Ah-kay heres din din for Alex and her shower o.O

Squidly is so cuddly in the chapter, and i feel bad for poor, sick Ziggy. I just wanna hug him!

Ok better not spoil it..read and ENJOY!


When dinner rolled around, I followed the boys to a larger building which they called mess hall. I was so not looking forward to the reactions I'd get when all the others saw me. But I was pretty sure everyone knew my presence by now. It's not every day you get a girl in a boy's detention camp.

So as I stepped inside the mess hall, I did my best to ignore the cat calls, hoots and hollers. I sighed and got in line for my food. Seriously, how long has it been since these guys actually saw a girl?

A bored cook put something on my plate. I looked at it with disgust before joining my tent mates at the table they gathered at.

"Do you guys really eat this stuff?' I asked, shoving what I assumed was meat around on my plate. "It looks like it's from a can!"

Everyone in D-tent laughed.

"I'm serious!" I picked it up with my thumb and fore finger and made a face.

I felt something slap my butt. I turned around to see something that resembled a primate grin idiotically at me.

"Hey. You feeling cozy around us boys yet?" He smirked. I looked up at him, then down at the remote resemblance of food on my plate. The D-tenters watched my every move. An idea hatched into my brain.

"Why... yes," I discreetly grabbed my meat with my fork, turned around and flung it in his face. He calmly wiped it off to the floor. Damn. I hoped he'd scream. I guess he was too used to the food.

By now, everyone in the mess hall was watching us.

Squid burst out laughing, followed by X-Ray, Magnet and Armpit. "That's how ya do it!" I heard someone shout from across the room. I heard Zigzag mutter something and I took it as a compliment, seeing the smile on his face. First time I ever saw him smile since I got here.

"You're a freak, but I like freaks," said Monkey Boy, winking and walking off. I sighed and looked at my table mates.

"Maybe because you are a freak," I muttered, even though I knew Monkey Boy couldn't hear me.

They all chuckled and began chattering among themselves. I glanced at Caveman, who was smiling at me. I smiled back. "At least I got a use for the food here," I shrugged. He laughed and continued nibbling on a piece of stale looking bread. I wonder why he's here. He doesn't seem like the bad-boy type...

I sighed. I was starting to feel homey around this particular group of boys, even though I'd only been here an hour, and some still treated me crap. I especially liked Caveman and Squid, who treated me like a human rather than an interest of the opposite sex. I liked that. It made me feel welcome.

"So," X-Ray began. "I've never given a name to a girl before,"

"Wow, that's a huge shocker," I teased. Magnet snickered.

X-Ray just shook his head. "Just wait 'till you start diggin'" he muttered. I smirked.

"Oh, I've done so much worse than dig a hole," I said, slightly bragging.

Squid laughed grimly. "Yeah, have you dug all day in the heat, deprived of water?"

"First hole's the hardest" Muttered Caveman as he bit into some type of once green vegetable. One of the boys sighed. I couldn't tell which one.

"So, I guess you haven't seen a girl in a long time," I tried to sound casual, but it was still really awkward.

They all looked up at me.

"Well..." Began Squid.

"Er, that's not entirely true..." Armpit added.

I was confused. Was there another female here? If so, why was everyone still paying so much attention to me? I furrowed my brow. Caveman rolled his eyes and began to explain, much to my gratitude.

"You see, the Warden is—"

Suddenly, I heard a loud voice, overpowering all the other voices in the room. "Where is she?" it sounded female. I gulped. Was this who they were talking about? I heard several boys say "over there". I turned around and saw a red headed woman wearing—shocker—a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and she had red freckles to mach her hair. She was the epitome of cowgirl.

"Where is Alex?" she practically screamed.

"Wow," whispered Zigzag, the first time I've heard him speak for a while, "I've never heard her yell like that,"

The others shook their heads. I hear the click click click of the cowgirl's boots as she got closer to me. Her voice was soft as she spoke. "Are you Alex...Alex... Barlow?" she chocked out.

"Uh, yeah... I am." As soon as those words escaped my mouth, I was yanked from my seat and drug outside.

"Do you know who you're related too?" she cried.

