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Warning: Note my best work, but read on if you must.
Chapter Four
When Kai sauntered into the cafeteria, the hall burst alive with the noise of busy conduct and the smell of confined foods. Nonetheless, Kai couldn't help but notice that as he went to join the queue, half of the awareness was directed at him. The familiar feelings of irritation swamped his guts as he averted his eyes from anyone who looked in his direction.
So far, he'd remained in his chambers for hours on end, bitterly disregarding anyone who entered, looking to have a discussion about his so-called brilliant efforts at staying on the run. It had now come to his attention that everyone thought of him as some sort of idol because of this and it infuriated him. He would have to find the source of the rumour and deal with him personally.
Grabbing a tray, a plate and cutlery, he worked his way across the conveyor belt of inmates, while a row of four other men, opposite the food counter, dressed in labouring robes, literally slapped the food contents onto his plate in fatigue. When he reached the end of the queue, he looked up around the room where several pairs of eyes immediately diverted back to the confines of their tables, after having plainly following the idol in his pursuit. Their over-obsessive behaviour was interesting, yet bothersome. It brought him back to his early school days, where everyone had been keen to unravel the mystery behind Kai Hiwatari. He guessed this was a similar situation, but fortunately, an empty table had suddenly been vacated towards the back of the room and Kai retired to it instantly.
Seconds after sitting down, he heard someone shouting for him over the noise. He looked up after about the fourth call, and saw the familiar reddish eyes of Ian heading towards him with a companion that had hair braided as long as it was matted. Kai acknowledged Ian with a brief nod before staring the accomplice down.
"Oh yeah, this is Jermaine," Ian introduced, as he placed his tray on the table. "Don't mind him. He's a friend."
The one known as Jermaine uttered his salutations, while Kai merely nodded and returned back to his spoils.
"So I heard about what happened with you and Tala earlier…" Ian had said, as they sat down.
Kai dropped his folk and it landed with a clatter on the fragile surface. Ian really knew how to put his foot in it, but then he had always been like that. Straight to the point. No strings attached. He looked from Ian to the Rasta and then back to Ian again.
"I don't wanna talk about it,"
"Fair enough," Ian relaxed. "I see no one's bothered to give you the grand tour, but then you were never the social type."
Kai smirked, scooping up some rice into his mouth. When he looked up, a group of people began exiting the hall, staring at him curiously. Kai glared again, but this time Ian took initiative. Nonetheless, Jermaine intervened.
"Nah mine dem fools, dem jus' lookin' fi fact," A strong West Indian accent was perceived.
"Well they won't be getting them anytime soon,"
Ian chuckled, but stopped abruptly, his eye narrowing at something behind the slate haired character. Kai saw Jermaine smirk and briefly glanced behind him at two vibrantly dressed individuals, who were grinning at them. He turned his attention back to Ian.
"I'd keep away from those two if I were you," Came the reply.
"Why's that?"
"Because they're nothing more than a pair of sluts out to get what they can," Ian screwed up his face.
Jermaine sneered.
"Him only sour, 'cause him had a run in wid dem already,"
Ian scowled.
"Oh?" Kai's interest peaked.
"Dem is call' Oliver an' Enrique…" The Jamaican began. "Dem'll do anyt'ing fi money. 'A course Ian nah know dem wa' like dat until…
"He doesn't need to know," Ian cut in all of a sudden, an eminent blush tinted his cheeks.
Jermaine sniggered again, as he heard his name being called.
"Me will talk to ya' later, mun! Safe" And with that the Rastafarian vacated his seat and made for the exit where he was being called to.
The remaining two watched him and saw him leave with two familiar persons that Kai had met earlier.
"That's Tyson and his boy-toy, Max, by the way," Ian explained.
"Mm" Kai grunted.
"I take it you've met them already?" Ian questioned, only knowing his friend too well. "Well, they're not the brightest, but they're alright once you get to know them."
Kai spooned in some more rice, indifferently.
It was just then that a purple-eyed character suddenly slinked passed them, discreetly leaving a scrunched up piece of paper on the table. Ian picked it up instantly and read the contents. Kai's interest peaked again.
"Who's that?"
"Oh, that's Kevin," Ian clarified, then lowered his tone. "We have a little operation in here. He's also good for a stick a' the white stuff"
The reply was that of a sceptic look.
"What?! I can hold my own in this place," Ian defended. "You just have to know the right people. Heck, if it wasn't for that Lee and his sidekick, Rei, we'd be running this place."
"Who?"
Ian jerked his head in the direction of dinner queue. "The Chinese guy in white; that's Rei, and the guy he's talking to, Lee."
Kai looked again. He hadn't seen the shorter of the two before, though according to the way he held himself, he was not one to take too lightly. Nonetheless, he remembered the face of the one called Rei from earlier on. Upon exiting his dorm, Kai had been the object of scrutiny via the Chinese individual, yet now the roles were reversed and additionally, thanks to Ian, there appeared to be a story behind him. Kai pressed on.
"So what's going on?"
"Just the other day, Rei got on the wrong side of Bryan and lets just say, had the goon squad over there, not intervened" He acknowledged the officers, who were dotted around the room. "…it would've got ugly. As for Lee, him and Tala have been at loggerheads ever since they sent us to this place. You'd think he was working for the goons, the way he carries on and Rei's just as bad with that "enforce the good word" shit. Where's the fun in that?"
"Everyone knows they'll probably get out for good behaviour or something sappy like that, but we have a motto in here. You either do the time or you die trying. That is unless you're a lifer, 'cause then you could always try and escape, but it's never been done. You'll soon find it's not so bad in here, though. We get away with almost anything…"
Kai huffed. Ian was quite the chatterbox nowadays, and though majority of the information delved, hadn't been registered, Kai had focused on the most interesting part of it throughout. Tala had a nemesis. Something that could prove rather useful in the long run. And if everything was about knowing the right people than it was time for Kai to make some new friends.
TBC…
Everything said by the Rastafarian is meant to be written that way, so no reviews about that grammar for this chapter please. Otherwise please review. It often inspires me to update faster. Thanks again!