The heavy cement building went from a speck on the horizon to a great looming hungry monster in seconds. Kelseyâs eyes took in the structure. The walls were cold and unwelcoming; the electric fence was topped with angry looking razor wire. The gray sky above matched the setting well. Kelsey saw the blood on her hands through the blur of tears. She had been convicted fairly by a jury. This would be her home for the next twenty-five years.
If the trial was so fair then why did Kelsey feel like the justice system had failed her? Joseph must be laughing maniacally from his grave. His five year reign of terror was over, but for what?
The wheels on the bus screeched as the massive machine came to a halt. Kelseyâs body shook with sobs. She escaped Josephâs imprisonment of her to be thrown into another one.
She stood and followed the line of other new prisoners. Some of them glared cruelly at her for the scene she was making. The eyes of the other women made Kelsey nervous. She allowed her long black hair to hide the fear in her crystal blue eyes.
Kelsey studied the woman who led her to her cell. She was only a couple of inches taller than Kelsey; but Kelsey could tell she was tough. She had short cut blonde hair and fiery brown eyes. The guardâs name was Susan. Kelsey burned that to memory quickly. Susan had been very kind and Kelsey liked her right away. She even told Kelsey that her sentence was unfair. The sympathy was welcome.
The loud clank of the cell door sent a shiver through Kelsey. She felt her stomach in her throat and her heart pounded fiercely. The woman on the top bunk lounged with a smile as she studied Kelsey. Kelsey met her eyes briefly. The womanâs smile was not unkind. Kelsey relaxed and collapsed into her new bed.
The musty pillow was a welcome muffler as Kelsey broke into sobs. She didnât hear her cellmate drop to the floor. But the womanâs arms were comforting. Kelsey buried her head in the womanâs chest as she wept.
âTell Miriam all about it,â came the honeyed voice.
âItâs so unfair,â Kelsey wept. âIt was his fault.â
âWhoâs?â
âJosephâs. He killed our baby.â
âYour baby?â
âYes. He didnât believe it was his.â Kelsey looked at the woman. She was honestly concerned. âIt took me five years to have the courage. He deserved all six bullets.â
Kelsey lifted her shirt. She had an ugly scar from Joseph last attack. âHe killed the child he made.â
Miriam smiled in understanding. She patted Kelseyâs back. âYou should get some rest now. Youâll need it tomorrow.â
âThank you, Miriam?â Kelsey held out her hand. âIâm Kelsey.â
âItâs nice to meet you Kelsey,â Miriam replied with an odd smile.
For some reason, Miriamâs smile made Kelsey feel strange. It was like Miriam was casting a spell. She laid her head down and closed her eyes. She felt Miriamâs hand petting her hair until she was asleep. It felt good and comforting. Maybe this place wouldnât be so bad after all.
The shrill alarm bell was a shock to Kelsey. Sheâd seen many prison movies. They all had the same bell, but she was still shocked. She sat up in bed and looked into the smiling face of Miriam.
âAre you ready for breakfast?â
Kelsey had to admit she was pretty hungry. She hadnât eaten much during her trial. It was starting to catch up to her. She nodded silently. Miriam made Kelsey feel strange. She kind of liked it.
âWell come on before thereâs nothinâ left. You need to keep your strength up,â Miriam advised. âSome of those girls out there prey on the weak. And you look like a delicate little orchid.â
Kelsey blushed. No one had said anything like that to her before. Should she take that as a complement? She did feel pretty weak in here. âDo you think you could help me become stronger?â Kelsey could tell by some of the looks they got, Miriam had some power in here. She liked Miriamâs presence a lot.
âSure,â Miriam said happily. âStick with me Lilâ Orchid and youâll be fine.â
âLilâ Orchid?â Kelsey thought. It sounded like an odd nickname. But when Miriam said it, it was nice. Miriam had that odd smile again. Kelsey just smiled shyly in return.
âLook, Orchid,â Miriam said happily, âwe have the same work detail this week. You might get reassigned, but for now Iâll watch your back.â
âThanks.â
Kelsey really enjoyed washing laundry with Miriam. This was Miriamâs usual task. It seemed she monitored the business going in and out of the prison. There were other women who were pretty high up as well, but Kelsey wasnât sure who the boss was. Maybe there was no boss.
Kelsey also noticed her fondness of Miriam seemed to becoming something more. She couldnât put her finger on it. But one night she knew.
Miriam sat next to Kelsey on the lower bunk. She started to caress Kelseyâs face gently. The touch sent a tingle up Kelseyâs spine. She reached her hand up and returned Miriamâs advances. Could I be in love with this woman? Kelsey wondered. Miriamâs kiss shot a flame of passion through Kelsey. Yes thatâs what it is. Itâs love.
Kelsey had never made love to a woman before. It was an amazing experience. Miriamâs tenderness was wonderful. Even though, Miriam was very muscular, she was still very feminine. The most amazing part of it was the orgasm. Kelsey had never orgasmed before in her life. For the moment this little cell was heaven. And Kelsey had never known such freedom.
The following morning, Kelsey woke up to find herself in Miriamâs arms. She couldnât believe how wonderful she felt. Miriam was her cellmate, her friend, and now her lover. Kelsey whined at the urgency of her bladder.
She jumped up and peed in the toilet as fast as she could. The warmth of Miriamâs arms was painful to leave. She dove under the covers and snuggled next to Miriam.
âI love you, Miriam,â Kelsey whispered to the sleeping woman. âI belong to you now. Youâve stolen my heart.â Kelsey had no idea just how much those words would change her life. But if she had, she wouldâve said them anyway.
âSo, you belong to me, eh?â
Miriam's voice startled Kelsey. She looked into Miriamâs beautiful hazel eyes and nodded. Her lovely red ringlets framed her strong jaw and high cheekbones well. Her childish, light, brown freckles didnât seem exactly right, but Kelsey loved them. Kelsey couldnât help but give herself to this woman.