I shook my head. She seemed like she was in hysterics. I was sort of dazed myself. There was another female here. I was elated.

The cowgirl looked into my eyes, like she was going to kiss me. Instead she stuttered "Kissin' Kate Barlow," her voice trembled. I guessed sanity here was about as rare as water. "This so ironic. The great granddaughter of Kate is here digging for—you even have a criminal record like her! You even look like her! Your dark, dusty colored hair, heart shaped face... pale blue eyes. God it's so nice to have female company, but I never expected... Kate Barlow. Kate Barlow!"

Okay, this chick had lost it.

"Er... I don't even know you," I informed her slowly.

"Excuse me? Oh right, right, Of course." She straightened. "Forgive me. I'm Luanne Walker, but you can just call me Lou. Everyone else just calls me The Warden,"

Ah, so this was all mighty highness I heard Armpit and Squid talking about during the chat in the tent. She didn't seem to have much to make her feared. She seemed nice. Crazy, but nice. I nodded to show I heard, but I was confused about this whole Kissin' Karen or whoever she was.

"Uh, who's Kissin'...?"

"Kate? Oh haven't you heard of her? You're related to her, for God's sake! She was the most feared outlaws back then. It is said that she has a...well never mind. I guess you picked up her genes, since you seem to be on a criminal spree" she chuckled. For some reason I was oddly proud. I was related to a famous outlaw! Or so she said... I still wasn't sure if her facts we're all in a line.

"Well, I just wanted to let you know that if you need anything, you just tell me, you hear?" She smiled. Something wasn't right about this conversation, but I nodded anyway, darting my eyes from side to side nervously.

"Can I go now?" I asked, hesitant.

"Sure!" The Warden practically shoved me back inside. I hurried back to my table, shooting glances back at her in case she was trying to stalk me or something.

"Dude, it looked like you put a curse on her, the way she was ranting and hysterical like that!" Laughed Squid.

"You saw?" I asked.

"Uh huh. Practically the whole camp was watching," Magnet nodded.

Caveman looked at me with wide eyes. "Your great grandma robbed my great grandfather," he told me.

I looked at him. "Really?"

He nodded. "Yeah. He was robbed by Kissin' Kate and left stranded out here."

I cringed. I kinda felt bad for him now. But it also gave me a feeling of... authority. I sat up straighter.

The other boys watched Caveman as he told his little story. "You told us so many times," groaned Armpit, which led to more complaints. But Caveman was still watching me, something of awe and fear were in his eyes.

I didn't like that. If he were going to respect me, it was going to be because I was one of them, not because I was a girl or I could break his jaw.

"Hey Hex," Started X-Ray. All the boys looked over at him. I was still focused on Caveman. "Hex," he said. It took me a moment to realize he meant me. I looked up, shocked.

"Me?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Why?" I asked. "Why... Hex?"

"You put a spell on everyone here,"

I wasn't sure of that was a pick-up line or the truth. After all, everyone seemed dazed from my presence. I guess the name was appropriate.

Caveman smiled at me then took another bite of his bread. I looked down at my own bread, my nose crinkled from the smell.

"You better eat," said Squid, a little concerned. "You'll need strength to dig a hole tomorrow,"

I nodded, though I was pretty sure I could dig a simple hole. Instead of eating, though, I looked around at the boys at the table, taking inventory on their personalities. X-Ray, who was staring me down, was the scrawny player, it was so obvious. He also seemed like the leader, the way he claimed everything. I think Squid was next in command, though he seemed really sweet. I guessed after Squid came Armpit, who didn't speak much and when he did it was something either growl-y or sarcastic. Lets see... After Armpit? Probably Zigzag. He was the strangest, with his wild hair and eyes to match. He seemed like he hated me, and everything he did was unexpected. I could never tell he was going to do next.

Hmm, next was probably Caveman. He felt sympathy for me, I could feel it, and he was probably the sweetest. After him was Magnet, who was amusing, the things he said, and how he got here, which I learned over the course of the hours that he stole a puppy. He was the animal-loving type.

