Cell Mates (boyxboy) (Book 1: Behind Bars)

Chapter 23: Settle.

Chapter 23

We’d been forced to wake up by Nate at 3:00 am; way earlier than we had agreed upon the night before and I was so tired I could sleep standing up. John had left out over an hour ago to get some supplies while Nate was outside hunkered over the engine of the rusted bucket of a car we’d be travelling in.

Beside me on the cushion-less couch, Kyle lay fast asleep once more and I found myself wondering for about the hundredth time, why we had to get up so early if we weren’t even going do anything. It was only Nate’s grumpy disposition that kept me from asking.

It was still very dark outside and so cold my joints were beginning to ache. It had been just hours since we’d left the prison and I had no idea what was going on in the world at large, I found myself wondering if our pictures were being circulated and if we’d made the breaking news on TV; I wasn't even sure I wanted to watch; it would only serve to make the situation feel more real.

I heard the loud clatter of metal objects hitting a hard surface as if a tool box had fallen and pushed up from the chair to go investigate. When I reached the open doorway, I paused taking in the sight of Nathan bent over the spilled tools and cursing under his breath, flashlight in hand and pants riding low. His hands were greasy, as was the plain white shirt he wore and I smiled at the sight of him.

“Need some help?” I offered as he continued to gather the tools. He looked around at me briefly, our eyes meeting before he turned back to his mess.

“No go back inside.” He said gruffly and I bit my lip.

“Nate-”

“Riley, this entire situation is hard enough without you giving me any trouble alright? Go back inside.” He said adamantly and choosing not to give him the opportunity to make me feel even shittier, I turned away from him and reentered the room where Kyle still slept, oblivious to the shit storm tearing at my heart.

 It was ten minutes before Nate entered the room, going straight to the bathroom and a moment later I heard the running of water.The worst part about Nate’s foul mood was the fact that I had no idea if he was just pissed off at the whole situation or if he was like this because he regretted even coming in the first place, so despite being comforted by his very presence, a few times already, I’d caught myself wishing he’d never even come.

I knew I was selfish, ungrateful, irresponsible, possibly even every name anyone could think to call me, but at the end of the day freedom mattered more to me than what anyone thought and I could practically taste the tangy flavor of liberation, so much so that every time I closed my eyes that’s what I saw and every time I harbored second thoughts, it brought me back to my senses.

I’d been framed and I would go down fighting for my freedom, the time for sitting in my quiet little corner like a scared mouse was over. I’d taken the first step and with the help of my friends-because that’s what they were to me, whether they agreed or not- I was going to succeed.

“Kyle.” Nate’s voice interrupted my musings and I moved to shake Kyle awake.

“What?” came his sleepy response and I pointed to Nate who stood across the small room, cleaning the blade of what looked to be a pair of scissors.

“Come here.” He said before disappearing once more into the bathroom and I watched as Kyle pushed up from his seat n confusion, stifled a yawn and followed Nate into the tiny lavatory.

I followed because there was nothing else to do, but mostly because I was curious. When I got to the door my brows furrowed in confusion and I leaned against the frame watching the scene play out before me.