Prison Nation Part 14

"Stupid p.r.i.c.ks," Eddie muttered. His arms were folded across his chest, his chin tucked down angrily.

I felt strange on my feet. My mind kept trying to fog over and I fought it madly. I didn't want to disappear right now. It licked at the corners of my mind. It begged to embrace me and carry me away into my escape from reality. The man's sly smile as he pa.s.sed out of sight sent the fog into a frenzy. I felt my body sway.

Reed moved closer. Carefully, so lightly I barely noticed, he laid his hand on the small of my back. I gratefully leaned against it. I could hear him breathing next to me, his eyes watching me as I let him support my weight. The fog backed away, barely visible now in the corner of my vision.

We moved forward. Reed kept his hand on my back, guiding me to a table sitting next to a large window. I sat down. I hadn't realized how tired my legs were. Reed waited until he saw me settle, then took the seat next to me. Eddie plopped down across from me, still glowering.

A car rolled by outside on the road, its wheels crunching on the paved road. We all paused and looked out the window. I could feel as we collectively held out breaths, watching the dusty police car creep past. The driver, a star pinned to his armored vest, looked through the gla.s.s back at us and nodded a short greeting before rolling on. Eddie watched the car a moment longer before letting a smile take over his darkened face.

"Well, like the p.r.i.c.k said, time to get our grub on," Eddie said lightly. He opened a menu and started scanning the lists of food.

I had no money on me. I hadn't planned on coming into town, most likely ever, and when we had randomly decided to make the trip I had completely forgotten to grab any cash. In Spokane, we never used money, at all. I hadn't even thought to grab any before we headed into town. Resting my hand on top of the menu, I stared at the down, wanting desperately to order one of the delicious smelling foods that wafted through the air. But with no money, I knew I couldn't.

"What's wrong?" Reed asked, glancing over to me. My hand still rested on the closed menu.

"I forgot my money," I said, feeling stupid. My eyes tried to fog over, and I blinked it away angrily.

"Don't worry. I got it." Reed smiled at me. Reaching over, he picked up the menu, sliding it out from under my hand, and opened it. "You need to eat. I don't like how you were swaying back there."

"Reed..."

"It's just a few bucks. No problem." He smiled again and tapped the menu, encouraging me to choose something.

I scanned the menu, trying to find something cheap. I felt horrible for making Reed pay. He smiled easily at me, still trying to rea.s.sure me that it was alright. I finally settled on a bowl of pumpkin soup, its description hinted with spices and warm French bread causing my stomach to growl. I had never had pumpkin before.

It didn't take long for the food to arrive. The soup smelled amazing, and before I knew it I was spooning it into my mouth, letting it envelope my tongue in its sweet silky flavor. Eddie pounded down a burger, topped with almost every option listed. I had no idea how he could eat so much, but somehow wasn't surprised when he called the waitress back to order a second burger.

Reed carefully ate his sandwich. He joined in Eddie's playful banter, but something obviously still nagged at his mind.

The meal went fast. The waitress came by once more, slipping a black folder onto the table.

"Here you go, handsome," she said, winking shamelessly at Eddie.

Eddie beamed a toothy smile, running his fingers through his red hair. "Why thank you, ma'am. Might I say, those burgers were delicious."

"Oh hon, they aren't the only delicious things here," the waitress replied, her voice dripping. The waitress glanced over at Reed and me. "Looks like the restaurant is full of delicious today." She winked at Reed.

Reed politely smiled back to the waitress, then reached into his pocket for some money, averting his eyes from her overly made-up ones. "Don't mind him," Eddie said, chuckling. "He's on a first date, and I'm just intruding."

"First... Eddie, honestly." Reed shook his head, forcing a nervous laugh. I could see him glance out of the corner of his eye in my direction, his cheeks looking more red than usual. I could feel my own cheeks reflecting his heat.

The waitress smiled at Eddie again, then turned and walked away. "See you later, Eddie," she called over her shoulder.

"Bye Rhonda," Eddie called back to her, pretending to blow a kiss to her back.

Reed raised an eyebrow at Eddie, his fingers counting out a few bills from his wallet.

