A/N: Sorry for the long wait! Tons of stuff has happened and on top of that I had WRITER'S BLOCK! Ugh, it's a struggle to get over writer's block and this chapter might show just how much of a struggle it was haha. Anywho, I'm back with the third chapter which I hope you love and enjoy!
P.S. I would like to warn you, readers, that this chapter might upset a few of you, so I would like to warn you that it starts out a little graphic. I hope that explained it, but knowing my luck it only confused you even more.
P.S.S. Don't be afraid to leave a review, you have no idea how much I love to read them!
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"Where's my little pumpkin?"
The pathetic attempt at baby-talking echoed in the empty cell block. It was around 6 in the morning, breakfast was just about over and I was stuck in my cell. The cold metal tray that was given to me just an hour ago contained the mush that I was expected to eat. Moldy carrots mixed with the now brown peas went untouched along with the green-spotted piece of bread that was thrown in with the "breakfast".
I cringed as I heard the "cutesy" name and the urge to heave increased. It hasn't even been a total 24 hours since I stepped into this hellhole and the different nicknames that I was given were astounding; pumpkin and ginger happened to be the nicest of them all.
The slow pounding of footsteps was the only thing that I heard as I sat alone on my flimsy bed. The cool metal bars that were underneath the mattress caused my lower half to go numb, but I still sat there, with a plastic fork in my hand slowly spreading the peas from one side of the tray to the other.
"Aw, not hungry?"
I glared at the man who stood so proud in my cell doorway. Officer Peterson, though the inmates - and a few of the other guards- called him Lancelot. It was a stupid nickname, one that bothered him. The muscle above his right eye would twitch each time an inmate would dare call him it and it always ended with that particular inmate spending a week in the SHU. I wasn't sure what the SHU was but every time a CO threatened a rowdy inmate about shoving them in the SHU to let them rot, they always kept quiet for the rest of the night.
"Let me just call up Room Service. I think they might have steak and lobster!" Lancelot's harsh laughter bounced in the confined room causing my ears to ring. My hands were clenching the metal tray tighten as I heard the rustle of his clothes and the slow thudding sound of his heavy boots. My cell room suddenly felt more claustrophobic than it had been before as Peterson sauntered in. The metal door had been left opened after the other inmates had been ushered into the eating area. Apparently the Warden had given specific instructions to allow me to eat breakfast in my cell where I would be left alone for an hour. He said that he was giving me this solitary time to help me become more accustomed to the fact that I was in prison, but I knew that an hour wasn't near enough time to prepare me for the next ten years.
I peeked upwards at the tall CO and I could feel a cold chill run down my back when I saw the predator stare. He was a handsome man, the guards often teased him by saying he chose the wrong profession. With a face like his, he could be making millions by having his face plastered on every magazine instead of being stuck babysitting murders and rapists. I had thought the same when I had first seen Peterson, but the minute I saw his eyes I knew that he belonged in Fox Rivers but not as a CO. There was something off about his eyes, they were a beautiful emerald green but it was what laid beneath them that caused my stomach turn.
"When I first heard that a woman was coming to Fox Rivers I just couldn't believe it." I watched silently as Peterson moved towards me until our feet were touching. He paused for a minute before he chuckled softly and continued. "I mean, how lucky could I get? Here you are," His fingers twirled a few strands of my hair around, "A lamb that's been thrown to the wolves."
Peterson dropped down into a crouch so that we were know staring into each other's eyes. I tried to turn my gaze but he caught my chin in his hand before I could. A small whimper slipped through my lips and I struggled to get away from the man. A chilling chuckle rumbled in his chest as he leaned closer to me. His tongue flicked out of his mouth to lick his bottom lip, causing me to shake even harder.
"You know, I could protect you," He whispered. "For a small price." He raised an eyebrow and smirked as if he was waiting for an answer.
I glared at him and again tried to pull free from his grip but it was futile.
"Let me go." My voice was soft but strong which was a surprise since the rest of me was shaking like a leaf. I knew even before Peterson spoke that I was wasting my breath. I clenched the forgotten tray and in a split second, I got an idea.
Peterson only grinned and leaned in closer. That was when I made my move.
With a deep breath and a high scream, I smashed the metal tray onto his head. An inhuman growl echoed in the empty room as Peterson collapsed backward, his arms were wrapped around his head and I could see his white hands begin to be speckled with drops of blood. He laid on the ground groaning only for a few seconds before he bolted to his feet to chase after me. I had just pushed myself out of my room when Peterson launched himself towards me and grabbed my foot.
I fell to the ground with a loud thud and was immobile as the air got knocked out of me. My vision blurred into black with the few specks of white that gathered in the corner of my vision. My lungs were gasping in pain and the need for air, but by the time I drew in a full breath Peterson had already dragged me back into the small cell.
My body was pulsing with enough adrenaline that I was able to snap my leg upwards, just as Peterson flipped me over. A sickening sound was made as my foot made contact with his nose. He cursed loudly and cupped his broken nose with one hand. Specks of blood had splattered onto my ripped jumpsuit when he leaned over me, even landing on my face. The metallic smell of blood was overwhelming and I could almost taste the blood that was now smeared across Peterson's cheek.
