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The old, worn-out, ripped jeans fit a little too snugly around my hips, and the black hoodie I’d been wearing that fateful day squeezed my biceps and chest, restricting my breath. But excitement coursed through my veins as I shoved my feet into my old, dusty sneakers, barely listening to Rick’s speech about what I should and shouldn’t do now that I was getting out.
I was so close to freedom, I could almost taste it. It was tantalizing. Addicting. It left my mouth tingling like the sensation I got when I ate something sweet after a long time.
I quickly signed the papers being pushed toward me by the elderly lady behind the desk, and her wrinkled lips tipped up into a small smile.
“I don’t want to see you back here, and for heaven’s sakes, get some new clothes.” The grin that tore at my face was refreshing after years of hardly having any reason to smile.
“Will do.” I glanced at her name tag. “It was nice to meet you, Fran.” I turned to Rick, waiting with bated breath for what I was supposed to do now.
What was next? Did we step through those metal doors? Would the air be cleaner out there?
Was Harley thinking about me?
“Where is your head, Diggs?” Rick slapped a hand to my shoulder, startling me.
“Anywhere but here.” He chuckled and nodded toward the doors.
Closing the small distance, my hand clasped the cold metal of the door handle, and I pulled it down, pushing the door open. Sunlight streamed into the room and washed over my face, blinding me in the best way possible.
One step onto the concrete, and then another, and another until the prison was behind me, and I was staring up into the big, blue sky, the sun beating down on my face, burning my skin.
“I’m free,” I whispered.
The humid Summer air did nothing to deter my happiness as it stuck to my exposed skin. Sweat beaded at my hairline, and my hoodie became unbearably hot, but I took everything in.
“How does it feel, Diggs?” Rick was behind me. I could feel his presence at my back, but I didn’t turn to look back at him, not wanting to see the hell I’d spent the last five years in.
“Better than I thought. It’s everything I dreamed it would be and more.”
“It’s only going to get better from here, son. I promise your future is looking bright.” He led me to a car that was waiting at the end of the street. We slid into the backseat, and the driver didn’t even glance my way. He only addressed Rick, confirming a pin and then the address.
He then turned up the volume of the rock station playing through the speakers and pulled onto the road.
An hour later, we rolled to a stop on a quiet street. A big, gray apartment building loomed over us as the driver stopped the car and shifted it into park. He exited the vehicle and opened the door for Rick, then waited for me to slide out after him.
I nodded in thanks, but he adverted his gaze and hopped back into the small car, speeding off without a word to me.
Guess I was going to have to get used to that kind of treatment.
“What did I miss?” I turned to Rick, whose bushy brows were furrowed.
“Some people lost social skills after the quarantine. Don’t mind him. Follow me and I’ll show you your new home.”
It was easy to forget a lot of people’s lives had changed out here while mine had remained the same inside. But I also thought Rick was only making excuses for the man, not wanting to hurt my feelings.
After everything I’d been through, that was a hard thing to do. My feelings were no longer easily hurt.
Looking up at the building, I took notice of the fresh coat of paint, recently trimmed bushes, and the sharp scent of freshly cut grass permeating the air. It smelled like heaven compared to the concrete and sweaty male bodies I’d been smelling for the past five years.
We walked through a glass door, where a doorman greeted us with a head nod and smile. “Welcome, Mr. Diggs,” the elderly gentleman greeted me, extending his hand.
I eyed him warily. Something wasn’t adding up, and he seemed to notice the hesitation in my eyes because his lips curled into a warm smile.
Raising my hand to shake his, I shot Rick a worried look. He shook his head, dismissing me and then leading me away from the doorman, who was already greeting the next person. Why had he greeted me so warmly?
I followed Rick toward a set of gold elevators. He pressed the up button and checked his watch while tapping his shiny shoes on the marble floor.
“This place is…” I scratched my head, trying to find the right word. “Is this normal?” I asked instead, just as the elevator doors opened with a shrill beep.
