The Great Escape; Prologue

"Put your hands up.
You have the right to remain silent."

Huddling closer into the car, Maxine sniffed, desperately trying to escape the hand cuffs that locked her up - in a cage, she thought.

"Listen, officer, it was a real missunderstanding - Jolinda was the one who did it! She -" started Maxine.

The officer silenced her with a dirty look followed by a grunt.

"Be quiet, girl, you have the right to remain SILENT. Now shush up and stay put or else we'll just leave you in the car."

Maxine gasped softly, a squeaky sound to her voice. She turned on her side - as best as she could, anyway - and glared at Jolinda.

"Chillax, Max," Jolinda whispered, so softly the police officer couldn't hear. Maxine narrowed her eyes, staring grimly.

"I will not 'chillax!' We're going to be put in prison, Joli!" she whispered shrilly. Jolinda rolled her eyes slightly inside her head, patting her shoulder.

"No, we won't," she replied.

The police car curved slightly into the jailhouse, bumping along.

Maxine stared frightfully ahead, hands clenched with fear and anger in the cuffs.