"All rise!" My mother and her boyfriend followed the Bailiff's instruction as the door behind him swung open.
"Juvenile court is now in session. The honorable Judge Davis presiding." I swallowed thickly as an older gentleman with a stern face and snowy hair sat behind the bench.
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen." Judge Davis paused before taking his glasses out of his chest pocket.
"Calling the case of Glory Mercado vs. Hazel G. Are both sides ready?" He asked without looking up from my file.
"Yes, your honor." My mother stated as she shot an annoyed glance in my direction.
"Ms. Gallego, you are being charged with truancy, curfew violations, running away in multiple instances, and incorrigible behavior." I stared behind him as he read the charges.
"My records show multiple police reports and testimonials from other family members that can attest to these charges." I glanced back at my mother and her prick of a boyfriend.
Her pixie cut was neatly styled, and a light shade of wine stained her thin lips. Her boyfriend, balding and smug, stood next to her with his hands folded in front of him.
"Ms. Mercado, did you get a chance to go over the brochures we provided?" The judge asked before removing his glasses.
"Yes, your honor." She responded, holding up the pamphlet of her choosing. The judge rubbed his temples as the bailiff walked up and took the brochure from her hand.
"Camp Red Lake?" He once he'd slid the glasses back on his nose.
"I am within legal obligation to inform you that Camp Red Lake is a privately-run, co-education, juvenile detention camp. While they are more economical, there have been allegations of misconduct and unorthodox treatment surrounding private facilities in the past.
With this information as part of your knowledge, are you sure this is the facility you wish to pick?" After giving her boyfriend a quick glance, she turned back to the judge decisively.
"Yes, your honor."
After re-stacking the papers on his desk, Judge Davis picked up the gavel and spoke.
"Camp Red Lake specializes in character building by making cadets wash their own garments, cook their own meals, and tidy their own work space. They also enforce a strict exercise regimen, and cadets must attend school three times a week. Hazel Gallego, with your parent's permission, I hereby sentence you to twenty-four month confinement at Camp Red Lake!"
A knot formed in my chest when the hammer came down, sealing my fate. Sure, I'd been a bit rude and disorganized. I'd also cut my share of classes, but who hadn't? I also didn't remember running away. I'd only leave because I was sick of the fighting and the nagging.
Yeah, I wasn't perfect, but did it really warrant two years in jail? My heart began to race when the bailiff placed me in handcuffs.
"No, wait. You can't do this! Think about it. This is a little harsh!" I stammered, anxiety gripping me. I flinched when cold metal pinched my wrists; I was in handcuffs.
"Don't do this, you know this is a mistake!" I pled as the bailiff tugged on my cuffs.
"I'm sorry, but I'm tired of getting calls that you missed school every day. I'm tired of your filth and your disrespect for me and my partner." I narrowed my eyes at her boyfriend's satisfied expression. Silent tears dripped down my cheeks as I gave in and allowed the bailiff to haul me away.
They held me in an empty concrete cell for two hours. When the bus arrived, two lady officers herded me and ten other girls into a large bus. Each one of us had a tag, hung on a string from our neck and shoulders with the name of the facility we were going to. We were also handed a clear bag containing our belongings.
"Watch your heads, ladies!" A gruff woman with unruly hair and a military cap growled from the driver's seat as we shuffled slowly onto the bus. I tripped over my shackles, trying to climb the blocky steps.
"Watch it!" She rasped as I made it inside and found a seat at the back. Bullet-proof glass divided our space from hers. Once everybody had climbed aboard and sat down, the bus took off.
It took about seven hours to arrive at Red Lake. The bus made several stops along the way, dropping off prisoners off. My stop was the last one, somewhere in the outskirts of San Luis Obispo county, just west of Polytech U.
Dense vegetation covered the area where the main campus sat. The entire facility rested on an elevated stretch of land just above a natural lake. It was sunset when we pulled up in front of the metal gate.
