There’s something scarily wonderful about watching Celia grab a target by the hair, wrench their head sideways to expose their neck and plunge a syringe into it. Even better if the target falls unconscious, goes limp, and then for a few seconds they’re just hanging by the hold on their hair.
“How long ago did this happen?”
I concentrate as hard as I can on scratching the dirt from underneath my fingernails. I wait for my thoughts to run out of their reel of film and the flashes of memories to cease. The question is simple but, I know where it’s leading. Staring at the dull grey carpet that might have been luxurious long ago I mutter;
The prosecutors eyes bore into mine urging me to continue.
“ You know you’re making this unnecessarily hard for yourself?” He sighed “And you are, after all, the one who asked to speak with me.”
I could tell he was losing patience by the way his lips would press into a thin line, and with each click of my nail, the sigh that followed.
I stopped. Was I really going to go through with this? I mean jail hasn’t been that bad right?My mind jumped to yesterdays mess hall incident that had subsequently landed me in solitary. It was the fifth time this month.
I contemplated whether to start from the beginning, whether i knew when the beginning was, and whether or not this interview would get me killed.
“I’d like to go back to my cell now.” I whispered almost inaudibly.
“I’m sorry Ms. Wake, you what!?” the prosecutor exclaimed lunging forward.“YOU brought me down here, per special request i might add, YOU told the wardens you were finally ready to talk, and now you’re telling me you have nothing to say?!”
I could see the sweat starting to bead around his hairline and the veins in his forehead began to turn an interesting shade of purple.
I looked over at him trying not to laugh. Did he know I could kill him in four different ways, shackles and all?
“No I’m simply asking if i can go back to my cell now.” I returned my gaze to the floor.
I watched as he slapped the files on the table closed and jammed them into his shiny brown briefcase. Scooting violently back in his chair and rising to his feet.
“You realize this is the last time i’ll be coming down here. I’m sick of you wasting my time.”
With a huff he turned and signaled to the guard outside to open the door. After a small click he swung it open pausing to add.
“That cell is the only thing you’ll be seeing for a long long time. I’m glad you’ve grown comfortable with it.”
With that he disappeared behind the frosted glass. As the wardens unshackled me from the table his last statement rung in my ear. “Comfortable.”
