The Prison of Deviants

Chapter 28: Theo's Crime

The outcome of our efforts is even greater than I imagined. All of the prisoners from all the districts have agreed to cooperate. It seems that this prison is equally unbearable for all of us. Even the people whom I've had a hard time with in the past (like Dave and his sister from the feline district) are on our side now.

We've been gathering in the dungeon for our meetings. I have relaid my plan to the participants - the plan Dagur and I have devised together. As Dagur told me some weeks ago (three weeks have passed since we made the deal), my plan was far from perfect. He helped me modify it so that we'd reach perfection. Knut is returning next Saturday, so I will soon have to fulfill my part of the deal. When Dagur takes care of Derek as he's promised, that is.

Apart from the prisoners, many administrators too, have agreed to cooperate. Jared from the canine district, Shon's good friend, is with us. Mei, the panda headwoman of the bear district, and Son Goku, the headman of the monkey district, have joined us as well, just like Annabelle had predicted.

We're operating in secrecy. Those who are against us know nothing of our plan. We've decided to escape right after Knut returns and I tell him of our plans. I haven't disclosed these last details to anyone, though. I know they'll be against it if they find out. I haven't told them anything about Dagur and our promise either. I don't know what the feline prisoners might think of Dagur, and I don't want to ask and find out. If I want to escape, everything must run smoothly. Even a little disagreement between our ranks might result in complete failure.

The date of our break-out is February the 1st - the first day of the last month of winter.

"I've got to say, Theo - I didn't think you'd turn out the most daring of all of us."

Annabelle's drinking a bottle of blood. We're in our cell now. Yelen's been sent back here after Bob found out about Rufus' intentions to marry her and forbade them to have such a serious relationship. So, now all the three of us are together, like in good old times.

"Hmph, you shouldn't have underestimated me! Not only bikers know the true values of life. We, artists, have always been free-spirited."

I drink from my bottle. If Annabelle thinks only bikers know the true joy of freedom, she's greatly mistaken.

"Heh, cheeky!" She smiles.

We both laugh. The months of being locked up together have done their thing - she and I have become good friends. Yelen, on the other hand, isn't that close with either of us. I guess the only thing she truly cares about is how to escape and start a new life with Rufus, as she's always wanted.

"Ladies, it is supper time!"

Rufus opens our cells. Yelen embraces him with joy. Annabelle and I follow them outside. We stand in the vampire line as before and head to the dining hall. Yet, this time, like at all times during these past weeks when we've secretly been meeting up and conversing about our escape plan, all of us prisoners are giving one another smiles as if children who are up to some mischief. The raven guards know what it's all about, but the bats don't, so we try not to let them notice.

We enter the dining hall. Here too, many prisoners exchange smiles. I go to the counter to get my food from the cooks, while Annabelle has already taken a seat with the bear deviants.

Merpeople cooks give a bowl of bean soup to all the prisoners who have no ties with any guards or overseers. However, once I walk up to them with my tray, they only give me a sign to pass and serve the other prisoners after me in the line.

"Excuse me! Aren't you going to serve me?"

"There's not enough food."

"That entire pot is full of soup, and you're telling me it's not enough for everyone?"