The Prison of Deviants

Chapter 30: Theo and Knut Reunite

(WARNING: The chapter contains, although indirect and allusive, but adult scenes nevertheless, towards the end.)

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Since my brawl with Derek back in the dining hall, I've been locked up in a solitary cell for a week, to "reflect on my actions". They've at least patched up my shoulder, so it wouldn't hurt as much. I do miss Knut's soft fingers running on my wounds applying the balms, though. His medicine was always superb.

The door of the cell opens with a clang. Rufus has come, with some raven guards. These latter ones free me from the chains and take me out.

"Your time is up, Theo." Rufus smiles. "I hope you've reflected upon your behaviour?"

"Yes."

"What have you learned?"

"That I've done nothing wrong. How's the plan going?"

Rufus shakes his head with a chuckle. It seems I've disappointed the papa bird yet again - I'm an untamable little chick who's always jumping off the nest when her wings haven't even developed yet.

"It's going very well. Everyone seems to learn of their duties as time passes."

"That's good. We'll need to operate perfectly for the break-out to succeed. Everyone's part is crucial."

"Yes. So far, everything seems fine."

"Who's been appointed as the new headman for merpeople?"

During the one-week solitary confinement, I've been in a complete informational vacuum. Nobody's been either bringing me news or asking me how I felt. It is a good time to catch up, now that I've been released.

"Gregory Whaleford."

"Wait, you don't mean that cute big whale who's agreed to come with us on the very first day?!"

I can't believe what I'm hearing - Gregory is the sweetest inborn merman in this prison. A well-built giant man in his sixties, he's one of the few blue whales left in the world, and the only one in our prison. He's so kind that he's never hurt anyone in his life, and has always been preaching about peace. Bob has appointed such a guy as a headman?

"Well, initially, Bob offered Colleen Karcharias' candidacy, but the warden rejected it and gave the position to Gregory instead."

Yeah, that makes more sense - Colleen is a shark of the Karcharias Clan. She's just as annoying as Derek was. Bob would certainly like her. But if the warden hated Derek so much as to burn him alive for hurting a mere prisoner like me, then it is obvious that he doesn't really fancy sharks. I still can't understand why a monster like him has chosen a cinnamon roll like Gregory for a headman position, though.

But it's better for all of us - Gregory's agreed to come with us right on the first day when Annabelle spread the word about our escape plan in the merpeople district. He's even offered to carry sixty of us on his back. He's really sweet.

"Oh, by the way, you have a visitor waiting for you outside," Rufus says.

"Huh? Who?"

Just as we emerge from the dungeon, I see Knut stand before us. I gather Rufus's been talking about him. I am happy to see him again. I should've expected it - a week has passed since my being shoved into the solitary cell on Sunday, so that means Knut must've returned even yesterday.

He looks a bit different from the last time I saw him - the thin black coat he's wearing along with his black t-shirt and soldierly trousers renders him more respectable, like a true high administrator. He reminds me of the warden in that outfit (the warden too carried such a coat when I saw him a week ago). His snow leopard fur and eyes resemble the warden's ones too, as well as the hairstyle. He must really admire his brother to follow his fashion so much. To me, however, it looks rather scary, now that I know it's the warden's style.