Edward's Dilemma Read Online Free PDF Page B

almost simultaneously.  The muscle-man moved to intercept him.   “Where do ya think you’re going, you f***’n punk?  Why don’t you mind your own business?”  His demeanor was threatening.  His words were venomous and filled with hate.
    Josh extended his hands, palms up, as if to indicate that he was unarmed.  “I’m not look’n for any trouble.  I just noticed that you guys are having some kinda trouble with this guy.”  Josh pointed towards the victim.  “Maybe I can help you work things out.”
    “We don’t need your help.  SCRAM! – or you’re gonna wind up with a shank up your a**.”
    Josh paused momentarily, and time seemed to stand still.  After a long two seconds, he did the unthinkable.  He said, “Come on,” and motioned for the victim to follow him.  At first nobody moved an inch; they were all too shocked by what was transpiring.  Larry could not believe that someone would challenge his authority.  Muscle-man was cowed by Josh’s courage.  Even the victim was hesitant to make a move.
    As the victim’s window of opportunity began to close, however, he made a move towards Josh.  By this time, muscle-man had regained his confidence, and in a blur of motion he lunged forward.  But he hadn’t counted on the fact that Josh had very good reflexes.  In the blink of an eye, and with the speed of a cat, Josh side-stepped the attack and avoided a full-fr ontal blow to his body.  Muscle-man lost his balance for only an instant, but his recovery wasn’t fast enough.  By now, Josh was on him – and he wasn’t feeling merciful.  His first hit was to muscle-man’s right kidney, which produced a squeal of pain.  His second hit was a devastatingly effective blow to the face.  Muscle-man crumpled to the floor and was out for the count.
    By now, the other inmate’s were going crazy.  The volume of noise in the tank had increased dramatically, and the atmosphere was similar to that of a pen full of agitated monkeys.  In the midst of the jeers, hoots, and hollers, Larry had managed to grab hold of Josh.  A struggle ensued, and things were not look’n good for Josh.  But just when it seemed like he was going to take a beating, a gang of officers arrived on scene.  Josh’s last thought before being handcuffed and hauled out of the tank was, “Thank God, the cavalry arrived when they did.”
     
     
    JOSH WAS taken to the clinic where he was examined by a nurse.  He had a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing serious.  The nurse cleaned his wounds a bit, slapped on a bandage or two, and pronounced him fit to return to his unit.
    Unfortunately for Josh, the COs had a different idea about where he should be housed.  Since he’d been involved in an altercation, with possible additional charges added to his current charge of 2 nd Degree assault, he was escorted to another, more secure, wing of the jail.  Upon entering the cellblock, Josh knew right away that he’d just arrived at the “Hole.”
    As he was led down a small flight of the stairs and into his cell, Josh glanced over at the window in the adjacent cell door.  To his surprise, a familiar - yet unshaven – face stared out at him.  It was Jerry!
     
     
    Stuart Co. Jail, Tank 4NorthB
    13 August, 12:22 PM
     
    JERRY WAS soon transferred to a less restrictive part of the jail, where his tormented mind found immediate relief.  Although he was still bothered by the growing sore on his leg, he was no longer having panic attacks.  Part of the reason for his new-found confidence was that his “new” cell was like a hotel room compared to the Hole.  Further helping his mental state, he had followed the COs advice and had written a Kite to the clinic regarding his leg.
    Shortly after Jerry’s arrival in the new tank, he was lying on the top-bunk of the bed when his cellmate, John, engaged him in conversation.
    “Well, what are you in here for?” John asked in a nonchalant manner.
    “Believe it or not,” Jerry replied,