The Set Up

By Kevin Francis

In jail, Kane plots to escape, unaware of his warden, Nial, who has had eyes on him the whole time while he was in prison. It is suddenly aware to Kane that it has become his mission to find out the reality of why his father had really been jailed; he has to bring justice home. During this quite slow 'escape plan', Kane makes a friend, Jade Fleming, a flared-up girl who had been jailed for her involvement in a brutal stabbing in a local park. As their friendship nurtures during their aims to escape, Kane grows fond of Jade but tries to keep his feelings to himself.
Eventually, Kane and Jade break out of prison and they are now fugitives. Highly determined to prove Kane's father's innocence, they both set out to see to his father's wishes. In pursuit of the men behind Demetrius Ross' arrest, Kane and Jade are accompanied by Omar and Johnny, two bodyguards who were requested to look out for the young couple. It's a race against time; does Kane have what it takes?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kevin Francis
• Release date: Nov 7, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310551215

Kevin Francis

Just a beginner with a dream and passion for writing books. Give my first book, 'The Set Up' a try and I can guarantee you will not regret it. I am a young writer, from England, UK and I am really friendly. As I said, I like writing and hope to be a fast-time favourite soon!

Book preview

The Set Up

Kevin Francis

Published by Kevin Francis at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favourite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 1

Shovelling the soft earth from the ground, Kane Ross wiped sweat away from his forehead. He had been working on the farm for six consecutive hours, longing for a break and fed up. Times lately had been really hard for him with his father serving time, leaving him and his mother to pick up the broken pieces of the house. There was hardly ever peace anymore; Kane always staying up late cleaning the house because his mother would cry into her pillow almost every night. Then even after cleaning, Kane would comfort his poor mother, reassuring her and cradling her on his shoulder. It angered Kane to acknowledge his life had changed over a short period of time. He bunked school on a number of occasions, roaming around London looking for a job. However no-one would take him in. It took him three weeks of having to plead with councils before he got his farm job. It paid very little but Kane didn’t care. Every single penny earned would be placed in a jar in the kitchen which would be used for whatever was needed for the house. Kane worked very hard to ensure his boss he was worth paying.

Life hadn’t always been like this for the Ross family. Kane remembered nights where he and his parents would go out for a meal of Kane’s choice. Kane never forgot the atmosphere of the evening out- the cheerful smiles, laughter around the table and love. All that had shattered in a matter of weeks. Kane wasn’t even fully aware of why his dad was in prison. His mother had told him it was because of dealing drugs although when Kane asked her, she would become defensive and start crying immensely. Kane always wondered when this habit had occurred. His father was a bulky, intimidating character but dealing drugs had never crossed Kane’s mind. It surprised and hurt him deeply to realise there must have been a series of steps as to how this occurred. Nowadays Kane and his mother would visit their criminal father and husband at the police station on a Sunday. From outside of a police station, Kane always guessed it was a rowdy place inside the building. Although when visiting, the atmosphere shocked him- each prisoner was quiet, listening intently to their relatives or friends, feeding off of their words. He also noticed the same with his father. He had only been in prison for five months but it was as if the metal bars and compound space had changed him completely. His face lacked seriousness and he always looked lost, as if he couldn’t believe he was in prison.

Back on the farm, Kane noticed the head of the ranch approaching him slowly. Kane stood his shovel up on the dirt pile and watched Tom take steady steps towards him. Tom could have been the nicest man to Kane ever since chaos had corrupted his life. Feeling sorry for his situation, Tom took Kane in to work for him after his mum had approved of it and treated him like his own. After Kane’s experience with every other job interview, he felt he owed his life to Tom. However, when Tom neared him, Kane’s jaw dropped. In Tom’s left hand was Kane’s personal penknife.

Kane…what is this? Tom asked worriedly.

Kane took a deep breath. He had been busted. Kane carried a knife around with him when on the streets as a form of self-defence when up against useless thugs. He didn’t cause trouble on the street; he actually found it wiser to avoid it. On top of everything going on, he didn’t want Tom to judge him.

Tom, it’s actually nothing major. I carry it around for self-defence. Honest. Cross my heart. Tom rolled his tongue around in his mouth for a moment before speaking.

