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"Mysterious Lett." by Layla321
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The Case of
the Mysterious
letter
by Layla Cadman
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It was another bland, cloudy day at Sunview Prison. Wallace rose from his creaky cot and exited his cell to be greeted by vacant stares and rough grimaces. Everyone was tired. Yesterday, every man in his cellblock had been assigned to dig out large spaces
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in the courtyard for the new gardening program. Wallace grit his teeth and rolled his shoulder. His hands sported new blisters and calluses. He wasn't looking forward to another day in the kitchens, hauling shipments of meat and vegetables
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and mixing bland stews. He followed the group of sluggish men to breakfast, where he got in line for stale bread and cereal. Luckily, Wallace wasn't working the breakfast shift that morning, so he got to sleep in. Once he got his tray, he sat down at his
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usual table with his friends Dan and Grunt. Grunt was a nickname of course, given to the short and muscley man when he first arrived and wouldn't utter a word, but only grumbled. Now, Grunt would only speak freely to Wallace and Dan. Dan was a short,
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mouse-faced man with wire glasses and shaggy brown hair. He worked in the Library. He had been an author before his conviction, and he enjoyed spending time writing on the prisons old computers.
"Mornin', fellas." Wallace said as he sat down.
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"Wallace," Dan began, "How long do you think this bread has been out?"
"Probably a few days," Dan said, unphased as he bit into his crouton like bread, "we usually have too much of it."
"Great," Dan replied, disgusted.
Grunt ignored them as
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he huffed down his breakfast. He was always hungry, though he hadn't been on work detail the day before. A few minutes of silent eating later, Wallace felt a tap at his shoulder. Hovering over him was Turner, a quiet old inmate who rarely left his cell.
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Confused, Wallace greeted him. In a weak and shaky voice Turner said, "Wallace, may I speak with you?" Wallace turned to Dan and Grunt. Dan shrugged, and Grunt was still engrossed in his food. Figuring Turner was harmless, Wallace followed him out of the
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room. "Wallace, I need a favor," Turner said slowly.
"Sure, Turner," Wallace replied.
Turner pulled a ripped and yellowed note out of his pocket and slipped it to Wallace.
"Can you please give this to Miss Gran?" He asked nervously.
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Miss Gran was the officer that oversaw the kitchen duty. She was older than Wallace and mean, with a fat belly and yellow teeth.
"Whats in it for me?" Wallace asked.
"Oh..." Turner began, feeling his pockets for something. Finally, he pulled out a long
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thin cigar. Wallace watched it with wide eyes.
"You've got a deal."
---
"Well, what does the note say?" Grunt asked Wallace as they walked to the kitchens. "I don't know," Wallace said.
Grunt made a grab for the note.
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"I doubt you want to read that," Wallace said, "it's probably a love letter."
Grunt laughed his hearty laugh.
"If it is, maybe Ill get some entertainment around here!"
Wallace laughed as Grunt opened the letter and began to read.
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Dear Peggy,
It pains me to write this letter, but I hope it finds you well. Unfortunately, I am unable to fufill your request, but I hope that in due time we may meet again.
Sincerely,
John Turner
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"Request? What request?" Grunt asked, flipping the letter over and looking for more text.
"Beats me," Wallace replied, "I don't really care either way."
With a grin, Wallace gave Grunt a glimpse of his new cigar.
"Hey!" Grunt exclaimed with
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wide eyes, "I want some of that!"
"You wish!" Wallace said.
Grunt frowned as they entered the kitchen.
After an hour of working, Wallace noticed Miss Gran had stepped into the hallway. He excused himself and exited the room.
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"Excuse me, Miss Gran?"
With a hawk like stare, Miss Gran looked Wallace up and down.
"Why are you out of the kitchen?" She asked.
"This is for you." Wallace said. He handed her the letter and waited.
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Miss Gran stood there for a moment. "Well, what are you waiting for, me to read it? Shoo then!" She said.
Wallace backed into the kitchen.
---
The next day at kitchen duty, Miss Gran pulled Wallace aside and handed him a folded letter.
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"Please return this to Mr Turner." She said.
Wallace shrugged. Maybe he would get another cigar out of it. Later that day he found Turner and slipped him the letter. From his table, Wallace, Dan, and Grunt watched as Turner hunched over the letter.
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"What do you think its all about?" Dan said.
"Beats me," Wallace replied.
A moment later, Turner got up from his table and left the cafeteria.
"Lunch doesnt end for a while," Grunt said.
"Lets follow him!" Dan suggested.
The three men got up and snuck out
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of the cafeteria. They followed Turner as he carried his letter through the winding hallways, hiding behind corners when he looked behind him. Finally, Turner entered a small storage room. The three men pressed their ears against the door.
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"Please John," they heard Miss Gran say, "I really need you to."
Grunt made a face. "Ew, what is going on in there!"
Dan shushed him.
"I don't know Peggy, its a tall order." They heard Turner reply. After a moments pause, Turner spoke again.
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"Alright, but I want half of the proceeds!"
"The proceeds?" Wallace asked, "proceeds from what? Lets go in now!"
The three men barged into the room.
"What on earth are you doing here!!" Miss Gran yelled.
"What are YOU doing here?" Wallace yelled
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back. "We-we..." Turner said.
"We know you're selling something!" Grunt exclaimed.
"Yeah! And we want in!" Dan shot.
Grunt and Wallace turned to Dan. Grunt punched him in the arm.
"Dude, no." He said.
"Gentlemen, I can explain," Turner
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began. "Peggy is my sister."
The three men stared in shock.
"Not that its any of your business," Miss Gran said, "but we are selling our fathers house!"
"Then why are you meeting in secret?" Grunt asked.
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"Well, because Im adopted and the board doesnt know..." Turner said.
The three men thought for a second.
"Alright well, sorry to bother you then..." Wallace said as he pulled his friends out of the room. As they closed the door, they heard laughing.