[Hrtofdrkns]

(for Bare Harold)

Though the old-style prisons had been phased out, the cell occupied by Maria Johnson was an exception. In the basement of the local branch of the Department of Corrections were a row of old-fashioned cells with steel bars. The newly convicted were held there until their rejuvenation, and watched closely.

As part of security protocols, the black-haired Maria was naked to prevent her from using any clothing to form a noose. She was also handcuffed. The cell itself was barren, as she wasn't expected to occupy it for more than a few hours at most.

In the cell next to hers a man paced back and forth nervously, his eyes on the clock in the hallway outside their cells. Like her he wore nothing.

"Damn it!" He hissed. "I can't believe this! It's not like I killed anyone!"

Before Maria could say anything a guard approached her cell, opening it with a set of old-fashioned brass keys.

"Maria Johnson, it's time." He said.