The blow to his nose had been painful; I was close enough to see that tears had gathered on the edge of his eyelashes, but the kick hadn't been strong enough to loosen his grip. Instead, it seemed to have infuriated him even more which gave him even more strength. He was cursing underneath his breath as he towered over me. His overly-charming act was completely gone and instead was a monster.
His hands gripped mine tightly above my head while he sat on my lower half. I struggled against his weight but it was useless. He was far too heavy and thrashing around only seemed to make him more excited.
"Let me go!" I screamed, but Peterson only grinned down at me.
"Yell all you want, no one can hear you." He giggled like a child which made him even more psychotic than he appeared. His once smooth blonde hair was now in disarray; strands were clinging to the blood that was trickling down his forehead and other chunks were sticking straight up. His lips were pulled back in a gut clenching grin.
I strained against his hold but finally laid still with exhaustion. Sobs were slipping through my mouth but I still begged Peterson to let me go.
Tears blurred my vision, "Please, let me go." It came out as a whisper, not even loud enough for Peterson to hear.
Suddenly a familiar voice broke through my sobs and Peterson's whispering. Both of our attention snapped towards the cell door where a fuming Warden stood. I could feel my body deflate with exhaustion and relief.
Peterson sat there in fear and shock as Bellick stormed in. His face was beet red, his chest was puffing in and out with each breath he took. He was almost like an angry bull and Peterson was the only person in his sight.
Bellick pulled the man off of me and within seconds was gone from my sight. Pope had rushed over along with a few other CO's and slowly eased me into a sitting position. From there I could get a good look at my destroyed cell. The mattress that I had been sitting on had been pulled from the bed frame, along with the stained pillow which had been torn open. The feathers were scattered on the floor and were now mixed up with the slob that was given to me for breakfast. It was a mess.
"Sullivan? Sullivan, can you hear me?"
I snapped my attention back to the Pope who was still crouching beside me. His face was scrunched up with anger and shock and I could see that his hands were shaking, not as bad as mine were but still noticeable. I could feel how foggy my mind was and it was beginning to become difficult to keep my eyes open. The shock was setting in and my body was starting to shut itself down for the day which I didn't mind.
I nodded my head. It was the only way I could communicate to the older man.
He sighed heavily and roughly rubbed his face. "I'm am so sorry. Here I was thinking this would be a safer option for you," His hands had muffled what he was saying but they slowly slid from his face and collapsed into his lap. "And yet it seems that I can't even protect you from my own men."
I didn't say a word, not that the Warden seemed to mind. We sat there for a few seconds, the yelling and cursing of Bellick could be heard even though he was in the main office that was down below. With a curt nod, the Warden slowly stood from his crouched and groaned softly as his knees cracked.
He turned towards the older guard that was standing near my cell and whispered something in his ear. I ignored the two when I saw a familiar face.
Michael stood not too far from where the Warden was. His face was pale and his face was scrunched in a way that made it seem as if he was in pain. His chains were jingling as he slowly rocked on the balls of his feet.
I sat there transfixed by his blue eyes. It was almost as though he was trying to say something but I had no idea what. I was still focused on those strange eyes and the strange feeling that they created in me when I was escorted down to Dr. Tancredis' office.
….
"What were they thinking?"
Dr. Tancredi was younger than I thought she would be, only a few years older than I. Her brown hair was pulled tightly into a low ponytail, but the pacing that she had been doing for the past few minutes had caused a few stray strands to escape. They fluttered against her slightly sweaty forehead as she stormed from one end of the room to the other. I could only hear parts of her rant but it was apparent that it was about me.
I was still laying on the bed that I was slowly placed on when I had first come in which had been 20 minutes ago. My heartbeat had finally slowed down to its normal pace but the shakes were still there. I was instructed to get some rest and was even given a few sleeping pills but that wasn't much help. I still laid awake, hearing the angry whispers of Dr. Tancredi and watching the incident play over and over in my mind.
I sighed softly and pulled myself into a sitting position. Dr. Tancredi immediately stopped her frantic pacing and turned her attention towards me.
"How are you feeling?" She hurried to my side and began to check my heartbeat among other things.
I watched her mark something on a piece of paper. I was still trying to figure out exactly how I felt. I knew I wasn't okay but when I thought of what could have happened I knew that I wasn't at my worst.
So instead of giving her a definite answer, I shrugged my shoulders. I could feel Dr. Tancredi's eyes on me but I chose to ignore the knowing gaze. I wasn't in the mood for questions and I didn't know if I even had the energy to answer them.
"Look, I know what happened down there and I just want you to know that I am here for you." Dr. Tancredi ignored the look I gave her and continued. "It's wrong - having you here- but there is nothing I can do about it. What I can do is give you an hour in here. Where it's safe."
"You're allowed to do that?" I whispered in surprise. Dr. Tancredi smiled softly and opened her mouth to speak but before she could the door behind her slammed open.
Three CO's came rushing in along with a groaning inmate who was being carried in. I was moved off of the bed and pushed aside to make room for the screaming inmate who was clutching his bloody foot in his hands.
I stood there helpless as I watched the scene unfold before me. Dr. Tancredi was ordering the CO's around as she raced around collecting everything she needed. The room was filled with the painful cries of the inmate which only added to the stressful situation.
But all that faded away when I made eye contact with the injured man.
It was Michael.
