You Know What They Do To Guys Like Us In Prison (KELLIC) (boyxboy)

Chapter 7

[a/n A bit of a short chapter, but there's another intermission coming next to make up for it!]

Song of the Chapter: "Beaten In Lips" by Beartooth

Time Lapse: One Week

Mike had done everything I'd asked him to and more.

Since Cellblock D saw the first flyer rallying the community to clear Kellin's name, I'd gotten nothing but good news from Mike. The meeting Jordan Fish had organized was a huge success; Matty Mullins had attended and sworn up and down to the people there that he'd seen Kailey at her parent's home on the night of the murders, but that she'd threatened him and his family to silence. No one could prove anything and Kailey was denying it, and according to Mike, Fish and the police department were keeping the investigation very quiet. Something was happening, but we just weren't quite sure what it was yet.

"So, what's going on right now? What's the plan?" I asked Mike over the phone in a hushed voice. Spaced throughout the room, I watched Craig and Jesse whisper into the other landlines.

"Well, Fish hasn't really been willing to give me much information about the investigation itself. I just know that the Mullins guy is really raising hell against Kailey. Even the cops are having trouble shutting him up. A couple of other acquaintances of your fellow thugs have contacted me, an Ashley Lawson and some other dude, and we're organizing some more meetings to spread the word. Groups are getting ready to start protests outside the prison without us even saying anything. It's crazy how many people are getting involved in this," Mike explained to me. I nodded even though I knew he couldn't see me; I was just as overwhelmed by the responses we were getting.

"That all sounds great to me, Mikey. You come and visit me this month when they let people in, alright? If you're not too busy, that is," I amended.

"I'll make the time. Alright, call me next week, and keep an eye out for protestors or something when you're out and about," Mike concluded. We said our goodbyes and hung up shortly before the ten minute timer went off. Jesse and Craig hung up their calls, and we were all ushered outside for "special rec time." It had been raining most of the days since we found the flyer, and the guards could tell we were all going a bit stir crazy.

"What did Mike have to say?" Jesse asked once we were in the courtyard and out of earshot from Officer Pauley.

"They're organizing some bigger protests now apparently. That Matty guy supposedly saw Kailey the night that Kellin was arrested, and some kind of investigation is taking place."

"This is wild. I didn't think so many people would give a shit about what we had to say," Craig commented. We mumbled in agreement and joined the rest of Cellblock D outside.

"I assume all is well?" Caleb checked, tossing a basketball through a torn net.

"Everything's great. The investigation is underway, the community believes Kellin is innocent, and it finally stopped fucking raining," I lamented, bringing forth laughter from the group.

"Amen to that. Anyone want to play a little 4-on-4?" Beau asked.

"Um... It might just be 3-on-3," Kellin pointed out softly. I followed his gaze to where Josh sat listlessly at the corner of the chain-link fence. His eyes were focused on nothingness.

"Should we invite him to play?" Jesse questioned warily. Kellin shook his head.

"I'll go talk to him now. You guys go ahead and play," Kellin insisted, heading over to where Josh rested. Craig, Jesse, and I compiled one team against Caleb, Beau, and Jeremy. The opposing team was considerably larger and stronger than we were, and we were getting our asses handed to us when I noticed something a bit off.