Red Light

City at Night: Part 7

Jin Zixun's day had not improved.

He had demanded care for the bruised wrist and punishment for the man who did it. The med tech who examined his wrist rolled his eyes.

He flexed the wrist while feeling the bones. Searching for a possible break. Jin Zixun had snarled.

"Be careful!"

The tech had firmly grasped the wrist and squeezed. Jon Zixun gasped, scowled, and then tried to hit the med tech, who calmly squeezed harder.

"This is not a game you can win, you arrogant little prick." the med tech stated. "Wanna try again? This time, I'll break it myself and blame it on whoever it was you pissed off."

He stared down Jin Zixun.

"No one gives a fuck who you were on the outside. Here, you are fresh meat. Period." he pulled out a bandage and began to wrap the wrist.

Jin Zixun stared at the bandage.

"No xray?" He was angry.

The med tech laughed. "You are definitely going to do this the hard way, aren't you?"

He finished with the wrist and leaned back. Casually, he lit a cigarette and looked critically at Jin Zixun. A quick glance at his computer and then he stared thoughtfully at Jin Zixun.

"You might have murdered someone - excuse me, been accused of murder - but it was a sneaky murder, wasn't it? Poison? Stab in the back? Because you are a cowardly bastard. Definitely, a rich kid expecting everyone to kiss his ass. Ain't gonna happen."

Jin Zixun's eyes narrowed.

The med tech flicked the ash of the cigarette into the trash can.

Another stare into Jin Zixun's eyes. "I will be seeing you again. No doubts. You're too big an asshole to know when to shut the fuck up."

A sarcastic smile and a half laugh. "Now get out."

"I'll remember you." Jin Zixun growled. It was a blatant threat.

The med tech broke into a hearty laugh. "Good! You'll be able to find my office again when they beat your ass into the ground."

Not sure what to do with such blatant disregard of his station and wealth, Jin Zixun huffed at the laughing man and left.

He sat silently. Alone.

This wasn't going like he thought it would. He was going to help himself to whatever he wanted - he was a Jin - so naturally others would defer to him.

Turned out no one else gave a shit he was a Jin.

Trying to cut in line at dinner time got him knocked sprawling on the floor. When he finally got food, there wasn't much left to be slopped on the tray.

He looked around at all the men eating quickly and almost turned green. It was simple, basic food. He thought back to the precisely prepared and presented meals he ate at home. To the amazing meal he had eaten for lunch.

He took two bites.

He went to throw it away but a scrawny kid just took the tray and left him standing there.

He blinked as the kid walked away, already eating.

The scowl that was his most common expression, deepened.

Moments after, a bell started clanging. Loud. Harsh.

Everyone began lining up. Jin Zixun followed suit though he didn't know what was going on. Gradually, the line inched forward until he was at a doorway. A roll of bedding was thrust at him. The guard pointed to the left so he shuffled left with other prisoners.