Behind Steel Bars

CHAPTER 3

Jonathan-
They're releasing Brian and I into general population today. Right now they're leading us into the yard.
"I want you to stay near me, got it?" Evan says to me. Like hell I'm going to.
"Whatever you say Evan." I smirk at him and he huffs.
He opens the locked door and lets Terrorizer and I out. All the inmates stop and stare. One guy gets off a table and walks over to me. I stop right in front of him.
"Good to see you Delirious. Your presence has been widely anticipated."
"Has it?" I look around laughing. I notice Evan is watching me closely and one of the other guards goes over to him. A lot of inmates come up behind the man facing me. "I am enjoying the warm welcome. How long have you been top dog Mitch?" Mitch Fendorf. The leader that I took over for.
"About three years. Are you gonna take my position when I'm gone? Just like you did on the outside?" I laugh my insane laugh and some of his crew back off.
"Nah nah... By the end of this week I'll be top dog." Mitch's smile turns into a look of anger.
"Watch yourself Delirious. I may be older now, but I can defend my title."
I snort from laughing. I watch as his fist becomes clenched. I need him to hit me first.
"We'll see." He growls and walks away. I smile.
Brian steps up next to me.
"So we're gonna take him down?" Fuck I forgot Brian was here. I turn to him.
"No. You can't get in trouble. You need to get out of here."
"Del I want to help." I shake my head.
"I took the full fall for a reason. Discussion closed." I walk toward the bleachers and sit down. This isn't my first time being locked up. I casually reach behind the bleachers and feel a loose screw. I unscrew it with my nail and slip it into my waistband. Perfect.

Evan-
"Looks like your guy is going to cause some trouble." I look next to me to see James. Another full-time guard.
"Yeah, he's a trouble maker." I answer.
"Looks like he's going to pick a fight with the top dog."
"Top dog?" He smiles.
"Yeah you fight the top dog one on one for the highest position of power in here. They fight until the other recedes or is unable to fight anymore." He explains.
"Do these fights ever end up with one dying?" I ask as a heaviness finds its way into my chest.
"Usually they do."
I lick my lip unintentionally.
"Yeah we try to stop them before they get that far but sometimes we don't make it in time. I'd give it two days before the fight starts so place your bet now." James says walking away.
Jonathan is picking a fight with someone who could kill him. I swear he has a death wish. Why does he have to make my job so difficult?

((Time skip))

I lead Jonathan and Brian to their new cell. I made sure they were together in case Jonathan needed help. I'll admit, if Jonathan dies I'll feel bad. It means I'll have failed my job. I'd like to say that's my reason for looking after him but frankly my feelings are resurfacing. No. I can't let them.

"Cell 16. Welcome to your new home." I let them in. "CLOSE CELL 16!" The bars automatically close. I go to get a cup of coffee but his voice stops me.
"Hey Fong!" I turn back around and go back to his cell.
"What?"
"I'm sorry. You know, about your parents." I sigh.
"Thanks, but that was a bit late. About four years late." I start to walk away but he grabs my uniform through the bars.
"Rather late then never." He let's go and I stand there for a moment. I watch him.

"What's your game?"
"What do you mean?"
"You say you're going to die here and then once you get here you pick a fight with the guy in charge. What the fuck are you doing?" He's taken aback a bit.
"I didn't know you cared." My heart starts racing.
"I don't." I swiftly leave the area and go into the officer's lounge. I groan as the old coffee maker makes another batch.
"Having problems already?" I look behind me to see James sitting watching the monitors.
"No. No problems."
"You gay?" The question hits me out of left field.
"W-what? No." He smiles at me.
"Liar."
"If I am what's it to you?" He gets up and grabs the coffee pot and replaces it with another one in one swift move. He pours me a cup of coffee and hands it to me.
"Maybe you'd like to go out to the bar after our shift? I don't know. Maybe we could talk about this place." James is asking me out. I glance at the monitor and see Jonathan talking to Brian. I have to get him out of my mind somehow. I smile back to James.
"I'd like a drink." James smiles at me and we go on about our day.