After slowing to a stop, the driver pressed a button on the radio she had mounted on her arm.
"I've got a new recruit." She informed into the black square. A bit of static was her response from the other side just before the gates creaked open.
"Evening warden." The bus driver greeted a stern looking lady as she waited for me beside the bus. She wore plain grey slacks and a uniform shirt to match. Her utility belt was complete with a baton on the left and a gun on her right.
A small radio, similar to the driver's, clung to her left bosom. She had a head full of messy brown hair that curled away from her forehead lines. I slowly maneuvered my way down the steps so I wouldn't trip.
"Thank you, Irene. Have a safe drive back." The warden bid her farewell before pulling my chains and ushering me into the facility. A pair of metal detectors guarded the entrance.
"Take off your shoes," she instructed before unlocking my cuffs.
"Hands on the wall and spread your legs." I cooperated quietly as another woman officer came up from behind the counter glass and patted me down.
"She's clean." The woman assured before handing the warden the paperwork that hung from my back. The warden nodded and motioned for me to relax.
"The bag!" The officer demanded as she extended her hand. I obliged and reluctantly handed over my stuff.
"Case number 9980." The warden cited so her associate could mark the bag. After handing it to another cop behind the desk, the warden led me into an empty room. Grey tiles covered the walls and the floor. A single, rusted shower-head rose up from the center of the floor.
"You have 5 minutes to undress and shower." She informed before tossing a towel at me. Once the door had slammed behind her, I slipped out of my sweaty clothes and turned on the shower. Shivers racked my body when the icy water made contact. By the time I finished, my teeth were chattering.
"9980, your clothes!" I watched a small hatch open in the center of the metal door as she slid some stuff in.
"You have two minutes to get dressed!" Hastily, I made my way over and took the uniform, eager to cloth my freezing form. They gave me two pairs of basic undergarments, socks, and a pack of sanitary towels.
For my regular wear, I was handed three white T-shirts and two pairs of army cargo pants. The shirt fit snug, and the camouflage cargos were baggy around my thin legs.
The work boots they provided me were heavy, worn and one size too big. As soon as I finished tying them, the door swung open. They took my regular clothes and put them with the other items they'd stored for me. I swallowed nervously when the warden gestured for me to follow.
"Fresh meat coming through!" She disclosed loudly as she led the way out into a vast pasture. The camp was enormous; it stretched as far as the eye could see. Patchy grass covered the center where large jungle gyms and drill equipment had been built.
A little farther east of the entrance where all the offices stood, dozens of cabins lined the area. My throat got dry when I noticed the other cadets were staring at me as we walked past. Some of them wore black shirts, while others wore white.
"Cabin twenty-seven will be your home for the next two years. Robles! Lowery! You've got a new roommate!" She banged on the door frame with her baton before turning around and walking back toward her office. I stood at the entrance with my towel and uniforms folded in my arms.
"Welcome to Camp Red Lake!" A cheerful voice called from the top bunk. I watched warily as a petite girl shuffled down the ladder.
"I'm Myra, what's your name?" She asked, tilting her head curiously to the side. She had fair skin which contrasted vivid, emerald eyes. Her caramel locks were cut into a short bob that curled inwards at the bottom. She wore a white t-shirt just like me.
"Hazel." I managed to stammer as another girl in a black T-shirt approached from behind her.
"I'm Allison." She mumbled, flicking her flaxen locks over her shoulder and walking out of the cabin.
"Don't pay her any mind, she's always like that." Myra assured before leading me to a plain wooden dresser.
"The top drawer is mine; the middle is Allie's and the bottom is yours." I nodded before dumping my stuff in.
"There is only one toilet per cabin, so try not to hog it. The showers are in a separate building and we must wash our uniforms every Wednesday and Friday after school. Other than that, do you have any questions?" She spun around with a smile on her face. I shook my head.
"Cool, then welcome home!"