Then last, the only one who hasn't spoken to me, the quiet, small one. Zero. I could guess why they called him that. He had zero ability to talk. Nothing was going on under those frilly curls. It was kind of sad, but whatever. I was under Zero in the chain, and for more reasons than being the newest at camp.

I growled.

"You okay?" asked Armpit.

I jumped. That scared me. "Oh, yeah, I was just trying to guess the pecking order here," I stumbled over my words, embarrassed.

X-Ray laughed. "Alright, what you got so far?"

"Okay, here's my guess." I didn't care if I hurt any of the boys' feelings. Some instinct told me this was a start to break past the sexist wall and become one of them. "X-Ray is the leader, then Squid, Armpit, Zigzag, Caveman, Magnet and Zero," I secretly crossed my fingers.

"Not a bad guess," Squid nodded, then grinned at Armpit, who just rolled his eyes

I laughed. "Let me guess, Armpit is really before you?"

Squid nodded. "Sadly, yes. And Magnet is before Caveman. But other than that, you did good," he smiled. So did I.

Yeah. I did do good.

After dinner—or as I like to call it, food poisoning—I was instructed to take a shower. Oh joy. A shower in a camp of thirty-five boys. How fun.

So, I climbed into the shower stall. I followed by over half the camp. I groaned and slammed the door. I began stripping myself of my old sweaty clothes and threw them over the side of the stall. I heard laughs and whistles. I rolled my eyes and turned the knob. I ope they dont steal them I thought. The cold water felt great on my hot flesh. A welcome relief, despite the awkward feelings that hung over me like a rain cloud.

"Hey! Get away!" called a voice. Squid. "Go drool cover something else." I heard something thump on the side of the stall. I guessed it was him leaning on it. I pictured him crossing his arms and chuckled. I heard the scuffle of shoes and grumbles at the boys left.

"Thanks," I shouted over the patter of water. I noticed there was no drain. The water overflowed out the sides and dissolved quickly in the parched ground.

"Yeah," Squid said. "You know, it just bothers me, the way they treat you like that, just drooling over you like you're a piece of food," he said. The heart in this statement made me smile. He was so nice. Or maybe it was just an act, to get my attention. I sighed. Probably was. After all, I was dealing with a camp of devious minds. Devious minds competing over the attention of a new girl.

"You okay?" Squid asked.

"Er, yeah, I guess" I smiled. Then I heard more footsteps and I heard Caveman's voice. Unlike my doubts with Squid, Caveman seemed genuinely nice and understanding.

"Hi, Squid. Whatcha doin'?" He asked.

"Er, well, you could say I'm protecting Hex's virginity."

I blushed. I guessed Caveman did too. I could hear it in his voice. "Er...oh...okay..." I heard another thump as Caveman leaned against the stall.

"Hey could you take over? I gotta go check on Zig, he doesn't look so good..." I heard is foot steps fade away. I was kind of sad, but Caveman was good company too.

"What's wrong with Zig?" I asked, assuming that was Zigzag.

"I don't know," Caveman seemed uncertain. "He looks green... oh! He just barfed!"

I winced. I didn't much like barf. But then again, who did? "Yuck," I said. I wondered why. Surely Zigzag was sued to the harsh conditions by now?

"Yeah," Caveman laughed nervously.

Then the shower shut off. I was surprised, but Caveman jumped in. To explain, I mean. "It only lasts four minutes. Some way to save water,"

"Oh. Okay. Could you hand me my towel?" My white, dirt stained towel came flying over the top of the stall. "Thanks. Also my clothes?"

"Sure." A big bundle of clothes came flying over next. I didn't like changing in a wet stall, but it was better than changing in front of Caveman. Especially the undergarments part. I blushed even thinking about it.

When I was finished, I stepped out. My hair was damp, but the heat quickly took care of that.

Caveman walked with me as I headed back. "You know," I started, taking this opportunity to talk to him. "I want respect here, but I don't want it because I'm a girl or because I can beat people up," I told him. "I want to be one of you guys." He was probably the only one who would understand this confusing feeling.

He glanced at me. "I respect you," he said quietly.

I looked down. "Is that because I punched X-Ray, or because..." I didn't want to remind him of our great grandparents' encounter. I just let him use his imagination and fill in the blanks.

