Prison gates by Rizylee

A/N: I just want to appologize for accidentlay posting this update under a different story. I sorta just realized my little mistake this afternoon. So this is where this chapter really belongs and sorry for any confusion. It has been a while since I've updated this story and all I can say about that is two words: writer's block. It sucks and I just got over a bad case of it. So here's the next installment, and if any of you ouot there reading this story wouldn't mind I would love some reveiws on the last few chapters so I can get some feed back on where to take this story, thanks!

Chapter 14: Settling of the Uneven Scores

Rylee point of view

So I'm back. Yippee, right? I mean I guess I am glad that I'm not some scary enraged version of an evil me, caus that wasn't much fun. But now that it's me again nobody really treats me the same. I must have done some messed up shit because the only person who will talk to me is Faith. She's being pretty cool but I know I did somethin ta her, I just really hope it isn't that huge gash on her shoulder, caus it looks wicked painful.

Brit and Jilly won't even look at me. I've tried ta talk to them a few times but they'll only give me 'yes' or 'no' or 'few word' sentences. I want to know what I did to everyone so I can know what to apologize for. Faith said I shouldn't worry about apologizin because it wasn't me who hurt everyone but still, it was my body and my voice so I feel responsible.

So right now we're just sittin in our cell; Faith and I. I guess Buffy is tryin ta work some deal so that miraculously all four of us can gat outa here. Yeah I really don't see that happenin, I know that her and her pals have some pull but I really don't think we're gonna be gettin outa here any time soon. And I'm not leavin anyone behind; it's all or none.

Faith is doin pull ups off a pipe and I'm lounging on the bed wallowing in my guilt. I guess nobody ever mentioned to me how not fun wallowing is. I want ta go talk to Brit and Jilly but I don't think they wanna see me right now. I'm getting bored with the whole 'wallowing' thing so I guess I'll bug Faith.

She is really concentratin on her pull ups so she doesn't hear me get up and walk over behind her. She is sweating a lot and she kinda smells weird so I'm keepin my distance but I wanna figure out some way to scare her. Oh I got it! I take a deep breathe so I don't have to inhale the toxic fumes escaping from her pits and in move in closer to her. I reach up to her ribs and wait a sec, as she brings her chin up to the bar and grab both her sides and stat tickling her.

"WHHAAAAHEYWHATTHEHELL!!!!" She let's go of the bar and I wasn't expecting this; she falls back and I happen ta be right were her momentum takes her. We land with a crash on the concrete and I am overwhelmed with a lack of oxygen. She is layin on my chest and stomach so even if I wanted ta breathe I couldn't, and since she is this close I can practically taste the mass quantity of B.O. that's pouring offa her. So naturally I keep my mouth tightly closed.

"Oh freakin a! You scared the shit outa me! God you just love doin that don't cha?" I open my mouth to respond but I'm feeling dizzy from the lack of air so I just squirm around a lot. She must get the message caus she rolls off and starts laughin at me. "Aw what's wrong, was I squishin ya? Poor baby." I roll my eyes and sit up.

"You smell." I was actually serious but this only causes her to laugh more. Brat. I roll away from her and stand up. The guards opened the cell doors a little while ago but I don't really think now is the time to seek out Brit and Jilly. Maybe I can ask Faith if she knows somethin about those two.

"Hey Faith, can I talk ta you?" She gets a serious look on her face and puts down the towel she was using.

"Sure kid, what's up?" I walk over and sit down on the bed, she gets the hint and joins me.

"Well, it's about Brit and Jilly. Did I do something like really bad ta them when I was all psycho chick caus it's like they've been avoiding me and I don't know why. I really wanna go and talk ta them and try to apologize, but I get the feeling they really don't wanna be around me right now." She nods but then just turn s to look out the window, right now I'm just tryin ta catch my breathe after my babble-thon.

"I don't think they blame you…..but I'm pretty sure what happened hit home." Well, tell me what the hell I did!! She does this sometimes, gives me a weird 'not answer' instead of just answering my question. Drives me nuts.

"Faith, tell me what I did to them, I need ta know." She sighs and turns back towards me. She is starin straight into my eyes and I think she can tell I need ta hear this. So she proceeds to tell me everything I did while I was…..different, with in depth detail.

