His smile soon returned, nudging his hand to my shoulder, “So something is going on between you guys. I knew it.”
My eyes rolled as my body slumped onto the bunk, “No, there isn’t. We were just talking.”
“In the showers?”
“Yeah.”
“In just a towel?”
“Ok, when you put it like that, it doesn’t sound convincing. But trust me, nothing is going on.” I lowered my tone, muttering to myself, “That is not a rabbit hole I wanna jump down.”
He shifted, sitting himself down on my bunk, “Then what is it with you two? She’s always around, or I’m finding you sniffing her out.”
I chuckled, playfully nudging him with my leg, “I don’t go sniffing her out, you cheeky fuck.”
He scoffed, throwing my discarded towel towards me, “There’s something you ain’t telling me. And I’m gonna find out one way or another.”
The other lads taunted her for being the only girl on the block, and I couldn’t help but smirk when she would effortlessly put them in their place. I started feeling an odd sense of protectiveness toward her, especially when others pushed her too far or made derogatory comments. Not an inch of fear on her face as she retaliated, threatening to cut off their dicks in their sleep. She could handle herself; that’s for sure, but being in here instantly put a target on her back. And there was something about one of the new entrants, some kid called Nate, that changed something. Drooling over her at any given opportunity, not even trying to hide it, which ignited that feeling even more within me.
So I’d started waiting for her after lunch, walking to the yard together, even if it only gave her moments of relief before she would retreat to her normal hangout.
But something about that day had her spooked in a way I hadn’t seen before. Playing with her food instead of eating, and looking like she wanted to just disappear. When she refused to tell me what was bothering her, I left her to her own thoughts.
I’d perched myself next to the gym equipment beside Malik, while some of the other lads rambled on about the new female guard who had been transferred here for Misfit’s sentence. I found myself glancing in her direction as she stormed into the yard, noticing how Nate's eyes found her immediately. Hesurrounded himself with his chummy little mates, ones he must have known from previous visits to this shit hole. His cocky swagger enraged me, thinking he was the dogs' bollocks, making her feel like that.
He continued watching her as if she were prey, following her every movement. The way she stiffened when she passed them, shoulders up, jaw tight. She didn’t flinch, but she felt it—the weight of their attention. Muttering between themselves, laughing.
Before I knew it, I was standing and walking towards them. Malik called to me, but his voice just faded into the annoyance pinching in my chest. I stopped in front of them, slamming my hands upon the table.
“Something funny?” My brow furrowed as my eyes flicked between their dirty grins. Nate leaned forward, cocking his chin.
“What's it to you?”
“Because you can't seem to keep your eyes off the lady over there.” He scoffed, leaning back, lowering his tone to the scabby junkie sitting next to him.
“Won’t be a lady after I’m finished with her.”
The pair chuckled as I looked at him, taking in his fake bravado. Then I leaned in, close enough so he could smell the lingering cigarette smoke on my breath.
“You look at her again,” I said, low and slow, “And I’ll make sure you’re pissin’ blood for a month.” He opened his mouth, as if he might laugh, but his gaze fell to his friend as the smile faltered from their face. His expression turned to one of confusion, as if he thought I was bluffing, talking to him in a way no one had before. He caught my eyes and shut it as I continued. “You don’t talk to her. You don’t touch her. You don’t even breathe near her unless you want to see what I’m really like.” They didn’t speak. Just felt the tension, shifting in the air when someone draws a line and dares you to cross it. Pullingmyself from the table, her eyes met mine. Part of me hoping she would understand why I did what I did. Intervening when it was obvious that he was making her so uncomfortable. Maybe that’s why she didn’t tell me. Didn’t want to admit someone had finally gotten to her.
CHAPTER 9
My stash—ten cigarettes and a lighter, smuggled in during laundry duty—remained hidden under my bunk. I was cautious with it, only taking one at a time and trading only when necessary. Malik and Misfit were the only ones aware of its location, but she kept her distance—or so I believed.
I went back to my cell, sweat still dripping down my neck after working out with Malik on the gym equipment to clear my mind following another intense therapy session with Dr. Brenner. He had tried to delve deeper into my friendships I'd made while I was here, which made me curious if Misfit had mentioned me in her sessions. I knew something was off the moment I stepped through the door to my cell. A shift in the space which niggles deep within your skull. I paused, my eyes scanning the space when I noticed it. The mattress had shifted, just slightly, but not enough for anyone to really notice. I crouched beside my bunk, reaching underneath, my hand brushing back and forth against the plastic fabric.
It was gone. My eyes widened as I remained there, trying desperately to think what I had done to make her make good on her threat. I’d helped her; I was being a friend.
Storming from my cell, I found her lingering outside hers, leaning against the entrance as if she was waiting for my reaction. Her eyes drifted towards me, averting as I got closer.
“You think I’m stupid?” I spat.
“Yeah,” irritatingly calm.
I shook my head at her reply, “You went under my bed?”
Carelessly shrugging to my question, her eyes remained on the floor. “I was checking for monsters.”
