I should mention that this story is going to have some very dark themes so look away if you have a weak stomach

x x x x

Cath's POV

It is a whole hour before the mysterious young brunette finally moves away from the wall and creeps into the middle of the room.

Still, she gives me a wide birth before shuffling over to the sink and splashing cold water on her face in a vain attempt to calm her nerves.

"That won't help any." I call out idly, swinging my legs off the bed and stretching my stiff back until it emits a satisfying crack.

The girl flashes me a wounded look before slinking back over to her wall.

Resigning myself to a night of stubborn silence; I haul myself up onto the top bunk, leaving the lower bed for her. It is going to be hard getting used to sharing with someone again after having been on my own for so long.

It isn't late yet and there are still a few people milling around out of their cells. Making the most of the final hour before lockdown. I personally tend to stay in here unless told otherwise. It's safer in here.

After several tentative minutes of contemplation, the girl finally sits down on the bottom bunk, where she shuffles back against the wall and tucks her knees up to her chest protectively.

I can't see her, but I can hear her slow, deep breaths – another futile attempt to calm down. I can't blame her for being scared. My first night in here was the worst night of my life.
You never forget your first night in hell.

And if the young girl shaking below me thinks getting locked up in here is the worst thing that will happen to her tonight, she is sorely mistaken.

A noise draws my attention to the hallway and my heart twists as my worst fears are confirmed. Harper is grinning manically into our cell, her eyes alight with glee at the prospect of what is to come tonight. She glances up, spotting me watching her and her grin spreads.

This is what I was worried about.

For a moment, we just stare at each other. Finally, Harper sends me a knowing wink and disappears into the shadows. Although not for long, no doubt.

I swallow, closing my eyes against the tears threatening to fall. Ordinarily, I would have nothing to do with this – I would close my eyes and turn my back and pretend I couldn't hear a thing.

But the trembling young girl beneath me is different to most of the cretins who end up in here. She's just a frightened kid who's fallen off the tracks somewhere; how can I stand back and watch while they destroy her like they destroyed me?

Without warning I jump off the top bunk and land heavily in front of her. Despite her attempts to put as much distance between us as possible, I sit down close to the girl. Close enough to practically smell the fear emanating from her.

I fix her with a stern look, refusing to allow her to avert her eyes.

"Okay, here's the deal." I begin, licking my lips slowly in thought. "I need you to do one thing for me tonight. After that, I'll never touch you again."

"What do you mean?" The panic in her voice made my heart clench – merely a taste of what was to come, I'm sure – but I know I'm doing the right thing.

"No questions. Just do as I say." I insist bluntly.

She shifts in her spot, eyeing me uncertainly in an attempt to gauge how serious I am.

"What do I need to do?" She asks at last, somewhat reluctantly.

"Lay still and don't scream."

X x x

Neither of us has said anything since. She is probably too terrified to form coherent words. Just as well, I muse to myself; I am lost in my own thoughts, anyway.

And suddenly, it is time.

I know before I see them. Know by the pattering of feet on the hard floor, by the hushed whispers echoing off the cold walls. But most of all I know by that sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

They are coming for her.

X x x

Sara's POV

I jump, startled out of my reverie as the metal cage doors groan open and a large shadow engulfs the room. For a moment I assume it must be a guard and that this is some nightly routine, but that idea quickly fades.

Two bright eyes shine out of the darkness like headlights. A booted foot steps into the cell, followed by another.

"Hey Sunshine." A hoarse voice croons. I instinctively back myself into the corner of the bed, curling against the cold stone wall. My cellmate's words flash back to my mind and I feel my blood turn cold. What is this person going to do to me?

And suddenly it isn't just one person. Half the prison block appears to be lurking behind her, just hopeful eyes and Cheshire cat grins floating in the dark.

My heart is pounding so fast I think it must be trying to break free of my body.

The first inmate, a large overweight woman in her forties with short hair and a multitude of scars on her face, continues to stare at me like I am a piece of meat.

"Let's you and me get acquainted, honey." She drawls, stepping closer. "I have a feeling we're gonna be real close."

Before I can comprehend what that means, several pairs of coarse hands have grabbed me, dragging me off the bed and throwing me roughly onto the ground. I yelp as my body hits the stone floor with a dull thud, feeling a shot of pain rush through my left arm. The air is knocked out of my lungs and I gasp pitifully. Where the hell are the guards?

Before I can begin to get my breath back, my wrists are pinned above my head and my pants were yanked down.

"No." I shout, struggling with all the strength I can find. I kick out, landing a foot in someone's shin. It would be my only point in this fight as someone – or several people – grab my legs and hold them firm.

The large woman steps back into my view, the same grin marring her face.

"I think we've got a fighter." She laughs heartily. I kick out again but it is little use against their combined strength. A rough hand begins to make its way up my leg and I swallow a cry.

I can feel my breath getting ragged and unsteady, the air getting thin around me. The woman leans down, her sour breath replacing what little oxygen I still have. "I like a girl who fights." She murmurs, before promptly sticking her tongue down my throat.

I squirm, furiously attempting to wriggle out from beneath her. When she finally pulls back there are tears in my eyes and I scrunch them closed, refusing to let these people see me cry. The hand finds its way back to my thigh and my whole body stiffens beneath it.

"No, please don't!" I whimper, although it sounds pathetic even to my own ears.

Just when I think my pounding heart is about to give up, I am offered a reprieve.

"No." The voice is hard, forceful. The assault comes to an abrupt pause as everyone's gaze shifts upwards. I crack open my eyes, seeking out the source of the voice.

This time I recognise the figure that steps into my view.

The blonde moves closer, her piercing blue eyes latched onto the leader of the group who was currently straddling my legs. They share a look before she shifts her gaze down to me. For one hopeful moment I truly believe she is here to put an end to my suffering, but when she speaks – her voice cold and detached – all my optimism fades to dust.

"This one's mine."