Mal pov

I, well... Mike, was jarred awake by morning reveille. Well, it should have been Mike... Groans of misery followed as the inmates slowly prepared for the coming day, with complaints and shouts of protest... These noises brought me enjoyment, sure, but they were also unexpected. 'Where the hell is that peon?' I thought, agitated. This crud is his job. Normally, I'd love to be out wreaking havoc, but I was in the middle of something! I searched for him in the subconscious as the other boys in the room awoke. No luck, he was missing entirely. Well, I suppose There are more important matters at hand. I couldn't very well pass out now. While I await my moment to revisit the others, I might as well have some fun. And what the heck, that useless idiot "Mike" might as well get a bit of a reputation while I'm at it. I don't really mind him being picked on, but an injured body is just no fun to work with, and I like my fun.

"I don't believe I remember your names, roomies." I addressed my roommates with a smirk. "Not that you matter anyways." I added. One of them looked indignant, another read his book, disinterested, and the third was trying their damnedest to disappear entirely.

The first boy stood, storming up to me puffing his chest out. He was about the same height as the big guy I'd toyed with before. Pathetic.

"I told you yesterday. The name's Derek, runt. And you'd be wise to remember it." He barked.

"Ooo, tough guy. That'll be fun." His face reddened, and I'm fairly certain it wasn't because he has a crush on me.

"What'd you say?" He leaned in intimidatingly. I took advantage of the closeness to reach up and flick his nose. He was stunned. He stood there flabbergasted, in utter disbelief of what I had just done. It was hilarious. I grinned and turned to the other two.

"Well, I think he's broken...What about you two? Gonna give me names, or am I supposed to guess?" I demanded.

"Connor." The second boy said simply. Not turning from his book. He was about average size, dark hair. Pretty forgettable. Disappointed by his lack of reaction, I turned to the last boy. A small, timid blonde.

"And you?"

"J-josh." He replied nervously. He'd be fun too. I rubbed my hands together in anticipation. He flinched at the sudden movement. Too easy. I felt a hand on my arm. It seems that Derek has recovered. I whirled around, twisting my arm out of his grip and grabbing his wrist, twisting it roughly to just before the point of breaking.

"I don't appreciate being touched." I informed him sternly, threateningly twisting his arm a bit more. He made a pained noise, careful not to draw attention. Wouldn't want to tarnish his sterling reputation, now would he. "Are we clear?" I asked, Loosening my grip slightly to allow a response. He glared at me spitefully, and I met his gaze. he tensed, then thought better of it and bowed his head in defeat. I released him from my grasp, shoving him roughly back towards his own bunk.

"We've still got beef you and I." He warned as he went back to his daily routine, not taking his gaze from me. I held his levelly. Suddenly a knock on the door interrupted our little 'staring contest.'

"Hey, is there trouble in here?" A supervisor growled from the doorway.

"Not at all, sir!" I replied sweetly in Mike's annoying voice.

"Alright then. I'm to escort you boys to the mess hall for breakfast." Pah, avoiding suspicion was going to be a breeze. Well, time to make a lasting impression on these delinquents. I fixed my hair and sauntered over to the door, falling in line with the others. Once I had my food, I walked with purpose to the table that Derek was sitting at with a few other guys his size, taking a seat beside him. His buddies eyeballed me.

"What do you think you're doing runt? This is the big boy table. Get lost."

The others sounded their agreement.

"If that's so, then why are you here?" I countered with a smirk.

"You better watch yourself, runt." He warned. I made a pouty face at him.

"But we were getting along so well." I broke into a grin and laughed. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pain in my head. What were those peasants up to?

"Ow. I have to go deal with something." I informed them, standing and leaving the table, opting for a small, isolated one in the corner. I glanced around to ensure privacy, then closed my eyes. I had to be quick, breakfast was almost over. I focused on the disruption, and opened a window once I found it.

"What do you idiots hope to accomplish by annoying me?" I questioned Veto and Chester with an eyebrow raised.

"Uhhhh... I think that's the goal actually..." Veto said scratching his head. Chester nodded in agreement. There was an audible *slap* as my palm connected with my face.

"Well could you knock it off?"

"I don't think that's in the- OW!" Veto was interrupted by Chester hitting him in the head with his cane to silence him. I rolled my eyes.

"If you two stooges are quite finished, I would advise you to stop, I have business to attend to and your feeble pestering will be met with pain if it continues." I threatened. They shrink back at this.

"Um... Sure... Pal..." Veto stammered.

"DON'T call me that." Dammit they were succeeding. I could feel my blood boiling. I don't know what they're planning, but if annoying me is part of it, then I can't let it happen.

"R-right, uh, sorry scary Mike...man..." My eye started to twitch.

"Ah, ya dang whippersnapper! You're makin' it worse!" Chester cut in.

"Isn't that what we're supposed ta be doing?" Veto inquired, puzzled.

"Rrrrrrgh! Shut up!" I roared at them. "Such insolence! Do you want to evoke my- NO!" My eyes widened as I was interrupted. I disappeared, roughly jerked back to the real world. I opened my eyes to the ugly face of one of the wardens.

"Lunch is over, kid. Come on, cleanup time." He gruffly informed me. So much for my lasting impression... Then, the pain started again. And the eye twitch. Fantastic.

"This is going to be a long day..." I muttered to myself with a sigh.

Manitoba POV

Four Hours Later, Subconscious:

"Come on Manitoba, you're close..." I told myself, searching further out than I'd ever been... But walking had given me time to think. My rage wasn't gone, but it wasn't clouding my judgement anymore either. It would have to wait until it can be properly used... On Mal. Until then, I will find her. I have to.

"Svetlana?! C'n ya hear me?!" I paused and listened. My voice disappeared into the dark without even echoing. I shivered. "Ow in tha world did 'e get this far out in tha time 'e was gone?" I wondered aloud. "We're miles past woop woop!" Suddenly I heard a shuffling noise. "That's not roight..." I gasped. "Svetlana! Do that again if it's you Sheila!" The noise rang through tha silence again. It's her! I ran towards tha noise, blindly into tha suffocating darkness. I made my way around an outcropping, finding a dank cave. The only reason I could tell was the sudden echo of my footsteps. I don't know how it's possible, but the cave was even darker than everything else. I walked inside carefully, keeping my hand to the wall. I could barely make out vague shapes in the immediate viscinity. I really should have brought a light. Suddenly, one of the shapes moved. I gasped and scrambled away, fearing the worst. But then I recognized the noise and sighed with relief. "Oh, thank god oi found ya!" I moved towards her and fumbled with the knots restraining her in the dark. I made soothing noises as I finally untied them, noticing and removing the gag that stopped her from calling out as well. Tha poor dear was shaking, and she started to sob as she fell into my arms.

"Mani! Sank goodness! I vas so scared, und zen Mal dissapeared, und Svetlana vas all alone in ze dark..." She shivered. "I don't know vhich vas vorse..."

"there there Sheila. Oi'm 'ere now." She sniffles and gathered herself, then I helped her to her feet.

"Come on Sheila." I smiled warmly, taking her hand. "Let's go home."

Author note:I would love to hear your idea about the next chapter or even the next story.