Chapter 1 - The Glass Wall
The visitation room at Red Creek County Jail was unusually quiet that afternoon. The walls were painted a dull gray, the fluorescent lights above buzzed softly, and the thick glass partitions separated inmates from their visitors. Every few minutes, the sound of a metal door opening or closing echoed through the hallway. Nine-year-old Noah sat beside his aunt in the waiting area, swinging his legs nervously. He had been staring at the same spot on the floor for almost ten minutes. His aunt gently placed a hand on his shoulder. “She’ll be here soon.” Noah nodded, but he didn’t answer. His mother had been in jail for three weeks. Three weeks since police officers had arrived at their apartment in the middle of the night. Three weeks since his mother, Marissa, had been taken away wearing handcuffs. And three weeks since Noah had heard the words that had changed everything. “Your mother is being arrested.” Noah still didn’t understand how the woman who packed his lunch every morning, helped him with homework, and kissed his forehead before bed could suddenly be called a criminal. He knew his mother. She wasn’t perfect. But she wasn’t a criminal. A heavy door opened. A corrections officer appeared. “Noah?” The boy immediately stood. “Yes.” “Visitation room. Follow me.” Noah grabbed his aunt’s hand. They walked through several security doors before reaching the visitation area. Noah’s heart began beating faster. Then he saw her. His mother was sitting on the other side of the thick glass. She was wearing an orange jail jumpsuit. Her hair was pulled back, and her eyes were red from crying. For a moment, neither of them moved. Then Marissa saw her son. Her lips trembled. “Noah…” The boy rushed toward the glass. His mother stood up and placed her palm against it. Noah placed his hand against the other side. Their hands lined up perfectly. For several seconds, they simply looked at each other. Marissa tried to smile. But the smile quickly disappeared. She began crying. “Mom…” “I’m okay, baby.” “No, you’re not.” Marissa shook her head. “I don’t want you worrying about me.” Noah’s eyes filled with tears. “Why are you still here?” His mother looked down. “I told you. Everything is going to be okay.” “But they said you stole money.” Marissa looked at him carefully. “I didn’t.” “You didn’t?” “I swear to you, Noah. I didn’t do anything wrong.” Two security officers stood several feet behind Marissa, watching quietly. Noah pressed his hand harder against the glass. “Then why won’t they let you go?” His mother’s eyes filled with tears again. “I don’t know.” She swallowed. “But listen to me.” Noah looked at her. “Your mom is innocent, baby. I did nothing wrong.” Noah’s expression changed. His tears continued falling, but his voice became firm. “I trust you, Mom.” Marissa closed her eyes. Then Noah whispered something that frightened her. “I’ll make them suffer for what they did to you.” Marissa immediately shook her head. “No!” Noah looked surprised. “Mom—” “Noah, listen to me.” She pressed both hands against the glass. “Don’t let anger destroy your life.” “But they took you away!” “I know.” “They treated you like a criminal!” “I know.” “Then somebody has to pay!” Marissa shook her head. “No. You focus on your future.” Noah wiped his face. “I’ll bring you home, Mother. I promise you.” Marissa broke down. She placed her forehead against the glass, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs as the guard stepped forward. “Time’s up, kid. Let’s go.” As Noah was led away, he looked back over his shoulder one last time. He didn't know who had framed his mother, or why the wealthy directors of the Red Creek Trust Fund had pointed their fingers at her. But as the heavy steel door clicked shut behind him, the nine-year-old boy made a silent vow. He would find the truth. And everyone who had a hand in destroying his family would pay.
