Chapter 4:
Death; that's what I feel like when I open my eyes for the first time that morning. The prison's rules have changed since the old form of government was appeased and the corps couldn't give any notice to their citizens whatsoever, besides for the wealthy class. If they didn't pay attention to the poor class of the country, they definitely wouldn't pay any attention to the criminals that they managed to catch and throw in their prison chain. The only reason there is any people put in these compounds, is the policemen that get ranked higher on their point scales with the wanted criminals they reel in.
This means that the staff working here don't get payed enough to casually check in on all the prisoners everyday. The only effort they put in everyday is making enough meals to feed the mouths of all of us. Although there is younger prisoners than us, Addie and I stick out like a sore thumb against the buff and brawny guys that have tattoos stringed across their arms and less common, on their heads.
I can feel the springs beneath me through the thin cushion separating us. The feeling is uncomfortable, but there's no place i'd rather be than a comfier bed than this. I interest myself with the textured ceiling, making faces out of its uneven surface. Shuffling sounds off besides me, and I turn my head towards it. Unruly ginger hair peaks out from the white sheet and her hair sticks out against the blanc fabric. Ten more minutes pass by and her eyes squint against the new world that is coming into focus.
I bring on my signature smirk, "Morning beautiful." A pillow is thrown my way and before I have time to react to it, the white bundle is smashed against my face. I throw it back at her and she has a smug look present of her face. The response I get back from her humors me, "You have no right to call me that, Pretty boy." Ideas bounce back and forth in my mind with what to respond to her with
"Oh, but I feel quite obliged to do so, Cutie," my perfect wink must stun everyone who sees it and my charm must seep through their pores. Ultimately, she faces palms and her voice doesn't make it through her lips but I can see her chest heave up and down in soundless laughter.
After her laughter calms, her eyes reaches mine, "Well, we still need to figure a way to get out of this place. I mean, it can't be that difficult." That is true, but I know that I feel less urgent to get out of her than her. This is mostly because i've simply been here longer and I have no clue what i'm going to do once I get on the streets. Maybe I can just stay with this girl, but i'm sure she won't want me sticking with her once this is all over. My personality is obnoxious, but changing it isn't an option for me. I do have a reputation to keep up with.
She pops out a little scraped and torn journal whose pages are faded on the edges. The page is filled with elaborate diagrams of the three building sections that make up this prison, with words splattered across the page it seems like she is artistic unlike me. If I had to save my life by drawing a circle, I would probably die without a doubt. She goes through each step of her plans thoroughly and some of them seem like they might actually work if put them into action. When did she do this? I have never seen her diary since she's been here, which is approximately 3 days I each plan, it seems like she's worked out different stages to them if something were to happen and each of these goes over every single possible thing that could happen. Everything under the never ending horizon, except if I turned up to deviate from the plan and turn her in. Which I would never do, because in these last few days i've met someone who I can't help but feel attracted to.
Days pass before our actually out into action and adrenaline rushes through me. I can't quell my excitement, as my plan is probably the most important part of this first step. Just thinking about it builds up nerves and I shake my hands out to help curb my appetite for action. I can tell that Addie's heart is also racing, as we only have a few minutes to prepare for our grand finale. I play through each scenario in my head multiple times, as i'm sure Addie is also doing so.
I find myself counting down aloud," 5. . .4 . . .3 . . .2. . ." I'm cut off by the clink of the electronic doors sliding open. This is where we are supposed to act like we usually do. I breath in and out a few to slow my rapid breathing. By this point, i'm sure i'm going to mess something up as my palms are spotted with sweat and i'm the worst actor you could possibly find. If there was anyone who knew me deep down here, they would be able to easily tell my fakeness that I have on display currently. Good thing no one pays attention in this barren place to notice anything different that strays from the usual.
With one look around the cafeteria, my eyes focus in on the key props in this room we'll use to create a distraction. One again I run through the plan through my mind. In the first step, i'm supposed to get sick off of the crappy barely edible food and force myself to puke all over the tables. Not pretty, but I guess it'll have to happen in order for us to escape. It may not any sense right now, but in the later steps it goes well nicely. I slurp water and shovel food into my mouth, which most of the pigs in here do the same. My fingers press against my stomach and burps bubble up from my stomach. Soon enough, vomit is spread across the table and the men surrounding me glare at me in disgust and some in annoyance. I cough a few times and can only hope that my ginger is doing her part of the plan, which is to make an 'escape attempt' so to say to draw out attention from the guards to her. One might think that this may be a little suspicious with both of us in the same room standing out from all the other prisoners here, but I will be leaving the nurses office before she sets up the fake attempt.
Eventually i'm escorted by two guards, which is one of the few corps policies, and I end up being examined by the health officer. I'm sure my breathe is putrid, as vomit is fresh on my breath. Addie better be doing her part right. If this doesn't work, it is so not worth it. After I get out of the nurses, i'm supposed to tamper with all the security cameras. All I can do I hope that everything's doing well on her side.