Hey guys,

Sorry for the delay, this chapter was harder to perfect than I thought it would be haha. I struggled with getting the format right, messing around with different possibilities before I finally settled into what I present to you now. I'm pleased with the outcome, and I actually decided to split up his prison time into two chapters. I thought it would give a better pace to the story.

As always, I thank you guys so much for your continued support! Your words of encouragement are so very appreciated!

PinkiePieParty122894: Awesome! I'm so glad to hear you liked it! I hate to confess that I never watched Naruto XP but I'm glad to hear my words paint a good enough picture for you to draw similarities. :)

FiveftFury: I'm so glad my story is exciting you! You have no idea how great it is to read the reactions my chapters evoke out of you! I'm literally grinning from ear to ear right now :D I hope that this chapter lives up to expectation, there will be more feels coming for part 2 ;D Your praise and support is warming my heart so much, thank you! :3

Nobody: Don't be! I'm just glad to see you're still around :) Haha I apologize for making you cry, but I'm so happy to know my writing is capable of such a feat :3 Thank you for your kind words, it really means the world to me!

DramaDragon2: Thank you! It's great to know you enjoyed it! And happy New Year to you as well!

lovleydragonfly: Welcome new follower! Haha I do indeed plan to continue well beyond the series/game end. This story deserves patience and care, and I fully intend to give it the chance to flourish and grow. Ray and Zack are the slowest of burns and I am in no rush to push them. :)

I'm so happy and surprised at how well received this story has been and I just want to thank everyone for taking the time to read it. Your favorites and follows mean a lot and keep pushing me to better my writing.

Anyways, enough with the sappiness and on with the chapter!

Chapter 11

I remember someone saying that having expectations just serves for a shitty reality.

They weren't bullshitting.

~ Day 1 ~

Hah, first day in the slammer.

The trial period and rotting in a stupid holding cell had been boring as fuck, there was a lot of damn talking and I couldn't be bothered to participate when asked. What was there to fucking say?

It didn't go over well with my 'defense attorney' as they called him, but really he was just a glorified chaperone with a giant stick up his ass. The dude was ridiculous, trying to get me to give a damn but nearly shitting his pants when I looked his way, he's just a pussy ass bitch who can't even look me in the eye. He's unnecessary, but I guess I don't have a damn choice, tch.

The dude wasn't even useful for information. I asked him countless times how Ray was doing but the stupid fuck couldn't even stutter out three fucking words, and if he did somehow to overcome that feat, he actually had the nerve to say it wasn't appropriate to ask things like that. Can you believe this guy? Somehow, by the grace of god, I managed to not strangle him to death. They'd probably be less willing to tell me what I need to know if I go and do something like that.

Looks like Ray's rubbing off on me…

As I walk down the dank and disgusting hallway leading to my new home away from home, anticipation is heavy and I can feel the adrenaline pumping. The cuffs were digging into my damn wrists, but even that small annoyance wasn't enough to dampen my mood.

But I gotta say, my escort was testing the threshold of my tolerance at the moment.

Another hard shove came from behind me, knocking my balance a bit since my hands were useless to steady me. I'm quick to recover and toss a biting glare over my should at this fucker. You guards sure got some balls on you, you got a death wish or something? Despite my growing temper, I grit my teeth and nearly bit my tongue in fucking half trying to hold it together.

First day, you know? Wanna make a good impression...tch.

I had a plan though, loose as it may be. And cutting down the security around here wasn't in the cards...for now. My limits only stretch so fucking far, I can't be faulted for what happens when you surpass them. You lived a good life, but I'm sure no one will you miss you, piece of shit.

That aside, I wasn't gonna let some idiot looking to die spoil the moment.

This was a sea of criminals, surely that should make my stay at least a bit more interesting, right?

…

Wrong.

It's lunchtime, we were all herded into the 'cafeteria' as it's been called. There's a sea of tables filled to the brim with meaningless faces, it was honestly kind of impressive how many damn people they managed to squeeze into this place. A tin tray lay abandoned before me, piled high with some type of mystery dogshit. They said we were gonna eat some damn food, but this shit plopped on my plate looks almost as appetizing as eating my own vomit.

Another downside, as I scan the lot of us packed in here like sardines, I've come to realize that most of the dumb shitstains occupying space here are only in here for petty theft or minor charges. I thought this would have been survival of the fucking fittest for Christ's sake, what is the meaning of this?

These fucks couldn't even intimidate a damn fly if they wanted!

Prison definitely wasn't what I had expected, and to say it was a let down would be a dramatic understatement. I was ready for hulking dudes, knife fights, all the fucking gore and bloodshed that dreams were made of. So, what a god damn let down to be met with this shithole…

Oi, you mocking me, fuckheads? Where are all the heavy hitters?!

