Expect the Unexpected

Raven glanced at his watch.

Odd, he thought, the helicopter was running late today. He had a full diary of events today and was eager to get through them all and get back home. Like his daughter Skye, he too, had noticed how tired and strained Kenya was looking lately.




Kyle was taking up a lot of her time, constantly demanding attention.




And naturally, she pandered to his needs too. He'd never seen such a demanding child, really. Even Skye didn't take up that amount of time. And he was pretty sure that he hadn't been that demanding at that age either. It made Raven think twice about trying for a third.

Yeah, it had crossed his mind a little. But only briefly, as he realised how this would look to Kenya. Permanently tying her to the house, never giving her the chance to fulfil her own dreams .... as far reaching as they may be ....

An Oceanographer .... really .... it was ludicrous, but ... it was Kenya's dream .... and he wasn't about to stand in her way.




So, whilst he waited for the helicopter, he decided to help Kenya out in the search for her dream job. If all else failed, he had some contacts.... he could drop them a line or two, make a couple of phone calls.... pull some strings.

Admittedly, all this was going against his better judgement, but this was his wife. He'd ripped her and the kids away from a nice steady home life, and dropped them unceremoniously into a new town, expecting them to fit in.

There was something else on his mind too. Something that had been bugging him for a couple of weeks now.

The 'Prison Outreach Program'.

At the time, he thought he'd made the right decision in passing that new law and integrating this new program. Now, he wasn't so sure. It had gone down badly indeed, and it was just a matter of time before it caught up with him.

Until then, he had other matters to attend to.

The sound of a car horn honking, made him tilt his head. A car? Where was the helicopter?

Sure enough, standing outside, was a long black shiny stretch limousine. It's windows all blacked out, and that same blonde heckler who'd booed him a few months back.





What was going on here? Had there been cut backs that he hadn't been informed about? That program had been a costly one that took it's toll on the taxpayers money. Maybe this was his punishment? A downgrade on transport.

That suited him fine, at least the fuel costs were less. The chopper used an obscene amount of fuel, travelling to and from venues.... and it was overly ostentatious too.

"Good morning."

He was met with stony silence.

Not a good sign.

Instead, she rolled her eyes and tilted her head upwards, scanning the skies.
How very very odd.




"The chopper under maintenance?"

"Just get in the car."

Oh, boy. This was a good start to the day.
It could only get worse from now on.

Those were prophetic words as Raven slid into the leather seating, the door slammed shut and they moved off.

He was stunned at the lack of his whole entourage. Instead, he sat alone, with just the driver and the blonde woman in the front.

Jabbing the intercom, Raven spoke to the driver......

"What's going on here? Where is everybody?"

The reply back was tinny, thanks to the poor reception on the intercom, but it was chilling nonetheless.

"Just do as we say, and you won't get hurt....."

With that, all the locks clicked into place..... shutting him in ..... and Raven suddenly felt cold chills.......

Skye

The Valdin Homestead

Skye Valdin sat, pondering and ruminating, gazing intently at the chess board.




Or at least that's the impression she gave to anybody who just happened to pass by.




Instead, what was really going on in her head, was a completely different story.




Since their move to Cloverdale, she'd tried to settle in as best as she could, but she missed all her friends, her family, cousins.... uncles... aunts etc. Although they were all a phone call away, she never felt so isolated in all her short life.





She never really resented her dad's sudden decision to 'up sticks' and move. Well, not on the surface anyway. After all, if this was what his job required, then who was she to argue with him. After all, she's just a kid. And her opinions didn't seem to matter. To her brother however, this was a great adventure. He'd happily crawl all over the garden, dragging weeds and the pretty flowers that their mother had just planted, out by their roots, and flung them all over the place. Giggling happily.
Nope, this was just a great big adventure for Kyle. For her mother however, Skye was just that little more observant. And although Kenya never really showed it much, Skye knew that Kenya was also missing her family and friends.





Plus, she hated school. Admittedly, it wasn't half as bad as the last one back home. All the taunts about her green skin and black fathomless eyes. The innuendos about how her dad got elected as Mayor of the city - *he must have 'probed' his way through all the candidates at City Hall* etc.





