(Jason)
I waited for lights out.
People were yelling. Someone banged on the wall. A fight broke out two cells down. Guards came running. One guy was bleeding bad. They dragged him out like he was nothing.
Nobody looked at me.
Good.
I reached under the mattress. Pulled out the strip of sheet I’d tied up earlier. Slid it into my waistband. Grabbed the shoelace too. I’d been ready for a while. Just didn’t make the call. But tonight... I felt nothing. That made it easier.
My new cellmate snored through it all. Didn’t even move when I got up. I sat on the edge of the cot. Elbows on my knees. Waited for the last guard to pass.
It’s strange how calm I was. Like I was brushing my teeth or tying my shoes. Just something I had to do. No crying. No fear.
When the guard walked by, I stood. Qui
