For Better And For Worse
Chapter 69

Prison.

The champion’s family came to visit him. They were searched one by one from head to toe then they were taken to a room and Krist was brought to them. He hugs them one after the other and then they talk.

Vincent: how come this time the visit is different?

Krist: Let’s just say I got some privileges. How are you dad?

Vincent: for a father who knows his son is in prison, it’s quite difficult to sleep.

Krist: Yes, I understand. How are you mom ?

Odette: ah my son, don’t worry about me, otherwise you would die of worry. Tell me instead how are you?

Krist: I’m doing great, mom. It was difficult at first but now it’s okay.

Odette: I’m glad to know.

Krist: how are you Stella?

Stella: I am very well Krist and I am very happy that you are well.

Krist: yes me too. Tell me how is Marie my love?

Isabelle: Marie is doing wonderfully, darling.

Odette & Vincent: Marie?

Isabelle: yes, we named our baby Marie. You can choose the name.

Vincent: ah, it’s a pretty first name. Her name will be Ménodjilembaye Marie. What do you say about it ?

Krist: yes, it’s a cool name. It means the love of God, I like it.

Isabelle: yes, me too, I agree.

Krist: so master, is everything okay?

Célestin: yes, everything is getting better and better. And I bring you good news.

Krist: I’m listening to you.

Célestin: the arrest of Gauthier’s men provided us with new evidence to exonerate you. There’s a prosecutor’s meeting with the judge, jury and I this evening to review his evidence and there’s a good chance you’ll be found innocent, if so, you’re out tonight.

Krist was filled with emotion as he waited for these words.

Krist: Really!

Célestin: yes.

Isabelle: you are going to be freed my love.

Krist: thank you very much master, thank you for all your efforts and thank you all for supporting me in your prayers, thank you.

He hugs them all at once. It was a long hug. After that, they say goodbye. So the five return home. Krist was taken back to his room.

Krist’s home.

Once home, Isabelle gets into the kitchen to prepare for her in-laws. She receives a message from Roger.

Roger: please Isabelle, you must believe in the sincerity of my apologies and forgive me. I know how vile and shameful it is to have tried to do this. I saw you so radiant and I couldn’t control my urge. If you know how much I miss Isabelle. Forgive me.

She reads the message but she doesn’t give a response while the doctor is impatiently waiting for one but in vain. Isabelle finishes her meal and serves food to her in-laws. Everyone is waiting for the evening to bring Krist home.

Prison.

When it’s time to eat, Krist is at the table with all his friends and he tells them the good news.

Krist: Friends, I think my days here are going to be short.

Leo: what do you mean?

Krist: God willing, I’m getting out of prison today.

Olivier: wow, how is that possible?

Krist: They found new evidence that exonerates me.

Aristide: I told you, Krist: if you believe you will see the glory of God.

Krist: May God forgive me for all my moments of confusion and doubt.

Leo: I’m happy for you Krist.

Olivier: we all are, you didn’t belong here.

Krist: thank you friends. God will be with you. Ah thank you Lord, I will be able to see my son born and grow up.

Aristide: courage!

On the other side.

Val: everyone is ready boss.

Bayoko: ok, starting tonight, we’re leaving this filthy place. And we kill as many guards as possible. These bastards who treat us like numbers rather than treating us like humans.

Val: we’re going to make a massacre.

Bayoko: I’ll take a bonus, the director’s daughter.

Val: yes! We’re going to do it han!

Bayoko: The boss’s food belongs to the boss. By the way, we’re going to settle his score too.

He said this while looking at Krist. After the meal, they are taken back to the cell.

Courthouse.

At 3 p.m. as planned, the prosecutor, the judge and the jurors meet at the courthouse to deal with new evidence on the Krist case. The prosecutor makes his submissions and Maître Célestin gets up to give a speech and present his evidence. Everyone saw and heard this evidence but to bring more veracity to their evidence, the meeting is suspended and each juror is called to bring their child or wife who was kidnapped that day to testify.

Hotel Le bon vivre.

Gordjo arrives in town in a private jet. Francis meets him on landing with a rented car and drives him to the hotel where he is staying. After recharging his batteries, Gordjo decides to pay Bruno a surprise visit to his company.

Bruno’s company.

The secretary tells Bruno that he has a visitor. He tells him to bring the person in and Gordjo enters. His men are waiting for him in the parking lot with Francis.

Gordjo: good evening Mr. Gauthier.

Bruno recognizes that it is Gordjo by his voice and by the name he called him.

Bruno: Mr. Gordjo!

Gordjo: in the flesh. Please have a sit !

Bruno sits down.

Gordjo: I heard about what happened, this is the second time this has happened.

Bruno: I will succeed in taking back your merchandise, sir.

Gordjo: how?

Bruno: I already did it once.

