012

There were books scattered all around, tables upturned, and everything in disarray. The minimalist decorations were either broken into pieces on the floor or haphazardly pushed aside and the bookshelves were no longer in pristine condition with some books on the floor. But most importantly, the cash register was open with a few bills sticking out of its mouth, a couple more dollars littering the floor.

Aaron Miller stood there shocked and horrified in his brown bathrobe, his small dog barking away and yipping angrily. His hair was messier than ever, obviously asleep a few minutes prior. Georgina could do nothing but stare back, frozen in place and heart pounding a mile a minute.

Just what had she done? She did this; she willingly agreed to come and though there was a sense of familiarity nagging at her mind, she ignored it in favor of thinking of all the goods they could steal from this place. But at what cost? Her head and heart hurt just thinking about it.

"Everyone pile out!" Alex yelled, running toward Georgina and hoisting her over his shoulder. She shrieked in surprise but that was all she did, eyes searching for Aaron's even as his face crumpled in anger, which she hadn't seen before. But yes, she deserved his anger. After all she'd done, why would she still be spared?

"Oh no, you don't! I had half the mind to call the police and they're coming in after you!" Aaron yelled, pointing toward them and rushing down the stairs as if trying to catch them.

"Oh yeah? Well you don't have to worry 'bout us, bud!" Alex yelled mockingly as he raced toward the van, depositing Georgina inside and pain blossoming by her hip when she collided with something hard.

"The fuck, can you put me down gently?" she demanded but all she received was a grunt from him then he was closing the door, climbing inside the passenger seat and urging Chuck to drive.

Chuck had stepped on the gas pedal but then police sirens were heard from the distance and suddenly they were surrounded from all sides. Georgina's heart dropped, fear claiming her and making her hands clammy at the thought of going to jail. She knew she deserved it but there was still a part of her—the cowardly part of her—that wanted to escape and leave all these guys behind. She should never have agreed to come. What was she trying to do anyway?

"Step away from the vehicle with your hands in the air," commanded a deep voice. Georgina looked to her companions, their expressions mirroring the same feelings of fear and trepidation she was feeling inside her stomach. It didn't sit well with her and she wanted to puke.

Alex cursed and slammed his palm on the ceiling, muttering to himself and swearing left and right. He slumped forward in his seat and sighed heavily, which Georgina knew to be a sign of defeat. Was he really…

"All right you heard 'im, out with hands in the air."

"So we're just giving up?" asked one of the guys angrily.

"And let them shoot us when we escape?" Alex laughed sarcastically. "I'd rather stay in one piece, thanks."

Then he threw open the car door and went out as requested. As if on cue, two police officers went to him with handcuffs, restraining his movements.

"Sir, you have the right to remain silent," began one tall and black man but Alex sniffed.

"Yeah yeah I got it."

Georgina gulped and soon the car door from the other side was opened and her companions were going out. She had no choice… she felt sick; sick of herself and this world.

She breathed in deeply and went out, two female officers coming forward to cuff her too. She cursed herself and everything which led up to this moment, resentment for Alex growing in her heart. He shouldn't have contacted her. He shouldn't have said those things to her. She shouldn't have picked up the phone. She shouldn't have been so interested in all he had to say. They shouldn't have met again. She should've cut ties with him for good. But she knew he was good in scoping out places and she wanted in. So even if they broke up they still kept in touch if ever one of them heard of some interesting thing to steal.

The whole car ride to the police station was silent. Georgina kept her lips sealed, hands curled into fists on her lap. She didn't feel like doing anything but she knew she had to serve her sentence. And if she were to calculate for her whole life, she'd say maybe about eight months to a couple years would be spent living in prison.

No more running away… she had to do something right in her life if only for one time. And if that one right thing was going to prison to somehow atone (bah who was she kidding?) for her crimes, then she'd take it.

And then…

And then…

Then what?

Would she go back to a life like that? The thought made her cringe. She couldn't forget the horror and shock etched on Aaron's face, how he was betrayed just like that for her own personal gain.

How low-life was she? Going so far as to rob an acquaintance's library?

She was led down hallways upon hallways with overflowing cells, tattooed arms sticking out from the bars and hearing some lecherous jeers from the men.

Some even whistled and tried to grab at her butt, Georgina retaliating with a snarl and trying to kick their grabby hands away from her.

"Fuck you, piece of shit!" she spat at one who got too close to her chest, attempting to bite his arm but the policewoman on her right held her down and wrenched her away from the cells, Georgina struggling against her hold.

"Yeah baby gonna fuck you from behind and see if you scream!"

"Son of a—"

"Just ignore 'em," said the policewoman on her left, black-haired and with wide hips.

"He tried to grab my rack, lady. Don't think he can get away with a slimy act such as that."

"Things like this are common around here," said the policewoman from her right. "They're always rowdy but it's the first time in a long time a woman came around here."

Georgina rolled her eyes and laughed humorlessly.

