“I…I…” The objections and words catch in my throat as the reality truly hits. We’d argued in the past about this exact moment and what we would do if the guards came. Before, I always said fuck ‘em, I’d stand up to anyone, guard or no. Now that we are here though, fear grips me tight. I know what those guards will do to me if I stand up to them period, much less if they know I’m a woman. Spots dance in my vision and my breath catches in my throat.
“Ana?” This time it’s Ethan who brings me back to reality. I look to see both him and Ax watching me. Ethan with concern and Axle with something more akin to mania.
“You have to hide,” Ethan repeats, “We’ll take care of this, go find Clarence and Theo.”
Despite my pride, the moment I hear the loud creak indicating the gate opening, I nod and dart out of the yard. A few inmates glance my way as I rush through the corridors, but most of them keep their attention on the courtyard below. There simply isn’t a precedent for this.
I finally find my way up to the second floor and in the distance, I hear the sound of the heavy doors closing. Sneaking up to the edge of one of the cells, I look down through the cracked wall to watch the scene unfold below.
Eight
Axle
Ethan and I stand together with our arms crossed, the only two prisoners remaining in the yard. I feel a familiar itch under my skin, a bubbling sort of panic, an urge for violence I can only barely suppress when Ana isn’t around. As the heavy metal doors open outside the inner quarantine cage, I breathe deeply through my nose, steeling myself for what’s to come.
Over the years, a sort of truce has been maintained among the outer guards and inmates. For years, we got shipments with food and other basics on a weekly basis. It took some time for things to work out properly, with us not being able to contact our “wallets” on the outside, but eventually, it all became routine.
Once I took over, a few things changed, including the addition of some medical items and the removal of a few drugs that made the prison a worse place. Then there was the arrangement with Sammi years later made with one man, the head guard, Richard. I just call him Dick.
Despite being in one of the most feared places in the world, few in here can match the cruelty and deception of Dick. He’s been here longer than even me and is not a man to cross. I send up a silent prayer that Ana heeded my words and hid. There’s no telling what he would do to her.
“It’s okay, baby…”
I shake off my mama’s voice, which always seems to pop up when her murderers come to mind. My skin feels hot and tight and I resist the urge to twitch or hit my head.
As the gates open fully, the man himself steps out into the smaller gated interior. I see his cocky stance hasn’t changed in the weeks since I’ve seen him and my hands twitch wanting to reach for the shiv hidden at my back. Half a dozen more men step out behind him carrying guns that are all immediately pointed towards us. Dick smiles seeing Ethan and I standing here as he steps forward.
“Axle, so good to see you,” he bolsters, and I only clench my fists tighter. I step forward until there is only about six feet and a chain-link fence between us.
“Dick, always a pleasure,” I say, not failing to notice the clench in his jaw at hearing me call him that. Petty, and probably not wise on my part, but I’d never been good with authority. And I especially love pissing off Dick. Feigning to ignore me, Dick looks around the yard with disinterest.
“So,” he says, bringing a hand up to inspect it, “where is she?” I feel my body tense but do my best not to react. How the fuck does he know? I’m even more glad she is hiding and hope she stays that way.
“She?” I bluff, “We have a few decent lady boys, but they’ve certainly hidden once they heard you’re here. I’m sure I could get one or two out here if it suits your fancy though.” Dick looks up at me with a smirk.
“So, the cute one with the tits you’ve been plowing nightly is a ladyboy? I must admit I’m a bit surprised, considering your nun visits.”
I feel the color leave my face at his statement, but do my best to remain neutral. Before I can open my mouth to counter or say anything, Dick interrupts me.
“Axle, Axle,” he begins as he paces in front of me, “We’ve known each other a long time now, haven’t we? I like to think I’ve always treated you well and I’ve asked little in return.”
I frown. “You get paid well for the ‘favors’ you’ve provided.”
He smiles, “Yes, well now, I have a favor myself. So, where is she?”
I clench my jaw and don’t respond. The seconds tick by and only vague mutters of the inmates can be heard in the distance. They can’t hear what Dick is saying, but I’m sure they are all guessing and wondering. The fact I am standing here and not Ana speaks volumes.
“Very well. My hands are tied then.” he finally replies before making his voice louder.
“Until the woman in your midst is brought to me, no new supplies will come in.” His voice booms and carries over the yard. “If she is not at this gate tomorrow, we cut the electricity. The day after that? The water. You all decide if you are ready to die here, it makes no difference to me.”
Without evening looking at me again, Dick turns on his heels and exits taking his men with him. I don’t move the entire time except for my heaving chest. A wave of nausea and fury wash through me, my mind racing with possibilities and scenarios, each one worse than the last. The cries of my mother being carried out of my cell, torn from me, echo through my mind.
“Mama! Mama come back!!”
I don’t know how long I’m standing there before Ethan’s voice carries through the chatter.
“Dude? What the fuck are we going to do?”