When she finished I just sorta sat there, I honestly had no clue of what to say. I can't believe that was me, that I did……..those things, to everyone. And the worst of it all……….I killed a man. An innocent man, whom I really can't remember. The last thing I remember was opening my eyes and Buffy holding me, which was really weird to wake up to by the way.

I look out through the bars of our cell, I can't look at Faith right now, its just too hard. What must Jilly and Brit be thinking? What is Faith thinking? Do they hate me, does Faith hate me? Is she just playing nice because she has ta share a cell with me? After what I did to everyone I wouldn't blame them.

"Hey, look at me. Kid look at me right now." Her voice is really serious so I just sigh and turn my head to face her. Just like I thought it's increasingly difficult to look her in the eyes, but at the same time I can't look away.

"It…Was….Not….You. Do you understand me?" I don't understand her, not really. Of course it was me, I just don't remember any of it, but that's no excuse. Why did I let myself loose control like that, why did I let that 'thing' come take over me when I was vulnerable.

"God you don't listen very good, it wasn't your fault, when you…..changed it was like you were open, and that 'thing' whatever it was just grabbed the opportunity to posses you and seek revenge on B and me. But he's gone now and it's you that's sitting here right now, I know that and your friends know that." Yeah, then why don't I know that?

"Look I hear what you're sayin, but I still feel responsible. I mean……… I killed that guy, he didn't do a thing to me and I broke…" I stop talking and sorta trail off. I don't think I really wanted to finish that sentence anyway.

"Well do me a favor and quit blaming yourself alright? If you really feel this strongly about it then go talk to your pals. I need ta go take care of some stuff and you shouldn't be alone anyway." I nod, and she stands up.

"I'll be back in a little while, see ya?" I nod again and she leaves. I guess I could and probly should go find Brit and Jilly. I just know it's gonna be hard to face them, even if everybody says they understand I know deep down they're all afraid I'll snap again. Honestly, I'm kinda freaked about that myself.

Faith point of view

I can't believe the kid's takin this so hard. Why can't she understand that we know it wasn't her, she thinks we don't get that but we do. At least I do, and I'm sure B understands. I mean she was upset and all but seriously, she seemed more upset about me killin that Fitch guy than losin her boy. That's still gotta be ruff though. I really fell bad for her, she's lost so damn much in her life and this is just another thing to add to the list.

So I finally get to the visitation hall and make my way to the same booth I met B in a few days ago. But this time it's just her, no scoobies, no Angel, just B lookin like hell.

I sit down and pick up the phone. She does the same and her eyes instantly fill with tears. God this is heart breaking, I know, I know, I'm goin soft but you're not seeing what I am. She looks so, so………alone.

"Hey B, how ya holdin up?" The phone starts to shake a little in her hand but she steadies herself and takes a deep breathe.

"H-Hey Faith sniff I'm alright, I guess." God, don't understand why she wanted to see me today, or at all for that matter. I figured we weren't done yet, but just yesterday she watched her boyfriend get killed by a potential slayer.

"I'm sorry but I gotta ask, what are you doing here Buffy?" She looks at me, I mean right at me and it's like she's trying desperately to hold herself together, but not because of her recent loss.

"I need you-um I mean I need your help Faith." Okay, what is she talking about. What could she possibly need me for? Is anyone else this confused, or is it just me?

"Umm, yeah sure B, whatever you need." I smile a little and her eyes brighten just slightly. Then she returns the smile and shakes her head.

"You don't even know what I'm asking, what if it was something really bad?" She's looking me right in the eyes again.

"Doesn't matter, I'm a good guy now, just point me in the right direction." Oh no, she's getting all teary again. She looks away hoping that I haven't noticed, yeah right. After a few seconds she gets it together again and turns back to me.

"Thank you, really this is serious. The counsel's agreed to try and help get you and the three girls out of here, so I'll let you know when you're leaving. Um I guess I'll come in tomorrow, same time?" She stops babbling and catches her breathe. I nod and we both stand up.

"Sounds like a plan, see ya tomorrow B." She nods, but doesn't hang up the phone yet, so I stay on too.

