Sunjackers: Juvenile Delinquent System
Tempest sat forlornly in his seat looking at his reflection in the window of the police van. His white mane looked so silly cut as short as it was, and he’s purple eyes were nearly red from crying. He could still hear the judges’ verdict playing over and over again as the car drove him to the juvenile prison. ‘Guilty’ he had been of course, that one fact was the only thing keeping him from sobbing. He had been guilty, but he’d been so, so hungry, and the soup kitchen hadn’t had any food for him for a week and some days.
They said ‘the truck was on its way’ or ‘The first two routes were shut down so it’s taking a while’. He’d been the last of the beggars to show up to the empty kitchen until finally they said, ‘The trucks not coming’. Those words had hurt far worse than ‘Guilty’ ever could have. It was then he’d given up hope, had such a crisis of faith, that he’d not only stole a loaf of bread, but just out of spite to Celestia stole a candy bar too.
The police caught him seconds after he’d finished his ill-gotten dessert. He looked out at the dark night sky with not even the moon to give light to the black void only lit by the stars. He gazed out shivering as the cold began to set in, at least one good thing had come of it. He’d quickly come to the conclusion that the hunger had been a test, and he had failed, but in order to fail the test somebody has to give it to you. His faith in Celestia was for as far as he was concerned now completely unshakable. Though even with his new found faith he felt a shudder of fear at the sight of the juvenile correctional facility.
He could see the bight spotlights on the guard towers aiming spot lights into the courtyard of the prison. There were four guard towers, and the prison was surrounded by a single chain-link fence with a roll of barbed wire wrapped around the top. There were two large buildings, and a couple of smaller ones spread about the prison complex. The van pulled in and came to a stop. “Alright you little hooligan welcome to your new home for the next nine months. Grab your things and get out,” the guard, a white Pegasus, said.
“Things?” Tempest looked up at the guard. He couldn’t see his eyes or mane through the vizor of their helmet.
“Didn’t your folks give you supplies?”
"I don’t have folks.” The guard looked at him before sighing.
"That at least explains a few things.” He threw the blanket he’d been keeping warm under. “Take that with you. The blankets in these places are extremely thin, now out.” His tone was a bit softer, but still carried an air of authority that Tempest didn’t want angry at him. He moved out of the van quickly. Two more guards were waiting for him when he stepped out into the snow. They both look down to him and with a bit of a push got him moving to the first of the big buildings.
The building was warm and well lit. They took pictures of him and gave him an orange jump suit. That he changed into under the watch of the guards, and they put a magic nullification ring on him. Then they escorted him to an office that they said had the warden. Tempest was pushed into the room were a large and mean looking stallion sat. He looked him over.
“So, you’re Tempest Tossed?” The warden looked him over with a bit of a sneer.
“Yes si-“
“Did I tell you to speak!” He roared making the little colt jump startled and scared. “When you answer nod or shake your head; I don’t want to hear so much as a squeak from you got it!” Tempests head bobbed up and down several times in rapid succession. “You learn fast that’s good. Now, you’re here for nine months for petty theft correct?” Again, his head bobbed up and down. “And your parents or legal guardians have been informed that you were sent here correct?” He hesitated for a moment before shaking his head side to side. “And why not, runt?” Tempest looked at him extremely confused unsure how he should convey his answer. “Answer me you little brat!”
“I’m an orphan sir.” Tempest made himself as small as he could. The warden smiled, and Tempest somehow felt himself become even smaller.
“So, there’s not even a single soul that’ll miss you outside of these walls isn’t that interesting.” He looked over the baby blue unicorn colt with a look of pure malice. “Well then runt get out of my office, and you. He’s only allowed one meal a day we don’t want him to start like the prison system Now do we.” Tempest felt one of the guards behind him grab him by the collar of his orange uniform and drag him off toward the second big building. The second building was a lot colder than the first, though it was just as bright. It was one large room with a bunch of tables in the middle, and cells along the walls. He was led to a small six-by-six cell and pushed in.
"Alright runt, stay there until supper got it.” Tempest’s head bobbed up and down.
“Yes sir,” he squeaked. He moved into his bed and pulled both covers over him still shivering from the cold.
"Hiya, so you’s my new partner while’s I’s here huh?” A squeaky feminine voice asked. Tempest looked over to the other bed not realizing that it was occupied. A bat pony filly about the same size as him looked back. “So’s kid how old iz yas?” She asked.