She didn't want to draw attention to herself by complaining, so she threw herself into her studies. Besides, her own company was just fine thank you very much.




Mind you, there WAS a boy at school. He was always getting picked on because he was always sickly. And he had red hair. He had a big sister who always looked out for him. On the dot, she'd be there at the gates, waiting for him. She'd even had a few dust-ups with some of the kids too.

Skye knew what it was like to be 'different'. But, try as she may, she stood out. So, even though this kid was getting picked on mercilessly at school - the only place his sister couldn't defend him - Skye was torn.

Yeah sure, she could have defended him. He reminded her so much of her own kid brother Kyle.





But then, what would have happened if she HAD stood up to this boy? She'd have been the focus of all the bullying. The last thing she wanted.

Besides, she'd already caught a glimpse of two new boys who'd just arrived at the school. Twins... both red hair.

Red hair.

What was this? An invasion of the red-heads or something?





And they both looked like trouble. So she was glad that she was leaving 'little school' soon, and moving onto the 'big school' as she'd called it. Hopefully, she'll settle in a lot more there. Besides, these two looked as though they could handle themselves anyway. One to cover the other one's back.

It was their big sister that worried Skye. She looked a little mean and stand-offish, and Skye hoped that she wasn't a bully.





Skye also realised that her thirteenth birthday was drawing closer ..... and there hadn't been a peep from anybody. No general hints, nudges, odd little questions about what she was into etc.

Nothing.

At first it irked and annoyed her. But, as her birthday drew nearer, she felt a wave of hopelessness about her.

Her dad was always too busy at the office .... and there was NO WAY she was going to sit quietly whilst he was in conference. She squirmed about too much, and her gangly legs would swing non stop.

It was bad enough seeing all his 'yes men' hanging onto every word he uttered. But to do something that would embarrass him in front of them.... and earn that famous 'glower' that he'd perfected all his life....

... nope. She'd rather stay at home and pretend to play chess.





It wasn't as if she wasn't familiar with this classic board game. In fact, she was only two skills short of Junior Master. She could beat everybody hands down. Such was her intelligence.





But here she was, sitting at the chess table ....





wondering if anybody had remembered her birthday.... but there again, hoping that her mom and dad hadn't gone through all that trouble for her too. As she was particularly nervous around strangers.

A Prison First

Hordes Vale Penitentiary

Simon shuffled the files around his desk, stacking them neatly to one side. He hated sloppiness and untidiness at the best of times. Besides, he wanted to give his latest candidate a good impression.



He wasn't happy with all these new changes and laws that had been issued by the Mayor, but what could he do? He could throw a fit and get himself thrown off the boards as governor of this here prison.

Up until now, things had run along smoothly. The prison budget had yet to be reviewed, and there were some key areas that needed to be looked at a little more closely. One of them being the mental welfare of the prisoners.

In Simon's mind, they were here to serve their sentences, learn new skills and keep out of trouble. He was a fair governor, but strict too, and that's what gained him the respect he had in this place.

However, it came to light, during one visit, that one prisoner was undergoing a lot of stress and was suffering from severe depression. That he'd refused to eat and to come out of his cell. A plea had reached the ears of the Mayor himself, along with a strong campaign... forcing the Mayor to pass a new law allowing all prisons to include a trained psychologist into the system.

It was against Simon's better judgement, but laws were laws, and to keep the paperwork in order and to a bare minimum, he had to adhere to them. Whether he liked it or not.



Glancing at the desktop clock for the umpteenth time, he felt a wave of apprehension.
He'd read through the candidates notes, his past history.... career changes etc. It intrigued him that the guy spent a considerable time running an asylum. And it piqued his interest. Dealing with insane patients was completely different from working with hard-ass prisoners.

It wasn't something that he wanted to introduce into the prison. All the inmates here, at some point, were volatile. The last thing he wanted, was to either have a riot, or a major meltdown.

But, he decided to give this candidate the benefit of the doubt. Besides, from all the applicants, his profile stood out the most.

"You okay there boss?" asked the desk clerk.




It was common prison procedure to be accompanied everywhere, as you never knew what might happen. Even when conducting job interviews. Besides, it made common sense to have a third party involved, for screening purposes. Admittedly, his office was one of the safest places to be, but you could never be too sure.

