long after that I felt arms wrapped around my arms and I was being dragged quickly.
Shortly after I was placed in a chair after being handcuffed, it was in a very brightly lit room.
Officer Henderson followed behind us and ordered the other securities to take Andrew and Sergei outside and wait.
He took a seat in front of me and brought his hands together. He looked stressed.
"Listen Daniel I didn't bring you here because of the riot, I know you weren't involved because you only get along with the two outside." He said. "I brought you here to tell you something of importance." He continued.
"Why include an inmate in something of importance?" I asked in confusion.
"Because you are the only one who can do the thing for me." He said and then took a deep breath. "We are going to relocate the inmates who weren't involved in the riot." He continued.
"Relocate us to where exactly?" I interrupted.
"It's rude that you interrupt. To answer your question we are going to relocate to somewhere safer than this." He said as he stood up and faced the wall. "And I need you to make sure that things go as smoothly as possible." He said as he turned towards me.
"Why me?" I asked still confused.
"Because you are smarter than anyone in here. I trust you will make the right calls when needed." He said as he showed me a key.
"I'm so confused. What are you trying to tell me?" I asked a little angrily.
"Here's the thing, there is a matter that I can't tell you about, but if that gets in the way of relocating you I will need you to do what is right." He said as he placed the key in my left hand.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked.
"You will know." He sat back down.
"What is the matter you mentioned?"
"I'm afraid I can't say, but it's a matter of national security so it's not a joke." He clarified.
"Alright, I will not let you down officer." I assured him.
"I know you won't. Now go to your cell but don't inform anyone of what you were told. And keep that key somewhere safe." He said.
"Alright, thank you officer." I said thankfully.
"Daniel." He said and I turned to him after opening the door. "The lives of others may depend on you." He continued.
I nodded and left the room afterwards. I kept wondering what was the matter of national security. 'What could it possibly be?' I thought to myself.
I went straight to me and Andrew's cell. I put the key under my foot, so between my foot and shoes. It was the safest place I could hide it in. When I reached my cell Andrew was already there. He was laying down with his forearm covering his face.
"Did they ask you anything?" I asked as I flopped on my bed.
"They asked what we were doing when the riot was going down and I explained that we were having the best time we had here, laughing at each others embarrassing memories." He elaborated.
"You little prick." I said as I laughed a bit. "Well you're not wrong."
"Get some rest Dan, you were wrecked today." He said with a giggle.
"You need some rest too, you were a scared chick today." I replied with a laugh. "Alright enough messing about, let's get some shut eye." I said as we dozed off to sleep.
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One Year Ago...
"Today we celebrate the birthday of our beloved Chloe." I started. "So Chloe happy birthday to you." I said as the others started congratulating Chloe as well.
"Thanks everyone for taking time off your schedules for me. I can't be thankful enough." She said as some happiness tears escaped her eyes.
"Also, the drinks are on me so enjoy." I said.
"I knew it man, Lawrence didn't I tell ya." Said Brian blissfully.
"Daniel we are going to get wasted you know that right?" Added Mark.
"It's alright, me and Susan can drive you lot home. We won't be drinking because I have business to attend to tomorrow and I might be taking her along with me." I said as I took a quick look at her.
"Really?" She said in shock. "I can't wait to finally go there. But what about Ben?" She added.
"Just because he is my brother it doesn't mean that you can't ever step into the company." I assured.
"I don't give a damn, let's play beer pong." Chloe said.
"You do that, now excuse me for a bit I have a phone call that I have to make. Don't waste yourselves guys." I excused myself away.
These people were my friends and everything I had ever wanted from life. Mark was a total lad's lad, he supports any of us no matter what his situation is. Brian and Lawrence had some sort of business running for themselves. Also a very famous interviewing program. Chloe was a total sweetheart, the nicest out of all of us, always listening to whatever we have to say and ready to give advice. And finally Susan, my soon to be wife. Nothing much to say about her except she is perfect.
I stood outside of Speedy's bar, a friend who we knew for a while so we agreed if we meet up at a bar it would be at his.
I took out my phone and rang 'Jamie'.
"Mr. Hughes, good to hear from you." He started.
"Daniel, please. Also it's good to hear from you too." I said with a smile.
"How's the missus doing?" He asked.
"Fine as fine can be." I said. "No need to ask." I continued.
"It's ready obviously. I put you ahead of everyone Daniel, no matter what happens you will always be my friend." He said.
"Good, I will come around to pick it up tomorrow at eleven in the morning." I scheduled.
"Will be waiting for you pal." He replied.
"See you then."
"See you."
I brought the phone down and stared at the night's sky for a bit.
'Tomorrow is going to be a big day Daniel, so keep it together.' I said to myself.
I went back inside to check on the guys. And I saw they were having the best time of their lives. Chloe came towards me and pulled me outside. I guessed she wanted to tell me something secretive.
"Daniel, I want to tell you something but promise me you won't tell anyone." She started off quickly.
"Sure you can trust me Chloe, you know that right?" I said as calmly as possible.
"I know I can but I just needed to be reassured." She said before taking a deep breath. "I can't handle keeping this to myself anymore, ever since Brian and Lawrence have joined our group I could never stop thinking about Lawrence. I think I love him." She said as she almost started crying.
"Hey now, look at me." I said as I lifted her chin up. "Everything is going to be alright. I will see what I can do, you don't worry yourself with that now. Today's your birthday so go and enjoy." I said as she took a couple of steps back and flopped on a chair.
I knew she was done and wouldn't be able to go anywhere without help so I went inside to tell the guys that it was enough for today.
"It's a wrap, Chloe needs to be taken home as soon as possible." I said.
"I think we drank a little too much don't ya think?" Brian winked at me referring to Chloe.
"It's her birthday damn it. Susan honey check her bag see if she has her apartment keys in there." I said.
Susan opened Chloe's relatively large hand bag and started shuffling the things in it until she came to a halt.
"No key." She announced.
"Great." Mark said.
"What now?" Lawrence added.
I thought for a couple of seconds then a brilliant idea clicked in my mind.
"Well me and Susan have our own house. Mark lives with his family. Brian lives with his mom. But you Lawrence, you live alone. Why don't you take her over for tonight." I explained as I tried to hide my excitement.
"Sure you can't take her for the night?" He asked with a shaky voice.
"You have an empty room don't you?" I asked knowing well he has one. "So why not? We can drop you off if you want." I said.
"No it's fine, Susan if possible help me get her into my vehicle." Lawrence said. I could tell he was a little stressed.
"Sure thing, Daniel, take our stuff to the car and wait for me there." Susan said.
"I will take a lift with Lawrence." Brian said.
"And I will crash your car, until you drop me off." Mark said to me.
"It's a plan then. See you lot soon." I said as I waved while moving towards my Land Cruiser.
'Oh yes everything is coming together.' I thought happily to myself.
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