I mean come on! You're looking at a "serial murderer, charged with multiple homicides who is getting life in prison with no chance of parol." That's a direct quote, I have no idea what the hell 'serial' could mean…I thought you ate that shit for breakfast? What the hell it has to do with my crimes is a fucking mystery in and of itself. Not to mention 'homicide,' not gonna even touch that one. Though I managed to squeeze out the meaning of 'parol' from the guard who was cuffing me and leading me out of the courtroom earlier. Guess it means I won't be getting out of here unless hell freezes over.

Pft, is that a challenge, bitch?

And then, as the cherry on top of the fucking sundae, I have a god damn cellmate. Guy's nearly as bad as my fucking lawyer, though I guess it's better he stays outta my damn way. Lest I have to fucking slit his throat or something. That would probably be hard to hide…

I take a bite of the slop I was served, nearly spitting the shit back out before I forcefully swallow it. I'm expected to eat more of this?

Now that's just fucking cruel.

I grumble under my breath, but force the sludge down regardless. I had to build my strength back up, its not like it would do me any good to fucking starve myself. I'm not that stupid. A tray clanks down beside me and I feel a sneer growing over my face as I take in the guy I'm shacked up with in this dump. Speak of the devil…

He's a scrawny fuck, barely more than skin and bones and he's got some pubes he's trying to pass off as a beard dangling from his chin. He's probably a head shorter than me and I find myself wondering how a little bitch like himself even ended up here. Couldn't have been for anything serious, the shithead doesn't even look like he can lift his spork. His hand shakes as he starts eating and I can see him glance at me multiple times as I blatantly stare at him with a fierce glare.

Oi, Bitch! You invaded my space here, now you're gonna sit there shaking like a leaf?

"Us guys…g-gotta stick t-together, r-right?" He finally manages to stutter out, still not even making eye contact with me. Is this guy serious right now?

"Wrong. Shut the fuck up, pussy," I spit at him.

Honestly, what is with this place? I'm starting to wonder if this can even be called prison with the amount of garbage piled in here.

He balks, literally opting to hide himself underneath his twig of an arm. Are you fucking dumb? I could split you in half without even blinking, what good is that arm doing you, idiot? His greasy brown hair makes me lose what was left of my appetite, so I get up, throwing the rest in the trash as I move to leave.

I'm stopped by a guard, his hand halting me as it hovers inches away from my chest. Yeah, you're lucky you didn't touch me. I might have just gone ahead and offed you, I'm not exactly in a forgiving mood. Staring at the offending appendage, I drag my eyes up to glare at him beneath the hair that falls into my eyes along my forehead.

A smirk slips onto my face as I watch the guy tense and sweat underneath my scrutiny. He coughs, trying desperately to hold on to his damn composure, but his endless fidgeting gives him away. Pussy. He manages to stiffen his spine before speaking, "It's lunch, you can't leave the designated area."

I scoff at him, but an idea strikes me as I look at him. Time to get some info?

"Ah, you don't say…" I fake a yawn, leaning my back against the wall to his right. He watches my moves like a hawk, heavy with suspicion. That's probably smart, only thing keeping me from killing you is sheer force of will buddy. "So…you know me right?" I question knowingly. Not many fuckers around here are covered in bandages, he'd be a dumbfuck to not know who I am.

"What's this about, prisoner?" His tone is edgy and I can tell I'm pressing my luck, but I've never been one to care for shit like that. Besides, this is important.

"Oh, just wondering if you know anything about the girl, Ray—chel?" I barely manage to choke out her full name, knowing no one else calls her that. Let's keep it that way…

The guard's face turns to stone, and a long moment passes in complete fucking silence, I can immediately tell he has no intention of answering me. I feel the annoyance bubbling up, my eye twitches at the sheer balls on this guy. Ignoring me, eh? I don't really appreciate that, you know…

But before I can utter a word, or make a move that would most likely lead to consequences I didn't want to deal with. There's a loud flaring alarm that sounds once, it makes my skin prickle, reminding me of the emergency system of that fucking house of horrors. Everyone's moving then, and I watch as they all spread out, dispersing from the cramped lunch room.

I feel a hard shove at my back, my head whipping around to pin my fury on the culprit.

It's that damn guard. This bitch must have balls of fucking steel.

"Lunch is over, get back to your cell."

Gritting my teeth, I call on all the restraint my body harbors to not bash this fuck's face in. Not today, but you'll be paying for that soon enough, asshole…

~ Day 5 ~

I'm running.

My boots are slapping the cement floor at a break necking pace. I can feel the blood pumping furiously through my veins, my heart hammers beneath my chest and I'm panting furiously, desperate to draw air into my lungs. But I don't stop.