Although it was against prison policies and rules, the walls were decorated with a few sporting mementos along with the usual pinboards full of notices and schedules. It wasn't decorated to please the eye, just something to break the monotony of the four walls. Especially when the only two windows in the place.... faced out onto a very narrow gap between his office and the next building.... the infirmary.

Besides, it was frowned upon to have personal belongings littering the place, but this was one rule that Simon was happy to ignore. And he never had any complaints about it in the seven years he'd been governor.

Outside, in the waiting room, the candidate paced restlessly, pausing to glance up at the harsh fluorescent light, and pat his forehead periodically from time to time. His cheek stung like the devil, and he hoped that the swelling had gone down considerably and the stitches were healing up.

The devious little swine..... he's going to pay for this......




After all, he wanted so badly to impress and looking as though he'd been through a meat tenderizer.....

... wasn't helping the situation at all.

He sat back down and waited.....




Inside the office, Simon briefly ran through the files for the fourth time running, making sure he didn't leave anything out. He was nervous enough, the last thing he needed was a caffeine hit that would send him hyper.

"I'm good, thanks Kevin," he replied nodding.

"Sure you don't want a coffee? You're looking mighty tense there."

Simon chuckled.

"I don't think I need my caffeine fix right now, but you can get some if you want."

The espresso machine - one of the little luxuries that he'd allowed into his shared office, was situated at the back of the spacious office. Conveniently placed there so that the governor would never be alone in the room. Dotted about the office, and throughout the whole prison, were closed circuit cameras, trained on all angles.

Yes, it was an invasion of privacy, but it was necessary for the safety and security of the prisoners, the guards and visitors.

"Only if you're sure there."

"Yep, I'm good."

The chair creaked along the well worn parquet floor, as Kevin made his way to the coffee machine, mug in hand.




The door creaked open slightly and a guard popped his head around the corner.

"Your 2 o'clock is here, shall I let him in?"

Another glance at the clock, and Simon smiled.




Hmm, early.... this guy's keen.




The clerk in the corner spluttered as the hot coffee burned his mouth. He turned around and his eyebrows shot up as the door opened.




Accompanied by yet another guard, was a tall slightly built man walked into the room, and the first thing Simon noticed, was his arresting eyes. They were piercing and intelligent. Appearing as if he was completely aware of his surroundings.




They were overshadowed, however, by the cuts and grazes on the guy's handsome face. It looked as though he'd just been in a fight. The last thing he needed here in the prison.

The other guard, named Trevor, mainly out of habit, and the intense training they all went through, decided to hang back..... just in case they needed another 'heavy'.






Simon stood up and walked around the heavy desk, stretching out his hand.

"Simon Fewliss, governor of this here prison," he said, a hint of pride in his voice.

"Doctor Kato," came the curt reply, his grip was firm and polite, but his gaze was unnerving as he scrutinized Simon's face.




"Do you mind if I called you by your surname... doctor?"

"I prefer not to, thank you."

"Please, take a seat."





They sat facing one another, whilst the two guards kept a close eye out.





"What's with the ...." Simon gestured towards Kato's face.

Kato grimaced slightly, tenderly brushing his fingers against the abrasions.

"Just a little foray," he explained smoothly, "nothing to write home about. The situation was dealt with swiftly and the offender suitably punished."

"I'm just wondering," Simon mused, "if you understand what you'll be getting yourself into, should you get the post here. After all, you'll be dealing with very dangerous prisoners .... accompanied.... of course."




"I can assure you, it's nothing I can't handle. I've had more than my fair share of aggressive and dangerous patients in my time. Some of my techniques, although controversial, have had a major impact on diffusing some particularly nasty incidents. Not that I'm bragging of course. It's just a given fact."

"You'll have more than your fair share of aggressive inmates here, I can tell you. And meeting violence with violence .... isn't going to achieve anything. Besides, it's not the way we work here."

"Just to let you know, I regard myself as a 'passive aggressor'."




"I apologise for sounding sanctimonious and patronizing here..."

"You have children?"

"What?"

Simon was slightly taken aback at this sudden change of topic.

"Sure... yeah.... but... but.."

