Surviving the Jungle

Shower

A female guard take us to the showers. Each morning, before taking us to the yard, we have to shower. Legislation is very strict on hygiene. If a disease we to spread in the jungle, it would be a nightmare, not only for the inmates, but also for the guards taking care of us. They could bring the disease to the outside world, to their families.

Seeing as we're not considered as normal human beings, there is no distinction of age and gender for the showers. we're brought in groups of 15 and we have to hurry. I've rarely talked to my shower comrades, but they're mainly women. There's a 15 years old boy with us. He might be young, but he doesn't look innocent at all. I heard that he choked his parents in their sleep, as well as his little sister. The thought makes me sick. Some inmates here are truly evil. Then, there is an old man named Rope. I think he strangled someone when he was younger, but I don't know the whole story. I don't really want to know. Being in his presence is creepy enough. I don't know what the 12 other women did either. I only know a few of their names.

I turn my back to everybody and start showering. Now that Blade has taken an interest in me, I feel weirdly self conscious. My breasts are small. My hip bones stand out. I haven't shaved in a few months, but neither have the other inmates, so I try to ignore it. Hair is normal.

I clean myself up quickly under the freezing water and go back to the door, where the guard hands me a small towel. We're supposed to dry ourselves off, get dressed and wait by the door for the rest of the inmates. As I get dressed, I see Blade coming in. Although the groups are always the same, we are often taken to the showers in random orders. These showers are dedicated to our corridor.

Blade waits with the next group, already naked. I try not to look down, out of respect, but can't help myself. It's curious,  how when I tell myself not to something, I often end up doing it.

My jaw drops at the sight of his length and I look back up at his face. He smirks and looks me up and down. I'm in my top and underwear. A teenager in his group whistles and Blade glares at him possessively. Everybody can see my body, we have no privacy, but he behaves like I'm meant for his eyes only.

My group finishes up and the guard starts taking us to the yard. walking behind as Rope comes next to me.

"You fucking Blade?"

I don't answer him. It's none of his business.

"Just want to warn you. Stallion hasn't forgotten what happened last week. Blade chose you over him.

-Stallion turned his back on him first. He was plotting.

-I know. He asked for my help, but I'd rather stay out of it.

-What does he need help for?"

It's his turn not to answer me as our group spreads in the yard.

"Just be careful. You don't look like a bad person."

These are his parting words. He leaves to the other side of the yard whereas as I go to the bench. When Blade arrives, I tell him everything. I also ask him why Stallion got his name. I had completely forgotten about asking him, but now I need to know.

"He raped a girl.

-That's awful, but I don't understand why he's called Stallion.

-The judge thought it was funny. He raped this girl, killed her and he got caught only a few days later. When they arrested him, he claimed the girl was willing, and that she had begged for his cock. The judge asked him what was so attractive about it, and he answered that it was as big as a horse's cock. I actually cringed the first time he told me that story. Apparently, there was already an inmate called Horse, so he suggested they call him "The Great Stallion". He's proud of that name.

-That's disgusting.

-It is.

-Why were you friend with him, then?

-We arrived here together. We had to stick together to survive."

Blade stops talking and starts working out. I sit on the bench as I watch him. He doesn't need it today. It's legs day.

"What's your real name?

-You're too curious today.

-I'll tell you mine if you tell me yours."

He stops mid squat and sits in front of me. We both straddle the bench as we face each other.

"You go first, then.

-Lisa."

Nobody else here knows my real name. It isn't even supposed to exist anymore. I wait for him to tell me his. This moment feels strangely intimate.

"Ivan. My mother was Russian.

-Ivan. It's cute."

Blade shakes his head, not thinking his name is cute at all.

-It means "God is gracious." How ironic. God hasn't been so kind to me.

-Do you really believe in God?

-I don't, actually. Do you?

-Nope.

-Would you rather I call you Lisa now, or do I stick with Purity?

-I don't know. I think... I'm not really Lisa anymore. I don't think about my former life that often. Do you want me to call you Ivan?

-Not if you think it's only "cute". Blade sounds more dangerous anyway.

-Alright. Blade."

Blade tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and looks behind me. I follow his line of sight and see Vix and Stallion arguing. If they're plotting together, I fear for my life. Maybe even for Blade's life. Stallion was his ally, and now he's an enemy. I hope people won't go along with Stallion's plot.