"Yeah tomorrow, and Faith; thanks." She smiles, I nod and we both hang up and walk away. As I make my way back to the cell I can't help but be curious as to what big time drama is goin on in Sunnydale. But it occurs to me that it really doesn't matter, it must be serious if B really needs my help this bad, but then again I probly would have agreed to help with anything; big or small.

I'm almost to our section when I see four big gorilla chicks standing around outside the cell. As I approach they get quite, I look in the and see Rylee is in there sleepin.

"Can I help you with somethin?" I don't wanna piss em off but they need ta leave before I get pissed myself.

"You Faith?" This biggest one speaks up, I bet she's the leader of this little gang. I nod and glance back at the kid.

"I'm suppost ta tell ya ta go to the cafeteria for somethin, warden's request." Huh, now why don't I believe her? I look at the four of them questioningly.

"So why couldn't he just meet me here? Somehow I don't believe that if he needed to see me he would meet in the cafeteria." I was sure they were lying but none of them flinch when I try to call them on it.

"Don't ask me, one of the guards just told me to pass it on to you. If you're not gonna go let me know caus I wanna see the beating they give ya for breakin the rules." She grins at me with all eight of her teeth and I look in at the kid once more. I guess I shouldn't make trouble right now, and if the kid's still out she won't miss me. I nod and turn to leave.

As I now make the trek to the cafeteria I'm thinkin I shoulda made those chicks clear out, I don't like them being there with the kid being asleep. Damn, I gotta a weird feelin bout this whole meetin, and the cafeteria looks pretty dark. This doesn't look too promising.

Rylee point of view

I decided not to go see Brit or Jilly. I don't know why, but I thought it would be best to stay away from them for a while, just give em some space.

After Faith left I thought a lot about what she told me. All that stuff I did to everyone, and I can't help but dwell on that spell they did before they got me back. I didn't really understand it but for the most part I think it was suppost ta fid out who I was closest to.

Now if you were to just ask me this question I don't know for sure who I would pick; Brit or Jilly. I think Brit though because she was the first person I met when I came here, so it just seems natural that I'm closer to her. But don't get me wrong Jilly and I are close too, she's like my sister we're so much alike.

But the thing is they didn't ask me, they couldn't caus I was all evil and such. I guess the spell would be the best way to figure out an answer because it relies on my truest feelings. I always thought I knew my truest feelings but I guess my subconscious self had better insight.

The results of the spell are really confusing; how in the world do I feel closer to two people who I just met? Is it because we're all slayers? Brit's a slayer too, shouldn't I feel just as close to her? I don't get it, but what I do get is that's probly why Brit and Jilly wouldn't wanna see me right now. I can't believe I picked Faith and Buffy over those two, I'm really at a loss here.

I think I'll just take a nap, my head hurts anyway and some sleep will do me good. I wonder what Faith had to do anyway, she's been gone like an hour.

a few hours later

I can tell already it's dark, don't need ta open my eyes or anything. I can also tell that I'm not alone, and whoever is in the cell with me is watchin me sleep. I think I might know who it is, but it's hard to tell.

I slowly open my eyes and I can see someone leaning against the wall staring at me. Their in shadow so I all I know is it's not who I thought it was, it's not Faith.

I sit up and they straighten up off the wall. I squint and discover it's not Brit or Jilly either. Who the hell is it? I'm getting get this bad vibe from them and I don't like this. It's dark out, why hasn't Faith come back yet? Something feels wrong.

"Feel rested?" I think I know that voice, but I'm not sure. God I wish Faith was here, or Brit or Jilly, just someone.

"Who are you?" They take a step forward into the light and my breathe catches in my throat. It's Maxine, or 'big Max' as everyone of her little groupies calls her. She hates me, and I must say the feeling's more than mutual. She gets a big smile on her face as I realize who she is. She hates me for a number of reason, one in particular is that it was me, Jilly, and Brit that knocked out most of her teeth.

"You remember me now you little piece of shit?" I tense up as I hear laughter outside the cell. I look past her and see three of her goons lurking around my only exit. I'm so much more than screwed.

"Guess I finally caught you alone; your little friends aren't here ta save ya. And I made sure your big cell mate was busy, I don't think she'd be too happy to find out I beat the shit outa her bitch." I glare up at her, I so wish Faith was here; she could kill this big ape and I would love it.

