“No. On the bodies.” The words are bitten out through clenched teeth. “I think I got there in time. But I don’t know how far they managed to get. I need to know if they’re positive.”
The events click into place. It may as well be a colour coded, detailed synopsis.
Damn.
Who had the balls to rape Jasper?
The whole prison knows Sinn'ous is keeping close tabs on him. Even the guards play keep-away when it involves Jasper. CO Hudson has a bet running on how long until they’re zipping the kid into a body bag.
That part rubs Rogers in all the wrong places. Treating inmates as lesser than human is not his thing. Well. Mostly not. When it comes to Jasper it’s a definite not. The others in here? Not so much. He’s seen what they do to one another, and it isn’t pretty.
Some here were dealt a crap hand, and most of the others, like Sinn'ous, make the world a better place when they’re not in it and are behind bars.
Except for the fact that said coldhearted killer is currently gently rocking another man while rubbing his back. And Jasper is very much not okay, eyes unblinkingly staring straight ahead.
A silence stretch passes, during which Rogers assesses Jasper and the whole situation. Including the psychopath whose possessiveness is showing in neon flashing lights.
An obsession like this is not going to be healthy for Jasper, especially if the kid rejects it—rejects Sinn'ous.
There isn’t much he can do. So he settles for what he can control.
“Sure.” He picks up the sheet, and with a final look over at the pair, departs to go find wherever it is Sinn'ous left the bodies.
35
SINN'OUS
Admittedly nothing has ever creeped him out like this. He’s killed many and he’s never seen this. It’s like Izz has dissociated from the world. Blank stare, heavy lidded blinking dragging over twin irises of dilated stillness.
Death is what it is. The life behind them is hollow and absent. It’s death minus the dying part, at least where the mind is concerned. The body still breathes, still looks to be functioning normally. He does know extreme and prolonged stress and panic can cause major organ failure. At least that’s what happens to some sacrifices when you push their pain past their point of tolerance.
A voice he knows all too well, and detests, bounces down the platform, tracked by the stomp of inconsiderately loud footfalls.Reni’s resounding words crash into the cell long before his detestable mug appears in the doorway.
Shock consumes Reni’s features, but he recovers quickly. “You okay, Izz?”
Only Satan knows.
Sinn'ous waits a breath, hoping more than he’ll care to admit that the boy answers. When several long seconds pass and no answer comes, he gives up hope, and picks up the verbal salad. Needing Reni gone when Izz’s in such a fragile state.
“He’s fine.”
“Wasn’t talking to you. With all due respect,” Reni snaps, voice dripping spiteful disdain. “Was asking Izz.”
I’m going to kill him. While Izz is out of it and won’t see, I’m going to kill Reni.
“And I have said he is fine. You. May leave.” Voice hard and clipped, eyes locked on Izz’s face. He’s sure that something’s shifted.
Is the boy more lively?
“I’m not going anywhere. This is my cell. You’re the one who should leave.” Reni stood his ground. It would be admirable, if it isn’t a complete hindrance—
Sinn'ous’s gaze snaps to Izz’s lips. They just twitched? Didn’t they? He could have sworn they moved. Is he trying to speak? Yell? Cough? At this point Sinn'ous would take a cough.
Then Reni takes a step forward, and every instinct in Sinn'ous snaps into high gear. He’s on his feet from one blink to the next, muscles coiled to kill. Leaving Izz on the bunk so the boy doesn’t obstruct the kill.
Reni backs off, but doesn’t back down, staying within the cell’s boundaries. And sends out a smug taunting spew of disrespect, in the tone of a petulant child. “Too many witnesses for you to do anything here,” Reni straightens up, fists clenching, ready for an attack, “best you leave.”
His legs tense to charge at Reni, but the warm touch to his arm has him rooted to the spot. A hand on his arm. Izz’s hand. He’s back. It’s everything Sinn'ous can do not to hit the floor on his knees.