"What?" Eddie asked innocently. "We went on a date. Once. I think." A bashful smile crept across his face as he ran his fingers through his hair again. "She said she liked my red curls."

The boys both chuckled, slipping their money into the black folder before standing. Eddie s.n.a.t.c.hed a handful of fries from his almost empty plate, stuffing some into his mouth as he took a step away from the table. I glanced at the folder. Leaving it there on the table, full of money, did not seem like a good idea.

"It's okay," Reed said, leaning toward me. "They got it." He pointed to the waitress, who waited politely a few tables away. She nodded at me, flashing a brilliant smile before wiggling her fingers at Eddie.

Reed placed his hand on my back. I melted against his hand's gentle pressure. It felt strange to relish the touch of him. I no longer recoiled or pushed him away. Instead, against all my thoughts and will, I found myself looking forward to his next touch.

It confused me like nothing else.

We walked back out onto the sidewalk. Across the street there was an office that I hadn't noticed before, its windows blocked with thick white paper. On a board hung above the closed door, painted in fading black, it read: Records.

"What's that?" I asked, pointed at the office.

Reed's eyes followed the direction of my finger. "Records? It's a place where you can find out about the records of any newspaper, arrest, court sessions, sentencings... you know. All of that. Right in there." Reed clenched his jaw, nodding toward the office.

"Why would you want to do that?" I asked, shocked.

"Some people like to know the truth. Looking up records seems to be the only way to dig some of it up."

The truth. Everyone lately seemed to be more and more obsessed with that. Being a criminal, committing crimes, and being punished for them, that was the truth. I couldn't see what else they could look for.

Reed was watching my face, his own deep in thought. As if reading my mind, he leaned in closer, his voice soft. "There is a gray zone in life, Millie. People say everything is black and white. But sometimes... sometimes there is more to the story than what he said or she said. There is always some sort of gray zone."

Eddie stepped up beside me. He was munching on the fries he had s.n.a.t.c.hed up from his plate, casually wiping his greasy hand on his jeans. "So Millie, what got your folks locked up?" he asked through the mouthful of fries.

I felt the knot rise in my throat. "Murder," I said, barely audible.

"Murder? Really?" Eddie laughed, choking on his fries as he tried to swallow the mouthful. "How awesome is that!" He moved to slap me on the back, but Reed suddenly intersected his hand, pushing it away sharply.

"Eddie. Really?"

Eddie stopped, lowering his hand to his side. He looked back and forth between us before a smile hinted at the corners of his mouth. "You know, I think I'm going to go mingle. Meet back up in an hour?"

Reed nodded. Eddie winked at me then wandered off down the sidewalk, his backpack swinging with his loose swagger.

"Sorry. About Eddie." Reed put his hands in his pockets, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "What he said in the restaurant, about it being a date, I didn't mean for it to seem like it was a "

"It's fine," I interrupted, offering Reed a soft smile. "I didn't mind. I really don't."

Reed returned my smile. Together, we turned and looked at the Records office in silence. The sign swung slightly in the growing breeze, its hinges creaking. I read the sign over and over, my eyes tracing each letter as if searching for what truth the sign might hold.

"Have you ever thought of looking them up?" Reed asked.

"My parents?" I stopped, thinking. I had honestly never thought about it. Up until that moment, I had never even known that it was possible. "No, I guess not."

"You are mad at them, aren't you?"

I turned to Reed. "Wouldn't you be? If you were me, wouldn't you be mad?" I asked, my voice slicing through the air. I hung in mid breath, almost begging for his answer.

Reed lightly shrugged. "They would still be my parents," he said softly.

"They murdered people, Reed." My voice hissed, but I didn't care to stop it. I felt desperate, like I was suddenly drowning and my words were the only thing that could save me. "And what's even worse, they told me they didn't regret it. They said the men deserved it. The men deserved to be killed because my parents 'didn't like them.' What kind of monsters "

"Monsters. They do sound like monsters." Reed looked me in the eyes, watching me. He leaned in closer, bending down to make sure I could see his face as he studied me. "But have you ever wondered if there could be more to the story?"

