Noah

October 8th 2014

I awoke to a loud, rhythmic thumping.

"Wakey wakey, Robyn Wells." a voice said.

"Morning, Chris." I grumbled, turning over to glare at my grinning cell mate.

"What's green and then red?"

"I'm not in the mood for it." I said. I'd recently found out that my cell are, Chris, was a pyromaniac sociopath who'd ended up here for setting a petrol station ablaze, killing seven people.

Chris just sat there, grinning as she waited for me to respond.

"I don't know." I sighed eventually.

"A frog in a blender." she sniggered.

"Nice." I muttered. "Why did you wake me up?"

"Do you know what time it is, Robyn Wells?"

"No."

"I was thinking... you know that girl you don't get along with?"

"Yes?"

"You ought to stop starting fights with her. You're quite young, compared to most of the inmates. An easy target. If you start getting into trouble you'll probably get stabbed in the shower."

"Thanks for the advice." I replied. "Don't worry, I can look after myself quite well."

Chris leaned forward, grabbing my wrist urgently. "Please don't get into fights. You're the only one in here that puts up with me."

"I'm not going to die, Chris, don't worry." I said nervously, resisting the urge to withdraw my wrist.

"Okay." she said, looking relieved. She got up, pacing the six foot cell. "We ought to go to breakfast you know."

"It's like three a.m." I sighed.

"Oh, so you do know what time it is?"

"Can I go back to sleep now?" I sighed. Chris shook her head adamantly. "Why not? Why did you wake me up?"

"I had a nightmare." she said, biting her lip nervously.

I repressed another sigh. "So you woke me up?"

"Well I know that you have nightmares a lot, Robyn Wells. You shout a lot in your sleep and toss and turn. I was wondering if you could suggest a remedy."

"No." I said. "I can't. You get used to it, just go back to sleep."

I rolled over so that I was facing the wall, and heard Chris shuffling. Then, a weight settled on the bed next to me.

"I have nightmares about the people I killed." she whispered. I turned back to look at her. "I didn't mean to kill them, but petrol stations make the most beautiful fires and-"

"I know, Chris." I sighed. "You've told me before. It's not your fault. Just try to get back to sleep." I closed my eyes to go to sleep but she didn't move.

"What do you have nightmares about?" she enquired.

I knew from experience that she wouldn't leave me alone until I replied. She was incredibly persistent. "The same as you." I replied. "The only difference is that I know it wasn't an accident."

There was a long pause. "What's full of holes but still holds water?"

I thought for a moment. "I don't know."