‘Smithson, last to place.’ Miss Harnish twiddled her quill close to the parchment pinned in place upon a clipboard. ‘What did you have in mind?’
‘Library, miss.’
‘Why?’
‘I like books, miss.’
‘It’s not as simple as handing out reading material, Smithson. There’s more involved.’
‘I don’t mind dusting the books and keeping the library clean, if that’s what you mean.’
Miss Harnish put the quill down and linked her fingers together as though ready for a long chat. ‘You will be required to take books into Red Block. And when you retrieve them, some aren’t always in the best condition.’ She paused, but Scarlen was waiting for more information. ‘We’ve had books returned covered in blood, sometimes faeces. Reading privileges have only recently been reinstated in Red, but it’s best you’re warned before you make your decision to work the library. You must bear in mind it’s also not too pleasant over there, and once you see certain things in life, you cannot unsee them.’
Scarlen got the gist of what she was being told. ‘Is it safe for me to go into Red?’
‘Yes. Men and women inmates are mixed over there, and they’re only allowed out of the cells for two hours a day, and one of those hours is spent locked in a yard. The cell doors there aren’t like the ones here. They only have a small opening, and that’s where you’ll place the book. Wait till they put a book on the flap of the opening before reaching for it.’ Miss Harnish’s eyebrows knitted. ‘Never put your hand inside, Smithson. Do I make myself clear?’
‘Yes, miss.’
‘So, are you sure you want to choose this job? Not many stay long working in the library because of having to walk over to Red and deal with the inmates there.’
Scarlen wrinkled her nose. ‘Is it that bad?’
‘I’ve only been there twice. That’s enough for me.’ She used long, sweeping strokes of the quill to write down Scarlen’s work placement information. ‘Best if you don’t interact with them.’
It wasn’t the best news, but if they’re locked away securely, and all she had to do was hand over a book, she figured she’d be okay.
‘When do I start, miss?’
‘Right now. I’ll walk with you to the library.’ Miss Harnish glanced at the apples. ‘I would give you one, but Binnow’s counted them. Try not to worry. Inmates are only allowed to be starved for two days maximum.’ She almost made it sound acceptable.
The library was small but held the most wonderful fragrance of books, which brought peace to Scarlen at once.
‘Soleil, this is Smithson. Show her what to do.’ Miss Harnish smiled at the redhead stacking books, then left them alone.
‘How can I help?’ asked Scarlen, noticing the anchor tattoo on the woman’s left hand. She’d seen her around with Kylar, but they had never spoken.
Soleil flashed a wolfish grin that said all that was needed. They were enemies. Scarlen would get the worst jobs available. She was being sent straight to Red Block.
It was a long walk to Red, and the corridors were only guarded at each barred doorway. All she had to do was show the trolley of books and she was given access to each area, and as soon as she approached Red Block Two, the stench of decay and excrement burned the back of her eyes.
‘Whoa!’ Scarlen quickly held her sleeve to her nose, pushing the trolley forward with one hand. The disinfectant lurking wasn’t making the stench any better. Worse, in fact, as the combination locked horns.
Oxley was on the ground floor, mop in hand, bucket close by. He grinned at the newbie. ‘You get used to it.’
She wasn’t sure how anyone ever could. ‘You do this every day?’
‘Someone has to clean their shit.’
‘And you volunteered for that?’
Oxley scoffed. ‘I’m aRebel. I wasn’t given a choice.’ He tapped the trolley with the handle of his mop. ‘Good choice for you though.’ His laugh faltered as a guard frowned his way. ‘Just start at that cell and make your way along.’ He gestured behind her. ‘They won’t all be awake or alert though.’
A shiver had already run the length of her spine on seeing the dark locked doors with small openings allowing little light. The quietness only added to the eeriness, and now the smell had embedded itself into her veins. She lowered her arm and went to the first cell, noticing another female inmate from Green with a trolley of art supplies on the other side of the room, and it comforted her to know at least the inmates got to do some recreational things in Red.
‘Would you like a book?’ she asked softly, tilting her head to the space in the door. A groan was her only response, then ahigh-pitched scream shrilled from the first landing, making her jump.
No one seemed to rush to the inmate’s aid or do anything much at all. The guards working were few, and most were in one corner talking. She perused the landings, noticing Raven collecting laundry on the second floor, draping soiled white sheets over the railings, then she spotted Bear coming down the stairs, a bucket in each hand full to the brim with slops.
