Surviving the Jungle

Stallion

For a few days, Blade, Stallion and I had a new routine. I would sit next to the workout equipements while they exercised all morning long. Lunch was served in our cells, so my time in the yard was my only moment in their company. Thankfully, we've also been spending the afternoons in the yard too more usual than before. I think it might be because nobody's caused any problem recently. Or at least the guards don't know about it.

In the afternoon, we stay around the bench, even if we only use it to sit. Other inmates never get close. They can use the rest of the equipements, but never the bench. Blade and Stallion have claimed it, it's their territory. Considering they've been in the Jungle for much longer than me, I assume they had to assert themselves in order to make it their own. I had never noticed both men before Vix threatened me, but the prisoners always keep a safe distance away from them, like they're afraid. Honestly, I was just as afraid when I first saw them, but Blade has made me more comfortable. It feels great knowing that I won't spend the rest of my life alone in here. I have them now, and they're so strong, it's unlikely they'll ever get killed.

Ever since I've been staying close to Blade and Stallion, Vix hasn't looked my way. I'm glad she's turned her attention to someone else. Not that I want her to hurt anybody, but if she's going to hurt people, I'd rather it not be me.

This afternoon, Stallion is more talkative than usual. Yesterday, a girl kept looking at him, and he went to talk to her. Now he can't stop talking about how they had sex in the bathroom. I knew inmates found ways to be intimates, but the idea of having sex in a dirty prison bathroom kind of disgusts me. Stallion also isn't the cleanest man. I can't really blame him, we're prisoners, we don't get the luxury of showering whenever we want, but he's always sweaty. His hair is always greasy and too long. 

Blade looks my way as Stallion keeps rambling about this girl he "fucked against the wall." His words, not mine. I've always been more of a romantic. Blade can't take it any longer, he's tired of the talking. I keep blushing at Stallion's crude words and he winks at me. He can see right through me. I'm not used to be around this kind of men. Even my female friends, not that I had a lot of them, were never so... blunt. They were more discreet, like me.

Blade clears his throat and stands up. 

"Need to take a piss."

I watch him leave, and now I'm alone with Stallion, who's sitting in the grass in front of me. I expect him to keep talking about the girl, but as soon as his friend i gone, he changes topic. He looks behind him to make sure Blade is gone before asking me his question.

"What did you promise him?

-What do you mean?

-Don't play dumb. Blade refuses to tell me why he refused to tell me why he refused to help you. Said 'I like her' but I know that's not it. He's fucked a bunch of girls here, but they never stick around. He doesn't let them. So what's your thing?"

I'm dumbfounded by his investigation. I thought they were best friends and would have communicated more, even if Blade didn't tell him about our deal in too many details. Now I'm curious as too why he hasn't said anything at all. He could have lied, come up with an excuse.

I also don't understand why he simply told him that he liked me. Does he really like me? Maybe he thought that would be a good enough excuse. Actually, I hope it's true that he likes me, because I really like him too. He's been nothing but nice to me, except for our first encounter, of course.

Seeing as I don't plan on answering him, Stallion keeps questioning me.

"Look, I'm just trying to understand what you have to offer me, because he said I had to watch over you too, so I'd like the same advantages he got. Now, what is it? Did you promise to let him fuck you? Are you playing hard to get? Because he likes the chase, but there are plenty of other girls here. He doesn't need you. If that's your deal, I hope you know it's over once he's fucked you.

-I didn't promise anything of the sort!

-Then what did you promise?

-I'll just share my books.

-Nah, I don't buy it. Can't be it.

-Well that's it.

-You're a terrible little liar."

I shrug and stand up. I can't stay here  with him anymore. I thought he kind of liked me, but he's rude. I start to walk away but he catches my ankle from his spot on the floor.

"Not a word to Blade. He doesn't need to know that I asked."

He runs his thumb over my ankle and smiles at me, but I know better. He's not trying to look sweet and friendly. It's a threat. Whatever bond I thought their was between Blade and him, it isn't true. I was naïve. I should have already learnt, it's the Jungle, not recess. We're not here to make friends. Next time I see Blade, I'll have to find a way to talk to him alone. So far, he's given me no reason not to trust him, so I think I'll tell him about Stallion's nosy questions. I should also ask him why he was attributed this name. I don't know what to expect, but I need the truth. 

I spend the rest of the day with Marie until we're taken back to the cells. When Blade came back to the bench and saw that I wasn't there, I saw him ask Stallion where I was, to which he shrugged. Then, Blade looked around, brows furrowed, until he found me with my favourite guard. I smiled but ignored his curious stare.