Crowns and Chains

Chapter Four: Peer Pressure

Drake

The courtyard looks as normal as ever, the stereotypical bad guys have their own ground by the bench, across the yard from me. Only in this prison, it is lead by this dick called Dale.  He sees me then throws a smirk, I give him a nod. I wouldn't say we're friends, we just merely tolerate each other with some respect because of the incident on my first day. I was only eighteen with no experience in fighting whatsoever because of Candace.

"What're you in here for?" A deep gruffly voice booms from behind me. This is most probably the time where the stereotypical bad guys or their 'gang' if you wish to call it, beat the new kid; i.e. me. So I ignore him.

"You know, freshman, when I talk, you answer." He says leaning in closer from behind me. I continue on eating my first dinner. I look around the wardens to see if they'd do anything about it. One just looked at me and smirked. He wanted to watch me get beat up. How original.

Next thing I know I'm on the ground. The dick grabbed my shoulder from behind and slammed me to the floor. My breath caught on my throat. I try to get up as quickly as I could to minimize my vulnerability. The dick was too fast though, he climbs on top of me and throws a punch, sharp pain shoots from my left cheek. He was much much bigger than I thought.

"That- is what you get for igno-" I punch his throat cutting him off, I'm not strong enough to fight him fairly, so my only chance would be to hit his vital points. I feel blood starting to drip from my cheek. He staggers back choking, gasping for air.

His buddies gape at me in shock before teaming up and kicking me on the ground, stomping and punching. I curl up, protecting most of my body. The guards eventually pulled me out with only a few broken ribs and a broken nose. I see the dick, still clutching his throat, throw me a grin.

After that I was in the infirmary for a month, I met Carl who broke his neck by falling off the fence on his attempt to escape. I learned that the dick's name was Dale and he apparently liked my guts. Dale never bothered me ever since.

"I just remembered the counselling thing, it started like five minutes ago you coming?" Carl says beside me snapping me out of my gaze. Counselling huh. It would be interesting to see that stuck up woman again. 

"Sure."

----

"I have two daughters, I haven't seen them in four years!" A guy yells and bursts into tears when he said it. A guy I recognized to be Jeff.

Yikes. When did counselling become a full out drama show?

"You'll see them soon, not long now before your parole is over. Right? I'm sure they miss you very much." The stuck up woman says so sweetly and Jeff cries harder. 

Pussy.

"What about you? What's your name? Do you have anyone waiting for you outside?" She turns to Carl, a hopeful look in her eyes. Us arriving late didn't bother her one bit, she simply introduced herself and greeted with such a warm smile I could've mistaken it for hell. 

Carl gives a half smile before answering. "I'm Carl and yea, my wife. Well at least I hope so." 

I look at him at my side, I didn't know he had a wife, and we've been friends for over a year. Technically we don't really talk much, we just punch each other. In a good way. Sorta.

"How long was it since you last saw her? Do you want to see her again?" Stuck up asks again.

"It's been five years, she never visited me and yea, I want to. But, I don't think she feels the same." Carl replies earnestly. It was surprising, seeing him open up, not a crack on his shell that he calls a face.