Chapter 81: Miller, Hayes, Daniels vs. The System

As Frank was the last to be brought out of his cell, a towering inmate—easily 7'5" and 350 pounds of muscle, covered in tattoos with an eyepatch—grinned at him.

"See you around, fresh meat," the man rumbled, cracking his knuckles.

Frank swallowed hard but said nothing as he was led out, shackled alongside Hayes and Daniels. The three were escorted down the cold hallway to the prisoner transport van, where two officers were waiting.

As they were loaded into the back, Frank muttered to Daniels, "This is bad. We’re screwed."

The courtroom was packed. The trial of Frank Miller, Carter Hayes, and Officer Daniels had drawn attention from across the city. The evidence was overwhelming, and the Faulkners were there to make sure justice was served.

Mrs. Faulkner, Miss Harper, Jordan, and the boys all testified, recounting the stalking, harassment, and attacks they endured. Singer laid out the case with precision, showing how Daniels had orchestrated the entire operation to get revenge on the Faulkners for their role in taking down his corrupt brother-in-law.

Hayes’ crimes went far beyond identity theft and conspiracy. The evidence from his home—drugs, weapons, and classified social services files—proved he was a dangerous criminal. The judge showed no mercy.

“Carter Hayes, for your role in aiding and abetting criminal activity, as well as the manufacturing and distribution of narcotics, illegal possession of firearms, and conspiracy against multiple minors, you are sentenced to death by lethal injection.”

Hayes slumped in his seat, his face drained of color as the courtroom gasped.

The judge turned to Daniels.

“Officer Daniels, you used your position in law enforcement to conspire against innocent civilians, enabling multiple criminal acts, and attempting to use a violent offender to exact revenge. You have disgraced your badge. You are sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.”

Daniels showed no emotion, but his clenched jaw revealed his anger.

Finally, it was Miller’s turn.

“Frank Miller, your repeated harassment, stalking, and attempts to harm minors have proven you are a danger to society. Your violent history speaks for itself. You are sentenced to life in prison.”

Miller cursed under his breath as the guards restrained him.

As the three were led away in cuffs, Mrs. Faulkner squeezed Jordan’s hand. It was finally over. The Faulkners were safe, and justice had been served.

After frank was thrown in his cell he seen the metal toilet and began to pee that's when the cell door opened and closed.

Frank barely had time to turn around before he felt the looming presence behind him. The deep, gravelly voice sent a chill down his spine.

"I told you I'd see you around, fresh meat."

Frank slowly turned, his eyes widening as he looked up at the towering inmate—a 7'5", 350-pound wall of muscle, covered in tattoos, an eyepatch giving him an even more menacing look. A few other inmates stood nearby, watching with interest.

Frank swallowed hard. "Look, man, I don’t want any trouble."

The giant chuckled darkly. "Oh, you had no problem causing trouble outside. But in here? You’re just another fish in the tank."

Frank took a step back, but his back hit the cold metal bars. There was nowhere to go.

"You know what we don’t like in here?" the inmate continued, cracking his knuckles. "Guys who mess with kids."

Before Frank could respond, the first punch landed, sending him sprawling to the floor. The last thing he saw was a pair of heavy boots before the pain took over.

The guards, knowing exactly what was happening, didn't intervene right away. In their eyes, justice was being served in more ways than one.

Frank barely had time to let out a choked gasp before the first punch crashed into his ribs, knocking the wind out of him. The force sent him sprawling against the cold concrete floor, his vision blurring from the impact.

The massive inmate with the eyepatch loomed over him, cracking his knuckles. "Welcome to your new home, Miller."

A heavy boot slammed into Frank’s gut, making him retch. He tried to crawl away, but another inmate grabbed him by the collar and yanked him up just in time for a savage right hook to his jaw. His head snapped to the side, blood splattering onto the floor as a tooth flew from his mouth.