I felt my head nodding. I couldn't speak. Before my parents had told me their crime, I had always hoped there might be a loophole. Some sort of forgotten truth that would set them free. Some mistake that had happened that could prove they never deserved the life they had lived for the last eighteen years. Could it be possible that hope could still live?

"Maybe. Not right now though. I just..." I trailed out, letting my eyes drift back to the sign.

"Hey, no rush. That office isn't going anywhere."

Reed put his hand on my back again, guiding me down the sidewalk. We walked slowly, enjoying the still warm sun. It was nice to get away from the apple picking for the day. I hadn't realized how dull the routine at the Orchard had gotten until now. Walking down the side of the street, with nothing planned or expected turned out to be a welcome change.

I took a deep breath, the feeling of drowning disappearing with each step we took away from the office. The fog teased me, but I blinked it away.

"Reed," I asked, finally venturing into a question that had been on my mind. "You said your parents are gone... where are they?"

Reed stared ahead, his hand still light on my back. "Dead."

"Oh," I said, unable to think of a better response. "Do you know... who..."

"The Nation killed my parents." Out of the corner of my eye I saw Reed clench his eyes shut a moment, swallowing hard.

We stopped at a street corner. A few cars pa.s.sed, followed by the same rolling police car. The man with the star pin, the Sheriff no doubt, drove slowly by. His eyes fastened on mine a moment before he looked away. I could barely see him through the tinted gla.s.s, talking into a small radio before driving on. Reed watched the car disappear around the corner. His eyes suddenly glittered, his breath coming quick as he grabbed my hand and held it tightly in his.

"Come on," he said. "I want to get you something."

He pulled me across the street, his mood suddenly light and happy. I tried to protest. I already felt strange that he had bought me food. I knew I would have to repay him. Now he wanted to get me something else. It didn't feel right. Reed shouldn't be spending anything on me. He barely knew me.

Reed ignored my silent protest. His hand, firmly holding mine, pulled me along behind him. I looked down to see his fingers wrapped around mine, tiny scars from working at the Orchard in the trees scattered across his tan knuckles. My hand looked so small and pale in his, but something that seemed right about their stark contrast.

I looked up in time to see he had pulled me to a stop in front of the clothing store we had first pa.s.sed. The mannequins in the windows smiled at me, beckoning me in. I looked down at my dirty blue shirt, my used prison jeans. The loose seams, the dirt stains and tears made me very aware of Reed's other hand on my back, touching the worn-out shirt.

Reed opened the door and pulled me in. Inside it smelled of flowers and clean linen, light music playing from hidden speakers. I stopped for a moment, letting the music flow over me. Reed gently tugged on my hand, pulling me towards a stack on a clean white table It seemed to hold a shirt in every color I could ever imagine, simple b.u.t.ton downs made to fit snug against the body. I reached forward and touched one lightly. The fabric was soft, so soft.

"Well, pick one."

I glanced at Reed then looked back at the waiting shirts. I didn't know where to start. Slowly walking down the length of the rack, I took in every color. Then I saw it. A dark purple shirt, the same shade as the shirt of the woman who had released me, sat neatly folded at the edge of the rack.

I picked it up, running my fingers over it. The fabric felt so smooth under my touch, like warm summer water. I could barely imagine how it would feel wrapped around me. Reed smiled at me then pulled me to a small room at the back.

"Go in there and put it on," he said, opening the door for me.

I walked in, Reed shutting the door behind me, and quickly did as he told. Pulling off my blue shirt, I carefully put on the purple top, taking my time to b.u.t.ton each b.u.t.ton as delicately as I could. The fabric hugged tightly against my body, wrapping me in the silky smooth bliss.

Cracking the door open, I waited until I saw Reed's face smiling at me. "Well, do I get to see?" he asked, his eyebrows raised.

I stepped out tentatively. In front of me stretched a large mirror, my entire body reflecting back at me. I stared at the mirror, realizing I had never seen a clear reflection of myself before. My reflection had always been flits I saw in windows or the hammered metal mirrors, splashes in puddles of water, glimpses in the truck's side mirrors. This mirror was smooth and perfect, shining as my mirrored self stared back at me.

