Chapter 28: STORY 12

Pulling up to the wrought-iron gate, I gaze in confusion. Of all the things I expected to find, the intensely guarded fortress before me was not one of them. I check my telephone again to ensure I have the right location, flipping between my instant messages and my Maps app. It's the right location, however this must be a mistake... perhaps he messaged it wrong or something like that. My generally frazzled nerves shout for me to turn around and return home. It was stupid of me to consent to this; there could be no other word for it. But, I was lonely and feeling fearless for once, lulled by a feeling of familiarity.

I actually believe there's been a mistake when two men get out of the guardhouse from one side of the gate and move toward my car. Presently I don't have much knowledge about guns, however even I can tell the ones holstered on their belts are not standard issue. Also, they're both carrying lethal deadly rifles across the front of their bodies. These guys are equipped for an attack, not simply to scare lost idiots like me.

"Crap. What is this ridiculous situation?" I murmur as I park my car and get ready to talk my way out of this.

The two men with large build up moves toward my side of the car and I lower my window. I make an honest effort to look harmless. The other guy in the mean time is using his flashlight to investigate my back seat as he advances around my vehicle.

"Please accept my apologies," I tell the guard at my window, my voice shaking from anxiety. "I figure I must have wrong address."

"Name?" he says, in a somewhat accented voice. I delay, not having any desire to give this man my name yet not feeling like I have much of a choice. One look in my rearview mirror lets me know his accomplice has positioned himself behind my car, in order to block me in.

"Samantha Jones, yet I believe there's been a mistake. Please, if you'll just let me turn around, I'll be on my way without bothering you once more."

"Ms. Samantha, Mr. Michel has been anticipating you. If it's not too much trouble, pull through the gate and up to the main house." Almost like magic, the gate opens with his words and before I can say something he's waiving me through. I genuinely consider retreating in any case, yet the other guard is yet positioned behind my car, trapping me. So with warning bells shouting inside my head, letting me know I'm going to enter a horror story or something, I acknowledge that I don't have a decision and get through to the gate of main house before me.

The pen-pal program my church began with the state jail was intended to assist with motivating the inmates (prisoners). It was our minister, who figured we would receive as much in return as the inmates. The jail picked was a base security office and members permitted into the program are intensely screened prior to being matched with individuals from our church. We were guaranteed that there'd be no threat to us. Just those condemned for non-violent crimes, those who were first offenders and had great records both in jail and out, and who were screened by their counselors and Pastor John, were picked as participants.

In any case, this isn't something I'd normally be fearless to do. At 24 I'm as yet a virgin. I've never had a boyfriend and have no male friends. Truth to be told, beyond my church, I truly have no companions by any stretch of the imagination. Conversing with people I don't know gives me a lot of anxiety. I feel awkward and never know what to say. Beyond my occupation as a librarian and my interactions a church, I seldom dare to converse with anybody. So when Pastor John approached me to urge me to try the pen pal program I was reluctant, yet eventually, he persuaded me it very well may be great practice for me and I was matched with a prisoner. And, as I pull up to what must be portrayed as a mansion toward the finish of the drive, and park close to an armada of dark Mercedes SUVs, I can't help thinking about what the hell I've gotten myself into.

To be continued…..