INNOCENT MAN

New Crew.

After breakfast, Adrian had asked Xavier to join them, even though Ciara was against such an idea, she didn't say a word she just let Xavier make his decision and as she expected he rejected the offer. Indiana could only sigh as she watched Xavier leave the dinning room. Xavier's refusal of the offer was really stupid and she pitied him because from now on he was going to have a hard time surving alone in this big den. He enjoyed the younger man's presence in their little group. Even though he barely talked during breakfast, she was able to tell that he was a great observer and she could also tell that he was weak. That made her wonder why he was in the prison. Ciara had the same thought as Indiana, but she didn't show it. She was emotionless as usual as if she wasn't bothered and truth be told, she couldn't be bothered with the life of someone she doesn't know.

As Xavier walked away, he couldn't help but think if he had made a good decision by rejecting the offer by Adrian. He knew that if he got involved with the group as someone who hated the spotlight, he was sure to attract that. He knew he was being a coward, that was Amalia always complained about when she was still alive. But he wasn't bothered. If he needed to survive here, he needed to be inconspicuous besides his stay here wasn't going to last that long, he knew it.

It wasn't the group that he was afraid of, they seemed harmless. And since they took it upon themselves to invite him to join them, it only meant that they wanted him in their group, though the reason was unknown to him, but he couldn't accept. If he did, he was going to be a burden to them. He liked the mean Ciara, the funny Adrian of course he wouldn't forget the mischievous Indiana and the weird Edwardo. He felt like they were a complete crew and could cope without him, they were the safest he had seen so far, but that could change with him in their midst and he didn't want that. But he was really curious as to why they were all in prison. They looked friendly unlike the mean faces he was encountering. But he knew looks could be deceiving. He wasn't sure if they were as innocent as they looked.

From the dinning hall, Xavier moved towards the open field he had passed the first day he got there. This was going to be his first time in the field and he wanted to remain inconspicuous so that he wouldn't become the subject of bully. He knew he couldn't cope if he was bullied and besides he knew how weak he was. If that ever happened he couldn't fight back.

Once he got to the field, Xavier excused himself from the rest of the prisoners and made himself inconspicuous as ever.

" He is a coward", Ciara said as she watched Xavier hide in a corner. Adrian had invited him to join their group. That was the only opportunity for him to gain protection but just like the coward he was he rejected the invitation without a second thought. It was true Ciara never wanted him in the group because he was cowardly, but she couldn't refute Adrian and the groups decision so she kept mum. She actually thought that Xavier would jump at the offer. If that had happened, they her view about him being a coward would have gone down a little, but no he had actually proved that he was really a coward.

" I think he is scared", Indiana replied after watching Xavier for sometime.

" Indiana is right. Something isn't quiet right with him", Edwardo added. He knew Xavier's type, they couldn't hurt a fly. What then would have made him end up in the big den.

" Should we still give him a chance", Adrian asked. He had gotten used to Xavier within the short period they spent together.

" Let him make the decision himself. Whenever he is ready to join us we will accept", Indiana said. Even though she wanted Xavier to be with them so they could protect him, she knew that he wouldn't get stronger with that so she wanted him to know how hard life could be before they might consider helping him.

The group could only sign.

Except from Ciara, the rest really wished that Xavier would work up to them. But they were in for a disappointment. They watched over Xavier the whole day as he sat in the inconspicuous corner just watching the people performing one activity or the other. Also during lunch, they watched him as he quietly picked up his food and sat at a corner where no one could notice him and consumed his food as quickly as possible. Once he was done he walked out of the dinning room. The same thing occurred during dinner and so they decided that they were going to do as Indiana suggested. Let him have the taste of the world's bitterness.

As Xavier slept that night, he couldn't help but think of Amalia. Where she could be at the moment, if she was happy or sad and if she had a lollipop with her to accompany her. He didn't believe in God, but he prayed that she was happy.