Student I

It was a cloudy day at Bertrude Penitentiary, the largest prison in the US in the year 2088. Guards were lining the prisoners up to go to work . Failure to work meant you could not get good food, clean water, and actual bedding. So I marched with the group to work. We walked by the older and less capable prisoners on our way to make some money. Since I was young and decently athletic I was stationed in the outdoor farm area.

The outdoor farm is where the prison grows all its crops. It's in a separate courtyard, surrounded by 4 watch towers. 2 K9 units patrol around the farming area making sure no one steals any food. And multiple patrol groups of guards watching over us. All this for $6.50 an hour.

When I finally got to my farming station I was happy to see my buddy Frank.

Frank turned to me and said “Hey Chris, how you doing today?”

I glanced over and replied “Same as always good.” (Deep down all I wanted to do was go to bed and get some sleep I missed out on last night during the lockdown,)

Frank said with a keen smile “Good to hear. Anyways you're in D block right?”

“Yes, why?” I said, trying to look confused.

Frank in a casual tone replied “What was that lockdown about ?”

Before I could answer Frank, loud barking abrupts from a few rows down. I looked over to the commotion, and saw a young and new face getting patted down by a guard. The guard pulled out a tomato out of the kid's pocket and examined it. And then he dropped it in the dirt. The guard's next move was to pull out his stun baton and beat the boy. A guard then came on the farm area's intercom and said with a stern voice, “ All prisoners get back to work or you will not be paid today.” No one questioned the order. I looked over at Frank to pick up our conversation, but he didn't seem interested anymore.

Although I usually go back to my cell tired, tonight was different. It was my shot to escape, of course also with a few other friends. Everything was set. Lunch started and Michael, James, Tyrone, and I all sat around the table.

Michael looked overwhelmed and stressed out, fidgeting and bouncing his leg up and down, James was more quiet than usual and Tyrone looked calm and timid.

Tyrone broke the silence by saying “ Michael what's up with you?”

Michael looked up and said with an unsure tone, “Nothing, I just don't know if the plan is going to work, I mean this homemade rope is the deciding factor if we get over the fence, and its made out of bedsheets.”

“Well we won't get to finish the plan if the guards look at you and check your ass in for the psych ward.” Tyrone says in a joking tone.

“Well I'm not on life with no parole, so I at least have something to lose, you don't!" Michael said in a direct tone.

Tyrone's lips quivered and right before he can start a full blown argument I interrupted, “No ones gonna mess anything up, we are gonna be free men later tonight, just shut the fuck up and eat your food.” 

Later that night I grabbed the keycard I stole from the lockdown when I swiped it from a guard in the riot. I put 3 pillows under my blanket and then moved the poster in my wall to reveal a hole I've been working on for the past 4 months. I pulled out the map of the plumbing system and then went to each of their cells where I also created tight holes you would have to squeeze through. And then we were all together, all we had to do now was get to the wardens office. 

We finally got to a hatch which led out from the plumbing area. Tyrone went out first eager, and then Me, James, and lastly Michael. As I took the lead I made sure to be careful in the hallways, but they were emptier than I expected. We finally made it to the warden office. 

“Chris, are you sure this is gonna work?” James said with a questionable tone.

“I'm positive, this keycard is a master keycard. It works for every door in the facility except for the main gates.” I said with a smug look on my face.

And then I scanned it on the door, grinning thinking how easy this was going, and then the card reader beeped red, I tried again, and again, and again. Realizing this I went into shock, all in the span of 10 seconds. 

Tyrone whispered, “What the fuck is going on man, I thought it worked for every door.”

Michael bolted down the corridor, before we could process why he fell to the ground with a wire with a stun bullet on tip sinking into Michael's back.

8 tatical guards surrounded us pointing rifles shouting “Freeze”, “Put your hands up”, and “Get on the fucking ground!”

We surrendered, and they cuffed us walking us to solitary confinement where we would probably be sleeping for a good amount of time.

James couldnt even look at me, and Tyrone shouted, “Chris you fucked us over this time”

Before Tyrone could say another word the guard stunned him and shouted, “Quiet prisoner!”

Next thing I knew I was in a cold room surrounded by cement walls, with a metal door with a food slip, a small dim light at the top of the room, and a small twin bed with a mattress and a thin sheet with a stained pillow. The room was 6 feet wide and 9 feet long. I sat on the ground though and just stared at the light reflecting on what just happened tonight and where it went wrong. I realized there was no escape from this prison. They have cameras everywhere and know you move. 

The only way to survive in this place is to do what you're told and accept your sentence.