Deadlock || ᴠᴍɪɴ

Chapter 9

Matthew’s condition was worse than expected.

The physician on duty, Dr. Spencer, assessed Matthew’s injuries as requiring immediate surgery; right away, he directed the prison to transfer the boy to a nearby hospital.

Matthew’s injuries included a torn anus, bruising on the entire body, depressed fractures on the cheekbones, and fractures in the collarbone and fingers. His right eye was also damaged, and a detailed examination was scheduled for whenever his condition stabilized. In the words of Dr. Spencer, however, there was no doubt that Matthew’s vision would be severely affected.
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The news from V only aggravated Micky further. Jimin recommended him to tell the guard that Fletcher was the perpetrator, but Micky stubbornly shook his head.

“Matthew followed the prisoner’s code and hasn’t told anyone who did it. We can’t be the ones to snitch. Besides, it’s no use when we didn’t even see him do it. The most Fletcher’s going to get is a few days in solitary. His sentence is one-hundred and twenty years, for God’s sake. A few more days isn’t going to make a difference to him. ―That’s why I’m going to avenge Matthew myself.”

“Don’t do it, Micky,” Nathan warned. “If something happens to you, Matthew will feel like it’s his fault.”

Nathan’s words fell on deaf ears.

“That bastard raped Matthew knowing that I looked out for him like a little brother. That’s why it isn’t just Matthew’s problem – it’s mine, too. Will you guys lend me a hand?”

V and Nathan looked at each other and simultaneously sighed in resignation. Micky’s mind was already completely occupied with revenge. His anger was unlikely to abate until he had gotten back at Fletcher somehow.

Micky was already moving onto his battle plan. Fletcher was in the habit of weight training in the training area on the grounds before dinner. He took pride in his muscular body, which meant he never skipped his daily bench presses.

“When dinnertime rolls around, the inmates will all crowd around the only entrance to the West Wing, which is the central grate. We’ll take advantage of the crowd to get close to Fletcher, and I’ll stab him from behind. Nathan, you take the knife from me, and pass it to V. V, throw the knife away down the gutter beside the basketball court. There’s an opening in the grate that’s about two inches wide. Down below is a sloped tunnel that leads to the sewers. If you throw the knife in there, it won’t be found. Jimin, you stand behind me like a wall so no one sees what I’m doing.”

Jimin asked how he was planning to take a knife out onto the grounds.

“I’ll hide a small folding knife in my underwear,” Micky said. “The guard in charge of that checkpoint is a rookie. He used to give real thorough pat-downs, touching you all over the place, but ever since some inmates called him a touchy fag, he hasn’t been as enthusiastic. The metal detector on the central gate is busted, anyway, so it won’t go off on a tiny knife. ―Tomorrow we take action. I’m counting on you guys.”

Micky’s eyes were bloodshot, and his face was grim with an aura of intensity that was nothing like his usual fun-loving self. After wrapping up their discussion, Jimin and V left Micky’s cell together.

Jimin leaned over to speak to V as they walked down the gangway.

“Are you okay with this?” he said in a low voice. “I feel like we should try harder to talk him out of it.”

“It’s impossible to stop Micky when his mind is that set. All we can do is pray that he doesn’t mess up. ―Are you okay with this, is what I’m wondering,” said V. “By letting Micky do his thing, in a way you’re guilty of the same crime, even though you haven’t actively taken part.”