The surrounding prisoners closed in, throwing fists and kicks from all sides. Frank screamed, but the sounds were drowned out by the sickening cracks of bone and the cruel laughter of the inmates delivering the beating.

"Thought you could mess with kids, huh?" one of them growled, stomping on his hand, shattering his fingers.

Frank coughed, trying to beg, but his words were lost in gurgled breaths as blood pooled in his mouth. Another inmate grabbed him by the head and slammed it into the metal toilet, splitting his forehead open. His body convulsed, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

"Let's make sure he don't get back up," the one-eyed giant muttered.

The final blow came swift and brutal—a crushing stomp to the side of Frank’s skull. The sickening crunch echoed through the cell. His body went rigid for a moment, then limp. His eyes, wide with terror, stared blankly at the flickering light above, lifeless.

The massive inmate took a step back, nodding at the others. "Cleanup on aisle four."

The guards finally approached, barely hiding their indifference. One checked for a pulse, then shook his head.

"Looks like justice got served early," he muttered, before radioing in the inevitable.

Daniels gripped the bars of his cell, his knuckles turning white as he watched the brutal execution unfold across from him. His breath was shallow, his heart hammering against his ribs. Frank’s lifeless body lay sprawled on the cell floor, blood pooling beneath his crushed skull. The other inmates stepped back, satisfied, as the guards barely gave a glance before calling it in.

"Jesus Christ..." Daniels whispered, his stomach twisting in knots.

From the shadows of the adjacent cell, a voice scoffed. "That’s exactly why I told you to let it go," Hernandez muttered, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. His expression was unreadable, but there was something almost amused in his tone.

Daniels turned sharply, eyes still wide with shock. "You knew this would happen?"

Hernandez shrugged. "Prison’s got a way of dealing with guys like Miller. You set him up to fail, Daniels. You think you're any different?"

Daniels swallowed hard. His mind raced, but he couldn’t shake the image of Frank’s brutal demise.

"Me?" Hernandez continued, a smirk creeping onto his face. "I’m just sittin’ back, waiting to see how long you last."

Daniels backed away from the bars, realizing for the first time just how trapped he really was.

Daniels’ throat went dry as Hernandez’s words settled in. He turned back to the bloodstained floor of Frank’s cell, the massive inmate who had delivered the fatal blows now staring directly at him through the bars.

"You were with him, weren’t you?" the brute rumbled, cracking his knuckles. "Means you’re next."

Daniels stepped back, his legs weak. He whipped his head toward Hernandez. "You set me up!"

Hernandez chuckled, shaking his head. "No, you set yourself up. You couldn’t leave well enough alone. Now, look where that got you." He leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "Considering that big guy knows you were involved with Frank, and I had my own history with those same kids a while back… I’d say we’re both getting shived in the yard by the end of the day."

Daniels felt his pulse pound in his ears. He gripped the bars tighter, eyes darting around for some kind of escape. But there was none. The guards didn’t care. The other inmates were already eyeing him like fresh meat.

Hernandez just smirked. "Welcome to hell, Daniels. Hope you’re good at watching your back."

That's when a bell rang and a guard yelled yard time

The heavy metal doors clanged open, and inmates began filing out into the yard. Daniels felt a cold sweat break out on his skin as he hesitated. Hernandez gave him a knowing smirk.

"You can stay in here and look weak, or you can go out there and hope they don't gut you right away," Hernandez said, stepping out of the cell.

Daniels swallowed hard and followed, his gut churning. As they entered the yard, the sun beat down on the cracked pavement, and groups of prisoners were already gathering—some lifting weights, others eyeing the newcomers.

Then, Daniels saw him. The brute from earlier, the one who had torn Frank apart, stood near the fence, cracking his knuckles, his one good eye locked onto him. A few of his buddies whispered among themselves, then slowly started moving toward Daniels and Hernandez.

Hernandez sighed, stretching his neck. "Well, looks like this is it. Should’ve stayed out of this business, Daniels."