"I can handle myself, oh and I don't really think I have to say it but if you hurt any of them I'll make sure you lose more than your teeth this time." Yeah, that may not have been the best thing to say right now but I'm not gonna back down. Nobody pushes me around, even when things are hopeless I'll still act like the smartass rebel. It's just me.

"You seem pretty confident, maybe if I can't break your spirit I'll take ya to J.J. and the Stompers, they've had their eye on you ever since that incident with the psycho chick. You never shoulda got in bad with those guys, they're dangerous."

Yeah right, you remember me telling ya about those guys right? Well Brit, Jilly, and I never think too much of em. They don't have any real power around here except that like two thirds of the prison seems to be in their little gang. The leader J.J. hates me though ever since that day when Faith first got here and him and I got into it outside the safety of the red ropes. He wet his pants and Brit and Jilly kicked the snot out a his best boys. If these chicks try to take me there they're gonna loose a limb tryin.

"I'm not scared of J.J. and his goons. If he's gotta problem then he can come see me himself." I glare at her defiantly even though in a few seconds she's probly gonna be kicking the shit outa me.

"Well I thought you'd say that, so I set up this little confrontation myself." I swallow hard as I see J.J. and two big guys step into the cell. God this just isn't my day, but I gotta ask; where the hell are the guards?

"Fuck you J. you and the man-women over there had to set this up just so you could get me alone, other wise you couldn't take me. Fucking cheater." See I told you, the count's now seven on one and I still gotta shoot my mouth off. Oh well. He smirks a little and nods over his shoulder.

"Such language, I'm a little insulted. I bet you're wondering where the guards are in all this, aren't you?" I glare knifes at him but he seems unfazed.

"Hadn't crossed my mind." Yeah it was a lie but he doesn't need ta hear that. I can tell he's pullin the whole 'evil villain' thing and is just diein to reveille 'how he did it'. Like I really care.

"Well I'll tell ya anyway; after that little stunt you pulled the day the new convict arrived I've wanted to make you pay. So I set up this two hour window where they look the other way while I have my fun." I cringe a little when I hear the 'two hour' part. I don't know if I can stall that long.

"Oh don't tell me you're still sore about the whole wetting yourself in front of the entire prison population? Poor boy." His smirk fades and I think whatever is suppost ta happen tonight is about to start. I don't think I'll be able to stall anymore.

"What can I say, that kind of thing sticks with a guy. Oh and don't worry about anything like that happening again tonight; I've made sure your newbie friend is being kept busy. She's really not as scary as I thought the first day she got here, but man is she strong." He starts to laugh and a million things start flashing through my head about where Faith is. That's the last straw, I can't stall anymore even if I wanted to; I'm way too pissed.

I jump up of the bed and they all take a step back, good even when I'm outnumbered they should still of afraid of me. Unfortunately they regain themselves quickly. The four big women step forward and I guess they get first dibs.

I let them form a half circle around me, the three men blocking the exit, not that I'm interested in leaving anyway. I want to hurt them, all of them, I need this. They've made a big mistake, they think they have the upper hand but they're wrong, so wrong.

One of the smaller girls rushes at me with her fists swingin, I block all of them with more ease than I expected. She's getting tired fast which makes her hasty. She lunges with a hard right hook and I catch her hand and twist really far. She screams and two other girls come at us.

I punch her elbow hard and I hear the bone break so I release her. The two girls tackle me to the ground and try to pin me. I land a firm upper cut in one of their jaws. She goes flyin offa me and hits the wall. I roll the other one off me, but suddenly I'm hit in the ribs with something. I crash into one of the beds and stare up at big Max, bitch.

I jump to my feet and block her first two swings. But she's a way better fighter than her three goons and soon lands a knee to my ribs. I fall to the ground and her and her two other goons start layin into me with a fury of kicks and stomps.

I can feel myself loosing consciousness, I have to do something or they're gonna knock me out cold and than the hurt will really start. I don't wanna go into detail mostly caus it'll psyche me out but let's just say these people here tonight are here for a reason. They aren't exactly the chocolate and flowers types if ya get what I'm sayin.

