I sat in my cell for about an hour before it was dinner time. I was really starting to get sick of the prison food. Every day it was the same thing, garbage. I slowly moved through the line getting my food, and attempted to find a seat. Usually, I try to sit with either Michael and Sucre, or Westmoreland, but today Abruzzi pulled me over and told me to sit at their table. I obliged.
I think he wanted me to sit there so he could keep an eye on me, not because he actually enjoyed my company. That annoyed me just a little bit because I was a big girl and I could take care of myself. Well, expect for when Abruzzi had attacked me twice, and when T-bag had approached me. Ok, so far I hadn't done an excellent job of taking care of myself, but I could still do it. I didn't need a guard dog to follow me around the whole time. I looked around the cafeteria and I spotted Michael talking to Sucre again. Sucre looked rather nervous, and I wondered if it had anything to do with that cell phone that Michael hid. Michael didn't look worried, though, and I figured since it was his cell phone that he would be the one to get worried.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw T-bag walking over to his table. He, however, wasn't interested in looking at me. He was staring directly at Michael. The hate in his eyes sent shivers right through me. I think he blamed Michael for the death of his friend during the riot. I couldn't see what happened, but I saw blood on Michael's shirt after the fight. I ate in silence for the reminder of lunch time before we left to put our food away. Michael and Sucre were still sitting at their table, and T-bag was still sitting at his. Suddenly, T-bag shifted forward and pulled a really funky looking knife out of his pocket. It was a knife, but it had slits that looked like waves in it. He started making his way over to Michael's table. I quickly tugged on Abruzzi's shirt and pointed towards T-bag. He sprang into action taking me along with him.
T-bag had reached about the halfway point when Abruzzi cut him off.
"What do you think you're doing," said Abruzzi grabbing T-bag's wrist.
I sort of hid behind Abruzzi because T-bag still intimidated me from earlier today.
"Pretty killed one of my guys and I intend to get even, Mr. Mafia. I don't have to get your permission."
"Actually you do. However, I do see your point so I will be willing to make a deal with you."
I think I almost choked when he said that.
"John, you can't be serious. You can't let him kill Michael!"
"Why Miss Laneykins, I didn't even see you back there," joked T-bag.
I stepped forward but Abruzzi still acted a little defensive.
"T, do you really think that killing Michael will make you feel better?"
T-bag grinned and the sound of his nickname.
"I don't know that yet, my dear, but I do know that it will make me happy to gut pretty from the inside out."
I swallowed back what could have been vomit, thinking about Michael getting gutted. Abruzzi was sensing that the moment was getting tense, so he said something quietly to T-bag and he ushered me away. I didn't like being kept out of the dark, and I intended to confront John about it. He entered our cell and tried to climb onto his bunk, but I reached for his arm first.
"I need to talk to you, like now!" I demanded.
He sighed, rolled his eyes and then stepped in front of me. I had to raise my head to meet his eyes and I suddenly realized just how big he really was. At first, it intimidated me, but I held my ground.
"Why do you feel the need to harm everyone who steps foot in Fox River?"
He looked at me like I was the crazy one, and I didn't have a clue what I was talking about.
"You carved Bella onto my back with a knife?"
He nodded his head.
"I didn't trust you."
"You chopped off all of my hair?"
"You insulted me.
"Cutting off Michael's toes?"
"I needed information."
"Anything having to do with T-bag?"
"I was just trying to protect you."
The last answer caught me off guard. If he was trying to protect me so badly, then why would he hurt me at all in the first place? And that is exactly what I asked him.
"It's probably hard for you to believe, but I do like you Laney. You remind me of my daughter and I don't want anybody to hurt you. However, if you disrespect me I feel like I have to punish you."
My mouth literally dropped open. Did John Abruzzi just say that he like me? I couldn't even dignify a response because I was so shocked. He thought of me like his own daughter. We had only known each other for a short period of time, and he thought that highly of me. Of course, he did just admit that he thought it was ok to punish me, but he considered me like a daughter?
"Are you done with the interrogation, Bella?" he finally asked.
I slowly nodded my head, still unable to say anything. He climbed back onto his bunk and turned so he was facing the wall. I pushed my hair out of my face and let out a giant exhale. I sat down on my bunk and shut my eyes. This day was one of the most confusing days of my life. The more time I spent with this man, the more confused I got. How could I spy and snitch on a guy that thought of me like a daughter? He openly admitted to me that he was trying to defend me, and I was going to turn around and not defend him against other charges. I couldn't help but feel guilty that I was going to turn on him. If I would have known that my emotions were going to start affecting my job, I wouldn't have said yes to do it. I was starting to regret ever agreeing to this assignment.