Stephanie had never once visited me in the past three years. So she wasn't aware that since my second year in prison, the people she bribed— both inside and outside the prison—died for strange reasons.
Stephanie thought she had trained a good, obedient man. But what actually came out of prison was a demon.
One night someone climbed into my bed—and the smell of their perfume was familiar.
“John, you’ve lost so much weight. These three years were hard on you. I really missed you…”
I pressed down the hand Stephanie tried to use to touch me and said calmly, “If you missed me, why did you send me away? And why never come to see me?”
Stephanie lowered her eyes and sighed. “We grew up together in the orphanage and fought to get where we are. Why would I give you up? But your stubbornness is too much. It got to the point where you did hurt someone. Maybe some time in the prison can calm you down for good.”
“I was afraid I would soften if I did visit you, you know. Tim’s got crippled because of you; he needs care. And I must brace my heart to atone for you… It’s all past. From now on I will treat you well.”