A Crumbling Society

Part 3-12

Stargazer

We finally made it through our checkpoints making this less tedious. I used my light powers to trick the sensors and the scanners to accept our facial IDs. It wasn't too hard, but we managed. The guards switched off here and there, but we eventually made it to the cafeteria. They then told us where the cleaning supplies were and how to mix the chemicals. One of the guys speaking told us something about how they provide their own chemicals so that we don't bring any foreign substances inside. They're stricter here than I assumed they would have been earlier. We were told about the guard detail but not much else on the inside information. I felt like Carson could have mentioned it, but he made up for it by providing things for us. The ID cards were nice to find since he never mentioned anything about acquiring them. We made it here and that's what matters! My main goal in this is to find Derrick, I don't know what I would do if he's actually dead. Thinking like this is bad too, I need to focus and hope for the best. Each of us grabbed buckets and mops and began cleaning for real. It seemed awkward at first because we were cleaning a prison when there were more serious things going on. After a few minutes Carson made a stop while passing me and whispered at me. He said we needed to get to know the prisoners, they could be helpful. Trying my best to get on board with the idea I still felt reserved, but I know it would help. Would they really talk to some random cleaner guy or just tell me to go away played around my mind. Asking if he had a way to magic them into talking to us, he shook his head no and continued on. The others moved around as calmly as possible each heading to their own person. Taking a glance, I saw two different groups that I could speak with. Both seemed unapproachable and looked like they could start fighting at any moment. Remaining undecided I noticed a figure slumped in the corner. They were seated alone and by looks, the oldest one in this room. I thought maybe he would know the most out of anyone in here, so I chose to speak with him. Avoiding the two groups glaring at one another I made my way over to the man. Elbows on his knees and hands crossed, staring out into the cafeteria as if in deep thought. Playing it off there was a moment where being considerate might help so I told him "Excuse me". The mop continued to move in small, lined increments as I was bringing it closer. "I just have to get by you if that's okay", I exchanged while smiling a little. Eyes moved to acknowledge my presence before he leaned back and pulled his legs up. Nobody told us we couldn't speak to anyone, even though you'd assume since we were in a prison it wouldn't be allowed.

"You're okay", he said with a genuine tone while returning his gaze at the two groups. Glancing back and forth he caught me and struck up conversation, leaning in he kept his voice quiet. "That one there, the skinny kid, mad at the other for trying to steal his commissary pass. Been thinking they gonna fight soon, he doesn't know big man got a shiv though". Well opening up wasn't going to be a problem but I also didn't know what to do with this knowledge. It interrupted my thoughts on what I was going to get into, but I figured this would be the time to start trying. Continuing to mop beside him I asked, "how often do people fight about these things?" Remaining on close watch, "pretty often, only thing is that the guards place bets on it, sometimes I think they be the ones start'n it", he said. "Oh wow", I remained vague, he told me it was wild that it even happens period. "So, what else happens here?", I let out without thinking, wondering if this could be a fifty-fifty chance on succeeding or ruining everything. His eyes did not wander, not even a hair from watching the two groups get worked up. "Thing is, all sorts of things be happening here, the guards are sneaky, but they manage, we've got different gangs that come and go too. Random searches all day long, reduced social time, constant solitary punishments for stupid shit. And nobody messes with her highness, you goin about that; you be ending up dead too." This was good intel, but I did have to stay on track, and I couldn't help but feel for the guy. "Who's her "highness"?", I asked while dipping the mop back into the solution and ringing it out. "Oh, she's the worst, gets everything she wants and anyone she wants under her nose. The guards work for her and it's just a never-ending circle of trouble since she been here the longest." Something crossed my mind and I thought to pick for a second, "where does she stay, is it in a regular cell like the rest of you guys? ". He was still keeping watch and told me "No, she's the first cell in the women's wing on Hall 7." "Oh wow", was my response, I partly couldn't believe what he has told me so far and partly played it off. Repeating the same thing as early kept me in a spot of not revealing too much. Oversharing even by making comments could tell him why I'm there or make him know that I'm not a real cleaner. Thinking on it for a bit he looked away for a second and spoke again, "sometimes they try to send an informant in here to get us to talk but they end up dead." Making eye contact back I asked, "then why did you talk to me?" His attempt to respond was cut off by the loud yelling coming from the two groups. A fight had finally started, and the bigger guy had already stabbed the skinny one. Fists were being exchanged and an alarm went off, only the guards that were in this section just stood there. Some looked as if they were laughing discretely telling me this man was right. "Ah, you made me lose concentration", he hollered before I got pulled out of the way. Fire-Soul had grabbed me from behind and told me we needed to go.