The rule of three

Lucky

Dean stood up angrily and turned to face the man. Yanking his shirt, he swung his fist and punched his jaw. 

He watched the man's eyes roll back in his head and punched him again. This time boxing him near his ears. 

He tossed the man away as soon as he went limp in his hands. Then he turned and fought the other men.

"Stop Dean." He heard Jasper say and he finally came back to his senses. A deep sense of sadness washed over him. He knew instinctively he would not be going home tomorrow. 

As he turned to walk away, he felt something cold pierce his side. 

At first he felt nothing except harsh breathing against his neck. He turned to see Marshall was staring back with excited eyes like an insane man.

Then he finally felt the pain. Dean looked down and saw the knife buried in his stomach, only the hilt was visible. 

"I swore you will never leave this place." Marshall said. Dean's legs gave way under him and he came down with a heavy loud crash. 

His sight became blurry but he could still see everyone running away, back into the building. 

Only Jasper came towards him and held his hand screaming out. "Help, help." 

Dean smiled in confusion wondering if this was it. Was today the day he died? 

But he was supposed to get three more reminders. Was his grandmother wrong? She had told him as a child about the rule of three. 

Everyone got a silent reminder three years, three months, three days and three hours before their death to hurry up their activities on earth. 

Why was he at death's door now after just getting his first reminder only a few minutes ago. 

Or had he not been paying attention before and missed the rest?

He felt people surrounding him and then pulling him into a stretcher. He could not keep his eyes open anymore so he closed them and let the darkness take him.

***

When he opened his eyes again, he saw bright lights everywhere. There was a measured beeping sound nearby too. 

He looked around and relaxed. He was at the hospital. 

He finally noticed the dull but pulsing ache on his side. 

His heart beat faster as he pulled up the lightweight hospital dressing gown he was wearing with his left hand to take a look. His right hand was cuffed to the bed.

The place he had been stabbed was neatly bandaged, and he could feel stitches beneath it. 

He collapsed back on the bed in exhaustion and relief.

Just then, a nurse walked in. Her mouth and eyes widened in surprise. 

"Mr Connor. You're awake." She said moving quickly to his bedside. 

"Looks like it." Dean said dryly, trying to smile. 

"Lay still and I will call the doctor." She said as she clicked on a button, and then went on to check his vitals. 

The doctor came and after some physical examination declared him LUCKY. 

"We spent hours in the surgery room trying to save your life. Even then, we were not certain how you would recuperate." The doctor said.

"Thank you Doc." Dean said in genuine gratitude. When the doctor and nurse left, Dean sank into deep thoughts. 

Since there was still a metal handcuff on his wrist, and some police officer stood just outside the door, he was still a prisoner. 

Only now he doubted he would be leaving as planned. 

Marshall was a notorious trouble maker. But if he had not said the things he said, Dean was certain he would have not lost control of his temper and fought back.

But what is done is done. 

He could only hope he had not completely jeopardised his chances of getting released. 

He had served his time in full and had been looking forward to leaving. 

***

Dean was taken straight to the prison chief executive's office after the doctors proclaimed him well enough. 

He was led into the room, in an orange coloured jumpsuit, with his hands cuffed in front. 

He greeted everyone present in the room.

The chief executive and a very wealthy looking couple who Dean did not know their identity were seated in the room.

"Is this the bear who dared to lay his paws on my precious son." The woman said standing up. Her eyes flashed in fury. 

Dean recognised her then. The resemblance between her and Marshall were unmistakable. 

"We will get to that Mrs Miller." The chief said firmly. "Take a seat 1722." He said to Dean, addressing him by his prison number.

Dean obeyed.

"Why did you attack Marshall?" The director barked sternly.

"I was defending myself." Dean said simply. 

"Liar!" Mrs Miller screamed. "My son would never hurt anyone."

Dean said nothing. There was no need to, there were witnesses, physical proof too. The wound from the stab was still there. 

"You wretched thing. You sit there calmly and accuse my son." Mrs Miller continued shouting. She stood up again and tried to attack him but some guards restrained her. 

"Sit down Sophia." Her husband finally spoke up. She moved her weight from foot to foot restlessly in displeasure, before she finally took her seat. 

"Call him in." Mr Miller said, turning back to the Chief. 

The Chief nodded to the guard at the door. The guard went out and returned with Marshall.

Marshall walked in, handcuffed just like Dean and was made to stand at the centre of the room. His head was all bandaged up.

"1689. How did 1722 get a stab wound." The chief asked directly. 

"He attacked me, I was simply defending myself." Marshall said, in the most innocent tone Dean had ever heard from him. 

Dean turned to look at him in surprise, why would he lie so blatantly. 

"I told you." Mrs Miller said triumphantly. "My son would never hurt anyone. This criminal must be punished for telling a lie against my son." She said

"There is no need for any of that mom. I would accept a simple apology." Marshall said. 

Dean looked up to see Marshall's eyes gleaming with mischief. "If he gets on his knees and beg for my forgiveness I will forgive him."

"He will still be punished." The chief said. "This is a correctional facility, and we don't condone violence."

"I was only defending myself." Dean finally spoke up. He could not keep getting punished for something he did not do. The powerful and wealthy have oppressed him all his life and even threw him in prison. 

"What proof do you have?" Mr Miller asked calmly, looking at Dean. He had a quiet voice.

"The other inmates will testify. Ask anyone there." Dean responded. 

He saw Marshall exchange glances with his mother. He saw the victorious smile on his lips and realised he just made a grave mistake.