Jailbreak (Collaboration)

"That which does not kill us makes us strong". She remembered hearing this mantra over and over throughout her life, always uttered by someone trying to comfort another in a crisis. As she wiped away the sweat dripping in her eyes, she couldn't help but wonder if perhaps this wasn't true. She'd been training for months now, and learning about her "new life", but it wasn't enough. Prison was a horrible place, it was a festering jumble of the worst people in the country. She was now lost in this chaos, another nameless face. Her countenance did not hold regret, like so many others, because she was innocent. She was accused of a crime so horrible that she couldn't bear to think of it. To get away from the torture of living in this hell-hole, she would work out, hoping the sweat and pain would help to heal the grief in her heart.1

"Number 321", a voice barked "time is up, now get back to your cell!" Jenna grimaced and picked up a rag to wipe away the sweat. Then, as she glanced at the rank, stained cloth, she threw it down and wiped her face on her shirt instead. She was marched back to her cell and she felt the accusing eyes of the other inmates on her. Jenna did her best to hold up under their glares, but still she swept her hair over her eyes to retain  what dignity she had left.2

Two months ago, her life had been perfectly normal. She lived like any other twenty-one year old college junior. However, through some maniacal twist of fate, she was just another criminal. Her only friend, if she could be called that, was her new cellmate, also named Jenna, but she was called Jen. Whenever they could, Jenna and Jen talked about their past, the injustice of being wrongfully accused, the latest Abercrombie fashions, and the gorgeousness of Orlando Bloom. That hour after work-outs was such a time.3

"Orlando Bloom is wonderful!" Jen exclaimed. "I used to kiss his picture every night! When I'm out of prison, I'm legally changing my name to Jen Bloom! Once" she continued "I actually touched his cold, clammy hand! But let's talk about something else. Tell me your story!"4

"Well, what happened isn't completely clear to me." Jenna said sadly. "I was walking on campus when I stumbled, literally, over my dead boyfriend's body. He was so bloody." Jenna had a lonely, sad look in her eyes as she continued. "I was so overcome with grief that I fell to my knees sobbing and hugging him. Apparently someone called the police and that's how they found me." 5

Jen looked confused, "then why are you here?"6

"I guess the police officers were too lazy to actually investigate. They saw me on the ground next to the body, covered in blood. That was all the proof they needed. So they arrested me and threw me in here to wait for trial."7

“That’s so horrible! That’s so sad, and then you get thrown in jail for something didn’t do, and something that are grieving over!”8

“I know! Only my family believed I didn’t do it. Well, enough about me, how did you end up here?” Jenna asked.9

“I got busted for drugs” Jen said quietly.10

“That’s all?” Jenna exclaimed, “drugs? They sent you to here just for drugs?”11

“Well, uh there’s a little more to it then that,” her cellmate replied with a hint of a grin, yet with a menacing glare in her eyes. “They sent me to jail for the drugs and I… I killed my previous cellmate.”12

Jenna’s body stiffened. Frightened  and confused she asked “But WHY?”13

“Because she wanted to marry Orlando Bloom” Jen sneered.14

All Jenna could think about then was the fact that she was going to marry Orlando Bloom. That’s why she wanted to break up with her boyfriend. She wanted to tell him that terrible night that things were over between them because she was moving on with her precious Orli. She even had an engagement ring!15

Jen  realized that there was a very awkward silence and she quickly said “you don’t have to worry though, because I know you aren’t obsessed like that freak was” Jenna’s heart started to race, and she wondered what would happen if this maniac figured out her secret?16

“You’re right” Jenna said stiffly to her cellmate “ I would never be that fanatical on purpose!”17

On purpose… she thought GREAT! Not only am I in jail for something I didn’t do, but now that psycho is going to kill me! Where did my life go wrong?18

She tossed and turned all night with the lingering fear of death that lay right beside her. Then, she finally fell into a deep sleep after convincing herself that nothing would happen. Suddenly she awoke by violent tremors. Jen had her by the shoulder and was shaking her hard. She sat up like a flash when she realized what was happening.19

“Slow down turbo, it’s just me! Something weird is going on, come look!”20

Without a word she followed Jen to the solid bars over the small window of the heavy metal door. As they peered  to one side and the other, Jenna noticed right away what Jen was pointing out. It had to be past three in the morning, but every prisoner was awake and poking their heads and hands through the bars of their doors. “It’s a bust out! Jen cried.21

“Well… what are we waiting for, let’s go!” said Jenna, glaring at Jen.22

“What do you suppose we do” Jen grumbled23

“I don’t know, you’re the one who sold drugs, how do we get out of this?” Jenna began to feel panic creeping up her spine again.24

“Just because I used to sell drugs doesn’t mean I can magically get us out of jail. Jen muttered25

“Well, I’m not even a true criminal” Jenna snorted, beginning to get angry.26

“Fine! Why don’t we just slip through the bars. Jen growled sarcastically.27

Jenna stated arrogantly, “See! Being a drug dealer really makes you street smart!”28

“Yeah, ok WHATEVER Jenna.” So the two girls tired fruitlessly to slip between the bars. Jen almost got her head through, but her big nose got in the way. Jenna couldn’t even come close because of her perfected muscle tone. Just then, a midget named Martha from 3 cells down stopped in front of their room with a large key ring clutched in her chubby hands.29

“Hey girls. We’re bustin’ out. Which key’s yours?” She held up the key ring for them to inspect. Jen, who had been there longer than Jenna pointed to a small silver one. Martha quickly used it and swung open the cell door. Then she went on up the hallway. Jenna and Jen took off in the opposite direction.30

As they reached the outside, they found that surprisingly, all was still. There was not even a guard in sight. They both gaped at the open door in the barbed-wire fence, it was a miracle. They escaped through the door and were heading towards the woods next to the prison, when a police car cut them off. Jenna screamed and then was cut short by the real Orlando Bloom, as he stepped out of the police car. “Hello Jenna,” he remarked with a wicked sneer  “you’ve been on the reality TV show BLOOMED, and this edition was called “jailbreak” Your boyfriend sat it all up with us, of course that means he‘s still alive. He was brilliant in the “murder” scene don’t you think? Also, may I introduce Rachel, your cellmate, who is a very talented actress. The show is for pranks played upon those who have friends and family that believe the person is overly obsessed with me! Orlando stuck out his chest and leered at her. Anyway, you’ve won a hundred dollars for your trouble, and the chance to appear on national TV. Congratulations”31

Jenna was frozen with rage, she ground her teeth and thought all the pain she’d experienced was for entertainment from an outrageous reality TV show? Jenna exploded in fury and she rushed over to Orlando and thrust him against the car. His head smashed violently against the glass, as he almost fell over in disbelief. Jenna tore at his face with her nails and started beating him for all she was worth. 32

The bodyguards then yanked her off and threw her to the side, and she looked up into Orlando’s pulpy face. His nose was broken and dripping blood, and one eye was swollen shut. “Who’s obsessed with you now swine” Jenna thundered. Everyone just stared at her and Jenna leaped up and smashed her fist into the nearest guard’s face. She grabbed the gun from the disgruntled guard and held it on Orlando. She looked into his eyes and placed her finger on the trigger “You’ve caused the pain of too many young girls, and now you will pay” 33

Before anyone could stop her, Jenna pulled the trigger and Orlando keeled over like a dead fish with blood gushing from a hole in his chest. Jenna had killed a renowned movie star on national TV. Two Guards tackled her from behind, and slammed the butt of a gun into her skull. She fell to her knees, and as she drifted into unconsciousness she vaguely heard one say “you have the right to remain silent…”, but Jenna just smiled, her task was now complete.34