Hope?!!

As Blake woke to the pounding on his cell door, the harsh reality of his situation washed over him like a cold wave crashing against the shore. Ever since the final court verdict, he had been forced to confront the grim reality of life as a convicted criminal, facing the unforgiving nature of the law enforcement system.

"Come with us," an officer said with a scrunched up face. His face twisted into a scowl that seemed more menacing than necessary.

Blake couldn't tell if the officer was intentionally mean mugging him or simply trying to be as intimidating as possible.

However, none of those things mattered to him.

Not on this day. Not today when he would be moved to the state correctional facility.

He struggled with it for the past two days after the final trial but now knew the inevitable truth. He was going to be locked up for life.

This was no joke.