I’m more than a prophecy!

Low life

I march to my office, laughing hysterically, while still shaking in anger. I’m still seeing red and I’m making sure not to speak to anyone on my way, I don’t want to cuss anyone who doesn’t deserve it. There’s so much more I’ve wanted to say, but I was scared of losing control and Kleo taking over.

“You should’ve let me deal with them,” she scoffs in my head, but I ignore her. I know I will need to figure out a working relationship with her, but right now I just can’t. She curls into a ball in the back of my mind sulking as I shut the door to my office, leaning against it and finally losing it.

I burst into tears and cannot stop the flow for a good while. I’m just so angry, so bloody angry with everything. Angela and all of the drug related s**t going on, Martin for beating himself up over an accident all these years, Rafael just sitting there taking their s**t without defending himself.

The feeling of fear and insecurity still fresh within me, eating on my insides. The Rafael I know wouldn’t just sit there taking it, he would fight. He would fight hair and nail for every last prisoner at Hartley Well. So why wasn’t he fighting for himself? Why did he panic when I kicked off? Was he scared of Kleo, or did he have a plan and I ruined it?

I hope I didn’t get him sacked, I’d give them an unfiltered version of my thoughts if they tried to do that.

I have no idea how long I have been pacing around my tiny office, but I nearly jumped out of my skin when I saw a guard in front of me, shouting my name over and over.

“How long have you…” I try to ask, but I’m still hyperventilating from the scare he gave me.

“How long have I been standing here? About 2 minutes,” he giggles, then looks at me seriously. “Big boss wants to see you.”

“Great,” I exhale, then stop mid track. “Since when is he using you guys as messengers?”

“You’re really out of it today, Kristina,” he shakes his head.”he’s been bleeping you for at least 20 minutes, I’ve been sent down to check you were ok.”

I stare at him blankly for a few moments and only then realise my pager is beeping with multiple messages. I rub my temples tiredly, can this day get any worse?

“Come on,” he motions his arm to the door and leads me out of my own office, his face grim and concerned. It takes me a while to realise we’re not going to Rafael’s office, but back in the bloody meeting room. I stop in my tracks, staring at the door. The guard looks at me questioning me with his eyes, but I shook my head gently.

“I, I just really don’t want to go back in there. Guess I need to go and reap what I sowed.” I sigh and step forward, smiling weekly at the guard. “Wish me luck. Or, at least the ability to hold my tongue.”

I take a deep breath and walk in without knocking. The whole room freezes and is looking at me. The atmosphere in the room is unbearable, and the tension could be cut with a knife.

“Well look who finally decided to show up,” Rafael said in his usual icy tone, but his eyes are full of concern. “Sit and listen to what the board has to say.”

I really want to mind link back, asking if I have to, but given I still can’t control this, I don’t want to risk accidentally mind linking the whole room. So instead, I slouch in my chair and try to look like I couldn’t care less.

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“No, no, no! Absolutely not a chance!” I shout as the board members are once again staring at me in shock.

Rafael laughs, “I told you she wasn’t going to accept it.”

“It’s a once in a life time opportunity, not something you can pass on! It is unlikely to happen again for another decade,” this old rich guy says gently, as if trying to bring some sense into me.

I put my head in my hands and try to stop the spinning, but it’s not working. I think I might be starting a migraine and I just want to get out of this ridiculous meeting.

“So let me get this straight,” I say with my eyes still closed and my hands pressing into my temple, trying to ease the incoming headache.

“You’ve sacked my manager Jane, because she was hiding Angela. They are both going to rot in prison together, that’s great. And then, instead of looking for someone who’s qualified to do the job, you decide to give it to a teacher that you’ve called a low life”

“That was an unfortunate choice of words”

“Do not interrupt me. First you call me a low life and then you try to promote me? I have zero managerial experience and absolutely no desire to gain some. I love my job, thank you very much. The idea of spending my life in meetings is depressing. If I never have to walk into this room again, I will be one happy woman. I mean, no one in their right mind would want me in a managerial position.”

I have a lot more to say, but lack the energy. This headache is really starting to build up and I will need to get out soon, before I start throwing up at everyone.

“We have told you already,” the old guy says slowly. “You have risen up to the challenge with this whole affair. You have shown a spine that a lot of people are missing, you have shown that you adhere to the standards expected by the board, and even though your language might be questionable, you have shown that the inmates wellbeing and safety is your number one priority.”

“But..”

“No buts, listen. You have excellent analytical and problem solving skills. You have no problem standing up to the board and fighting for what is right. You seem to be immune to Rafael’s charm and that in itself is unheard off. And you have the relationship with the inmates. I’d say you would be an excellent manager material, but that would be a lie. You are already an excellent manager, whether you like it or not. Your attitude is… unorthodox, but refreshing. It’s nice to see someone actually having the balls to disagree rather then constantly kissing our backsides.”

He pauses to catch a breath and I jump in, “I appreciate what you are saying, but my answer is and will always be no. Now if you excuse me, I have a terrible headache.” I walk out of the room with my eyes almost closed and as soon as the door shuts behind me I run to the bathroom, barely holding the vomit in.