the green thought

Part 6

Ch 5

Tuesday a.m. , Delft

A guy shuffled in the cell. There were already three other guys sitting along the excuse of a bench. He looked terrified 'probably his first time'. He eyed the line up, his gaze fell on me, deciding I looked the least threatening. After getting the cuffs off he turned on a heel, standing there like an idiot having a staring contest with the floor. Rolling my eyes I snapped my fingers. His head shot up looking for the source of the noise. the two guys sitting to my left and the giant on my right didn't seem to notice. I tilted my head to my right scooching closer to the men who were in the middle of hushed chatter. The guy quickly sat down, careful not to make eye contact with the giant cracking his knuckles. "Hey, thanks" his voice was light but his darting eyes and clammy face gave away his fear.

The guy on the right grunted walking up to the bars. He didn't move, giving me barely any space in the guy sandwich. I rested my elbows on my knees and slowly leaned into his ear. "Could j'a give a girl some space?" I spoke at full volume all eyes in the cell were on me after we watched the guy jump off the bench gasping. The giant laughed crossing his arms and leaning against the bars. As he spoke his voice was a rasp from a committed relationship with cigarettes. "Holy crap kid how the hell are you a fighter? I lost good units last week because of you."

I stole a glance at the apparent fighter noticing grey fading bruises along with fresh blue ones poking out of his sleeves and collar. His nose was crooked and wrapped in a very old scar, then I saw his forehead. 'How did you get a tiny black bruise between your eyes? Did someone actually poke you hard enough to burst a blood vessel? Oh that's priceless.' trying to stay neutral he shrugged "beats me." The giant scoffed "what's your name anyway?" He watched him slowly sit to his right. Side by side you'd swear the giant was the survivor of a fight a few days ago. In comparison he looked average, maybe a little short. His baby face really pushed the image of a twelve year old kid who was trying to act tuff.

"If you bet on the fight, you'd know wouldn't you? I mean it's only been what? four days, was that fight really that forgettable? Besides I might not be who you think I am." His tone was cocky with the slightest hint of sarcasm. The giant huffed "It's hard to forget that nose of yours." My amusement must have shone because he stopped glaring at the guy and stared me down. "What are you looking at?" I put a hand on my cheek squinting "the show" clenching his jaw he faced forward, folding his arms over his chest and letting his head hit the wall with a thud. Satisfied the giant wasn't going to start anything the guy turned to me. He leaned over whispering. "Thanks for that" I nodded, flashing a polite smile. "No trouble" my sarcasm made him return the expression.

I cupped my hand whispering loudly "hey since we're gonna be here for a while what's your name?" He leaned into my ear copying me but his words were murmurs "On, it's nice to meet you." I pulled away in confusion 'did he just say on? like the word?' "what?" I chuckled, shaking my head. He blushed, bowing his head "yeah like the word, what's your name?" this time when I leaned in I was sure to whisper "Delft like the word." He straightened nodding. I stayed on my elbows watching the foot traffic reach stampeding levels. 'Something's wrong. Something's about to go down.'

"What's wrong?" I waved a hand in his face, 'how was he so blind?' On got down to my level and watched the bustling crowd grow louder. "Watch, something's wrong." He nodded but looked completely lost, then a debt collector got up on the reception desk far in front of us. Everyone shouted for quiet, it was minutes before I could make anything out. "Amenders stop this, a riot won't change anything!" the thin man pleaded as he was pulled to the floor. Everyone was on their feet in the cells lining the back wall. The giant banged on the bars demanding someone let us all out. Emerging from the jumble of rioters was a grinning man. His rumpled black uniform didn't fit with the scene, it was too bright.

"Must be a caseworker from upstairs" I pointed to the man, On's body went rigid. He pulled me to my feet "Delft when this guy opens the door you run." I barely heard him yelling over the noise "why? What did you do?" I accused, crossing my arms. Taken back by my reaction he held my hand and leaned close to my face. I could see his strange scar so clearly now. It was like a worm had been hacked into pieces across his nose. "Because he wanted to beat my head in when he escorted me to my amending. Make more sense now?" His harsh tone matched the anger gleaming in his black eyes.

I shook off his hand pushing his shoulders so hard he stumbled back a step. "Personal space" he nodded apologetically and I continued "makes sense, but I'm not leaving you in this mess alone. No offence tiger but I think he'd slaughter you" He looked offended for a moment before letting a sly smile graced his lips. The man stocked towards our cell ignoring the other captives screaming for their release. On backed up bouncing on the balls of his feet. The caseworker's eyes glossed over grinding at him. The other men were by the door waiting for it to swing open. The giant looked back flashing On a smirk as he and the other two guys joined the brawl in front of reception.

"No one to save you this time brat" the man's jaw hung slack in a hungry smile as he lunged forward.