The dimly lit storage pantry was thick with smoke and the musty smell of sweat. Inmates hunched around a rickety table, their focus solely on the cards laid out in front of them. The low hum of conversation mixed with the occasional clink of poker chips being tossed into the centre. At the table sat, Jesus, C-Note, T-Bag, Pao and Zach. I stood by the door, watching them with sharp, calculating eyes. My presence hadn't gone unnoticed. T-Bag with his usual sneer, leaned back in his chair and glanced up at her. - No open seats, sweetheart. This is men's business. Best you stay out.
Jesus smirked, leaning back smugly. - yeah, we ain't got time to babysit. Don't wanna take your pocket money.
- then that's one less you have to worry about beating. - C-Note chuckled from his seat,
amused by my boldness.
It was Zach who finally spoke, his voice gravelly and worn with age. - Let her play, if she wants. If she loses, she loses. Ain't no harm in takin' her money.
T-Bag snorted, dismissive. - It's your funeral, darlin'. You're sittin' with sharks. Sure you're ready to swim?
I looked each one of them in the eye, daring them to underestimate me again. - deal me in.
The cards were shuffled and dealt, the tension palpable as the men exchanged glances. I scanned my cards, her expression unreadable. Without hesitation, i met their bets and then raised them. - feelin' confident, are we? - Jesus mused, eyeing me with intensity.
I didn't answer, expression never changing. 'I have them' i thought.
C-Note leaned in, trying to read mr, but i gave him nothing. With the bets placed, the cards were revealed.
Jesus threw down a straight, his grin widening. - how about that? You're sittin' at the big boys' table now.
T-Bag followed, revealing a flush with a smug look. "Looks like luck ain't on your side today, sugar.
I slowly flipped my cards over, revealing a royal flush. Silence. C-Note's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his surprise. Jesus blinked, his grin fading.
I leaned forward slightly, my voice firm. - like I said, one less you have to worry about beating. - I reached forward and raked in the pot, the stack of bills and chips sliding into her hands. The men around me sat in stunned silence, the reality of their loss sinking in.
C-Note chuckled lowly, shaking his head in disbelief. - girl's got skills.
I was sitting on my bed, a new book in my hands. I was so into the book, i didn't even notice someone standing in front of me.
- how many books have you read since you got here? - a voice said from in front of my cell. My heart skipped a beat as I looked up.
- Michael, - I whispered, dropping the book and instantly scrambling to my feet. My emotions surged, crashing against my chest.
- are you going to hug me? - he smirked.
- of course I am, - I responded as he took a step into my cell, and he reached out for me. In one motion, his arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me against him. My head burrowed into his nape as I held him close.
- I'm here, - he whispered in my ear, kissing my temple. - I'm here.
I pulled away, my fingers brushed over his lips and he kissed them.
- I'm sorry, - he murmured, his voice filled with sincerity. - for everything. For the fight in the cafeteria, being thrown to AD-seg then sent to psych ward ..
- the psych ward?- i frowned.
- I spent my days doing arts and crafts, but I needed to see Haywire to get him to draw the missing map as he remembered.
- who's even that? - i asked.
- my crazy schizoaffective old cellmate, - he chuckled.
- you went on an adventure, - i jested, shaking my head.
- I did, but I'm an idiot. I shouldn't have said those things to you. I was scared, angry about the plan. You didn't deserve that, - he explained, his voice low and empathetic.
- however, we're in a relationship. I want to be with you. When we get out of here, I want you to come with me and Linc to Panama.
- Panama is beautiful, - i whispered.
- you've been? - he asked.
- of course i have l'm the mafia princess remember? - i teased him.
It was another cold day, i was dressed in layers, with my hat on as i leaned against one of the walls with Michael talking. Sucre wandering in, fresh out of solitary as he hugged his cousin. Michael pushed off the wall to walk to him as well giving him a hug before going back to the group.
- you all can sign each other's yearbooks later. Where are we at? - T-Bag cut in, ruining the moment.
- the map is complete. I got what I needed, - Michael announced looking over to Sucre and smiling.
- then we're ready, - T-Bag grinned.
- almost. - Michael began to walk back to me. - I know which pipes we need to take beneath psych ward now.
Which means our way to the infirmary is clear. With our new route, we're gonna come up on the fear end of that building. We gotta walk down 30 feet of hallway to get to the doctor's office. Our exit point. Which means there's only one piece left to this whole thing. The key to that room.
- no sweat. That's all we gotta do is run a bump and grab on a CO like we did last time, grab the keys, make a copy, - C-Note suggested.
- It's not that easy. Only medical staff have those keys, - Michael says.
- how're you fixing on getting it then, Pretty? - T-Bag cocked.
- carefully.
- no more surprises this time, right? - C-Note hummed.
- right. - Just then Abruzzi appeared, coming off the bus dressed in a yellow jumpsuit and a blue jacket. Looking much alive.
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Last one for today. Hope you like 'em.