"Yeah I'd imagine. So I'm sharing a cell with some stinky ol' men?"

"Unfortunately," drawled the policewoman at her right. "Just holler or something but don't fight 'em."

Georgina frowned. Then how was she going to protect herself if she wasn't allowed to throw a punch? She may be a thief but she still respected her body and wouldn't allow anyone to just touch her like she was some kind of toy. No, she won't allow it.

Then they reached a cell with four men, all of them looking up at the newcomer. Georgina gulped, an icy trail of fear running down her spine. The black-haired woman unhooked her arm from hers to open the cell gate, Georgina going inside with much hesitation. Then the gates creaked behind her as they closed, the keys jangling as they were moved around to be locked again.

Then she was alone.

Georgina blinked, suddenly feeling out of place. Everything was so quiet and destitute and eerie. She was afraid to breathe heavily because the others might hear her and rebuke her for it or something.

From left to right, there was a man with long black greasy hair and a nose piercing, seated on the floor cross-legged. Leaning on the wall was a buff and muscly guy, arms almost ripping the fabric of his shirt sleeves. He had tattoos by the side of his neck and his eyebrows were constantly furrowed. Lounging on the lower bunk bed by the right was a sleazy fellow who looked to be in his late thirties or early forties. He was picking between his yellow teeth with a toothpick, Georgina almost sure the toothpick had never been changed or even washed. Last but not least was a younger and cleaner man on the top bunk, knees to his chest and reading a book. He didn't look particularly dangerous or anything but Georgina knew looks could be deceiving so she'd still hold her breath.

The guy with the greasy hair was the one who spoke.

"Since you're new here there're ground rules to follow," he began, flexing his shoulders. Georgina stood rooted to her spot, afraid to move or say anything. "Number one: everyone here including me is very possessive of the few things we have here so respect everyone's space and there'll be no trouble, got that?"

Georgina nodded mutely.

"Rule two: no one has to ask why we're here or some dumb crap like when's your mama's birthday and everything. We all keep to ourselves and only talk when we need something like a spare toothbrush or some tips to go to the bathroom. Okay?"

"Good so far."

The man opened his mouth to say something but then stopped and turned to the buff guy.

"Did we add any more rules or something?"

The second man shrugged. "Don't know. Don't go too hard on the poor girl; look at her shivering like a leaf."

This annoyed Georgina and so snapped back, "I'm right here! Don't talk about me like I'm not and don't treat me like some four-year-old kindergartner! There—rule three: treat everyone according to their age. I'm twenty-three."

"Damn girl chill out," drawled the third man who was still lying on his side, easy smirk on his lips. "Girl's got a fiery temper, that's for sure."

"Oh I do like me some fiery girls," commented the man on the upper bunk. The three men turned to him and frowned.

"Keep to yourself Jeffrey, don't try and talk like you know women."

Georgina rolled her eyes, relaxing her stance and even crossing her arms to show her annoyance. Why were they like this? Was this some kind of act? Now she was more irritated than scared and she didn't know if it was a good or bad thing. What if they suddenly throw a punch because she was acting all cocky and territorial like she knew the place?

"But rules aside looks like you're gonna be in here for a while so you might as well know our names," the long-haired man said. He pointed to his chest with a thumb. "The name's Tee El but more commonly known as Hacker since y'know, I operate illegal businesses online and all that. I specialize in making fake accounts and anyone can get away with it."

The buff guy spoke next and said, "I'm Porter and I'm in here for credit card fraud."

The man on his side fiddled with the toothpick and grinned Georgina's way.

"I'm Carlos John aka CJ. I murdered my boss with a lethal injection. Police took a while to find me and when they did, I went with them without a fight. Well I say good riddance of the man anyway; he wasn't paying me right and well, I got mad."

The fourth man scooted closer to the edge and let his legs dangle from it. He scratched his jaw and said lightly, "I'm Jeffrey and I scammed a few people during my lifetime. And of course I made a run for it when someone got suspicious and called the police. But I wasn't very athletic and so they caught me."

Wow… appearances really weren't everything. Georgina thought Porter murdered someone because of his physique. She also thought Jeffrey was the computer genius since he looked so smart. And to think CJ was the murderer when she thought he was in here for petty crime… how interesting.

"How about you, girl? Why you here?" Porter asked, jutting his chin toward her.

Georgina walked a few steps forward and sat on the ground. She hummed and grinned.

"Nice to meet you folks, I'm Georgina. This is my first time in jail and like Jeffrey, I tend to avoid the police and lay low. I'm in here 'cause I stole stuff."

"Ooh I see," CJ said, nodding. "And of course you enjoyed it."

Georgina smirked. "Duh. Why else would I continue with that if I didn't enjoy it?"

And so the night wore on like that, Georgina getting to know her inmates as they exchanged stories and swapped conversations. They were an odd bunch but it was nice to talk to people who also led a life of crime.

Still, one singular face won't get out of her mind no matter how many times she tried to listen to the conversations.