Prison Blues

4 - Sleeping Arrangements

Adam had no idea what time it was, but he was exhausted. Over and over again, his eyes slipped closed and his head dropped to his chin. Blake was sitting on his makeshift bed, reading and ignoring Adam. Adam's hands had long ago gone numb. He nodded off again, slumped against the shelf, and it slid, making a loud screeching sound that made them both jump.

Blake narrowed his eyes in irritation at him. "What's wrong with you?"

What's wrong? His body ached. Everything hurt. His hands were numb and his shoulders were sore from having his hands tied behind him for hours. He'd been given nothing to eat. He was battered, bruised and exhausted, physically, mentally, and emotionally drained, and being held captive by a violent convict from the sex offenders ward who'd already kissed him and admitted to being attracted to him. "Nothing, Blake. Nothing at all. Why do you ask?"

Blake sighed. "You hungry, kid?"

"I'm fine."

Adam's stomach denied this with a loud gurgle. Blake sighed again, put his book aside, and got up.

Adam cringed away when Blake leaned over him. But Blake just untied his hands. He took one of Adam's hands in his own and rubbed it. Adam cursed loudly at the pins and needles and pulled his hand away.

Blake frowned. "I'm just trying to help."

"I think I've had just about enough of your help today, Blake."

Once again, Blake's eyes went cold. He seized Adam's arm and dragged him across the floor to the other side of the closet. Then he let go of Adam, dug in his sack, and produced a protein bar. "Here. Eat this."

Adam got his hands working enough to take the offering. But he couldn't get it unwrapped. Blake grabbed it, opened it, and held it towards Adam's mouth. "Here."

"Thanks." Adam quickly pulled the bar out of Blake's hand and took a big bite.

Blake rolled his eyes. "You gonna spend the rest of however long this takes resenting me?"

"The thought did cross my mind, yes."

"Adam, you're a beautiful man. Seeing you standing there the way you were turned me on. But if I hadn't had to shove your face into my crotch, you never would have known."

"But you did shove my face into your crotch, Blake!" Adam snapped. "You did, and then you were in my mouth and everyone was watching and it was awful and it's not something I can just forgive!"

"Damnation, Adam, I did not want to do that to you!" Blake hissed. "I knew I wouldn't get away with what I did last time, but I also knew I had to give them something!"

"You didn't give them anything, Blake. You gave me something, something I never asked for!"

"I didn't ask for it either!"

"Then throw me right back into that fucking cafeteria!"

"Maybe I should?"

"Fine!"

"Fine!"

Adam braced, expecting Blake to grab him and drag him out. His heart was pounding, and he was shaking in fear at the thought of what would happen to him then. But Blake didn't move. "You get that out of your system now, kid?" he asked instead.

Adam looked down, miserable. He nodded.

"Good. I didn't want to do that to you, Adam. I didn't want to hurt you at all. But if I hadn't, then they would have hurt you one hell of a lot worse. And none of that would have happened if you'd just listened to me and stayed put!"