Transform Me (A "Shatter Me" Trilogy Fanfiction)

EIGHTEEN: MINOR SETBACK

18: Minor Setback

I first came across Warden Yujiro Kishimoto some months ago while I was in a different body.  Since then, I have only encountered him all of three times (twice as another person), this being my fourth.  While the surname Kishimoto is quite common among the natives of Sector 21, there is no denying the striking resemblance he shares with the invisible man next standing to me.  It’s as if I’m looking at an older version of him, some thirty years into the future.

 I can’t believe I wasn’t able to connect the dots until now. 

             “Please, Lieutenant.  Have a seat and I’ll explain everything.”  The warden says easily, as if Lieutenant Fukawa’s anger against him is nothing more than a pebble in his shoe.

             This only provokes the lieutenant.  “You are in no position to order me, Warden Kishimoto.”

             If my brother, Jun, was here right now, he’d probably roll his eyes and say something along the lines of: ‘Honestly, this Fukawa dude can be such a drama queen.’  He’d be right, too.

             “Lieutenant Fukawa, take a seat.  Warden Kishimoto did not order you, but I am.”  My voice is steel.  “Let’s not waste any more time.”

             With flared nostrils, Fukawa glares at me, and everyone in the room can see that his pride has been severely injured.  However, he keeps his temper in check and begrudgingly acquiesces.  Still, his restraint is somewhat admirable.  He takes a seat on the other side of the couch, as far away from me as possible.  It’s almost funny how this grown man can still pout and throw tantrums.  But laughing is the last thing on my mind.

             “Permission to speak, General Watanabe.”  Warden Kishimoto addresses me, and I give him a nod.  He takes a seat behind his desk before he resumes speaking.  “Again, I would like to apologize profusely for breaking custom by not personally receiving you at the gates.  Please understand that I had every intention of being there.  However, we encountered a minor…setback a few hours prior to your arrival, which I had to deal with personally and immediately.”

             “And what was this minor setback, Warden?”  I prompt.

             There’s an almost imperceptible moment of hesitation before he continues.  “Three of the prisoners were able to break out of their cell.  We caught them within six minutes of their escape.”

             Lieutenant Fukawa scoffs.  “And how exactly were these prisoners able to escape under your watch, Warden Kishimoto?  I thought you had your men on high alert?”

             “One of the guards noticed that a section of the iron bars of Cell 13-J had melted, wide enough for someone to crawl through.  It was still warm by the time he detected it.  We’ve searched the escaped convicts thoroughly, as well as their cell.  However, we found nothing—no melting tool or traces of any form of paraphernalia that might have been used to aid in their escape.”

             “But how is that possible?”  Lieutenant Fukawa frowns.  “It would have taken hours for them to melt the bars and you’re telling me no one noticed this?  Are you absolutely sure you’ve searched them and their cell scrupulously?  What kind of incompetent circus are you running here, Warden?”   

             The warden presses his lips into a thin line and I see his jaws twitch.  However, his expression remains carefully neutral.  Still, there’s a hint of malicious gleam in his eyes.