Daniels turned, heart racing, but before he could take another step, rough hands grabbed him from behind. A sharp pain burned into his side—then another. He gasped, his knees buckling as he saw the shiv slick with his blood.

Hernandez grunted as he, too, was dragged down, his own fate sealed. The last thing Daniels saw before darkness swallowed him was the brute standing over him, grinning.

Yard time was over.

A few hrs pass.... back at the faulkner home the boys were in their play pen while Miss harper, and Mrs faulkner sitting on the couch watching TV,  Jordan was on the kitchen making brownies to celebrate  Miller's and his "buddies" conviction when a breaking news bulletin came across the TV.

Mrs. Faulkner turned up the volume as the news anchor’s voice filled the living room.

"Breaking news from the state penitentiary: Convicted felon Frank Miller was found dead in his cell earlier today after what officials are calling a brutal assault by fellow inmates. Meanwhile, former officer Daniels and ex-cop Hernandez were both stabbed multiple times in the prison yard. While Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene, Daniels is currently in critical condition. Authorities suspect these attacks were retaliation for their crimes against minors and abuse of power."

Miss Harper exhaled, shaking her head. "Karma moves fast in there, doesn’t it?"

Mrs. Faulkner nodded but stayed silent, her eyes shifting to the boys in the playpen. They were too busy playing to notice what was on TV.

Then, the screen switched to a live feed outside the prison, where reporters stood by as an official from the Department of Corrections spoke.

"And finally, Carter Hayes, convicted of multiple counts of drug trafficking, conspiracy, and possession of illegal firearms, has been executed via lethal injection earlier this evening. Hayes showed no remorse during his final moments, only muttering about how he should’ve taken the money and disappeared when he had the chance."

Jordan, who had just entered the living room holding a tray of warm brownies, let out a low whistle. "Damn. That was quick."

Mrs. Faulkner sighed, rubbing her temples. "Good riddance to all of them."

Miss Harper nodded. "At least now, the boys don’t have to worry anymore."

Jordan set the brownies down on the coffee table and smirked. "Well, in that case—brownies to celebrate?"

Jake and Alex, hearing the word “brownies,” immediately perked up. "Brownies!" they cheered.

Tyler, still holding onto his stuffed animal in the playpen, looked up at Jordan with a big grin. "Jordy, can I have one too?"

Jordan ruffled Tyler’s hair. "Of course, squirt. You guys deserve a treat after everything."

The news anchor’s voice carried on, now with an even graver tone.

"We have just received confirmation that former officer Daniels has succumbed to his injuries. Meanwhile, authorities have released security footage from earlier today showing the brutal attack that led to Frank Miller’s death. Viewer discretion is advised."

The screen cut to grainy black-and-white security footage from inside the prison cell. It showed Frank, unaware of the looming threat behind him, standing by the metal toilet. Then, the massive, tattooed inmate from earlier stepped in, closing the door behind him. Frank barely had time to turn around before the man lunged. The next few moments were a blur of fists, blood, and unrelenting violence. The last thing visible was Frank’s motionless body slumped against the cold floor before the footage cut out.

A tense silence filled the Faulkner living room.

Then, Tyler, who had been nibbling on his brownie, looked up at the TV and, in the most adorable baby voice yet, said, “Bye-bye, bad man.”

Everyone turned to look at him. Jordan stifled a laugh, while Jake and Alex giggled. Miss Harper shook her head with a small smile, and even Mrs. Faulkner let out a breath of amusement.

Jordan ruffled Tyler’s hair. "That’s right, bud. No more bad man."

Tyler, completely unbothered, just grinned and took another bite of his brownie, happily kicking his feet in the playpen.

Miss Harper chuckled. "Well… that’s one way to sum it up."

Mrs. Faulkner exhaled and turned off the TV. "Alright, enough of that. Let’s just enjoy our brownies in peace."

And for the first time in a long while, the house finally felt safe again.