THE ALGORITHM

18.

[please be patient with me. i work y'all. 5 days a week. I would like to post chapters back to back + make longer chapters but i always tired after work and i try my best to rest during the weekend.😖]

The room was frigid and dark, setting a specific mood. Gloomy. It perfectly described Penny's aura. She sat in the hard chair, her hands cuffed, and settled them on the cold table. Her heart pattered rapidly as she tried to maintain her composure. The horrific scene somehow shrank her voice and courage. She was rushed into the jailhouse and immediately taken in for investigation. The staff took several photos of her and asked her a number of questions.

Penny didn't realize she was covered in blood until she peeled her clothes off and took a shower. After scrubbing her skin almost raw, she was later escorted to a small room where she would spend the rest of her night. It was uncomfortable being restrained by heavy handcuffs and sitting in a cold room. The warden, Bradford Smith, walked in to speak with her, but she wouldn't utter a word. Her mind was racing, and at this moment, she felt overwhelmed.

Bradford. A lanky individual with knock-knees and a horrible face that only a mother could love.

Penelope...Penelope...Ms. Penelope?

Her name was being called repetitively. With every utterance of her name, she felt her heart thumping as if it would jump out of her chest and collide with the floor, looking like a pulsating, bloody mass.

"Penelope, the situation—"

"Can you just shut the fuck up?" Penny lashed out, pinpointing the overseer. Her eyes were narrowed, and her mouth was pulled into a tight pout.

The room fell silent at the unexpected outburst. The overseer just sat there with his eyes fixated on the young girl. He didn't bother speaking because he was flabbergasted. He scratched at his greying temples before tapping his pen on the pile of paperwork sitting in front of him.

"Let me run something by your Ms. Bailey because you don't seem to understand the rules here." He rasped with emphasis on his words. "I ask the questions, and you give me an answer."

"And you don't seem to understand what I just said to you." She pushed out, snapping into her usual, sarcastical self. With her eyes locked on his, she added, "I don't have to answer anything."

"Oh, but you do." He countered. "From what I was told, you and Kincaid Jones were in a deep conversation when Melissa Morales decided to attack her."

Penny watched him closely, trying to understand what he was saying. She didn't bother to crack a smile or show him an ounce of her internal fear.

"I find it weird that Jones was the only person attacked." Bradford continued to taunt her subtly.

She adjusted her body, closing her eyes while clasping her hands. Penny eventually opened them and zeroed in on the man before asking, "What are you trying to say?" Her voice was low and calm. "Are you...Are you trying to say that I had something to do with Kincaid being attacked?"

"Hey..." He held his hand up. "For a first timer, you sure do know your way around here. I watch you, Bailey. I see how you carry yourself around here. No one bothers you—"

"Because I mind my business." She stated calmly.

Bradford chuckled before saying, "Sure. Listen to me." He scooted his chair near her and continued, "This is how things are going to go. You tell me everything you know about this situation. I want to understand how you know Kincaid. I want to understand how you know Melissa. You give me all the information, and I won't bother you again. Hell, I'll even make sure the rest of your stay is pleasant before you're shipped off to state prison."