Glimmer of Freedom

Not even an hour had passed, and there is already someone calling me in my rest. Although I pretended not to notice the voice that has been calling me. But whoever it was, that person is persistent to talk with me. Because I felt that he sat next to the bench from where I lay here in the yard and waited for me to wake up.

"For the love of whoever that is, what in the hell is it now? Cant, you just let this poor man sleep? I exclaimed to the person who sat next to the bench from where I lied.

"Oh, sorry for interrupting your rest, Xavier. However, I have something to report to you. And you'll probably like this," the person who sat near me was someone from the Utopia.

"What is it?" Intrigued, I asked what he wanted to tell me.

"We found out the schedule of the warden and the plate number of the car that he's been using. Later this afternoon, around five o'clock, the warden will have already returned from his outside work. By that time, he will probably head to his office before it reaches six o'clock. At that time, the corridor connecting to his office and other facilities near that place will be empty. Because the guards have been put on a break," the man responded carefully explaining the details of what he had found out regarding the warden.

"So it basically means that in the middle of five to six o'clock, I can have the chance to speak with the warden, is that what you are trying to say?" I answered.

"Yes," the man responded.

"Okay, dont tell the others about this, and let me handle the rest. Thank you for everything, for the help that you have aided me. Dont worry, if this plan succeeds, then consider your freedom to be something near in sight," my response that brought joy to the man.

"Alright, I'll leave you here. Please rest again because you'll need every energy you can have to persuade the warden. Although it is presented within your features, the brilliantness, and serene personality. Wishing you good luck for later," he replied, bidding me his best wishes.

Finally, everything has come to an end for them. They'll finally achieve the freedom they have sought for too long. However, after many obstacles that happened trying to implement this plan, everything happened as fate would have it. Before it happens, I should thank that old man Takahashi for the help he has given me right from the start.

'Xavier, I'm sure that you've heard our conversation. You can now rest assured that Mazuko won't be able to freely enjoy his freedom much longer. I dont know what you need, but although we still have an inexplicably amount of time still needs to be fulfilled for our sentence to finish.'

'I won't promise you anything, but I'll use every bit of the knowledge that we share to think of a plan to lessen our sentence. Plus, don't forget that I already found someone who can help us with our situation regarding your sleep. And by all means necessary, this time you will wake up and claim your place here in your body.'

'You can now again see the beauty of the outside world, although three years might be too short for others. For you, it might be equivalent to three lifetimes. Just hang on tight because everything will return the way it was before you enter here. Even if it takes much more than what I can offer, I'll definitely make the impossible happen. Sit tight and just watch the show. Soon enough, you'll have the chance to feel the morning breeze not inside of this detention center but back in the comfort of your own home.'

'Augustine and your boss haven't visited for the meantime because they finally had a grasp of the situation you were in. However, they still kept on bringing foods for you to enjoy. Sadly enough, you're not the one eating what they brought. Sorry but I should probably get going cause I'll speak with the old man Takahashi about this great news. You know that I can always hear you no matter where you are, so dont worry and keep your focus on recovering.'

Hopefully wishing that every word I thought of reached Xavier. Well, whatever the result may be. It'll vary depending on how the court handles the reopening of the cases. The statute of limitations for crimes that are punishable by imprisonment for a lifetime is 15 to 30 years. If I remember it correctly, everyone in the Utopia already spent nine years here in this detention cell, so filing the reopening of a case is still allowed because it has still not reached the limitations.

-2 hours left before the arrival of the warden-

I've waited for about five hours since I came out during break time in the cafeteria. And in that five hours, I still haven't had any visions of old man Takahashi during those five hours of waiting. I've checked every place possible for him to spend time. However, still no sign of him. Maybe, he went out or was stationed outside for the day. Sucks for him cause he'll miss out on this news.

Well, I shouldn't give that much importance cause preparing what words and phrases I should use are the crucial parts I should take into consideration. From the rumors I heard, the warden seems to be a very reasonable person. So if everything turns out to be the truth, then it will make things easier.

Probably, Abe still hasn't heard the wonderful words about this. One of the principal key pieces of the puzzle for their freedom is the warden. What would be Abe's reaction when he hears that we found him? Personally thinking that Abe would be feeling over the moon because everyone's freedom is now within their reach. But let him discover everything all by himself because my problem is still the same.

In what way should I approach the warden? Should I address him with something strong or something chill? If Xavier was here, I think that he'll have a higher possibility to get close with the warden because of his unexplainable charisma. However, thinking back to what Xavier told me in the past. What he stated is that I shouldn't pretend to be like him but rather decide on things from what I think is right.

But honestly speaking, the fear that develops in my head as I try to choose increases because of the consequences my choice could bring to others. How I want to fulfill what expectations Xavier wanted me to be. Because what he wanted was someone with a personality that can protect himself, but here I grew and became someone softly.

Planning something like this might mess up the result. What I feel like the best choice to make is to let the conversation flow and just follow what my heart seeks. A few minutes left, and the warden will return here.

-5 o'clock in the afternoon-

Now, we can just wait for everything to go as it is. I should ask the others to inform me if he is on his way to his office because I'll be right there waiting for him. Had already told them to tell me the situation, and after a few minutes, they reported that the warden is on his way back to his office. So this is my time to shine and wait for him in the corridor connecting us to his office. I just wish that this will be successful, and if everything went well, then all of these hardships will finally end.

As footsteps approached, my heart can stop being nervous. And as the warden reached the corridor, he didn't notice but I was waiting for him leaning at the wall. When I talked, he was caught off guard and was surprised because of my sudden appearance.

"Who the hell are you? Why are you here? You cannot be allowed to be lurking in this corridor. It's only an hour left before the cells are closed. Haven't you heard the rules that this part of the detention center is prohibited to any inmates nor officers unless they have been called upon by me or something important to report," he angrily stated causing my nervousness to increase.

"First of all, let me apologize for this, but can I request to talk with you about something?" Calmly responded, which led the warden to slowly calm.

"I like that you have manners, but no, I decline your request. So return to your cell, or I'll increase your sentence by another year for breaking the rules of this prison," the warden's answer to my request.

I didn't want to mention this but this might be the only key for him to accept my request.

"Daku Mazuko," my reply that made the calm warden feel frightened.

"Why are you approaching me and then telling me that name?" he responded with a croaky voice.

"He was the one who caused that scar on your face right?" my answer caught him off guard. For a few minutes he thought of what to answer to my response but he couldn't find the words to tell me.

"What do you want?" the warden responded.

"Let's talk," my simple answer, then he led me back to his office.