One by one, they dropped onto the floor of their prison cells. This seemed like the end for them. A simple plan had turned out bad and they were to suffer for it. Who thought they would be in this position one day? Both the thought of being restricted and the death of their friend compounded their misery. They could not communicate with each other anymore. Loneliness crept in like a thief. They acted together but were facing the consequences individually. What a pity!
The floor was cold. Sleep was inadequate. Fresh, cold water splashed in his face, It was time to wake up again, scrub the floor, the washrooms and lay the beds of the older inmates. Some inmates kept giving them hard knocks that by the time it was noon, their heads ached like a dismembered stone.
"This punishment is too much for me to bear," said Adotey.
"You haven't seen anything yet," said his roommate. "What was your offence?"
"Defamation," he replied.
"What does that mean?"
"Destroying someone's reputation."
"Does that warrant your detention?" he asked surprised.
"I thought the same way until I found myself here. It's a pity I didn't know until I committed the offence."
"I killed someone but I'll be out soon for good behaviour. Perhaps you could convince them with the best behaviour and then you'll have a chance of parole."
"How?"
"Just be at your best."
"What if someone tries to implicate me? It happens every time?"
"It depends on the kind of company you keep over here but yes, sometimes, some people can simply make your life miserable. I can help you with that kind of stuff."
"You'll be out of this place soon?"
"Make hay while the sun shines. Learn from me."
Her funeral was the most sorrowful one ever seen. Such a young candle snuffed out in her peak age because of emotional instability! Her mother wept her heart out whilst her siblings could not fathom what happened. They were too young to understand the intricacies of love. Nhyira, 12 years old, in Junior High School, Asawa, 10, in class five and Antonia, 8, in class three. Afrakoma was surely the hope of the family. Her siblings cried because they would miss her, Her mother cried because her firstborn was no more. Her father sobbed for not finding time enough for his daughter who kept calling for attention everywhere she went. She cried out to him, reaching out every second with messages and calls. Even in her final moments, she sent an SOS message to him, hoping that he might come through for her. He didn't. He was too busy to respond and now he loathed himself for it. Her friends were allowed to file past her body for the last, crying their hearts out. She seemed to have escaped earthly punishment by taking away her life. Could she be enjoying somewhere else, laughing at them? They wished they could see her. Her death was painful though and the life she had left behind was bright and glorious too.
"We must consider how we live our lives here on earth," said the preacher at her funeral, trying to send a message across to anyone who would listen." The consequences of our actions follow us everywhere. If we are not fortunate enough, it leads to death, if we are not able to forgive ourselves."
"Is this message not too late?" asked Adotey.
"It goes for those of us who are still alive."
"Hei You that guy with your face like a monkey over there!" said one of the hardened criminals in the cubicle. "Come here!" Adotey ogled round to determine who it was.
"So you do not know you look like a monkey?" said the dark-skinned man. All around him laughed so hard that the ground shook.
"What is your name?"
"Adotey!" he replied.
"Aduut3!" the crowd that had gathered around them burst into laughter. It had become a contest. Were they expecting him to retaliate? It seemed so. Now, the man came close and heckled him
"Hei weakling!" Adotey ogled around him, blinking harder than ever, praying that someone would save him. The dark man lifted him and left him hard on the floor like a bag of flour. Adotey winced in pain.
"Get up! Get up and face me!" Adotey couldn't rise. The man thought he was feigning it.
"Hei you! Are you a woman or what?" Adotey could not respond. Disappointed, the dark, tall man walked away whilst the prison wardens came to Adotey's aid. His assailant was well known and Adotey was lucky to have survived this unwarranted assault on him.
"We are sorry to hear that she's missing," said the fair, stout man from SAMSUNG Company, determined to turn a life around. "What can we do to help the other inmates?" Doctor Fordjuor was pleased to hear this and also exhilarated to hear that they were not after Mamle for a name but were truly touched by her plight.
"Since you are good at collaborating with other organizations, why not liaise with them and see how best they can help without talking about money or donations. Let's deal with the souls that are hurting."
"We'll do that," he said, feeling so accomplished.
At lunchtime today, Dome heard the bell for announcements, yet, nothing would stir him up anymore if it was not Mamle calling him.
"We are pleased to inform you that we will be taking you to a cinema hall nearby to see a movie." The whole place was in an uproar.
"Get yourselves ready. We will be going this Friday night." Dome was both happy and sad at the same time. It was nice to be going out for once. Howbeit, he was sad that he would be going alone.
"We want popcorn!" shouted one of the inmates at the top of his voice.
"Sure! You can have a lot of it. Just get yourselves ready. That's all we need."
Friday night came as usual and there still was no sign of Mamle.
"I don't think I can make it, Doctor," said Dome.
"I know you're sad, but I think this will lift your spirits. Trust me," he replied. Dome agreed with him and dressed up for the night, looking as charming as ever. As the night wore on and everyone was glued to their seats, Dome felt someone snuggle close to him. Who could it be? So engrossed with the movie that he could not take his eyes off it, the laughter from the human being beside him caused him to turn around all of a sudden.
"Mamle!" he muttered confidently.
"No, it's not Mamle. Quiet please!" said everyone. Dome slumped in his cosy seat, disappointed. As they rode in the van back to the hospital, thoughts of Mamle kept rushing through his mind. Tonight, he had come close to finding her or so he thought.