Sha Qing

Chapter 119: Gray Area (1)

The fifth facility of Rikers Island entered a state of first-level lockdown after a mass brawl that resulted in seven deaths and twenty five injuries.

After conducting a large-scale search for prohibited items, the warden ordered all inmates to be locked into their respective cells. As a disciplinary measure, their breaks and bathing times were canceled, and only a small amount of drinking water was provided for them-no food- for 72 hours.

The days of enduring hunger and starvation were very difficult. The prisoners spouted countless curses at first, but they eventually went and kept silent to save their saliva. There were also those who secretly traded their expensive belongings to other inmates who had stashed food, just to have a little bit of something to eat.

In comparison, the injured prisoners were treated better in the infirmary. Although the medical staff was understaffed and lax in attitude, they were at least well fed.

The treatment was still ongoing: There were already eight severely injured patients kept in the custody area for treatment, and ten patients with minor injuries escorted back to their cells after their wounds were remedied and medication was prescribed. Dr. Fahim was in the middle of tending to a long, bloody wound on the side of rib, which extends from the left abdomen to the waist till the back. It looked quite serious, but in fact, it was only a relatively superficial injury that didn't even need stitches-just anti-inflammatory gauze and bandages were enough. After dressing the wound, Dr. Fahim was about to turn his head and inform the guard that the inmate could be sent back, when suddenly, a crumpled bill was stuffed into his palm.

"Please, let me rest in the infirmary for a day. I wouldn't be allowed to get even a bite of food when I go back." Sha Qing whispered, his pair of watery eyes full of pleading and his pale face caused by blood loss, seemed to look increasingly more gentle, "Can you? Your account will have an extra $100 by the end of this week."

Fahim glanced at the bills, quietly flicked it into his coat pocket , and said to the guard, "His injury is somewhat serious and needs further treatment."

Sha Qing shot him a grateful look and laid back on the hospital bed with a weak countenance.

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After dinner, Dr. Fahim came for a ward round. When he walked to Sha Qing's bedside, he leaned over and said, "Little guy, you know what happens when you deceive a doctor in prison, right?"

"Of course. You guys are the 'angels in white'. Who'd be so stupid to offend the angels?" Sha Qing replied with a smile, "It'll definitely be credited by the weekend. Also, if I say that what you're going to receive won't be a one time thing but instead every month, can we talk about it in detail? But this isn't a good place to talk, is it?"

Fahim thought for a few seconds and quickly made a decision- the guards could cast a wide net to catch more fish, meaning more opportunities to earn extra money, but us prison doctors didn't have such means, so this is a chance.

"He needs to go inside for an allergy skin test," he said to the correction officers on duty. When one of them moved lazily in order to act as an escort, he added, "It's okay, I can handle it myself."

The guard, eager to be free, took the opportunity to go to the aisle and smoke.

Fahim walked into the room and locked the door. Just as he spit the word "You-", his neck was hit by a knifehand strike and he passed out immediately...