I keep pushing, something's cradled in my arms, but it's too blurry to make out. I hold it tighter, squeezing to affirm its presence, it's soft. It's warm.

Suddenly the details become sharper; a hallway. I'm running down a hall, double doors in sight a far ways ahead. The only brightness comes in the form of a flickering fluorescent light from above, but it serves it purpose well enough. I push myself faster, my legs spring in long strides to eat up the distance. And yet, it feels like I'm getting no where.

What the fuck?

My furious sprinting continues but to seemingly no avail, the doors are still so far away. Actually…are they...getting farther? I watch in disbelief as the doors completely fade from view, disappearing into a darkness that shadows the length of the corridor. What happened to the god damn light?! How long is this fucking hallway?!

My adrenaline spikes, a panic pricks at my skin...but why? What is it I'm even rushing for?

A whimper sounds from the bundle in my arms, and it's then that fear strikes white hot in my veins. I gaze upon the girl, her imagine sharper than ever now. Ray. Her head lolls to the side suddenly, and then the severity of the situation hits me harder than a fucking freight train.

She's covered in blood, it soaks through the fabric that clings to her skin, the crimson liquid endlessly gushing from a wound I can't see.

No.

I immediately go to hasten my steps, but I run into a brick wall. Literally.

I stumble backward, tightening my grip on Ray as I glare at the obstacle, I'm lucky I didn't crush her by accident. My foot goes to smash it, obliterate it for daring to block me, but it doesn't falter. I turn to see if there's another way, feeling a wetness seep through my clothing and knowing she's running out of time.

But as I glance behind, I'm met with another wall.

I turn and spin frantically, but I'm surrounded. Caged.

Time seems to sputter to a stop, but yet the blood keeps flowing and draining from Ray. Fear's grip tighten's my throat and I feel like I can't fucking breathe. I'm choking, gasping for air as I'm strangled by the swelling panic. What the fuck's wrong with me...what's happening?

I'm not aware of how I become a rumpled mess on the floor, but finally I take oxygen into my lungs, the feeling more painful than the relief I was looking for. It's a miracle I managed to hang onto the limp blonde in my arms. My head hangs, observing Ray's ashen face, wondering where the pink in her cheeks went. Was her face always this pale? Ray…?

As if she heard my silent question, her eyes flutter and I'm suddenly graced with heavy lidded pools of blue. There's a pang in my chest as she smiles at me, I feel a softness on my cheek. Her hand swipes across…skin? My bandages, they're gone? But the feeling is surreal and takes precedence.

Suddenly, everything goes completely and utterly silent. The blood rushing in my ears quiets into nothing.

"Zack…" My breath catches in my throat as her voice caresses the silence. It's barely above a whisper, but it rings out loudly to me.

My hand rests over hers along my face, feeling soothed by her alertness. She was gonna be fine, I'd get us the fuck out of here…I'd find a way to get help and she was gonna be okay. Dammit, Ray had to be okay.

My mind races to find a solution, to see if there is any way out. I wasn't the brains of this duo though I'd be damned if I didn't fucking try. But as I look up to find an opening, I'm shocked to see…nothing.

My eyes can't see beyond the blackness, it seems endless and I'm left reeling at the complete emptiness of the space. Where the hell did everything go?! I glance back down to Ray, still cradled in my lap and the panic skewers my chest once again as I see her eyes closed.

Ray?

"I'm sorry…" I barely catch the words, but they register immediately.

And before I know it, I'm shouting. My voice is practically drowned out by the ringing in my ears as her hand slips from beneath mine, falling deftly to the ground. I'm screaming.

"Ray!?"

"Ray! Answer me!"

Nothing.

"RAY!"

Silence. The blackness around me creeps in like a fog and suddenly the atmosphere is suffocating. It's like I'm being buried in the dark and Ray's going down right along with me...

"Ray!" My body springs up, the shout comes sharp and panicked on my lips. My chest is heaving from the adrenaline. I can feel the sweat coating my forehead, it seeped through the bandages making my shirt cling to me uncomfortably.

Another nightmare.

Fuck.

They weren't always the same, but they all fucking sucked just as bad as the last. They always starred Ray, her dying in my arms and me helpless to stop it. Fucking pathetic. A hand comes to swipe across my face, it does little to relieve the tension stiffening my body. I let myself fall back into the mattress, hoping in vain that I won't be plagued by another as I drift back into a fitful sleep.

I wasn't that fucking lucky...

My head rests against the steel bars, my energy levels are fucking shit right now. But that's been a reoccurring theme since these god damn dreams began. It feels like I've got lead boots weighing down my feet, and I just have no motivation for fucking anything. Why does it feel like I'm being crushed by an invisible force?

