Number 501 (Needs Editing)

They Figured It Out

"I've been here for about seven years, plus the three years in Dred SEC and nine years in Crodedge SEC. Anyways, when I came here I had no friends. But neither did 304. He came here when I did. He was actually well built but when others that had been here longer than us started taking our food, then we started to lose everything. We went delusional, but we had each other. That's what you need in this world, friendship and trust. Or else you won't survive a minute. Anyway, a few friends took me in as their own and I rose to the top! But there was no hope for 304. He had bad run ins with that old block ruler, the one you killed. I wasn't going to involve myself in a Reckt/Dynam relationship. I might not have ever been seen again. When you came into the picture, and I heard you'd been taking 304 under your wing. I was happy for it. Ever since, 304's been coming out here and weight lifting with us."

I smiled, it was good to know 304 could trust this guy, I didn't know about all the others surrounding me though. But I assumed since 304 trusted Jaquil, and then Jaquil trusted all these men, so I also assumed I should trust them too. 

"Well, it's my pleasure." I informed him. "I would be nothing without 304." I added in there. 

He laughed and stepped back into the rest of the group and told me, "Man, ever since 304 mentioned you, I've been wanting to meet you. I just hope it wouldn't be by the end of a shiv. So I just want you to know that you will never have any beef with me or these cats." He told me, pointing at the rest of his crew. I was assured he was speaking the absolute truth. 

"So," I began to ask, "how did you get here?" I finished.

The rest of them began murmuring behind little whispers and gasps, apparently my question wasn't okay to ask. Jaquil stepped up and whispered in my ear, "Listen, we don't talk about our past here. We forget our past, change our names, some stick to numbers, kinda like 304 did." 

If this was my first day in ECO SEC, I really wouldn't understand why they kept to that order. However, after spending a decent amount of time in this place, I get why they do it. Looking back on the past, what I did, what we all did as a whole, it hurts. It's painful to look back on. Especially if you're innocent. 

The sun was slowly fading and it was time for everyone to make their way back to their cells. Jaquil glanced at me before finally leaving and spoke, "See you around young blood." And headed on to his cell. I did the same and so did 304 right beside me. We walked all the way back down the halls, Jaquil and his friends up ahead of us and we slowly drifted behind. I think he wanted to give him my opinion of all of them. I stopped in place, other prisoners slowly making their way by. 

"I'm guessing there's something you want to ask me?" I asked him. 

"Well, yeah, I guess. I was just wondering if you think you could trust him?" 

"Maybe, I really don't know yet. Why? I guess it depends what I would have to trust him with."

"I can't tell you yet. When you decide, and if it's a yes, then I can tell you. 

I stopped to think for a moment, what would I have to trust Jaquil with? "Is something going on?" I asked 304. 

"I can't say right now, but it's big. And we want you in on it but Jaquil needs to know you have trust in him. I already backed you up on everything so when you think you're ready, go find Jaquil and tell him."

"Tell him what?" I asked.

"That you trust him. And you're ready."

One more time, to possibly find out more, I ask, "Ready for what?"

"Jaquil will fill you in on the details when you talk to him. See you tomorrow Logan." 304 said as he walked to his cell. Leaving me in the center of the halls. A guard walked up to me and pushed me forward towards the cells and told me to keep walking and that it was time for bed. Indeed it was. I walked to my cell, opened the door, walked in, shut it, and locked it tight. I took off my tank top since I was blistering hot. I was standing out in the rec center which has no roof, just straight up walls. So the sun was shining on me the entire time, and being that the whole planet is a sweltering desert didn't make anything better either. 

I sat in bed, thinking, thinking about what tomorrow would bring. My new job for Reckt, finally meeting Prisoner number 500, the highest number there is. Finding out what Jaquil wants with me. Yeah, tomorrow was going to be a long day, and I was waiting to see what it would bring, and much after that I ended up dozing off, only to awaken by the morning alarm hours later. 

There was a part of me that didn't want to get up, but I had to. Reckt told me that the locked up prisoner didn't get breakfast like we did, just lunch. So I had a few hours before taking him his meal. I guess it was time to find Jaquil. I have to take risks, right? And if trusting Jaquil is a risk, then I guess it's just something I have to do. I headed to the court yard and found the same group and like last time, Jaquil was in the middle of them. I walked up to them and most of the group dispersed besides Jaquil and 304 who was also there. 

"Jaquil." I acknowledged him.

"Yea?" He asked. He knew I was here to tell him yes or no.

"I'm ready. I trust you with whatever you have planned."

He smiled and nodded his head and so did 304. They looked at each other, "I told you he would." 304 said and Jaquil laughed. However, the seriousness broke when I asked what this all involved. Jaquil's smile turned into and instant straight face as he came closer and whispered into my ear, "We're getting out of here. And we need your help."