Read Glimmer of Hope (Book 1 of the Land of Tomorrow Post-Apocalyptic Series) Page 19

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  An hour later, Harold looked out over a frighteningly small number of worried faces.

  “Is this everyone?” he asked Jim incredulously.

  “Yes. Walter Burton, Joe Kilzney, and their families took off right after I met with you. Wouldn’t stay for the meeting. Said they were done.”

  “All right then,” said Harold trying not to let the distress show on his face. He looked around the room taking inventory of what he had. Will there be enough to pull this off? he thought.

  “First of all, let me start by saying that I appreciate all of you staying on as long as you have, but we all know things are getting worse. We have to do something soon. I have come up with a course of action I feel is our only option given the circumstances. This decision is mine, and I accept full responsibility; but I’ll need your help in carrying it out.” Harold almost added that their cooperation was voluntary, but that would be stating the obvious. He had everyone's attention he saw. They're smart people, they know we have to do something.

  "We need to close the prison and dispose of the inmates as soon as possible. I want to adhere at least to the semblance of law as much as we can. We also have a responsibility not to release violent criminals back out into society, even though that society is disintegrating." No response yet, just a room full of tired eyes looking at him expressionlessly. "But I think men can change given the right circumstances. I've always hoped so anyway, else why would we do this job?"

  Harold waited to see if anyone would answer, but the room was dead still. What are they thinking?

  "What's the plan boss," asked Jim loudly breaking the spell.

  Harold smiled and felt a deep gratitude to the big man, "The seven men on death row awaiting execution will be executed despite any pending appeals. The appeal process is effectively over. Also, any inmate serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole will be executed. Any inmate who has attacked a guard or staff member since the bombs fell, will be executed."

  Harold paused to allow for righteous protests of indignation, but there was nothing other than a light of understanding in the faces of a few. He continued on.

  "All trustees will be freed. Everyone else is up for a review process based on their criminal convictions and behavior as a prisoner. Inmates will be allowed to speak for themselves at the review panel made up of selected individuals seated in this room. Until the process is complete, inmates will not be allowed out of their cells except for the review panel, execution, or release."

  Harold stopped talking and looked around. He was still expecting a flurry of indignant protests, but the room was as still as a crypt. The faces looking back at him largely reflected relief, their breath visible in the cold room. They realize this ordeal is nearing an end, however terrible that end may be.

  Big Jim Meeks eventually spoke up, “Terrence told me yesterday they can’t run the gas chamber without electricity, and we’re nearly out of fuel for the generator.”

  Harold let out a long strained breath, “Execution will be carried out by a firing squad made up of volunteers. If there are no volunteers, I will personally carry out the executions. I will also make the final decision as to who will be released and who will be executed based on the recommendations you bring me after each review panel. We need to move fast. I’m talking about having this done by the day after tomorrow.”

  Finally, a murmur of protest bubbled up from the crowd. Bobby Wilson, the prison’s doctor, stood up and the room went still again. “Harold, leaving the morality of this aside for a moment, we have over two hundred fifty inmates here. Do you really think we can do what you ask in a day and a half?”

  “Bobby brings up a good point.” Harold said, “We need to make the review boards quick…very quick. We also need to release as many prisoners as possible. We’re going to have to trust in the fact that these men can live the best way they can. Those that we think will only use this as an opportunity to prey on the weak and defenseless cannot be released.” Harold wearily rubbed his head again. “Look, I know this is hard and unsavory, but I see no other way. I welcome any other ideas.”

  No one spoke and many just looked at the floor. Harold expected some in the room would not help, but he was glad they at least remained silent.

  Jim broke the silence again. “How do we start this?”

  “That’s easy,” said Harold with a grimace. “Death row.”