Escape like a cicada sloughing its skin chapter 1

A Career Thief Plans Her Escape

Gina was a career thief who had stolen countless valuable items. However, this time she made a mistake and was sent back to prison. Unlike previous detentions that only lasted a few months, she was sentenced to ten years. Upon hearing the news, Gina almost went crazy. She was used to a free and unrestrained life, and this heavy sentence was more painful than a death sentence to her!

But Gina was shrewd. In the first few months of her imprisonment, besides the labor – education activities, during mealtimes and outdoor activities, she observed everyone and everything around her. Missing the outside world, she had long harbored the idea of escaping. She secretly maintained a relationship with the prison’s logistics staff. Among them was an old black man named Budi. Gina liked to chat with him the most. Old Budi had been working in the prison all alone. The prison was his home, and he did his job with great precision. Everyone praised his craftsmanship. His job was very special: he made coffins for the prisoners who died without any family in the prison. In this prison, whenever someone died, the bell would ring at 12 o’clock at night. Then the body would be placed in the coffin made by old Budi and kept in the morgue until burial…

Old Budi was about to retire. Although he was very skilled at making coffins, he suffered from severe cataracts, and his vision had become very blurry.

One afternoon, Gina came to see old Budi during the outdoor activity time. As soon as they met, Gina asked, “You look in good spirits today. Is there anything happy going on?”

“Is my happiness written all over my face?” Old Budi tightly held a letter in his hand, and his hands were trembling slightly with excitement. “You know, kid, I’ll be retiring and leaving here in a few months. Half a year ago, I applied to the government for a substantial medical insurance fund to treat my eyes. After waiting for so long, I finally got a reply.” Old Budi said excitedly, looking like a believer who had just received God’s blessing.

“Really? That’s great! I’m so happy for you!” In fact, Gina didn’t really care about him at all. Putting on a show was her forte. She stepped forward and gave old Budi a big hug.

“Gina, please help me read what’s in this letter. I can’t see the words clearly.” Old Budi handed the letter to Gina.

“Kid, tell me quickly. How much money are they going to give me to treat my eyes? I know the amount is large. Actually, a little less would also be okay.”

Gina’s eyes were fixed on the letter, but she didn’t answer right away. A bad idea popped into her head. Suddenly, she put on a helpless look. “Oh, Budi, I really don’t know how to tell you…”

“What exactly does the letter say?”

“It says…” Gina paused. “It says that there is a shortage of funds at present, and they can’t meet your request. Maybe in a year or two, they’ll be able to come up with the money for your treatment. The letter also says…”

“Stop talking.” Old Budi interrupted Gina before she could finish. There was disappointment and pain on his face. “I should have known they’d say that. I was just too naive, thinking that the reply would bring good news. Gina, do you know? For a carpenter, his eyes are his heart! I’ve worked hard in this prison for most of my life, but now the doctor tells me that if the treatment is postponed any longer, all I’ll see is darkness.”