I find some inner strength and explode up from under them. They must have thought I was already done caus they all are wearin the same look of shock that I'm able to stand after a beating like that.

I strut straight up to Max and punch her square in the nose. Blood comes rushing out as she screeches and falls to her knees. Her two remaining goons kneel down and try to help in some way, but she angrily waves them off and mumbles something about 'tear that slut apart'.

They both rise and come at me, but I am so ready for them. I focus on the one on the right first and fake a left then catch the big ape off guard with a right. She stumbles back and I do I jump kick and hit her in the chest. She hits the ground with a loud thud and her head bounces off the concrete.

Her friend just stares after her and doesn't even see me coming. I roundhouse kick her in the head, she spins around and is heading for the floor as I stomp her ankle into the ground. She cries out in pain but I'm more focused on big Max as she rises, her face covered in blood.

Out of nowhere she let's out some kind of crazy battle cry and runs at me. Have you ever been on the business end of a charging bull or an oncoming freight train? Well that's what this was like, only much louder. I had no clue of what to do, but at the last minute I felt my instincts take over; I take a half step towards her and jump into the air. I plant my hands on her shoulder and spin myself around in mid-air. As I flip and start to head back towards the ground I kick out hard and both my heels dig into her spine.

She is carried by my kick added to her momentum into the concrete wall and bounces offa it. She falls back and like a big freakin tree crashes to the ground. I walk up to her and see that she's slowly passing out.

"You've just been slayed biotch." I smile and turn back around. J.J. and his two big muscle heads are staring at me in amazement. I know, I know, I'm just that damn good. Actually I kinda surprised myself a bit. I mean I'm freakin wiped out after four on one, but the fun's not over yet.

"That was impressive blonde I gotta say, but you were just up against weak, arrogant, females, much like yourself. Let's see how you handle a real beating." He smiles big and the three big men strep forward.

I ready myself and get into a fighting stance. The two big guys come at me slow but they spread out, yeah they actually know what they're doin this is gonna suck.

They both spring at me quickly and I don't know which one to block. They each grab an arm and twist forward. I lean forward to ease the pain a little but this is exactly what they wanted. I'm not sure which one but on of them kicks me hard in the back and my knees buckle. I suck in air to try and re-catch my breathe.

I fell them each dig a knee into my shoulders so I can't really struggle without dislocating a shoulder, or both. J.J. is smiling really wide as he saunters up to me. When he gets close enough I spit blood on his shoes.

"Why you arrogant little-" he cuts himself off as he kicks me in the chest with the same foot I just spat on. "-I really like these shoes." I think more than one rib is cracked and it's makin it extremely difficult to catch my breathe.

"You still don't get it do you? I've won, I could kill you right now and yet you don't grovel or beg for your life or nothin. I own you, and no one can save you from that; not the guards, not your little friends, not the hot brunette with whom you share this cell. Don't you get that, or are you really just that stupid?" I glare up at him, he hasn't won, I know this caus I'm not unconscious yet.

"I'm…. not…… finished…… yet." That was a lot harder to say than to think I gotta say. My ribs and chest are throbbing but I had to let him know I'm not goin out without a fight. He kneels down in front of me, still sportin that obnoxious grin.

"Well that's good, because I'm just getting started." He reaches out and tucks some hair behind my ear. I cringe at his touch and almost wanna throw up. He's just revolting, everything about him.

"Don't fu-fucking touch m-me, you ass hole." His idiotic grin finally fades and he looks a little taken back. Then without warning he backhands me really hard. I'm jerked free of the grip his pals had on me and I just lay there on the cool cement.

He tucks the toe of his shoe under my stomach and rolls me over. I lay on my back glaring up at him and he says something to his goons. One of them leaves and returns again in a few seconds with a bucket and a duffel bag. Oh lovely, it looks like the jack ass came well prepared. I've never been on e for tourcher so I try to sit up but realize my body isn't responding too well. I practically scream trying to sit up but nothin's happening.

He takes the bucket from the goon and swirls it around, there's some kinda of liquid in it I just don't know what it is. Guess it doesn't really matter though caus the next thing I know he dumps the entire contents on me. Well it might as well have been acid caus that's how bad it burned.

