Mina-Nel: Once again thanks for the review:D hehe yes, silence for the poor deceased Cherry. I'm glad you can relate to Lara, her character is fun to write lol. And T-Bag's nickname comes from his actual name which is Theodore Bagwell. I'll admit that he freaks me out but at the same time I can't help but find him intriguing lol.

Bobbleheadfool: Also thanks for the review it is much appreciated! I'm really glad you like the story so far:D And yes, you'll learn more about Lara as the story goes along, and Michael will be introduced very soon :D

Now onto the story!

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I was getting used to the prison, having spent two weeks at Fox River. Sure, confinement was kinda lonely but better than being out there with all the other inmates; and the shower water was pretty cold…the food wasn't what you'd call delicious…

But other than that it wasn't bad!

I had been introduced to The Family. One of the gangs in the prison, which was inevitably run by T-Bag. I guess you could say that we had become friends, although I knew that if it were a choice between him and me he'd choose himself. Of course I'd do the same in that situation so I guess you could say the feeling was mutual. I knew that I'd have to still watch myself though, I wasn't being protected by anyone and if I made a slip up with someone else no one for the Family would run to save my tail. This had been told to me but I had responded through gritted teeth that I fought my own battles and anyone who thought otherwise had better watch themselves.

The burly prisoners had just found this hilarious coming from me. They ruffled my hair and I was introduced into the ranks as the quirky, hot-headed ruffian.

To this day I'm not quite sure how it happened, but hey. I'm not complaining.

"And when we woke up the next morning they were gone with all our money and clothes!" There was an uproar of laughter as I finished telling a story that would convince others of my…so-called man-hood. I laughed along with the other murders, thieves and rapists, my green eyes alight with excitement.

They didn't know it, I didn't know how, but I'd some how wheedled my way into the group. Fair enough I wasn't very high up considering I was a twig compared to these other guys. But I had a sarcastic sense of humour that made quite of few of them laugh, and also the fact that T-Bag had looked out for me despite my hand holding his pocket. This of course still creeped me out, but I knew that I had to be thankful…I just never said anything, to much pride see?

"Looks like the Pedophile's having a good laugh." Someone brave soul said confidently, causing heads to swivel to the front of the bleachers where three or four inmates stood. They were fairly muscled men, a couple were rather scrawny but there was one in particular who caught my eye. He made everyone around him look like ants; his body could have probably sustained a pack of wolves and then some. I didn't like the way his smile turned so cruel, the malicious light that shone in his eyes as one of the other blokes rattled off some other insult.

"Now what's this all about eh? Abruzzi send all ya boys' ova just ter give us a hard time?" Came the Southern response.

"Nah we just came over to see how red your scrawny neck could turn." The younger inmate sneered.

"Hey now, this guy may be a jerk." I said standing up and jumping down easily so I stood beside T-Bag. I couldn't believe I was actually doing this, but I did owe him something. "But aren't you a little young to have a death wish?" Of course the little punk looked to be around my age…but I didn't really care. Everyone was on their feet now, and we were about ten seconds away before someone took a knife to someone else. A brisk wind ruffled my fiery hair, causing the jagged ends to fall into my eyes.

The giant pushed his way in front of the other cronies, stepping up close to me. I had to literally crane my neck up to keep starring him in the eye. He sneered down at me and I jutted my chin out stubbornly, no way was I backing down.

"Let it go Jacko unless ya wanna be squashed." T-Bag warned me, recognizing that daring glint in my eye.

"Well well, looks like the pedophile's got another little boy toy. How long do you think he'll last eh?" My jaw dropped for a second before I closed my mouth. There was a ringing sound in my ears, which quickly rose to a roar as blood rushed to my face and pounded in my ears. I swear I didn't know what I was doing until it was over.

But I curled my hands up and then leapt, tackling the giant inmate down, one hand clutching as much hair as possible and pulling hard, and the other hand punching anywhere that could be found.

Of course when I think back to it I know I'm lucky to be alive. I mean that guy must have been seven foot and I hardly qualify for five.

Anyways, before I knew it I was being pulled away from the other inmate, me scrabbling to keep at it and him trying to claw his way away from me.

"I'm nobody's lap dog! Ya here me! Nobody's!" I yelled furiously, swiping in vain at the giant who was clutching a broken nose while staring at an index finger with several tooth bites.

"FINCH!" Someone roared from across the yard. That certainly got my attention. I turned my head and glared at the running form of Bellick, his face resembling more and more that of a dark thundercloud. Oh boy, I was in it deep now.

"Whaddaya think your doin'!" Bellick roared again now close enough that he reached down and grabbed my right arm, wrenching me from whoever had pulled me from the scrap. His large thumb pressed into my bone and it was then that I became aware of the throbbing pain that now jolted through my body.

I gave a groan and slumped slightly as the adrenaline began to ware off.

"I asked you a question Finch." Bellick said in a softly dangerous voice. I could feel the blood now draining away, knew that the colour was gone from my face. In a last effort I stood as tall as I could, pulling my head up, turning my fiery green eyes to look into his muddy brown ones and lastly jutting out my chin.

"I fell boss." I said through gritted teeth. My arm was really hurting.

"Fell?" Bellick repeated, so shocked that he slightly loosened his grip.

"Yes boss."

"And what about Geraldi?"

"He fell too boss." Bellick was quite for a second and then he grinned, a slow and merciless smirk that sent the fear of God running right through me.

"Take Geraldi to Sick Wing." Bellick said without looking at the two other guards. "Me and Jack are going to have a little chat."

His grip tightened on my arm and it was all I could do to keep from squealing. I knew he wanted me to squirm and so that's why I fought so hard not to. But my green eyes started to roll back into my head, despite me trying so hard to glare back at him. He started to half walk; half drag me through the yard. I stumbled along beside him, attempting to walk proudly and yet almost passing out at the same time. I did manage to glance back however, and saw the astonished looks that were one me, the slender new kid…the one who fought her-s'cuse me- his own battles.