A/N: sorry for the delay but I was trying to write a long chapter ,and this is the longest I've ever written ; that's why it took me some time.

Anyways, well as usual all mistakes are mine & of course, I don't own White Collar.

I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 4

Neal wasn't ready to face the world. The moment he saw other inmates his heart pumping furiously indicating his fear. Was he afraid of them because he was considered a snitch, or because he felt weak and vulnerable? His mind was racing. He was on the verge of collapsing again ,and he knew it wasn't an option because the weaklings have no place among those people.

The mess hall was as crowded as usual and it had many familiar faces; much to Neal's dismay, some of them were there because of him. Just great that doubled the risk of him getting killed on the first day even though guards were keeping a close eye on him with some of them literally surrounding him which was both very annoying yet a little calming.

A guard guided Neal to an empty table and stood beside him. It was Sam; he was one of the guards whom Neal managed to be on good terms with. The food was as terrible as he remembered,and the glaring inmates who kept threatening him from time to time didn't help his appetite. His day was going to be horrible, and he knew it.

He was assigned to the kitchen, and he had only two inmates with him who didn't seem like a threat, and of course, three guards were there (to keep him safe of course). He missed every moment he spent working with the FBI , everything related to his new life that will soon turn into memories as he rots in this place unless Peter finds a way to get him out. Would Peter even want to, he wondered?

One of the two inmates seemed to be in his early twenties and the other was about sixty or something. After some time the younger whispered, "Can you help me, please?" He glanced towards Neal. Neal was startled; he was very engrossed in the terrible pan he was cleaning and almost dropped it when he heard the voice. The moment he looked towards the kid, the guards were already moving. Neal tried to stop them but the guards were so close that they grabbed the kid before Neal could think of something to do.

"You're coming with us boy" one of the guards shouted. "Please" everyone looked towards Neal, "What's going on?" "Back to work Caffrey, and mind your own business!" "Look, of it's about me, the boy was just asking me to help him out , simple as that, he didn't do anything, right boy?" "Yeah..yeah I just wanted him to help me hold this, nothing more." The boy said pointing towards the pot he was supposed to clean. "You could have asked Harvey."said a guard. "He was closer to me ; I didn't know I shouldn't talk to him" the boy was stammering. Neal could clearly see the fear in his eyes and was wondering what brought such a young boy to a place like that. "Fine, now you know, back to work, Now" the guard said moving back to his post. Then without a word, Neal moved towards the pan, signaling to the boy to go take his post, and started cleaning.

Neal thought his day couldn't get worse ,but he was wrong as flashbacks didn't leave him alone.

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At 10.30 Neal was already there asking for the Golden Hands. He was led to a room in the back of the pub full of crates. "Hi boy, I see you're early!" Golden Hand said. "Umm hi, yeah I'm a bit in a rush." Neal answered. "Well, so what was your business?"asked the man. "What business, sir? I was a student!" "Well boy, so what business do you want to get into?" "Umm, sir, I don't think we're on the same page; I don't have anything with me. I want to start my life over!"

The man scowled at Neal, then his expression turned to sympathy. "Look boy", he said, "you got it all wrong. I trade in rare stuff and people who lost their money and want a clean start in their business buy goods from me. I can't give you what you're looking for." he paused "But I can give you a temporary job. You're a well-mannered kid, and I appreciate that. You can work here in the kitchen, wash the dishes and glasses maybe clean it ,and I'll give you a thirty per week. What do you think?" "Well, sir, I don't think this is an offer that can be turned down. When do I start?" "Tomorrow at 12 in the afternoon" "I'll be here at 11,sir" "We'll see kid"

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"Caffrey!"a guard yelled pulling Neal back to reality. "I said move!" "UHH, of course" Neal said as he was led by the guard.

Of course, Neal wasn't permitted to spent his 'yard-time' outside his cell. He felt more caged than ever ,and if he protested he knew they'd tell him it's for his safety. Out of frustration, Neal called for a guard. "What do you want Caffrey?" "I want to speak to the warden..., please?" "Because..." "I'm tired of those safety procedures ,and I need to understand how things should go" Neal was lucky enough that the guard who came to him was Brandon who's always felt sorry for Neal. "I'll see what I can do Caffrey." "Oh thank you then." He said before returning to his bed and his flashbacks.

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The following day, Neal made sure he went to work early. Of course, the boss, whose name was Mr Smith, was satisfied by that which made it easier for Neal to ask him if Grace can work there too. "So you say your sister wants work too huh?" "Yes, sir" he didn't know what to call her other than his sister. "She can work with me in the kitchen and we're not asking to be paid as each others ;you can pay her less if you want. Please we're desperate for money." "Fine she can mop the floors and clean the place for twenty a week. We have a deal?" "Of course sir, starting tomorrow, I'll bring her with me. Thank you so much, sir." "Well, now back to work!"

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Neal and Grace actually enjoyed working their. They respected everyone there and we're hard workers, so all the people working there respected them. The money they received wasn't much, but they were able to live with what they had ,though they needed IDs badly to be able to gain some real money. Luckily, Freddie ,the man working with them in the kitchen, knew someone who could help them get IDs ,but he'd ask for a lot of money, and they didn't have this luxury.

"Neal!" Grace said one day after they were back in their motel room, "We have to try. Why don't we go to the man Freddie told us about and try to make a deal?" "I don't think it will work G. Those guys are pretty dangerous." "Let's give it a try Neal; I'm tired of hiding." "Fine, I'll go see him tomorrow and see what I can do." He said with a sigh. " Well then, good night ,Neal!" "Good night ,G!"

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"Caffrey, you're admitted to the warden's office." "Oh, thank you officer Brandon" "Move it ,Caffrey!" Brandon said as he guided Neal to the warden's office.

The warden wasn't really fond of Neal. Of course, he was utterly embarrassed when Neal escaped the first time, and he made it clear to Neal when Peter arrested him again that he didn't forgive him. He didn't even tell Neal anything the previous day just that for his safety he should follow the guards' instructions.

"Well Caffrey, I would like to know why you requested that you see me!" "Sir, I just wanted to understand the safety procedures that are taken to protect me as I feel that I won't be able to live like that for so long." "You aren't here to enjoy your life Caffrey! So just shut up and live with it, or I can drop all those procedures if you like, but you'll have to sign a statement admitting that this is what you want." "Sir, I'm just asking that no one gets into trouble because the don't know that they can't talk to me. It's like I'm in solitary but with guards all around me." "So, you'd prefer solitary, Caffrey?"

Neal didn't expect that answer ,but he knew that his safety was probably requested by someone from the bureau, Reese Hughes probably. That's why he didn't want to push the matter further, bit the idea of solitary appealed to him somehow. It was crazy and all, but it was better than hearing the constant threats and causing trouble to any inmates who tried to talk to him. Neal made his mind, and solitary was the answer.

"Yes sir, I would!" Neal could tell from the man's facial expression that he was awestruck. Well, it wasn't normal for anyone to ask for solitary, but Neal was pretty sure it'd be better than what he's enduring. "Fine Caffrey, you're sentenced three days into solitary confinement, and we'll see then what's better, some safety procedures or solitary. Now take him!" He signalled to the guard, and at that moment, Neal was certain he'd regret his decision.

A/N: I hope you liked it. Please ,tell me what you think. Constructive criticism is always welcomed.

Have a magical day ;)