You see Kane, I’d like to believe you but it seems unlikely that someone would want to cause trouble. I mean, you don’t see a lot of stabbings or gun crimes on a regular basis. Anyway, why-

Kane cut in. Actually, I’ve seen quite a few stabbings lately on T.V- four in just the last month. Not that you would know though… Kane knew he shouldn’t have said that. Tom didn’t have any source of entertainment in his house so he wouldn’t know what happening on the news. Tom gritted his teeth.

Don’t take that tone with me young man. The point is, even if there are stabbings going round, does walking around with a knife make you any better? No. I want you to leave this ranch and never come back here again, thank you. I took you in because of what happened with your father but it seems you are just following his footsteps…

Now it was Kane’s turn to be angry. No one bad-mouthed his parents in his presence.

How dare you! He shouted. He lifted the shovel from the ground and swung it at Tom. The metal plated smacked Tom’s cheek and Kane heard a bone snap. Tom fell down into the pit Kane had created and laid still. Kane instantly knew he was dead- a man his age wouldn’t have survived a blow like that. For a moment Kane had realised what he had done. He killed Tom. Kane threw away the shovel in disgust, taking in massive gulps of air suddenly mindful of the seriousness of what he had done. Kane found it hard to breathe for a couple of minutes and before he knew it, he felt the ground make way for him as he collapsed in a bundle.

Chapter 2

The stern look on the policeman’s face didn’t look inviting. The last thing Kane remembered was blue and red lights accompanied with high-pitched sirens whisking him away from the crime scene. Kane knew it had already been confirmed he was the cause of Tom’s death. The room he was currently in was modern- the only furniture in it was a table and three wooden chairs; yet there was enough space to host a party here. On the table was a tape recorder which was already on and rolling. There were two people in the room- Kane and a policeman. Kane’s mum had already been rung up and was on her way there. Kane’s details and DNA samples had also been taken; he had been dressed in a new set of clothes as well. Consequently, Kane had paid the price for taking words to heart. Shut up, Kane told himself. You’re only angering yourself.

Do you realise that you have taken an innocent old man’s life because of your actions? The policeman asked Kane, spitting in his face whilst talking. Kane nodded slowly. The policeman sighed.

According to our information, you are sixteen years of age. Therefore your potential penalty is twelve years- two in the juvenile centre and the rest in proper custody. I strongly imagine this will be the verdict in your upcoming trial. Do you hear me?

Yes. Kane spat the single syllable out.

Then I believe we are done here. The police man stood up without looking back at Kane and left the room, locking the door behind him. Kane looked around him. There were two CCTV cameras focused on him from the back of the room. Kane wasn’t really scared or intimidated, more stupid and insecure. He got up and tried the door. Stupid move. He sat back down and thought in silence. What would his mother say when he meets her? Would his dad hear about this? Would he ever see him daily? Kane punched a wall in frustration. How could he have acted so carelessly and thoughtlessly? Those weren’t even the appropriate words worth using. Kane closed his eyes and tried to forget the world.

Kane opened his eyes instantly, hearing a lock turn. Another policeman came through the door and beckoned Kane to follow him. Kane got up reluctantly and followed the man to the reception area where his mum had been waiting for him.

Kane! Oh my God. I can’t believe this…I knew one day you would get yourself into trouble…but not like this! There’s no way I can help you out- we barely have enough money to last us the rest of this week. She sobbed continuously. Kane winced. His mother was obviously not in good shape. From her pale and green face down to the stick like figure she had, Kane almost couldn’t recognise her. Kane realised soon there wouldn’t be a penny left to spend on food and with his mother’s developing condition, there wasn’t an easy way to obtain money.

Are you even paying attention? Kane’s mother screamed hysterically, not caring who was looking.

Mum. I don’t know what to say; it’s just Tom spoke bad of Dad and my blood boiled…

So you killed him! She started crying again. Kane noticed a police officer approaching loudly.

Excuse me, he said quietly, we’re going to have to part Kane from you, Mrs Ross. We’ll see you in a couple of weeks for the hearing.

The officer pulled Kane away without another word. Kane looked