Jane woke up in a dark room. At first she thought she was still in her cell, the silent buzz of the laser induced bars humming. Her release from prison just another dream, but then she smelled a light fragrant of cooked food and remembered. When she got up from the bed, the curtains let in the daylight. She went over to the window and took in the sight. Her brother's condo, located over a few small shops had an amazing view of the Burrows. It was then she noticed the room she slept in.
The bedroom was cozy, practical and beautiful. It had dark walls filled with her scetches she did all those years ago. The bed was big enough for two people and a beautiful linen bedsheets. There was a big mirror on the oposite side of the bed near a white wardrobe which was slightly open to reveal her old clothes. Shirts in all colors and patterns, jeans and skirts. There was a dark green leather jacket that seemed new and a pair of black leather boots that went over knees. Gifts from her brother it seemed.
Leaving the bedroom she noticed that the shutters were still down in the entire apartment soo she went to the nearest bathroom which was as stunning as the room. She searched for towels and had discovered that the shower was self-managed which she rather liked. Entering the glass endowed shower, a small box filled with all kinds of soap and shampoos came out of the shower wall and Jane chose the jasmin scented ones as it was her favourite. Jane couldn't help showering herself even though she took one last night. She wanted to get rid of the prison scent that clung to her for the last three years. She shampooed and rinsed herself and as she stepped out of the shower a cabinet opened with freshly washed bathroom robe, while another cabinet opened with face creams, perfumes, body lotions and sprays. Even though most households had robots who would dry and style your hair, make meals and such, the Evans family preffered to live the old fashioned life style, and so her brother Cole passed on the family tradition. Their parents would have been proud. Even with everything that has happened, Jane always knew that, although her brothers were a bit more skeptical about that.
She missed Bash. Bash, the oldest brother. Bash, their protector. Bash who didn't deserve to be in a prison cell. He didn't deserve any of it and he took most of the blame. He was sentenced to eight years of hell and it was all their fault. Jane couldn't stand to look at herself in the mirror. She couldn't stop her tears. She sat down on the bathroom floor, her head in her hands and cried. She cried for what felt like hours until Cole came in and said nothing but sat down and hugged her. He pressed her against him, offering her support, soothing her the same way when they were kids and she hurt her knee. She hugged him back and when the tears stopped he scooped her up and carried her to her room.
He left her to dress herself as he went to the kitchen to make them a nice, big breakfast promising not to use old groceries. Jane dressed in cream colored trousers, a pink shirt with long sleeves with cutout parts at shoulders and her knew black boots. She styled her long, auburn hair in a braid and put some black clips in it. The whole thing probably clashed, but Jane didn't care.
This was a grown up version of how she dressed before she had to put on a bright blue prison suit. She made her way to the kitchen and Cole had served her blueberry and cream waffles. They ate, having small talk. Her brother didn't ask much about her time in prison. Only did she befriend someone there, how was the food although he guessed that it wasn't much since he noticed that she looked thin, while she had always been rather curvy. „I have something for you." Cole said when he put the dishes in the dish washer. „Just promise not to hack into anything with it."he finished with a slight smile and produced a violet wristpad. „Technically, it was a gift for me, but violet never was my colour." He said as he put it on her wrist as Jane stared. „Thank you. Cole, you should have." She said as she hugged him. When they pulled back, Cole was looking at her and than the asked the question „Are you alright J? And I don't mean like alright as in I'm fine, but how do you feel."
Jane thought for a moment and answered him a bit more quietly her than she meant." No. But I'll get there with time. Things happened and I'm glad you didn't check for any wound or scars as soon as you saw me, because I wouldn't have been able to bear it." She continued „I want my life back. I have a college decree and a criminal record. But right now, I just wanna spend some time with people I care about." As Jane finished she saw the tense look in her brothers eyes. The anger, the hurt, the protectivnes. Cole had his troubles too in the last three years and he didn't wanted to share them with her. Not now at least. Jane would respect that, but she didn't wanted to be shut out. He took her hands in his as he spoke „I want to know everything that has happened to you in there. I want to know every story about every scar. But most of all, I want you to know that I will not let anyone separate us again." Jane wanted to believe him, but she didn't wanted to hope for it again. Not after everything. But damn her if she didn't try to. And so she nodded hoping.
