Smooth Criminal // Ryden

Helpless

Lunch was loud that same day. we get new inmates every two weeks during lunch. it's weird.

I'm with my usual gang, at our usual table, just like it is every damn day.

it's the same thing every day. and I'm tired of it. but what else do I have?

we all look at the inmates walking through the cafeteria eyeing everyone of them, seeing which ones are weak and vulnerable, while noticing the strong and independent ones as well.

"what about that one?" Wentz asked in the middle of chewing his food. we all turn around as he points to a small, scrawny little guy. he looked terrified.

"seems way too weak. he won't last a day." Saporta turns around making a bet he's way too confident about.

I study said man. he does look scared. he looks almost..

helpless.

a little after lunch, I went back to my bunk only to see the poor helpless boy settling in right next door.

"hey, kid." I get his attention.

"y-yes?" he stutters walking towards me, only a wall separating us at the waist.

"what's your name."

"Tyler." he said reluctantly.

I laugh, "we go by last names here, kid." I point out.

"oh, oh.. it's Joseph." he introduced.

"cool, I'm Ross here." I hold my hand out for him to shake, and he does.

"so what're ya in for kid?" I ask getting on Spencer's bed so I can talk to him yet still lay down.

he seems hesitant, but he tells me "manslaughter."

I look at him with a shocked face, "what?"

"i-i wasn't paying attention a-and I hit somebody with my car." he says terrified.

I raise my eyebrows. I'm honestly shocked, guy like this doesn't belong here. poor kid'll get destroyed.

"why don't you sit with my gang at dinner tonight." I offer, I'm not allowed to invite others to the table without Peres permission, but he can suck a nut for all I care.

"really?" he asked in a questioning tone. I nod in response.

"oh well thanks."

it's quiet now.

"so, what about you?" he breaks the silence.

I look at him over the barrier with a raised eyebrow. "what about me?"

"why are you in here?"

I sigh. I hate answering this. not that I'm embarrassed or think it's 'not as cool as other stories' I don't give a shit. it just makes me sad remembering it.

"my mother was sick, and I was working. I found out she got rushed to the hospital and when I left the building, my car had been towed." I begin my story, looking of to Joseph who looks intrigued.

"I had a co-worker who I was good friends with and he always let me use his car. so I broke into it without permission and I stole it. sped to the hospital as fast as I could but, it was too late. cops pulled me over and found out I stole the car." I continue.

"3 years later, I'm still here." I shrug finishing my story.

Joseph gives me a pitiful look. great. I don't want his pity.

"you're the first person I've ever told that story to." I admit.

he pats my shoulder, "I-I don't know what to say but, I'm sorry."

I shrugged. "I don't want your pity."

I continued laying on Spencer's bed almost falling asleep.

"do you miss your mom?" Joseph asked me resting his arms on the top of the barrier.

I nod, "every day. she's all I had left. now I don't have anyone." he now rests his chin on his arms. "I may seem like a dick but i do have a heart."

"well, you're the first person to be nice to me since I got her." he gives a pathetic chuckle, "since I killed that guy actually."

"really?"

"yeah, my wife is divorcing me, my family said they'd never come visit, all the useless garbage." Joseph says.

"you were married?" I ask curious.

he nods. "Jenna was amazing, and of course I had to ruin it all." Joseph sighed. "did you have a girlfriend or anything?" he asks me now.

I shake my head. "I'm gay dude, plus I don't want commitment. nobody would want me anyways."

he nods indicating he understands. "plus everyone I love always leaves me."

"I understand. life is hard." he sighs.

we're quiet now, but I don't want to start conversation. I'm kinda tired of talking to him. but I think this guy could be like Spencer. I should keep him around.

one of the guards in charge of our cell block comes to my bunk. I'm confused. I haven't done anything. what does this fucker want?

"Ross, you have a visitor." he says and says something to his radio and walks off waiting for me.

of course I obey but, who would visit me? I have nobody in my life.

"Ross, move your ass." the guard yells louder.

I roll my eyes and move towards him, thoughts still running through my head frantically.