Fuck this blows.

It's getting harder to count the days since I arrived too. I mean, how the fuck am I meant to keep track if I can't even fucking read? My arms hang loosely, elbows resting on metal as my hands dangle outside of the cage. Some old bloodstain streaks catch my eye, attempted to be cleaned but stubbornly remaining on the ground just outside of my cell, and I stare at them in keen fascination.

Damn, I miss the blood…but it's sure as fuck unwelcome in these night terrors of mine.

As my fingers drum against the bar in a lazy rhythm, an idea sparks in my head. Maybe I could make a tally? But how…there's no way I'd managed to find a knife in this dump. I look at my hand in contemplation, my eyes glancing back at the blood on the floor. I prick my finger with the nail of my opposite hand, watching the crimson well up in a tiny bead at the tip. This should do…

Retreating back into my cell, I walk to the wall directly across from my lower bunk. Feeling the wary eyes of my pussy ass roommate over the back of my head, but I pay the idiot no mind. Instead, I drag my bloodied index finger in a swift stroke across the cement wall. The red is clear and concise against the grey background.

Tch, look at that, that was kind of brilliant of me.

I quickly manage to scrawl four more lines next to it, each one representing an individual day. Stepping back, I observe my handiwork with a proud smirk. It's gruesome, but pretty fucking effective. The annoying pinch is barely a blip on my radar, so I don't mind the slight pain in order to keep track of my time in this shithole. Wouldn't want to overstay my welcome, hah.

"W-what the hell…?" I hear come from behind me, "You're fucking weird man, drawing on the wall in your own blood…and that s-screaming these past few nights…" The bitch has his hands gripping his head as I glance at him, looking like he's short-circuiting.

Tch, saves me the hassle of dealing with you if you self destruct.

"And that name you always scream…Ray," The mention of her coils my nerves tight, I grit my teeth in agitation. I wouldn't keep talking if I were you fucker.

"I heard that's the girl you kidnapped, did I really get lumped in with a sicko who's obsessed with little girls?" He barely whispers it, seemingly talking more to himself than to me, but I hear it nonetheless. It's not gradual, or a slow building fury, it's immediate and it's an inferno.

I erupt.

Before I can even fully process everything, I'm wrenching the fuck off the top bunk. My fingers grasp firmly onto his shirt, thrusting downward and twisting him off his mattress. A blanket goes flying as his body hits the cement floor with a harsh thud, yet these details barely even register. In a flash, my actions instinctual and completely out of my own control, I'm on top of him. My fingers clench hard around his throat, squeezing with an almost inhuman force. Who knows, maybe I'm really not human after all. I feel the skin wrinkling beneath my fingers and my eyes watch the color rush his face with sadistic fascination. Pink...red...purple.

Words echo in my mind on a constant, continuous loop. Nobody talks about my Ray. You don't know shit, you don't know her. Don't speak her fucking name! Shut up, shut up…SHUT UP!

I certainly feel more than animalistic in this moment. Reveling in the satisfying crunch as I crush something in his neck, he's probably dead by now, but I'm too far gone in my haze to realize it. Instead I use my grip to bash his skull in to the hard surface below.

There's blood.

A lot of it. But I don't stop, I keep going even when the guards rush in to intervene. They whip me with batons, but I hardly even flinch. The pain not even registering in my rage. The sound of his head meeting cement is so unique and so satisfying.

That accompanied by the sound of blood rushing in my eardrums is muffling all the shouts from around me. My grip starts to lessen as a tingling sensation stretches up my arm.

It doesn't stop until everything goes black. Until I can no long hear, see or feel anything.

My last thought before it all turns off is…

You shouldn't have said her name.

So, I got some new digs. They call it: Solitary Confinement.

They say it's punishment for my lack of cooperation, but I find it hard to believe that crock of shit. It's practically fucking heaven in comparison to my earlier living situation. I'm completely and utterly alone. I have zero fucking complaints, should have killed that bitch days ago.

Apparently I have to await a retrial, they weren't exactly pleased with my behavior, I guess.

I honestly can't understand for the life of me why everyone complains about this. I get to wallow in the peace and quiet away from all those noisy fuckheads. Plus, I don't have to be jammed into a room full of the lot of them, instead getting served my meals through the gap in the door.

Paradise, I tell you.

I managed to remark my tally on the wall here, it's annoying to have to keep pricking my finger and it's dark as shit but my eyes have adjusted. I was always good at seeing in the dark. Currently I was just thumping my head against the wall I'm propped up against, trying to stave off boredom. That's a damn near impossibility though.

I wonder how Ray's doing?