The Barn Owl's Warning

It was dark and a bit foggy when I pulled into the parking lot of the prison. It’s something I’ve been doing five days a week for about seven years now. Working the early morning shift might seem like a lonely task. But I love that quiet time of day. The stillness of everything, even the air, creates a calmness I crave.

It’s a stark contrast to what awaits inside for me. Crazy, dangerous, delinquents, void of basic humanity. Things like kindness, morals, empathy, and reason – nowhere to be found behind these prison walls. This is home to some of the most, vile criminals on earth. And I guess you could say it’s my home too, for 50-hours a week.

It’s not an easy job. I get depressed sometimes. But it’s a job. The pay isn’t that bad, and someone’s got to do it, right? So, why not me?

As I put my car in park, I can hear the crickets disseminating their melodious aria. They are a ritual in my morning routine. So too, is the barn owl calling.

Each morning before I get inside the facility, I wait to hear from Ecco, our resident barn owl. He seems to greet me every day, letting me know all is well, and hopefully, copacetic inside. I usually get three hoots by the time the last metal door closes behind me.

It’s a trek getting into the facility. We park out in a field a good half mile from the entrance, and we maneuver through numerous gates and fencing. I opened the car door, grabbed the cooler with my lunch inside, and headed toward the building.

I maneuvered through some weeds and a few rocks on my path. I looked down and stopped to pick off a few stickers that got stuck to my pants. In that moment, I stood still in anticipation for the second hoot from Ecco. After a few seconds, he didn’t let me down.

Hoooooot. His majestic tone filled the air. The sound made me grin. There are some things in life you really can count on.

Like Hal. He was inside the first security station, just like he is most mornings. “Hey Rich, how’s it hanging?”

“I’m good Hal, how are you?

“Not bad. It’s been a quiet night,” he said. “The dumb asses are getting some shut eye before they kick up their usual shenanigans. Just in time for your shift,” Hal chuckled.

I managed a slight smirk and started toward the first gate, when I realized I hadn’t heard Ecco’s third hoot. He must be tired this morning, I theorized. It was a little foggy. Maybe he couldn’t see me. But it was a silly thought. That wise fowl never missed a third hoot.

While I went to take a step toward the building, instantly the silence of the night was shattered. Not by Ecco. But rather, an explosion of epic proportions rocked the earth beneath my feet.

The prison had erupted into a ball of smoke and flames, shooting sparks and debris into the air. I got knocked back by the force of the explosion. Hal seemed to be speaking, but my ears were ringing so loud I couldn’t gather my bearings, let alone my thoughts or what I was seeing.

A few moments later, Hal grabbed me under my arms and pulled me up off the ground. I vaguely heard him say, “Are you alright?” I nodded aimlessly. Then I was able to catch a few words - warden, 911, fire trucks. I realized Hal had called in the Calvary.

As the ringing began to subside, I could hear the crackling of debris and a few more explosions going off in the middle of what was once Florida’s largest prison, Wilkins Correctional Institute.

My mind was racing. What the hell just happened? How could this happen? Is everyone inside dead? All 1,400 inmates and 13 guards? Each thought was trying to outpace the next.

What about Billy? Billy was my work buddy who never failed to make me laugh. He brought a little light to the darkness lurking behind the walls of Wilkins. He has a gift of just the right temperament to deal with what can be a dismal existence for anyone who lives and works in this place.

Was Billy on time today? Was he already inside for his shift? My stomach sunk, my heart was racing, I felt dizzy with disbelief.

WAAAAHHHHH! Wee-oww! Wee-oww! Woo! Woo! Woo!

The sirens wailed through the air, knocking me out of my daze and right smack into reality.

I looked back at the road leading into the prison and saw rows of fire trucks, police cars and ambulances. All the lights illuminating the sky that just minutes ago was a black abyss. The Calvary had arrived.

Something told me this was just the beginning of a very, very, long day. A lot of questions awaited me from the local authorities, ATF, FBI, maybe even Homeland Security. Not to mention the warden, my boss.

It could be weeks, maybe even months, before we find out who or what caused this explosion. If it was an accident, or an intentional barrage, sparked by some local wacko white supremacy group or a terrorist attack of some sort. Who knows?

While all of that was racing through my brain, I was still thinking about Billy? I sent him a text and even tried calling his cell phone, but he didn’t pick up. Was he inside or maybe in that line of cars trying to get into the parking lot?

Then I heard it. Ecco’s third hoot. A sound so clear, it seemed to drown out the commotion filling the night sky.

I started to think, Ecco, that wise barn owl, might know something about the explosion. He knew I was about to go inside, like I do every morning. But his obvious hush, made me hesitate. It’s as if he was protecting me from what would have been my ultimate demise.

But how would Ecco know the prison was about to blow up? Is that even possible? Why would I think a barn owl would have the answers to this horrific tragedy? Have I lost my mind, my job and possibly my best friend?

I wasn’t thinking straight. But I know I heard Ecco’s third hoot. I just wasn’t sure if today’s morning greeting had a hidden meaning. Then, I worried, I might never know what happened?