Griff grunts. "Library, huh?"
"Yes, sir. We went there instead of the rec room. Tests coming up, you know."
The guard looks at Griff, waiting for permission to call bullshit. Griff stares, deciding if it's worth torturing the truth outof us. But it's late, and he wants to go home. "I'll take it from here."
The guard leaves. Just the three of us and Griff. He stands there for a while. Then jerks his chin at the door. "Ethan, Miles. Go back to your room. I'll deal with you in the morning. You stay back, Marsal."
He always goes easier on me. I've been here long enough to become his pet. People aren't wrong when they make fun of me for that. It's Liam who gets mauled. The rookie who needs to learn. Sometimes I think Griff gets off on the power trips, and I realize I really am his personal project. I'm just like him.
Neither of us hesitates. We file out, but I look back once. Just in time to see Griff close the door behind us, leaving Liam alone with him.
As soon as we round the corner, Miles lets out a breath. "He's going to get killed, isn't he?" he whispers.
"No," I say, though I'm not sure.
Miles nods, but he looks shaken. I'm pretty sure he's never had anyone take a fall for him before. We walk in silence back to the room.
"I'm sorry," he whispers. I shake my head.
"It's all on me. Don't be sorry," I tell him. He stares at me, then quickly nods. Something loosens in my chest. I don't want him to feel even worse.
Back in the room, Jack jumps to his feet. Harry looks at us with that smug face and a giant smirk.
"Who'd have thought perfect Ethan would get in trouble like that?" Harry teases. I roll my eyes. No energy for his shit today.
"What happened?" Jack asks. He's worried enough that I feel bad. Miles climbs back to his bed without a word, so it's on me.
"We needed some air. Didn't mean to be gone so long. Lost track of time. Got caught. I was stupid for not watching the clock," I say.
"Liam was crazy," Jack says. "Pacing the floor, watching the door. He saw the guard, saw you two, and didn't even think before going out there."
Harry laughs. "What a hero."
My skin prickles. I want to punch him. I want to tell him not to dare talk about Liam like that. I don't say anything.
I don't sleep. I lie on my back, hands folded over my stomach, trying not to think about what's happening to Liam. I know the punishments. Every flavor. Extra work hours, creative ways of causing misery, solitary if they want to really break you. The image of him in that office, standing at parade rest while Griff lectures him, makes me sick. Especially knowing I never apologized after our fight.
Miles doesn't say a word. I know he feels like shit. I hope he doesn't regret opening up.
After what feels like an hour but is probably less, the door clicks open. Liam comes in.
I sit up. The relief is so intense I don't know what to do with myself.
He sits on his bunk without a word. Hair wet, dripping onto his shirt.
"What did he do?" I ask, trying to play it cool.
Liam shrugs, a little smile twitching. "Cold shower. Five minutes. Could've been worse."
That's not nothing. Cold shower is the worst, especially at this hour, especially when Griff stands there watching the timer, especially when they make you strip to your shorts. It's meant to humiliate, to break you to the bone. I can barely tolerate it.
"Did he say anything?"
"He said I should man up and not drag my friends into my personal problems." He snorts, like it was nothing. "Then he told me next time it's the hole. But he's been threatening mewith that for a while, so I'll be fine."
No, you won't. Knowing Liam, he wouldn't last ten minutes in solitary.
I wish I could punch Griff for hurting him. Only I get to do that.
