Raven hesitated, then named Judd first, and Oxley and Scarlen last, causing Bear to jump to his feet.
‘Don’t stress, Bear. Ox can take care of himself.’
‘I know, but it’s the fact they’ve put Smithson back in there that’s bothering me.’
‘It is strange, and people are talking about her.’
‘Something’s not right about any of this.’
Raven leaned close. ‘I know you care about her, but we know what we have to do.’
Bear understood perfectly, but it didn’t stop him worrying about Scarlen in the Zone without him. He’d made a deal to protect her, but how could he if they took her away while he was unconscious? Surely the warden wouldn’t do such a thing, knowing who Scarlen was. The general would have told Cardell to make the sentence run smoothly. Wasn’t that the reason he was asked to be involved?
‘Bear, I can feel your tension from here,’ Raven warned.
As weak as he still felt, Bear left his cell to pace, the frustration of not being with Scarlen reaching all corners of his mind.
‘Daddy Bear heard the news, I take it,’ said Varklee, sliding his backside off a table nearby.
‘Fuck off, V.’ The last thing Bear wanted was Varklee sneering in his face. ‘I can still knock you out. I’m not that weak.’
Varklee chuckled. ‘Yeah, you’re weak. So I could take advantage of your unfortunate state of affairs, but I happen to know what a remarkable memory you have, and you’ll soon take your revenge once healthy.’ He poked a finger into Bear’s chest. ‘Or I could annoy you.’ He laughed. ‘Just kidding. I know you’re all flustered about your gal being out there with Judd.’
Bear growled, and Raven tugged him away.
‘I’ll be right here to comfort you when your little miss is brought back in pieces,’ trilled Varklee, blowing a kiss for good measure.
‘Ignore him, Bear.’
‘Oh, he knows I’m just messing with him,’ Varklee called as Bear walked away. ‘I’ve always got love in my dead heart for my baby Bear.’
The horn blew, echoing through the cell block, bringing the inmates to silence. All eyes turned to the door, and Bear felt his stomach curdle.
Normally, after the sound of the horn, it would take about twenty minutes for the survivors to return.
‘Is it just me or, is it taking longer than usual?’ Raven asked Bear, edging away so he could speak to the guard at the door. ‘Sir, what’s the hold-up?’
Varklee leaned over his shoulder, one hand curled close to his neck, so Raven shrugged him off. ‘Have the rules changed again? Just so you know, sir, it’s starting to piss us off, all thisnot knowing what’s going to happen next. I, for one, like being in charge of my future.’
Raven side-eyed him. ‘You know you’re in prison, right?’
‘Still in charge of me, Rav. More than can be said for you, all mushy, mushy for your gal.’ Varklee twirled a finger by his temple. ‘Does things to the mind.’
‘I don’t expect you to know anything about love.’
‘Ouch! Did you just attack my heart?’ Varklee sniffed Raven, making Raven pull away with a frown. ‘I’m smelling jealously.’
Raven scoffed. ‘Why would anyone be jealous of you?’
‘Because, birdy, no one can hurt me. But the likes of you, well, you’ve got all kinds of weak spots.’
Raven went to reply but stopped as the inmates were returning from the War Zone, heads low, their movements slow.
‘Ooh, they’re back,’ called Varklee, gathering attention.
Bear inhaled deeply as he made his way closer to the door, along with half the block. He could hear some murmurs, but nothing that stood out enough to give him the information he was seeking. He noticed the two women were guided to the female block, then he saw Judd stride in, lips twisted, nostrils flared, and eyes searching as Pirates circled their leader, patting his back, whispering, then glancing at Bear.
‘Where’s Ox?’ Raven asked the guard. There came no reply, and Raven asked again, turning to Judd.
