‘Me too.’ Scarlen noticed most were ordering the vegetable broth. One thing could be said for the prison, it had decent food, and always some choices on offer. Perhaps another way to placate inmates for all the shit they were put through.
Sitting down again was pure joy, and supping the soup refilled energy levels, and for the first time since arriving at the prison, Scarlen didn’t feel paranoid someone would attack her, as not many were showing signs of vigour anyway.
She realised she shouldn’t have been so quick to relax as Kylar tripped her over as soon as she stood, her stomach taking the full whack as it met the floor, the broth almost making a hasty return.
‘What’s going on?’ snapped Mr Lackly, marching over.
‘Sorry,’ said Kylar sweetly. ‘I got tangled with Smithson, sir.’
He scowled at Scarlen, creaking to her knees. ‘Get up, Smithson, and remove your bowl from the floor.’
Taking a calming breath, Scarlen reached for her bowl as the guard and Kylar walked away, but there was no sign of her spoon. It couldn’t have gone far when she fell, but the floor was empty.
‘You okay?’ asked Dionne, offering a hand.
Scarlen latched on as she straightened. ‘I can’t find my spoon.’
Dionne glanced over at Kylar grinning with Judd as they departed the canteen. ‘You won’t either. They set you up.’
‘You mean they took my spoon?’
‘It’s one way to get someone into trouble.’
For fuck’s sake!Scarlen slumped her shoulders, knowing more punishment was coming, but what she didn’t see coming was Oxley strolling over to give her his spoon.
‘Saw what they did. Here, take mine. I can handle it.’ His smile was warm and friendly, but why towards her? Because he was Bear’s friend, maybe?
She went to speak, to refuse his offer, but Mr Lackly was back.
‘Torro, why are you on Green side?’
‘I was giving Smithson back her spoon, sir. Saw it fly my way.’
Mr Lackly seemed happy enough with that explanation. ‘Well, you’ve done that. Now get back to your own side or leave for your block.’
‘Yes, sir.’
Scarlen watched Oxley walk away before she stared mutely at her spoon.
‘You’re protected by the Rebels now you’re with Bear,’ said Dionne, urging her to hurry and hand in the spoon so they could leave. ‘And Oxley Torro is nice to everyone, especially fledglings. He really hates bullies.’
Bear was nowhere in sight, and just as Scarlen was leaving the canteen, she heard Miss Goolan order Oxley to the pillory for the rest of the day.
‘I don’t want their help, Dee. I feel terrible.’
Dionne shrugged. ‘Once we start jobs and get money, buy some chocolate from Temple and gift it to Ox. Not in anyone’s debt then, and by all accounts, he loves chocolate.’
Chocolate or not, she wondered what Bear would say about the spoon swap situation, not that he seemed to be talking to her. He hadn’t spoken to her all week, and it was family time tomorrow. Would he really expect her to show up? Some part of her wanted to go just to make a stand. At least she could use Oxley as an excuse. Something to talk about. Let Bear know that while his guardianship was appreciated, it wasn’t needed, and if he and his Rebel mates could kindly fuck off, that would be great.
She decided she would go to family time, but not swear at him.
5
Scarlen scanned the family area, not that there was much to see, just a small hall with grey tables and some metal doors to each side. There were a lot of smiles going on, more than she’d seen anywhere in the prison, and she could understand why the warden catered for such respite, as it certainly brought stress levels down, and the lower the stress, the less chance of unauthorised fights breaking out. The same reason for the mats.
Aches and pains from yesterday were in every muscle, making Scarlen stiff and slow on her feet, but thankful to Zana for teaching her fighting manoeuvres. She only wished she had trained harder, built her body stronger.
There were only a handful of people in the room with bruised faces, and they all seemed happy enough, no doubt used to the prison routine. Scarlen already felt she’d lived a hundred lives there, but she was determined it wouldn’t beat her down, as that would make her father the winner. She’d show him she wasn’t weak, then when released, she’d run again, only this time stronger, wiser, faster. That stiff wheel and sparring on the mats would surely build strength and stamina, and maybe she’dlearn a trick or two from her new friends on survival in their Boroughs.
