THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE

CHAPTER 9

The tension from lunch lingered as I returned to the cell. The atmosphere of Nowhere was suffocating, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Block wasn’t done with me yet. As I entered, Trevor was perched on the top bunk, his legs swinging idly, while Mr. Richard was seated at the small metal table, flipping through the pages of his ever-present book.

"Well, that was interesting," Trevor said with a smirk, his tone as casual as if we were discussing the weather.

"What do you mean interesting?" I snapped, still on edge.

"Not many people walk away from Block like that," he said, leaning down slightly. "That stunt you pulled? Bold, but not exactly wise."

"He's right," Mr. Richard said, finally looking up. "Block doesn’t take disrespect lightly. You’ve painted a target on your back."

"Great," I muttered, dropping onto the bottom bunk. "Just what I needed."

Trevor tilted his head, studying me. "So, what’s your plan now, Emerald Thief?"

I shot him a glare. "Stop calling me that. I didn’t steal anything."

"Sure you didn’t," Trevor said with a grin. "But in here, it doesn’t matter what you did or didn’t do. People see you as the guy who pulled off one of the biggest heists in years. That makes you somebody. Block wants that clout, and if he can’t have it, he’ll make an example of you."

I rubbed my temples, the weight of everything crushing down on me. "So what am I supposed to do? Just wait for him to come at me?"

"Not necessarily," Richard said, setting his book aside. "You need allies. No one survives Nowhere alone. Block has his gang, but there are others—smaller groups, loners with useful skills. If you can prove yourself, they might back you."

"Prove myself?" I asked, skeptical.

"Yeah," Trevor said, grinning again. "This place has its... tests. Little ways to show you’re not just another scared rabbit."

I frowned. "What kind of tests?"

Before either of them could answer, a loud clang echoed through the cell block.

"Recreation time!" an officer barked over the intercom. "Move out!"

The three of us filed out of the cell, joining the throng of prisoners heading toward the yard. The recreation area was just as bleak as the rest of the prison—concrete ground, metal fencing, and guard towers looming overhead.

I stuck close to Trevor and Richard, trying to stay unnoticed. But as we entered the yard, I saw Block and his gang gathered near the far wall. His gaze locked onto me, and a slow, menacing smile spread across his face.

"Well, well, if it isn’t my favorite new inmate," Block called out, his voice carrying across the yard. His crew chuckled, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"Ignore him," Richard murmured, nudging me toward a quieter corner. "Don’t engage unless you have no choice."

I nodded, trying to stay calm, but my pulse was racing. I could feel Block’s gaze burning into the back of my head as we walked away.

Trevor leaned in, lowering his voice. "If he comes at you, you need to fight back. If you don’t, you’ll never shake him off."

"Fight back? Against him? Are you insane?" I hissed.

"Just a thought," Trevor said with a shrug.

We reached the corner and tried to blend in, but it wasn’t long before Block made his move.

"Hey, Emerald Thief!" he shouted, striding across the yard with his crew in tow. "Got a minute?"

I clenched my fists, my stomach twisting into knots. Trevor and Richard exchanged a look, but neither moved to intervene.

"Listen, Block," I started, trying to keep my voice steady. "I don’t want any trouble."

Block laughed, a deep, guttural sound that made the other inmates glance our way. "Too late for that, pretty boy."

Before I could react, one of his men lunged at me, shoving me backward into the fence. Pain shot through my back as the metal dug into my skin.

"Fight back!" Trevor hissed, but my body was frozen.

Block stepped closer, his massive frame towering over me. "You’re either with me, or you’re nothing. What’s it gonna be?"

Every instinct screamed at me to back down, but I couldn’t. Not here. Not in front of everyone.

Taking a shaky breath, I straightened up and met Block’s gaze. "I’m not with you."

The yard fell silent. For a moment, Block looked almost amused. Then his expression darkened.

"Wrong answer," he growled.

And with that, his fist came flying toward me.

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