Anthony

Anthony stood still, he lifted his eyes and looked at the early morning sun gradually rising. Throughout the night he couldn't close his eyes to sleep. Whenever he tries, the thought of the barbarous act will flash through his memory. After several attempts, the last one before the break of the day was nearly successful when the scream from the other cell woke him up. He regretted his behaviour last night, after promising his mom to turn a new leaf. What would my mom think about me this time, he thought.

He stood at the door of the cell, hoping that a family member would come and bail him out. Yet this time, he stayed longer than necessary.

He was still feeling pains from his left limb as a result of yesterday's fight he had with the cell commander, who asked him to pay a certain amount of money before he could be allowed to stay peacefully.

He portrayed himself as the landlord of the cell. According to information, he's the oldest occupant of the cell, hence he's regarded as the Don.

Yesterday, when Anthony was brought to the station by two police officers, they stripped him of his dress and left him with only boxer pants.

The entrance to the cell was made of iron, carefully fixed to the wall from both ends, such that when it's locked, no one can easily break it open.

As Anthony entered, the stench from the bucket where they passed faeces and urine greeted him. The inside was dark, such that at first you couldn't count the exact number of people inside. At first, he saw three lanky guys, all appearing malnourished and ill-treated. They created him and extended a hand for a shake. Anthony declined and stayed in a corner.

“Who goes you?” a voice from the end of the cell thundered. Anthony turned towards the direction of the voice and saw three other guys.

“Welcome to our domain” another said, walking towards Anthony
“As you've come, I hope that your dues are ready” the other said, limping toward him too.

Anthony stood up; he knew that he was in great danger and was ready to battle them.

The police cell is one of the most notorious places in the world, a place where suspected criminals are kept until they're taken to the law court. Most cells, especially those from most African countries, are the worst places to keep humans. In this place, people are treated as animals, no good food, poor hygiene, most times, people prefer to die than to be kept in such a place.

“Anthony,” the mother called. “How many times have I warned you to control yourself whenever you are angry, before you put yourself in very big trouble”
“Mama, I am sorry that it happened this time again, it wasn't my intention to react that way”, he said, feeling sorry for what he did.
“You always say this every time yet no remarkable changes in character” she insisted
“Mama, it's not true,” Anthony defended. “On two occasions, I walked out of situations that would have warranted me to react”, he added.
“I was told that because some army officers were around that's why you behaved yourself”
“It's not true” he insisted
“So your pastor lied against you”?
At this point, Anthony was silent
“Oya talk na” her mom insisted
“But I've been trying recently” he muttered
“Trying ke,” she said, looking sternly at Anthony. “Despite the training that we've given to you, the money we've spent on therapies, and many others to get the best out of you, yet nothing positive has come out of your lifestyle, what else do you want us to do?” “Answer!!” She raised her voice.

Anthony remained close-mouthed as his face dropped to the ground

“We have spent a lot of money on avoidable cases, just to salvage you from the many troubles you put yourself and the entire family”, she sobs, and tears rolled down her face.

“What else do you want us to do for you”? “You've dragged the name of this family through the mud, I don't have the rest of my mind, whenever you're out of my sight”

Anthony left his seat and came to the floor where his mom sat, he held her up and vowed never to misbehave any longer.

“Promise me this time that you'll stick to your word” she asked
“I'll, Mama”, he assured.

Image source: MetaAi generated

A couple of months have passed, and Tony has fondly called had not caused any issue in school, and news had not been to the house about Tony until it was their departmental social night, when a group of boys came around and talked to Tony's girlfriend.

Tony was at the bar area getting drinks for himself and his girlfriend and upon returning, he met three guys talking to his woman. A sight that Tony never wanted to behold.

Not wanting to know what they were talking about, he immediately dropped the two bottles of beer to the ground, tore his clothes and ran furiously towards them. The three boys muscled with him. In the end, they destroyed tables and chairs and some bottles of drinks and glasses. There was commotion, and people started running helter-skelter, and suddenly the police arrived and took Tony away.