The Last Hours
Autumn's cool breath slowly crept through the walls of the cells of Bainbridge County Penitentiary. As the temperature dropped the sun slowly began to sink below the horizon, the dim orange light giving way to a ruddy violet glow, extending the shadows of the bars across Rick's cell.
As the light shifted Rick slowly closed his book and sat up on his bed. The Count of Monte Cristo in hand, the husky slowly sat the unfinished book down on the small writing desk next to his bed. It was his last day on death watch. It was a book he figured he'd never finish.
The husky stretched, he could feel his ample muscles pop and strain as he arched his back. There was very little for him to do while on death row so he spent most of his time either exercising or reading. If he thought about it, he'd probably read through a large chunk of the prison library's books, even if he didn't always remember what they were about.
Rick sighed and looked into a small mirror he kept above the sink. His once black and white fur had grayed over the years. The once deep brown eyes had faded a bit, now he required glasses to see. He frowned a bit and turned on the faucet splashing water on his face before settling back on his bed.
He looked up at a small clock on his wall and smirked, "She's late, but, then again she's always late." The husky stretched out on his bed and closed his eyes thinking about his eventual guest. Her name was Sasha and for the last three months had been his only visitor and the only one he really cared about.
Four months prior he had received a letter requesting an interview with him for her college paper. She'd said that she wanted an inside view as to what it was like being an inmate on death row. The warden had agreed to it, saying it was at his discretion to allow the visit and considering that Rick had never been any trouble while incarcerated he would allow it. One month later Rick was in front of one of the most beautiful ladies he'd ever seen.
Her name was Sasha, a snow leopard with the type of curves that models only dreamed of having. His eyes travelled across her slender, supple body. Her ample breasts were covered in a white blouse, while her long legs were barely concealed in a short black skirt.
She had already her phone picked up waiting for him on the other side of the glass. He sat down and picked up his receiver. "M-mister Donnelly," she asked. His gaze snapped up and met her robin's egg blue eyes. They were warm, inviting and full of life and trepidation. As he looked into her eyes he noticed her hair was also a darker shade of blue that trembled a bit, as confident as she was trying to appear her nerves were getting the best of her.
"Mister? Nobody has called me that for a good twenty years," Rick smiled nicely, "Call me Rick."
"O-okay. Rick. I'm Sasha. Sorry I'm late. I had some car trouble."
Rick cocked his head to one side and continued to smile, "It's not like I'm going anywhere. Nervous?" Sasha nodded quickly and rick nodded with her, "Don't be. I'm behind a sheet of pretty thick glass here and I'm not exactly the violent type."
"Then why are you on death row," asked Sasha arching an eye brow.
"Because the jury thought I did something I didn't do. Now that I think of it, pretty much everyone here says that, so let's just leave it at I don't think I did it, but I don't really know either."
"So then, why did you say it," she asked still trembling.
"Because it's true," Rick furrowed his brow and cocked his head, "Want to hear a joke? It's not a good one but it's a joke."
"Well, okay."
Rick cleared his throat, "Why can't a watermelon and a honeydew ever get together?"
Sasha shook her head. To which Rick replied, "Cantaloupe."
Sasha smirked, "That was bad."
Rick chuckled, "I know. So, let's get to your questions."
For the next twenty minutes she asked him a series of routine questions ranging from what types of food they served to how often he was able go outside in the exercise yard. Eventually Sasha asked, "Do you have communal showers?"
"Yes."
"What's that like?"
"Well, I keep my eyes to myself but I watch my ass as much as I can for a whole lot of reasons."
She laughed. Rick continued to grin and said, "Let me ask you a question."
Sasha smiled, "Sure what is it?"
"What is your favorite color?"
"Blue."
"Mine too," Rick looked down and then back at Sasha as one of the guards warned that their time was almost up. Rick sighed, "Well, did I give you everything you wanted to know?"
"No, not at all. I didn't get to ask about you."
"Well, I'll tell you what next visiting day you can ask me all about me okay?"
"Okay sure. You know, you're not as scary as I thought you'd be."
"Neither are you," said Rick jokingly, "In fact I can safely say that this is the best --," said Rick before the phone got cut off.
Even though she was usually late, for the next few months they talked, more than he thought was possible. They discussed each other's families. Rick told her about his drunken and abusive parents, when she asked he'd talk about the various fights he had been in and crimes he'd done, never talking about the one he'd denied, he talked about movies he liked, told bad jokes and anything else he could think of.
