Chapter 37: Chapter 37

"Hey, it's me, again. Please answer your phone, ring me, text me. Send me a frickin' letter in the post, just get in contact. We're all so worried about you Ivory, you need to know what's happening with Jake and Tobias. Please Ivory, just answer the phone." I plead down the line, tears brimming my eyes.

I sigh heavily and end the call, putting my phone back in my jacket pocket. My fingers brush over the paper with my baby's scan picture and I close my eyes. I can't bring myself to look at it . . . it doesn't feel right. Not without Jake.

I blink and turn around, looking up at the intimidating building looming over me. It's a murky grey colour, rising high into the sky. The prison gate stands approximately fifteen feet high, a grey mass of steel beams and mesh, topped by razor wire. The only colour in sight is on the warning sign, even the guards wear a dull, dark uniform.

I swallow the thick lump in my throat and take a step forward, my legs shaking under my weight.

Come on Emily, you can do this.

*****

My leg shake underneath the table nervously as I scan the room. Several other visitors are seated patiently, a grim expression settled upon their features. The walls are completely bare, white and military like. I glance between the steel bars on the opposite side of the room, nerves settling inside my stomach.

A loud buzz causes me to jump in my seat and I immediately snap my head towards the gate. A line of male prisoners, all dressed exactly the same appear down the corridor, luminous orange vests standing out like a sore thumb. I perk up in my seat, straining to spot Jake. It's the first time I'm seeing him in a week and I'm nervous. I frown as I struggled to make him out, all the prisoners look the exact same.

"Thirty minutes boys," the guard barks loudly, staring them all down intimidatingly. I suck in a breath as the prisoners walk past me, aiming for the tables with their loved ones. One or two of them leer at me as they walked past, their eyes scanning over my body. I will myself to stare straight ahead, acting emotionless.

"Melvin, is this one yours?" One of them asks, pointing at me. I immediately snap my head in his direction at the mention of Jake's surname. He's roughly six foot with short dark hair. His entire neck is covered in colourful tattoo's and I frown at him, looking around for Jake.

Tattoo neck gives me a little smirk before stepping to the side and my eyes widen as I finally come face to face with Jake. I immediately stand to my feet, the lump in my throat re-appearing.

Jake's eyes are bloodshot, drawn in and dull. His left eye is barely open, the skin around it bruised and inflamed. My hand shoots up to my mouth as I notice the state of his lips, swollen and covered in small cuts. Dried up blood covers his bottom one and an ugly black bruise covers the majority of his neck. He gives me a small smile before shuffling over to me, his jaw clenched tightly as he struggles to walk, no doubt from the pain he's in.

My chair scrapes back and I head towards him, searching his eyes desperately.

"What happened?" I whisper, my voice choking up. Jake closes his eyes and pulls me closer to his chest, nuzzling his face into the crook of my neck.

"God, I've missed you," he mumbles, his words quiet and low. I feel my body tremble as I finally relax against him, his arms around me —

"No contact inmate!"

I immediately spring back away from Jake, my eyes wide as a prison guard stares me down, a sneer on his lips.

"No contact," he repeats firmly, his eyes twinkling in amusement. I huff at him before turning back to Jake.

"Come sit down," I tell him quietly and he nods grimly, his jaw clenched tightly with anger.

"Asshole." I hear Jake mutter behind me, unhappily. The guard immediately takes a threatening step forward, his head cocked to the side.

"What was that, inmate?" He sneers, spitting his words. I quickly turn back towards Jake, willing him with my eyes to ignore the guard. Jake's entire body tenses up, his shoulders squared defensively. He glares at the guard, fire burning brightly in his blue eyes.

"Jake," I mumble quietly, averting his attention. I watch as Jake tears his gaze away from the guard, breaking their stare down. His eyes travel down to my stomach and lighten considerably.

"How is my baby?" He whispers, taking a seat as I sit opposite him. I smile weakly, my hair falling into my eyes.

"He or she is good."

Jake smiles, his cut lip looking incredibly painful. Even through the bruises and bloodshot eyes, he's as beautiful as ever. My heart thumps against my chest in anticipation from having him so close to me. I've missed him so much. I shake my head sadly as I study his appearance —

"What happened to your face?" I whisper, my voice wobbling unsteadily. I feel the burning gaze from the other inmates and the guards around me, making me feel incredibly uncomfortable. Jake clears his throat and his eyes harden considerably, turning a shade darker.

"I was beat up," he responds bluntly, his hands clenching into tight fists on top of the table. I suck in a deep breath and subtly glance around at the other inmates. They all look terrifying with their broad shoulders and chilling eyes.

"Why did they do that to you?" I whisper sadly, tearing my stare off them. Jake frowns at me, his eyebrows creased together. Eventually my words dawn on him and he shakes his head —

"You think the other inmates did this to me?" He asks in disbelief, letting out a small chuckle. I frown back at him, confusion filling me. Jake pauses before responding, blue eyes burning with hatred.

"The guards did this to me Muffin."