„Listen J. There is something I need to take care of." Cole said while we were watching a new movie on holopad.
„Something business like, or something „business like"?"
„Neither. A friend asked a favor last night."
„What kind of favor?"
„So many questions. His kid is having a party, so he asked if I could pick up a few things. Ill only be gone an hour or two. Don't get in trouble while I'm gone."
„Yeah,you are telling me that."
„Good luck and tell your „friend" I said Hi."
„Will do Ginger."
„Bye Ginger." I said and sighed
I tried to watch the rest of the movie but it sucked. Cole always had a thing for bad movies and even badder boys. She knew that someone was in the apartment last night while she showered. She felt it. Sort of humming in the air. Jane could always tell how many people were where, or where the sockets and main computers were. She supposed it was a gift, rather like her ability to pass senior assignments at the age of ten.
She was passing through the programs and settled for a news program. There was a report of market change, the prices going up again. Then there was a report of a fire drill gone wrong in downtown L.A. And finally, a report on some kind of a boy bend concert that hit the stage a year ago and every one was crazy about them. They were all in their late teens and Jane thought them cute but she never like that kind of music.
Cole was gone for an hour and half when a computer warned her about someone on the door. Jane got of the couch and saw a pair of men in uniforms on her watchpad. She went to answer the door. Probably inspecting if she was in the city being a former convict. „I'm coming !" she yelled and opened the door almost stumbling on some kind of a fruit that her brother didn't threw in the trash bin but rather just threw on the floor. Outside of the apartment she saw a pair of dark silver eyes staring at her with judge in them. „Miss Jane Jossalyn Evans?" he asked
„The one and only. What can I do for you gentlemen on this fine, cloudy day?" she asked them
„You need to come with us." The guy with the dark eyes said
„Is this about my early release, because if it is I have all the proper documentation and I haven't left the apartment per warden's instruction."
„We are not here because of that miss."
„Then why are you here."
„Are you questioning the authority of New York City Guards?"
„Yes, when they want me to go with them without telling me the reason."
„Pardon our lack of introduction." Said the other guard whose dark hair was a bit longer than standard guards and his green eyes were sparkling. „This is Captain Shay and I'm liutenent Kent. We have orders from the major to bring you in for an interogation. Cooporate with us and it wil be easier." He finished as he held a pair of cufs.
„I'm not making this hard for you so there is no need for them. Let me just lock the door."
„It's standard." lieutenant said as she locked the door. She couldn't believe that this was happening to her again. She was out the prison for less than a day and now they want to take her again. As he put the cuffs on her wrist she couldn't help but say „It's only standard when the person you are taking in for questioning is the one that already spent time in jail."
They looked at each other and she knew she was right. They took her outside where a an aircraft was waiting for them. It had the logo of the city guard on it and there was a female guard waiting for them outside. As they approached Jane heard her say „The major requested for her to be brought to the HQ and put her in a holding cell on our way there. „Did she say why?" Captain asked
„She said that Evans was more dangerous than you thought."
„Thank you Esla. Kent put her in a holding cell."
„Sir, why would major request that she is only eighteen." Another guard asked as they climbed aboard.
„She spent three years in Arville Woman Prison. She is not exactly innocent." Captain Shay responded and the conversation ended. On one of the walls was a holo of a city map. The NYC Guard HQ was located on the east side of Brooklyn which means that they'll be passing through Black Reaper territory.
She heard stories about the new major in the prison from the new inmates. She sent people there, making false charges just because they voted against her on public elections and how she funded an experimental medicine project on homeless offering them shelter. For all Jane knew she was going to do something with her as well.
Jane had to get out.
Had to find a way to escape.
And when she heard the familiar humming of electricity as they put her in a glass holding cell she had a plan.