Gourdbrook
On my eighteenth birthday, I was arrested for assault.
Nothing I said or did could prove my innocence, because the witness who testified against me in court was my own sister, Alina Beasley.
"Zeke, you have a serious sleepwalking disorder. You just never knew about it! But you hurt Brett this time. I can't cover for you anymore!"
Just like that, I was sent to prison and sentenced to five years.
A week before my release, the inmate who ran our cell block pinned me to the floor and beat me again.
My nose suddenly started bleeding, and I lost consciousness. I was rushed to the hospital.
Through the haze, I heard the correctional officers talking outside.
"Damn. Ms. Beasley really is ruthless. She framed her own brother and sent him to prison just so she could groom her adopted brother."
"Keep your voice down! Take it to the grave and pretend you never heard anything."
I opened my eyes and stared at the report in my hand.
Acute leukemia.
Suddenly, I laughed. I laughed until tears streamed down my face.
'Sis, you got what you wanted. Maybe I really should just die.'