"Well, you proved to us plenty of times you aren't just some girly-girl..." He started, nodding slowly. He didn't finish. I didn't want him too. He got what I wanted him to get, and that was just fine.

"So, does Zero talk?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Only when he wants to. He's not stupid though. I'm teaching him to read, and he's great at math."

"Oh" I felt bad now for my impression of him earlier. "Sorry, Caveman. I didn't know that"

"Please, can you call me Stanley?"

Whoa. He's the only one who wants me to call him by his real name.

"You know, you probably should get some sleep so you have energy for tomorrow. You'll need a lot," he continued, sighing. "Trust me,"

I smiled. He smiled back. "Okay, Stanley" I said, trying out this new name on my tongue. I pushed back the canvas flap and went back into the tent. Zigzag was sitting on a cot, his face in his hands. The other boys were laughing at him, poking him and calling him barfbag. I felt bad for him, despite how he seemed to hate me.

I sat beside him, shot glares at the boys, and whispered "You okay?"

He jerked his head over at me. He looked pale and his eyes were more fierce than ever. "I'm..." he was cut off by another stream of barf. Despite the terrible, rotting odor, I didn't flinch, while the others jumped back and made gagging sounds as it splattered on them.

Then I hatched another good idea. I remembered what the Warden said. "If you need anything, you just ask me."

I sympathetically patted his back and said "Be right back" as I got up and headed for the Warden's cabin. I noticed that it had two big trees with a hammock stretched out between them. I carefully avoided the shade, remembering, again, the conversation from earlier. She owns the shade. I didn't want to get in trouble on the first day, no matter how tempting the cool darkness looked.

When I knocked on the old wood door, she opened it with an annoyed look on her face, but them smiled when she saw me. She was wearing a white tank top and boxer shorts. The coolness was unbelievable in the cabin, and it was a welcome change. It was at least thirty five degrees cooler than out here in the raging heat.

"Um, Lou? Can I have some more shower tokens?"

She looked angered at first, and then she must have smelled the barf on me. "Oh, my, sweetie I'm so sorry," she dashed back into her cabin, and handed me a box. "Take as many as you need," she seemed overly animated, as if truthfully she was really pissed at me and was hiding it. I wondered why? Was it because I was related to some dead outlaw?

Weird.

I grabbed five and thanked her, trying my best not to be sarcastic. I dashed back to D-Tent as fast as I could in this oven and dropped the tokens on Zigzags lap. Maybe this will get him to like me better. I thought hopefully.

He looked at them, then at me. His eyes seemed to go right through me, and I flinched.

"Look, the water will cool you off and make you feel better, and it will wash all this shit off you," I told him, trying my best not to lose my sympathetic edge.

He stared at me for what seemed like forever. It was trying to place me, I could tell. It seemed like that with Zigzag. He had to figure everyone out, or else he wasn't satisfied. Maybe that's why he seemed to glare at me with so much rage.

Then, after looking me over for what seemed like days, he grabbed the tokens, stood up, and nodded his long bobble-head neck.

"Thanks" he whispered, and walked out.

The other boys looked at me, jaws dropped just like they did when I first saw them.

"Can you do that for us?" X-Ray asked, a hopeful look in his eye.

"Only if you spew crap all over yourselves," I spat, suddenly tired. I sat down in my cot, and pulled the thin sheet over myself, watching the other boys from my new point of view. They were still staring at me.

"What am I? TV?" I growled. They muttered and began situating themselves in their own beds. Except Squid. He was still staring at me. Finally, he came closer to my bed and sat down on the edge.

Great. I was wrong. He was just as perverted as the rest of them.

He smiled at me. "That was really nice, Hex" he said.

Oh.

"Yeah, I felt bad for him," I said, trying to sound modest. "He's a weird one though."

"Yeah," he shrugged. "He wouldn't be Zigzag if we weren't"

I laughed.

"Well, good night" he said.

"'Night to you too" I said.

I fell asleep smiling.


lol i loved the warden and how coo coo shes being.

plz R&R

well, actually, ur done reading if ur down this far. so i guess just one R lol