Sasha would talk about her family, how college was going, work, tv shows and just whatever came to mind. The Sasha spoke the more he wanted to see her. Yet, at the same time he wondered how it was possible that she was able to speak with him as often as she did. Eventually he asked, "How is it you're able to come by and talk with me as often as you do? Usually it's one visit per month."
"Well, let's just say I know folks."
"They must be pretty important."
She looked down, "Would you, prefer that I didn't visit so much?"
Rick looked shocked, "No it's the best part of my week!"
Sasha looked up and smiled, "Good. It's mine too."
It was Rick's turn to look perplexed. Sasha giggled at his expression, "It's too bad that they have this pane of glass here Rick. "
"Why's that," asked the husky.
"It would just be nice to not have something between us."
Rick could feel the blood rising in his face. He looked down and quietly replied, "Yeah it would. You know, I filed my final appeal recently. I think it's a pretty good one and maybe...," he said his voice trailing off.
"Maybe the glass could disappear?"
"Maybe."
Sasha put her hand on the glass, "I think I'd like that."
That evening, like every evening after Sasha visited, Rick walked back to his cell smiling. As the door closed behind him he noticed a letter lying on his bed. It was from his lawyer. Rick felt his heart go into his throat as he opened it. In this letter, there was the possibility of his salvation, a new trial at best.
His heart sank into his stomach as he read the letter. He was now on death watch and in two weeks he would be taking the long walk. Rick slowly laid back on his bed his mind racing back to Sasha. She was a good friend and a beautiful woman. That was it. She would never be anything more than that and he had been a fool to think that he would ever be able to be with her. Eventually he drifted off into an uneasy sleep, and for the first time in months Rick felt completely alone.
--
Two weeks was a long time to wait but, he was able to get a hold of her and she said she'd pull some strings and make sure she would see him that night. As he sat on the edge of his bed he could hear the click of hard soled shoes echo down the hallway to his cell. Rick looked up in anticipation but it was only one of the guards, a hulking boar, whom he had seen on the block a few times. "Do you want a clean shirt and pants? Also, for that matter what'll you have to eat?"
Rick sighed, "Is she here yet?"
"She who?"
"Sasha."
"Please. She won't be here the warden never allows prisoners on death watch to see anyone but their lawyers, priests, docs and charming guys like me. So, what'll you have?"
"T-Bone steak medium rare, loaded baked potato, a couple of Red Stripes, one of those Caesar salads and a banana split. She'll be here."
The guard spit to the side and wrote down the request, "And the new clothes?"
"I might as well look good for my audience right?"
The guard turned and walked away muttering something unintelligible to the husky. Rick wondered what if he was right. The warden had only allowed Sasha to visit so often because of who she knew and because of the college paper story. He'd probably deny her. Why wouldn't he? The husky dug his fingers into his mattress and shut his eyes as the long shadows enveloped his cell and the fluorescent lights kicked on filling the cell with a stark white light.
As Rick struggled with his doubts he didn't notice the sound of footsteps heading down the hall and stopping in front of his cell. "Open number four," said the voice of a male guard. Rick looked over at the door and as the cell door opened there she stood. His eyes widened in surprise as she entered his cell. The guard promptly closed the door behind her. Rick continued to stare dumbstruck as she smiled at him.
She looked fantastic in a black dress with four inch heels. Every curve of her gorgeous body was accentuated just so by that dress as she brushed her hair back from her blue eyes, "Hi, sorry I'm late."
Rick rose from the bed his heart fluttering in his massive chest as he slowly crossed over to her he caressed her arm and she touched his as they gazed at one another. "I- I didn't think you'd come."
Sasha frowned a bit, "Of course I would. I've shown up every other time haven't I?"
Rick smiled and hugged her. He held her as tightly as he dared. She was soft. Her fur was as soft as silk and she smelled of honeysuckle. "Thank you for being here."
Sasha smiled back and handed him a picture, "Is this you?"
Rick looked down at the picture of a young husky smiling a bright, happy smile. The child couldn't have been more than twelve as he looked at the camera, "That's from a sixth grade field trip. We went to the zoo that day. Wow that was a long time ago, how did you get it?"
Sasha sat on his bed, "Well, I have connections, like I said. I also, talked with my uncle."
"Your uncle?"
"Yeah, didn't I tell you," she said cocking her head to one side. Rick shook his head no. "Oh, well he's one of the governor's aides and he said he'd try to get the governor to issue a stay for you."
"Really?"
She nodded and smiled as Rick sat next to her. "It's almost like a dream," he said as he got a far off look in his eyes, "Why would you do this for me?"