"It's natural for you to be so protective. So..... 'sanctimonious and patronizing' as you put it."

He smiled, then laughed softly.
It broke the stiff atmosphere in the whole room.




"Guess I'd better get back on duty boss," said Trevor, the guard who'd accompanied Dr Kato into the office.




"Sure, okay."





The interview, after that, went very smoothly, and Dr Kato was given the job.
However, deep down, Simon was already having misgivings and wondered if he'd made a bad choice.

At least there was the standard 3 months probationary period to make his judgement. If Dr Kato fitted in well, that would be fine. If not, he could let him go without any recriminations whatsoever.

The Lesser of Two Evils?

Paddy soaked himself in the hotel hot tub, thankful for the peace and quiet. Already he'd developed a rotten headache, his ears ringing from his wife Niamh's latest tirade. The hot tub was his only place of sanctuary, where he could unwind and chill.



But this time, he couldn't just relax..... Niamh's words rang out loud and clear.

He'd been so excited when he'd brought Niamh here, to this very spot. Practically hopping up and down and clapping his hands!! He wanted to remember this moment, cherish it for all times.




"You can open your eyes now honey."



Niamh slowly opened her eyes and looked around.....




"You have GOT to be KIDDING me Paddy!"




"Oh come on honey, just... use your imagination here, it'll be brilliant ... fantastic...."

"It's a hole. in. the. ground ..... Paddy, what's so fantastic about that.... huh?"



"But please Niamh....."

She folded her arms and glared at him.



"So this is what you've been doing behind my back huh? Buying a lump of soil."

"Yeah ... but..."




"No buts Paddy. Of all the decisions you've made ... THIS one has got to be the stupidest one ever!"




Paddy clamped his mouth shut. Sometimes it was wisest NOT to say anything at all. Especially when his long suffering wife was on a roll with that sharp tongue of hers.

Since quitting the band ..... well, since the bust up with Dagger that led to him quitting in the first place ... Paddy had been at a loose end. Driving around aimlessly, he'd stumbled along a narrow country road and discovered a sleepy little town, hidden away, called Cloverdale.

It was idyllic .... perfect.... and a great place to bring the kids up too. Admittedly, the school was out of town, but that didn't stop Paddy. He could car pool them there, or they could take the bus. It was no biggie.

Thing was, there was a mere smattering of cottages and houses. Nothing that actually took his interest, nothing that was for sale..... except for this piece of scrub land. Primed and ready for development.

So he bought it, as seen.



And now, as he listened to her ranting, he started to regret ever making this conscious decision.
But that's not the worst of it.

He'd also made a purchase on a pub.

Judging by Niamh's reaction to the plot of land.... he didn't dare tell her about the pub. Goodness knows HOW she'd react there.

Instead, he waited for an opening, when she'd finally come up for air. And THAT's when he'd make his case.

"But honey," he said consolingly, "I thought...."

"That's it Paddy," she burst out, still fuming, "you DIDN'T think.... you didn't take things into consideration at all."




They were going nowhere fast, and the situation was starting to get volatile, with Niamh's strong Irish blood and temper flaring up constantly.

Paddy blundered on regardless. He just HAD to get his point across. Try and make her see sense.

"It's for the kids Niamh," he said sighing heavily, "they need a stable foundation and a good education."

"And then what?" she retorted, "the minute Dagger pops in and begs you mercilessly, you're going to take off again? Leave me here with the kids? It was bad enough living out of suitcases and hotel rooms.... but this...."

She swept her arm across the clover filled field.

"At least we had somewhere to stay. Here, we've got nothing .... not even running water. Have you ever considered THAT?"

"Um .... well ...."

"Yes?"

"Well ......"

Niamh's patience was running thin by now. And she'd backed him into a corner too.

"We do have somewhere to stay."

"Oh really? Where? A trailer, stuck at the side of the road?"

"Um, no ..... a pub."

Niamh simply glared at him. For once, she couldn't argue with him. At least he'd managed to find somewhere for them to stay.

And now, here he was, soaking in the hot tub. Staying out of the way of Niamh's wrath.... and wondering, out of the two biggest decisions he'd made so far....




.. which one was the lesser of two evils!!!!