The top fit snug around my body, showing the curves of my hips and bust. Its vibrant purple made my skin seem to almost glow, my cheeks rosy above the crisp collar. I took a step closer, barely able to believe that the person staring back at me could actually be me. Even with the same jagged cropped hair, the same full lips and pale skin, I looked... different. It wasn't the light red always present on my cheeks from the long hours spent out in the sun. Or the always present layer of dirt under my short finger nails. There was something else, something new and very different, that I couldn't place.

In the reflection I could see Reed standing behind me. His hand slowly combed back through his dark hair. His eyes glittered, lips slightly parted as he took me in.

"Yup, that's a keeper," Reed said softly.

I turned to face him. He stood off to the side, arms folded loosely across his chest, smiling at me. His eyes were soft, his smile hiding something gentle. I wanted so bad to know the thoughts that caused that strange but oddly comforting look to grow on his face.

Reed took a step closer. He trailed a finger down my arm, taking in the smooth fabric. I could feel him breathing. Even with the s.p.a.ce between us, I could feel the intake of breath, the slight pause, then the exhale as the air pa.s.sed his parted lips. Reed let his eyes trail up to mine.

"You are beautiful, Millie. Do you know that?"

I couldn't answer. A small smile touched my lips.

Reed moved in closer. His eyes seemed to be searching mine for something. Hand still resting on my arm, he raised the other to tuck a loose strand of my still short hair behind my ear. He parted his lips to say something, then stopped. A moment later, he asked the question that hinted at his lips. "Do I know you?"

I felt myself laugh. "Of course you do, Reed."

Reed shook his head. "No, I mean. Have we met? Before?"

"How could you know me, before?" I could feel my brow wrinkle together.

"I don't know." Reed shook his head, his hand that had touched my hair just a moment ago now resting on my other arm. I heard him take a deep breath, the air rumbling in his chest. "You just seem familiar. There is something about you, something I can't place my finger on, that makes me swear I knew you before you came to the Orchard. I bet that sounds crazy, huh?"

I shook my head. "Doesn't sound crazy to me."

A smile spread on Reed's face. He seemed to glow. His hands tightened softly on my arms for a moment before he let go and took a step away. My arms felt cold without him.

"Come on, let's get it," he said. I moved to go and change out of the shirt, but Reed stopped me. "Nope. You are wearing that out. Millie, this is a new life. You are finally starting. It's about time to stop with the prison garb." He looked at me, his eyes still softened with that strange emotion. "You look beautiful."

My cheeks threatened to burn. I didn't say anything. How could I respond to that? I quickly s.n.a.t.c.hed up my blue shirt and hurried to follow Reed. By the time I caught up to him, he was already handing a wrinkled bill to the woman standing behind the front counter. She smiled and nodded at him, wishing for him to have a good day.

Exiting out onto the sidewalk, I grew strangely self-conscience. My hands flattened the shirt over and over, trying in vain to smooth every wrinkle out of its purple fabric.

"Relax," Reed said in my ear, putting an arm around my waist. I was very aware of the way he was holding me closer, my body tingling at his touch. The strange distance between us still lingered, but he acted like nothing was wrong as he guided me back toward where we had split from Eddie.

I could feel eyes on me. People glanced at me as they walked past. Mostly men. Then the eyes got stronger. I could feel them bearing into me, watching my every move with hunger. Chills ran down my spine. I had felt that feeling before. In another life.

Stopping in my tracks, I spun around. Behind me, barely hidden around the corner of the building, I could see his blue eyes watching, the smirk plastered on his strong face.

"What is it?" Reed asked, his voice full of concern.

I glanced at Reed, my eyes wide. My breath had frozen in my chest, my bottom lip quivering as my stomach tightened into the old familiar knot. Fog teased at the corner of my vision. Turning my head back to where I had seen him, I found no one was there. A small child happily ran by, ducking around the corner to disappear after a rolling ball.

"Nothing." I smiled at Reed, forcing myself to turn away and walk again.

Reed nodded, pulling me back into stride. Behind me I could still feel the burn of Carl's hidden eyes on my stiff back.