"Because, I w-well I don't want to lose you."
Rick fell silent for a moment and gently clasped her hand. "Do you know what they say I did?"
"I- I could have looked it up but," she paused looking away, "I wanted you to tell me."
"I was convicted of murdering my wife and her boyfriend," said Rick evenly, "I- I don't even remember what happened. I just know I came home late one night and saw them in bed. The next thing I knew I was waking up on the floor to flashing lights. They said...," his voice trailed off. Sasha clenched his hand tighter and he looked over at her.
"Go on."
"They said they had been bludgeoned to death. I even had a wound on my head but, with no signs of forced entry or exit and me with a foggy memory and my past I guess they figured it made sense."
"But, you didn't do it did you?"
"I don't know. I don't believe I did," he sighed and looked down, "It's a hell of a thing to do to someone."
Sasha slid closer to him leaning on him, "It's a hell of a thing all around."
"Yeah," he looked at the picture again and laid it on the floor, "This is right before I became what I am. This is before I became a criminal. That boy, when I look at him I see someone who has their whole life in front of them and who in about a year is going to start tossing it all away. He'll toss it all away for nothing."
Sasha hugged him gently, "Oh Rick."
Rick looked over at her and caressed her arm again, "I'm a bum Sasha. You're the best thing that ever could happen to a bum like me."
"T-take off your shirt," said Sasha in a low whisper.
" What?"
"Take off your shirt, please," she repeated as she began to unbutton the orange prison garb.
Rick slowly did as she requested. His large muscular chest and back exposed to the cool prison air combined with her touch gave him gooseflesh. Sasha gasped and looked at all the scars along his chest and back, "Rick, what happened to you? You- you never told me about any of this."
"Most of the ones on my back are from my folks. They liked to use a make shift cat-o-nine tails for punishment, or boredom. I could never tell. The ones on my chest are from like I said, fights, brawling, being drunk and stupid. My body is a temple of pain and regret."
Sasha's eyes welled up with tears, "Is-is that all you feel? Brief moments of joy and then nothing but pain? How could you smile like that back then if this was going on?"
"I wasn't there with them."
"Is that all it was- was there nothing else," she said her voice shaking.
Rick sighed, "Not until you visited me that one day. Ever since that day you've been someone to look forward to," he looked over to her his gaze earnest, "From the first time I saw you I was glad that we were friends." Rick looked away from her at a point on the wall almost embarrassed, "But, it wasn't enough."
"What do you mean," asked Sasha.
"I love you Sasha. Out of all the people I've ever known, I know without a doubt that I love you and would want to spend the rest of my life with you in a better world than this," said Rick.
The cell went silent. Neither Sasha nor Rick knew what to say for what felt like an eternity. Even when the food that was delivered sat waiting to be picked up but neither of them moved. Finally Rick spoke again, "I'm sorry Sasha I shouldn't have said-," Rick's speech was cut off as Sasha turned his head and kissed him softly.
Her lips were like a butterfly's wings, soft and ephemeral. She kissed him again a bit harder this time as she crawled into his lap and ran her hands up and down his chest. She was soft supple and she wanted him. Who was he to refuse?
Rick gently kissed her back his lips trailing from her mouth to her neck and back as she wrapped her legs around his waist. He kissed her again unzipping her dress as he felt something stirring that hadn't in a long time. Sasha smiled at him and slid off of his large form and slowly shimmied out of her evening wear.
Rick smiled stupidly and removed his pants quickly as the husky stood at half mast and was quickly proving to be big in every way to Sasha. "Oh my, Rick," she said sliding her nude spotted form against his, her hand gently caressing over his growing length and sack. Rick kissed her again his arm wrapping around her as one hand slowly caressed gently down to the base of her spine.
Sasha shivered as she straddled him yet again and continued to rub against him. Slowly she broke the kiss and nipped along his neckline as he continued to massage her back. Each gentle caress elicited a low purr from her as he felt her hips slowly gyrating against his length. Rick began to pant as he clutched her sides and kissed her again.
Slowly he slid back on the bed and lined up his erect length with her sex and slowly pushed up it up into her. Sasha gasped and arched to him as he clutched her sides and kissed her chest. She panted louder as she sank all the way down.
From underneath Rick slowly rocked his hips in time with her he grunted softly as she arched against him with each thrust panting with animalistic desire. He kissed her chest and nipped at her nipples causing her to moan louder as she rode him groaning and grinding into him.
