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Ana
I’m incredibly distracted for the rest of the morning, wondering what is going on with Ax below. I must admit that enlisting John was a great idea. Even just a few hours later I’m already reaping the benefits. Not only does he have inmates prepping the Pit, but he also helped coordinate the food and is generally just keeping shit under control in the yard. I absently wonder if he was a cop in another life.
Despite the elephant in the room, the prisoners seem to be in relatively good spirits. Luis and his guys made a ton of oatmeal, and even though it’s the consistency of snot, it’s hot and tastes pretty good once you get past the texture. Something about a hot meal just makes people feel better, and a lot of the inmates don’t have the luxury of burners to make their own. I see a few glances my way but try to ignore it, acting above what we all know is going on outside these walls.
When I see Theo come out into the yard, I nod at him rather than smile. I see the amused twinkle in his eyes, and I can almost hear him mocking me for what he calls my “persona”. He was my first real friend in this place and treats me like he would his own daughter.
In other words, he teases me mercilessly and holds me to a high and critical standard. I don’t really mind though. It’s been a long time since I’ve had any type of parent figure.
“Any food left for the rest of us?” Theo teases as he approaches the makeshift cafeteria beside the platform.
“I’ll get right on it before you keel over, old man,” Luis teases as he fills a ladle with the thick oatmeal. I tune it out as they continue their banter until a quiet voice at my back makes me jump.
“What the fuck, John, don’t creep up on me like that!” I say, jumping out of my seat. I’m a bit shocked to see him bow slightly in apology.
“Sorry,” he says mid-bow before standing tall once again, “Can we talk for a minute? Privately?” I feel my brows pull together but nod briefly, turning to Brutus who immediately steps up behind me to follow. John doesn’t comment on his behavior.
As we make our way across the yard to a quieter area, several of the prisoners raise their dishes to me in thanks and I have to keep the grin from my face. There’s something about taking care of other people that is so selfishly satisfying. Although keeping people in here happy absolutely benefits me, it also feels damn good.
“What’s up?” I say once we’ve gotten away from the yard. The outer rim is protected by the overhang of the second floor, and few inmates hang out in their cells during the day. There aren’t many people around us, save for a few emaciated addicts we pass by who are quite obviously in the middle of withdrawal. I make a mental note to track down Doc later and come round them up. Even the bigger dealers in here are completely out, so these guys are going to have to tough it out a few more days at least.
“I’ll get Doc to come grab these guys when we’re done,” John says, pulling the thought from my head. My eyebrows raise in surprise, but I don’t say anything. Out of the corner of my eye I see John smirk, but he also doesn’t comment further on the matter.
“So,” he finally begins, “what are you going to do?”
It’s obvious he means the guard’s ultimatum. I hesitate for just a second before remembering who I’m talking to.
“It is none of your concern,” I say, not caring about the haughty tone to my voice. John takes a step-in front of me and stops, halting me. He reaches out to grab my arm and I snarl, pulling back from his touch. Holding his hands up in surrender, he takes a step back.
“I’m not asking for me,” he says quickly, before nodding his head to an even quieter corner of the corridor. Frowning, I follow him over, nodding at Brutus to stay where he is.
“What the hell are you going on about?” I ask impatiently.
“Listen,” he says, “I don’t particularly like you.”
I snort, “Well, that’s nice, now fuck off.”
I turn to leave, and he grabs my arm again and before I have the chance to turn and hit him, I see the look on his face.
“What I was going to say is I don’t particularly like you, but I do respect you,” he hastens to add, and I thaw slightly, pulling my arm from his grasp but standing still. “The inmates won’t tolerate not knowing what’s going on, not unless you can appease them some other way.”
I pause for a minute, considering his words. I do agree, honestly. I need to address the matter, but how the fuck can I? What can I even say beyond riling them up against the guards like earlier?
“What do you suggest?”
“I guess that depends on what your plan is,” he replies. “But you can’t do or say nothing.”
I sigh and take a step away, looking out to the yard.
“What can I possibly say?” I muse out loud, “Pretty fucking please don’t turn me in? We can survive without water, it’s all good?”
John actually chuckles lightly. “I’m not stupid, Ana.” Hearing him say my name is weird. “I notice Axle and Ethan aren’t here, and the only reason they wouldn’t be is if they were doing something more important than looking out for you.”
“I don’t need someone to look out for me,” I retort quickly.
“Somehow, I doubt Axle feels that way,” he replies wryly.
I’m torn between wanting to claw this guy’s eyes out and being seriously interested in what his actual point is. It’s pretty clear now he isn’t as dumb as he looks anyway.