"AAAAAAHHHHHFFFFUUUCCKKK!!!!!!!!" I scream loud and long. I feel my body involuntarily twitch and cringe with pain. I hear all the small cuts and gashes on my face and arms hiss and sizzle. I smell blood and salt as I struggle to wipe off whatever the substance is.

"ohfuckohfuckohfuckshitshitshityousonofabitch" I just mumble and twitch as him and his buddies just laugh down at me. Whatever it was it got in my eyes too and they burn like hell. My whole body is on fire, and I just want to die.

"Salt water. Feels like boiling acid on those open cuts don't it?" I try to glare at him and curse his name but I can't see straight so I don't know where he is exactly. So I just continue to twitch and throw out random cuz words.

After about ten minutes he says something else and I fell four big hands on my arms pulling me up and holds me against a wall. I open my eyes and a surprised to see that I can well, see. He reaches into the duffel bag and pulls out a syringe.

"Hmmm, what's in the syringe, what could it be? I bet your just 'dying' to know aren't you?" He laughs and walks up to me.

"This is Delpheus. It's a magic drug that's similar to Orpheus, but this is mostly used as a tourcher devise. It's effects are unpredictable and vary between subjects. But I'm just so damn curious to see what it does to that pretty little body of yours." As he gets closer to me I try to struggle but my limbs feel like jello after the nerve shock they just got.

He leans in real close as he taps the tube a little to make sure there's no air. Then he quickly shoves the needle into my neck. I try not to wince but I can't help it, as I feel the drug enter my bloodstream. My head instantly throbs. His goons release me and I collapse to the floor.

"You know, if you survive this, you'll have to tell me the name-a that sexy brunette you bunk with, love to inject her some time after I-"

He stops short and is suddenly grabbed from behind and spun around. A tall dark brunette snatches the syringe from his hand and pulls the piston all the way, filling the tube with air. She hauls back and crams it into his neck and forces all the air into his vein. She breaks the needle off in his throat and throws him into a wall.

"Her name is Faith!" She says loudly, and the rushes at the two remaining guys. They start swinging at her but she ducks and dodges every attack. Finally she grabs of the guys' wrist and twists quickly and pulls up. I hear bone crack and twist as he lets out a loud scream. She pulls him forward and kicks him in the teeth.

The other guy tries to run and she jumps at him, kicking him in the back between his shoulders. Then she grips his right should firmly and pushes him to the side slightly. Their standing side by side when all the sudden she kicks hid knee sideways. Then elbows him in the face.

He falls to the ground unconscious; she glances around the room to make sure there's no more threat before turning her attention to me. I can feel my muscles shaking and quivering, my head is throbbing, and I feel like I should throw up. But I look up at her and can't help but smile. A little late, but better late than never I must say.

"Aw shit kid, I'm really sorry." She kneels down and grabs my shoulders. I close my eyes tight as I'm suddenly hit with what feels like a volt of electricity. I get real dizzy and slump back against the wall. She pulls me close and I can feel myself leave the floor. I lean against her and it feels like I'm riding that carnival ride that spins you around really fast and simulates zero gravity. I always hated that ride.

"Hey, just stay here, and I'll be right back okay?" I open my eyes but have to shut them again because the dim light kills my eyes. I don't want to be alone, why is she leaving?

I turn my head to the side and try again to open my eyes, the light doesn't hit them directly so I'm able to keep them open as I watch her drag out the four girls I fought earlier. Then she drags out the three men and slides the cell door closed. It latches into place and locks us in, but I don't really think about that, all I know is that it locks those ass holes out.

She comes back over to the bed and sits down next to me. I had to close my eyes though caus that damn dim light is killin them. Every couple-a minutes I'm hit with another one of those muscle shock things and it makes me double over in pain. I think a while ago Faith laid down next to me, she's been whispering stuff to me tryin ta make me feel better but nothin's helping.

I'm on my stomach facing her. I have my left arm firmly wrapped around my stomach and the other arm is draped over Faith squeezing her hand. My eyes are closed tightly and my head is resting on her shoulder. God, is this what it feels like to die? Faith continues to whisper stuff to me even though I have no clue what she' saying it's just good to hear her voice. I try to ease my breathing and I can feel sleep coming. This hurts so bad, I just can't wait to be unconscious.