Gordjo: yes, by taking Commander Léon’s daughter hostage. It was bold. But now, what leverage do you have, tell me? All your men have been arrested, you have nothing left, you are all alone so how do you plan to get there?

Bruno: I’m thinking about it.

Gordjo: you know what they say, there is no mercy in business so you have until the end of the month to get my money back, otherwise I’ll come back and I won’t be as courteous. Goodbye Mr. Gauthier.

He gets up and goes out to join his men. He climbs.

Francis: are we going to the prison?

Gordjo: it’s still 4 p.m., we’re not going to leave with an inmate in broad daylight, we’ll wait a bit.

Francis: okay, but the prison is quite far from the city so, at 5 p.m., we should leave.

Gordjo: OK.

So they return to the hotel.

Courthouse.

All the witnesses were there, everyone explained the circumstances of their kidnapping that day, except those who were not able to explain it (children). After their hearing, the prosecutor, the judge and the jurors declared Krist not guilty and they made a decision to release him duly signed that they handed him over to Célestin. So he returns home to change and then goes to Isabelle’s house where it is already 5 p.m. They are starting to get ready. Gordjo and Francis leave the hotel towards the prison before Célestin and Krist’s family leave.

Prison.

The sun was ready to set. Bayoko and Val start bickering and fighting in the cell. Everyone was ready. A guard arrives.

Guard: Hey, what’s going on here? Stop this immediately!

They continue to fight and they open the cell to try to calm them down but they attack him and get out of the cell. More guards arrive and they fight them off, running towards the engine room. They fight until they make it. They kill those controlling the room and they open all the cells. All the prisoners come out and it’s total chaos. They beat the guards like trash. They even fight among themselves to the point of killing each other. They tie up the guards, tear their clothes, throw them from the top of the floor.

Bayoko: burn everything, I’ll get the nurse.

Val: at your orders boss.

Val causes a power surge and explodes the room. The echo is heard. Krist goes out and finds his friends. He sees the guards who are mistreated, others even burned alive and he decides to help them. The director locked in his office appeals for help to the authorities outside.

Krist runs up to the inmates who are mistreating the guards and fights them and then frees them. The inmates also turn on him and he beats them like never before. Claire was still caring for Corneille. Bayoko arrives and catches him. He goes out with her. Corneille gets up and also wants to take advantage of the opportunity to escape. Krist breaks the legs and arms of several inmates to protect himself and to save the guards. He sees Bayoko bringing Claire and he climbs the stairs to stand in front of them.

Krist: Let go!

Bayoko: get out of my way Krist.

Krist: I told you to let go.

He releases her and rushes towards Krist. They fight and Krist knocks him out. Val comes up behind him to stab him but Claire screams so he turns around, stops her hands and headbutts her which knocks her out. She then runs to fall into his arms then she k****s him on the lips.

Krist: Do that again and I’ll hand you over to these people. Follow me !

They leave and he fights with the inmates who charge at him. He sees Corneille fleeing from a distance and he chases him, asking Claire to hide. He arrests him in the prison yard, outside the cells and knocks him out. He stays there and prevents all the inmates who have just escaped. The bodies were spread out in the prison courtyard. Krist goes back inside and Gordjo enters the prison yard with one of his men. Calm has returned a little and the director leaves his office to come into the hall. Krist is still fighting with some inmates. Bayoko gets up and grabs Claire, the director arrives and shoots her. Claire runs to fall into his arms. Other inmates get up and come towards them.

Hector: run my darling, go lock yourself in my office. She complies and he shoots the inmates. The bullets end and only one inmate remains. He gives him a violent blow to knock him out. Krist also knocks out the last one he fights and they hear applause. They turn around and see Gordjo with one of his men holding a briefcase.

Gordjo: impressive!

Hector: Who are you?

They find themselves in the infirmary.

Gordjo: I am a businessman and I came from very far for your champion. Here’s 10 million, you take it and sell it to me.

He takes a wad of cash and smells it.

Hector: ok, it’s yours.

Gordjo: thank you.

The director gives them a pair of handcuffs and they leave his office. Krist was talking with his friends when they arrived. He calls out to her and Krist turns around.

Gordjo: turn around!

He turns around and puts handcuffs on him then they take him away. The director will stand in front of a burning body. Claire arrives.

Claire: Dad, who is it?

Hector: the champion of fights, they took revenge on him.

Claire: no, no, not him.

Claire cries with all her strength and wanted to catch the body while it was still burning. His father catches him and takes him somewhere else.

Outside, Gordjo and his guard leave the prison and go down into the bush. Krist’s family and the police arrive at the same time.

Krist sees them from afar and tries to scream but his mouth is stuck. So he looks at his family from afar, very worried and not knowing who these people are, or where they are taking him.