Dust swirled around the path Nathaniel's car took. He was driving against the speed limit, but that was not something that concerned him at the moment. He was a trained marine and could withstand almost anything, but given his old age and the amount of driving he had done hours back, his sight had started to fail him. The burning sensation that plagued his irises had taken its toll. Nathaniel maneuvered the car to his right and stopped just in time before tears from his dried-out eyes blurred his vision. The man cursed and slammed his hand on his car's steering wheel. He once again glanced at his phone. Of all the time that it could be drained of battery, why now?

Nathaniel felt something was off after the call he made to Sheldon's phone. So, he decided to drive towards the prison the man worked at, and just a mile from the prison building, he received a distress signal on his radio. Being who he was, he answered. Nathaniel couldn't help but think of the horror that plagued San Fernando Correctional. He was aware of the monsters that lurked inside every cell of that building.

The man on the radio said they were under siege, that could only mean one thing in Nathaniel's dictionary, the prisoners got a hold of the prison building.
***

(West Wing)

Mark finally left Melinda's corpse to rest in peace, but his heart and mind were far from peaceful. The woman whom he threw away like she was nothing, gave her life to save him. If he ever made it out alive, it would only mean that he was reunited with his family because of his other woman's sacrifice. How was he to live with such a thought?

He felt the indifferent stare his comrades threw at him. He couldn't even look them in the eye or say something. No one voiced it out, but he felt the hidden words behind their gaze. They were condemning him, blaming him for what he had done to Melinda.

Out of grief, Mark picked up a letter on the floor and prayed 247 had something to say. Anything to shelve the guilt radiating off of him.
***

Dear Maria,

Hi Maria, can you imagine, it has been two decades since I saw you last. But don't worry, I'm alright. I apologize for my previous letter. I know it must have sounded like I'm giving up. I'm tired of my life, but not of loving you. I hope you know that.

I feel less enthusiastic today, I trust that you would listen to my woes. How should I begin? I know I made a lot of promises Maria and I'm aware of all the words I have given you. Though those words were made for my ears only, I believe that at some point, you will know of them too.

Anyway, Maria, we have a new warden in our midst. He arrived yesterday. A young and arrogant-looking man. He's probably a lot younger than I am. I could tell by his eyes. He carried an eagerness to prove himself.

I feel a bit hesitant about him. The day he arrived here at San Fernando Prison, he started asking the guards to get every prisoner to his office for an interview. Who does that Maria? Why care? What is his purpose? I and the other prisoners are here because we broke the law, we are being punished. What is there for him to talk to us about?

He started in the East Wing; it won't be long before he gets to my wing. What am I supposed to tell him? I haven't spoken to anyone longer than a few minutes in years. I fear that I have forgotten how to talk to people. The others who had been interviewed by him swore, that a new warden is a respectable man. According to them, he appears to be just and quite good with words. I don't admire people like that though, because they can easily read your mind.

I wish I could listen to your laughter one more time. I know it'll make me feel better. Do I dread my interview with the warden? Must I say it? I'm certain you know the answer. I just want to be left alone. I don't need someone like him to waltz in and start asking questions.

Maria? I think I haven't been this angry in years. Wait, let me rephrase that. I have never felt so angry. That stupid warden, that self-assured, arrogant, smug-looking man wants to re-open my case. Who the hell does he think he is? How dare he butt into my business. I don't need him re-opening anything. It will only cause my wounds to bleed.

I think the warden is keeping tabs on my movements. What did I ever do to gain his attention? I have lived in peace for two decades, why can't he leave me alone?

I'm scared. I'm worried. What should I do my love? Is there anything I can do to stop that warden from sticking his nose in my case?

Must I kill him?

Hi love, it is the month of September. How are you? I hope everything is smooth sailing on your end. As for me, how should I say this? Hmmm, I feel happy. Do you want to know why? It's because the new warden provided a computer for the library. Yes, Maria! I now know what a computer looks like. Although there are only a chosen few who are permitted to use it, it's still such a wonderful thing to have.

Was I permitted to use it, Maria? Well, I was, but it's a bit difficult to use. There is a guard who stands beside the thing and assists an inmate if he wanted to explore the machine, but still, it's out of my league.

I'm still happy though. It is such an amazing thing! I can't believe how the world managed to produce such an invention. I'm happy Maria, I'm very happy.

I guess I won't have to kill the warden after all. He does have his benefits. Besides, he stopped nagging me about my case, well not completely, but he's not as relentless as before. He probably gave up, knowing it was futile to insist on what he wanted. Maria? How are you? It's November now, and the cold wind is seeping inside my cell. Why is this November colder than the previous one? I feel like my body is changing. I'm probably feeling the effects of my age. We are both forty-seven now. I hope you're not having any pains like me. How are your legs? Are they fine? Mine is giving me a lot of problems. I was told by one of the prisoners here that it's probably due to my prolonged sitting inside the library. He suggested that I stretch around the prison grounds. Must I Maria?

Merry Christmas my love. Christmas here is a bit different this year. I guess it had something to do with the warden. We were all asked to have dinner together in the prisoner's lounge. There's a widespread of food, some of which I haven't tasted or seen before. I believe this warden is good for the prison Maria, he seems to have a heart, but still, I have to be wary of him. I know he still wants to re-open my case.

Love Forever

Your Silent Knight

***

Mark threw the Letter away after reading its contents. Nothing, he got no help from 247. Instead of understanding how to let go of pain or guilt, the letter contained a prisoner's foolish fear of having his case re-opened, not to mention childish bewilderment over a computer.

Sheldon was busy staring at the young guard. He couldn't help but notice that Mark has been reading a bunch of letters, so when Mark threw the letter away, he picked it up and read its content.

Maria, his mother's name too is Maria. At first, Sheldon didn't give it any thought. His mother's name was quite common. In his home's compound, there were about twenty Maria's already. "Very common," Sheldon murmured before he placed the letter over one of the up-turned cabinets beside him.