Surviving the Jungle

Mean Girls

Dinner was never served last night. The guards must have wanted to punish us for yesterday. I'm pretty sure some men fought. And in Zone 3, if one of us makes a mistake, we all pay for it. I drew on the floor all night and ended up sleeping there. The bed isn't much more comfortable anyway. My stomach growls, empty. I hope breakfast is served early.

Marie is the one who comes slide a food tray in my cell. She smiles at me through the bars and moves on to the next cell. I can't tell you how important she is to me. Being in the Jungle, it's dehumanizing. But it's the goal. That's why men and women are locked up together. That's the reason why minors can be held up here, as much as adults. Once the government deems you a criminal, that's all you are to them. I'm no longer a woman, nor an art student, nor a daughter or a sister. 

I eat slowly. There isn't much food on this tray, but I need to savour it, because once I've finished it, I'll have to wait a long time before the next meal. If there even is a next meal.

Later that day, we're brought to the yard. I go towards the place where I always sit, but the girls are already there. I look around for another spot but, one of them waves me over. They're waiting for me. The thought makes me slightly shaky. I try to think about anything wrong that I might have done but can't come up with anything. I start to walk slowly towards them as I know I don't have a choice. If I try to avoid them, they'll find me next time. There is no way around this.

A tall blond looks me up and down. I wait for her to tell me what she wants, but she apparently likes to make me uncomfortable. I look away as she keeps staring at me.

"What's your name?

-Purity.

-I'm Vix. I've seen you around, you look like a really nice girl."

One of her friends laughs and Vix immediately gives her a dirty look before turning her attention back to me. I have no idea what to expect from her, but it can't be anything good.

"I need you to do something for me. You see that man over there? The one lifting weights. I need you to go talk to him. Don't worry, he never hurts girls."

I gulp and look at the large man in the far right corner of the yard. He's using some of the gym equipement which is available to us sometimes. Next to him stands another man, he's just as tall, but leaner. I don't understand what Vix needs from me. Although she's trying to reassure me that there's no danger talking to that man, I know I shouldn't do it. If there was no risk, she would go there herself. But most of the time, the girls stand to the side, looking at the men but never really interacting with them.

I look at Vix, doubtful.

"What would I need to tell him?"

Vix is satisfied by my question. She knows that I can't refuse her. I'm too scared. I know I shouldn't obey her, but I'm afraid she'll hurt me if I don't.

"You go there, and you tell him that he needs to stop by my cell later, before we're locked back in. That's easy enough.

-Why don't you tell him yourself?"

Vix smirks and walks closer to me. She puts her index underneath my chin and looks me in the eyes threateningly.

"I've left you alone since you've arrived. I've done nothing to you. But if you refuse, I'll make your life a nightmare. You'll see exactly why this zone is the worst. Now, be a good pet and do what I told you."

Her fingers are soft against my skin, but her words shake me to my core. She means them. I know it. I've seen her harassing other girls. Grabbing my chin more firmly, she pulls my face closer to hers and kisses me softly.