That night, Sam seems activity outside, and realizes that the facility guards are patrolling the grounds. Are they worried that Hempe will return?
Suddenly craving Emma's warmth and nearness, he crawled back in bed with her, wrapping himself around her protectively. He couldn't stop shivering. He was as afraid as he'd been his first night in juvie, so many years ago. He'd never been so scared as he was that night. The sounds in that place were terrifying. Somehow, the very silence of this made it worse.
Emma moved over to give him room, but snuggled against him as soon as he stopped moving. Her body against his was reassuring. He fell asleep, but his dreams were troubled.
The alarm buzzer sounded. Sam woke slowly to find Emma already up. She scurried across the hall, quietly closing the door to her room before anyone else was out. Once Sam was dressed, he opened his door and waited for her to come back.
"Good morning, handsome!" she greeted him as she did every morning.
"Hey, beautiful."
They shared a chaste kiss and a hug. Carlos was the next out.
"Hello, gorgeous!" He did an air kiss with Emma. "Butch!" He punched Sam in the arm.
"Ouch. What was that for?"
"Uncle Carlos knows all and sees all," he whispered, his mouth close to Sam's ear. "Did someone sleep with someone else?" He raised a disapproving eyebrow.
Emma flounced off, leaving Sam to fend for himself.
"We slept, okay? She was scared of that convict guy. Something strange was going on over there last night." Sam pointed over his shoulder to the lock down wing.
"You noticed that too? They woke me around three. One of the search lights kept swinging its white hot light into my bedroom. If they want to see me naked, all they have to do is ask!" He chuckled. "I finally put my spare blanket over the window and got a little more sleep."
"It really gave me the creeps," Sam admitted as they walked downstairs. "Don't say anything to Emma. She's freaked enough as it is."
"Who's freaked about what?" Cory, whose room was on the same side, asked.
"Emma's a bit freaky about that Hempe guy."
"Well, yeah! I am too. Did you see the show last night?"
"That's what we were talking about. I don't want Emma to know."
"She's gonna find out, sugar. I won't say anything, but Benji's room is right next to mine. He can't keep his mouth shut for nothin'."
"Glenn's next to me," Sam said. "But I doubt he'll mention it."
"I'll talk to him. You grab Benji. He's on the stairs." Cory sped up, calling to Glenn to wait for her.
Benji nearly ran them down, he was so excited. "Did you see it?"
"See what?" Carlos asked, trying to play it cool.
"All the action last night. I wonder if someone else escaped."
"Keep it down, would you?" Sam asked him. "I don't want Emma to hear."
"Oh, man! Why not? This is the coolest thing that's happened here."
"Someone died the other night," Sam explained. "And we may have seen his killer. She's a little freaked. So please, keep it shut or I'll shut it for you."
"Sheesh, lighten up, huh? I won't say anything for her sake. I happen to like her!" He walked quickly toward the dining room.
"He keeps it up," Sam mumbled to Carlos. "I'll kill him myself and swear he died of a fit."
Carlos stifled a laugh, making it sound as if he'd choked on a large frog.
Cory gave them a thumb's up as she sat next to Glenn. Sam nodded, raising an eyebrow at Benji. He didn't know if the hyper young man was going to talk or not. He couldn't make the guy shut up without violence. Emma would never forgive him if he got thrown in jail.
Sam and Carlos were the last to sit down. Molly offered blessing and they started passing food. Most of the talk centered around the baby. As they were finishing, Tim stood up, nervously shifting from foot to foot.
"Shelby and I have an announcement," said excitedly. "Honey?"
Shelby tugged on his hand, bouncing excitedly in her chair. "Tim and I get out next week and we're getting married!" She squeaked happily.
©2020 Dellani Oakes
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