He panted louder bucking faster into her. It had been a long time since he had been with anyone and he was on the verge of losing it. He gripped her tightly in his hands as he panted louder and louder she moaned with him as her climax neared and as they reached the zenith of the moment the released in unison panting as lovers do.
Sasha smiled at him and kissed him gently as he motioned for her to turn about. She did so, as she got down on all fours her tail wrapping about his waist as he remained buried deep within her tight sex. Slowly he rocked his hips back and began to thrust again, this time more forcefully. She bucked back as best as she could as his large frame pushed down against her.
She moaned plaintively, her sex squeezing him tight as he continued to thrust his length deep and hard into her, a fierce growl escaping his lips as he thrust into her. Rick reached down and grasped her breasts tightly his mouth opened up and he bit the back of her neck his breathing become a bit more ragged as they moaned in unison. "Oh Rick," screamed Sasha, "again I'm, oh," she yowled cumming a second time shortly followed by Rick's own orgasm.
Rick panted over her slowly adjusting his position with her so they were face to face he kissed her deeply as she wrapped her arms around him tightly. "Rick, I love you too," she panted.
--
They both dressed and shared his meal. They smiled back and forth and occasionally joked about nothing in particular. Rick held Sasha's hand gently and caressed it as she laid her head against his chest. "My uncle will come through Rick. You'll see," she said dreamily.
"I really hope so."
Suddenly there was a clang on the door, "Rick Donnelly it's time to move you. Miss you'll have to wait in the waiting area," said the guard, "You are a witness for the execution aren't you?"
She nodded, "Yes I suppose so."
"You go with Sergeant Martinez there. Rick you come with the rest of us."
She nodded and stood up grabbing her things, "I'll see you later okay?"
"See you later," Rick smiled until she was out of sight. The realization of what was likely to happen had come full circle.
"Here," said the guard tossing him the new shirt and pants, "Change we've got a schedule to keep."
Rick changed silently. His mind racing over all of the possibilities that could happen tonight was the night he could very well die or he could be saved. It was enough to make him weak in the knees as he was walked to a holding cell by the execution chamber.
As Rick waited a priest read him his last rights. The husky looked over at the penguin, "If they execute me do you think I'll go to Heaven?"
"It's not my place to say my son. Only God knows for certain."
"Yeah but, could you ballpark it?"
"You have as good of a chance as anyone else here," he said before exiting the cell, "But if it helps, think of something or someone dear to you and hope you'll be reunited in Heaven."
Rick sat quietly not sure how to respond to that. Slowly his mind went back to her. Sasha, she would make sure everything worked out. But, what if it didn't? What if her uncle didn't go along with it? Rick felt his stomach do a flip as he tried to relax. He looked around the holding area but it was all a stark white and blue. There was nothing to look at nothing of his there. All that was left was him and the memory of her.
After a few minutes Rick was led into the lethal injection room and strapped down. The warden read his prepared statement indicating who Rick was who he was and that he was going to be executed at just past midnight. The old goat then asked Rick, "Do you have anything to say before sentence is carried out?"
"Yes," said Rick.
As Rick faced the spectators he saw her sitting off to the right. At first she was smiling but then he could tell as the reality of what could happen started to settle the worry that he felt entered her eyes. Rick took a deep breath and looked at the audience, "I'm not a murderer. I'm a lot of things but not a murderer. Sasha, whatever happens, stay strong. One way or another we'll see each other again. I promise."
With that Rick was lowered back into position and the final wait began. As the seconds dragged by Rick could feel his heart racing he tilted his head towards where Sasha was and could see she was panicking too. He watched her mouth as she muttered the words, "Uncle please," her bright blue eyes wet with tears.
"Stay strong Sasha, please. Stay strong love," he said as the clock reached the time.
"Any call," asked the warden. The guard said no.
"Then we're a go," said the executioner as he flipped the switch.
As Rick slowly began to fade he could see Sasha crying. Once again separated by the glass she might as well have been a million miles away. He could almost hear her through the glass as she wailed frantically begging them to stop, that her uncle would come through that they just needed more time.
With every ounce of strength he could muster fighting off the drug as best he could he shouted, "Sasha I love you. I will see you again! This side or the next, I-, "then slowly the drug took hold and dragged him into a dark slumber.
As Rick slowly faded he kept her in his heart, soul and mind. Sasha, the one he loved, no matter where he was he would wait for her and her piercing blue eyes. He would wait for her with open arms and welcome her to the world they could never have in this one.
Story By Vincent Wolfe
Sasha is owned by Statik on FA