“Ten-ish,” he answered.
“You’s are really small for ten-ish.” She laughed. “I’s as big as you’s and I’s only eight those in a weeks or sos I’s a gonna be’s turnin’ nine.”
“Why are you here?”
“I’s hit my principle for callin’ me a flyin’ rat pony. He’s a mean pony, kinda like the Warden.” Tempest felt a shiver at the mere mention of the warden. “How’s about you’s why’s you’s in here’s with me?”
“I-I stole some bread and a candy bar. Because the truck that takes food to the soup kitchen hadn’t been there for a week and a few days. And I was angry at Celestia so I stole the candy bar.” He started crying. “I didn’t want to steal but I was so hungry and then the truck didn’t come, and they said it wasn’t coming.”
“There’s there’s it’s all good yeah.” Tempest sniffed as the bat pony walked over to him and patted him on the shoulder. “Scape’s gonna makes sures that the others treat you’s good, and they’s got a church to Celestia out in the yard so’s all you’s do is go there when they let us out. I’ll’s show it to ya’s yeah?”
“O-okay.” He hiccupped. “M-my names, Tempest Tossesd.”
“And I’s Scape Goat.””
“B-but you a bat not a goat.” He sniffed
“Well at least you’s eyes working!” Scape laughed. “We’s gonna get along great you’s and me’s don’t ya worry.” She smiled and patted him on the back. "You's are gonna be okays don'ts ya worrys about it."
The first five months of his sentence passed with each day being much the same the guards woke them up at 5:40 AM made them stand by their beds as they were searched then marched them to the yard for exercises. After that they were made the other colts and fillies were sent to get breakfast while Tempest Tossed was told to make himself scarce until lunch time he would stay in the church to Celestia and listen to what was being said or help the reverend with whatever was needed. Then one day about two week into the fifth month of his sentence he was grabbed by two guards after lunch and dragged into the warden's office.
"Well I've been told you've been a little model prisoner," The warden said.
"Yes si-"
"Did you forget what I told you the last time you were here! Paddle him!" One of the guards at his side took a paddle and hit his bare flank hard. Tempest screamed in pain. "Don't even make a noise unless I give you permission! Again." There was a loud wack as the wooden paddle hit his flank again. This time he grit his teeth and held his scream in. "Now I pulled some stings and have found a way to get you off early." His smile sent a shiver down Tempest's spine. "You can't read can you?" Tempest shook his head before hesitating and then nodding. "Can you write?" Again Tempest shook his head side to side. "Perfect come here. I'll take care of this paper work you two take him to the van." With a nod the two guards took the prisoner to the van waiting outside the front door of the first big building. Tempest was driven off, he'd not see the Juvenile Detention Center again.
Eight months later, three officers walked down the medical test labs that were used for prisoners that had signed up for the voluntary program. Security and lab technicians moved out of their way with worried faces as those that didn't move fast enough were shoved to the side. Behind them was a member of Celestia's holy clergy, his face a mix of worry, grief, and anger. They stopped at a door and grabbed on of the technicians. "Open it."
"But-"
"Now!" the scientist gulped and typed on the key pad the door opened to a sterilized four-by-four cell. Sitting in the corner farthest from the door Tempest was curled up in a ball sobbing His hind legs had been replaced with a newer model of prosthetic. "You have two seconds to explain before we charge you with abduction."
"He signed the wavers and all the paper work." The lab technician said. "It came straight from the prison."
"Tempest is ten!" Tempest raised his at the familiar voice of the officer from the van. "Can you sing ABC's with me?" The colt gave the guard a blank stare. "He doesn't even know ABC how could he sign off on this!?" The technician's green face became a sickly pale color. "Come here Tempest we'll make everything better?" The colt got up. "Why is he in this small cell?"
"He's in there for his own protection, he's been cutting himself, look at his forelegs." The technician back-peddled. "I-I need to I'll got get my supervisor!" He turned and ran. Tempest just stared blankly at the wall.
"Thank you for your call. We'll make sure that he get's what he needs." The guard took him and helped lead him out with the reverend while his two colleagues began the investigation.
"And the Heliodryl he'll be needing that?"
"And he'll get it. And whoever is responsible for this will be paying for it, even if it's for the rest of their life." Tempest was guided into a small van and driven off to the nearest shelter.