Page 39 of On Your Life

The chains rattle around my ankles as I waddle back toward the pod. Every guard I come in contact with looks at me like they’d rather deal with a feral dog than endure my presence.

Honestly? The feeling is mutual.

As soon as I’m unshackled, I rush toward the phones. There’s one unoccupied at the end of the wall and I take my chance before someone else can claim it.

The buttons stick beneath my fingers as I dial the number but eventually the call connects.

“Harper & Fischer Law Offices, how may I direct your call?” a woman answers.

The snooty voice is none other than my lawyer's rude ass assistant. I wish he would answer his own phone instead of having this fucking bimbo do it.

I put on the fakest pleasant voice I can manage in hopes that she will actually help me instead of taking a message.

“Hi, I’m looking to speak with my lawyer Mr. Fischer. This is Kira Cunningham,” I reply.

“Please hold.”

Thank fuck. Phone tag with my lawyer while stuck in prison would just be the icing on the cake of this miserable situation. The hold music drones in my ear. By the time he finally answers I’m about to rip the phone from the wall.

“Ms. Cunningham, I was hoping I would get to speak with you soon,” he says.

His southern drawl still pushes through the mask he tries to conceal it with.

“Hey Mr. Fischer, anything new? Am I going to be able to get out of here?” I ask.

I have a thousand questions but I force myself to start with the only ones that matter. The only thing I care about is getting out and clearing my name.

He sighs. It’s a quiet sound but it’s enough to make it feel like the rug has been pulled out from under me. All of my hope gone with a single breath.

“We are still going through everything to rebuild your case. The added information during the trial caught us off guard so I’m reworking it from scratch with my colleagues.”

It’s my turn to sigh. Everywhere I turn I’m met with disappointment. The metal phone cord clinks softly against the receiver and for one horrifying moment I think of wrapping it around my throat. Ending it all right here and now to save myself the trouble of going through this mess. My head shakes as if to throw the idea away.

No. That’s ridiculous, plus I’m too chicken shit to do anything like that anyways. Maybe hot, grouchy guard was right. Maybe I would be begging him to kill me before this is over.

“Will you let me know if you find anything new?” I ask, like he isn’t getting paid a shit ton of money to do exactly that.

“Of course, Ms. Cunningham. I will stop by with any new information that I have. I look forward to seeing you.”

He ends the call before I can get another word out and I’m left staring at the faded numbers on the receiver. My chest feels like it has been caved in from the disappointment.

“Kira!” a familiar voice calls out.

I turn to find Maxie and Barbara walking toward me from across the pod. I don’t know why but I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop with Barbara. Something about her screams that she’s two faced.

It’s probably the fact that everyone here seems to be so afraid of her. Even some of the guards do whatever she asks if it means getting her off their backs.

She has influence. It’s probably best if I keep her close because I need someone like her on my side.

“Hey guys!”

My voice comes out high pitched and squeaky. I mentally kick myself because why can’t I just interact like a normal fucking human being under pressure?

“A position opened up yesterday. I told the guards you would be a good fit,” Barbara smiles.

I was looking to get a job even if it was just an excuse to get out of this freaking jumpsuit. I didn’t expect it to be so fast though.

You get upgraded to the two piece navy uniform when you have a position in the prison. Maxie said it’s so they know that you’re allowed outside of the pod, it seems ridiculous to me.