Chapter Two-
Franky sat near the gates, watching as screws scrambled about like an upset ants nest.
"I don't understand. What's happening?" Asked Nikki, clearly confused.
"Someone hit the red button in their unit. We're in lockdown while they sort it out," said Liz easily. She disappeared into her cell momentarily, then returned with her knitting bag.
"Does it happen often?" Asked Nikki, glancing around the group.
"Last time it happened, Bea did it," said Doreen.
"She looked like a bloody sight," said Boomer, grinning stupidly.
"Usually it's easier for us to sort things out by ourselves, but if Sharns gone and topped herself, then we could be stuck in here for a while," said Liz, counting stitches.
"Anyone for a tea?" Asked Bea, standing up and heading for the kitchenette. A few of them nodded their assent, and Bea busied herself making tea.
"So Liz mentioned you were studying at Reiby before Dyllwynia. What were you studying?" Asked Doreen.
"I was working on my HSC, but when I transferred to Dyllwynia, I didn't get the chance to keep studying. I'm hoping I could finish while I'm here," said Nikki wistfully.
"Franky finished hers, right Franky?" Said Doreen.
"That was with Erica helping me. Who's taken over education now?" Asked Franky, still distracted by the guards outside.
"They're still interviewing a new teacher. Don't worry Nik, they'll make sure you can finish your HSC," said Doreen. Bea returned to the table, handing Nikki a cup of tea.
"We can make sure you're on laundry with us," said Bea.
"Just make sure you watch out for Charlie and Emily. Those two will definitely make your life he... Miss Miles! What's going on?" Asked Franky, spotting the screw walking past.
"I shouldn't tell you, but you'll find out eventually; Sharn topped herself. The girls in her unit aren't talking, but we think it might be drugs. Governor will want to talk to you later," said Linda. She stripped her gloves off, throwing them in a trash can before using her pass to escape the corridor. Franky leaned her forehead against the wall and sighed heavily.
"Can't believe Sharni topped herself," said Franky softly.
"She spent two months in the slot, then was placed in D Block. It's not the first up there; there's a reason why it's nicknamed Death Block," reminded Doreen.
"I know! Just, just shut up!" Exclaimed Franky. She disappeared into her cell and slammed her door shut.
"What was that about?" Asked Nikki.
"Franky used to do a lot of drug trafficking, and before she roped Bea into doing it, Sharn was one of her main couriers, until she was caught. She was found out in processing, then thrown in the slot before shifting blocks. She used to be in H1," said Liz, filling Nikki in. The front gate crashed open, and Nikki nearly jumped a mile in her seat as Will and Fletch strode into the unit. Franky stepped out of her cell, glowering at the guards as they walked past.
"Come on Gallagher. We've got to take you back," said Fletch, his voice controlled. She stood up and followed Fletch out of the unit, Will close behind. He locked the gate behind them, and as he glanced back over the group, Franky could have sworn he gave her a look of pity. Then he was gone, leaving Franky and the others to stew over what had happened. Franky draped herself over the couch, glancing at the others.
"She had to have been high," said Franky stubbornly.
"Or coming down. Maybe she couldn't get anymore," suggested Doreen.
"Who took over when you stopped Franky?" Asked Boomer.
"Jacs did, but when she was topped, I don't know who decided that they were going to do it," said Franky thoughtfully.
"Who cares? Anyone who brings drugs in should be put in the slot," said Bea vehemently. Everyone knew how she had changed since the death of Debbie, they just hadn't expected itself to manifest so strongly.
"But not to die," said Doreen to clarify.
"Don't care. Either way is fine by me," said Bea blatantly. Doreen looked taken aback, and closed her mouth; end of conversation. Liz put down her knitting, and stood up stretching.
"We might as well get some sleep; we'll be in for it tomorrow."
Liz's predictions had been spot on; the next morning, each woman was taken up to medical for a drug test, and spot checks were performed on every unit in D Block and H Block.
"Bet you someone lagged," whispered Franky to Doreen.
"Why would someone do that?" Replied Doreen.
"Because C, E, F, and G aren't being searched. A is mothers wing, B is the psych wing. Someone had to say something about the two units for them both to be searched," responded Franky.
"Think maybe it's got something to do with D Block being checked because it was where Sharn topped herself, and H Block is being searched because you used to supply?" Replied Doreen furiously. Franky pulled back, shrugging her shoulders.
"They won't find anything on me," she said, self assured. The simple tests were done quickly and efficiently, with only Jules and Lex from H3 being held back. Franky hung back, hoping to overhear what was going on.
"Need another sample," said Dr Ward.
"You already have one," snapped Jules.
"And he's asking for another one! Do it Julia, or find yourself in the slot," ordered Vera sternly. Jules threw her a scathing look, then headed to the bathroom. Lex was given a similar instruction, and headed in the same direction as Jules. After ten minutes, both girls returned, Linda behind them; she'd observed to make sure the samples weren't tainted. Each prisoner handed the doctor their sample, and he took them down the hall. With Elise's help, the testing was finished in minutes, and he had his answer. He glanced up at Vera.
"Julia," he said simply.
"Right. You're in the slot for eight weeks. Mr Fletcher, can you return Lexi to her unit please? Miss Miles, if you could accompany Julia and myself to solitary?" Said Vera. Lex watched as her cell mate was led down the corridor away from the general population. She walked down to H3, and after Fletch left, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her relief was short lived though, as Emily and Charlie were standing in her cell doorway.
"What happened?" Demanded Charlie.
"Jules is in the slot," replied Lex.
"Where you found out?" Asked Emily.
"I think they suspected me, but Jules tested positive, not me. We need to lay low for the next few days," said Lex, her voice hushed.
"Is it true about Sharn?" Asked Emily.
"She had nothing. Her supply ran out, she was desperate. She didn't have anything I wanted, and I told her to go to you. She refused, told me she needed it, and threatened to top herself. She obviously didn't come to you, and the rest you know. I swear, I haven't given anyone anything," said Lex.
"Just wanted to make sure that we were in the clear," said Charlie. She nodded to Emily, and the pair left H3.
They would win this.
"You have to get it for me," he begged.
"What does Aunty Jac say about it?" Asked Emily, lounging back in her chair with a magazine.
"She wants me to become friends with this Debbie chick, and I need the drugs to make it better. Please Em, Char," he pleaded.
"You know what? Just because you're family, we can do this for you. What's with this Debbie girl anyway?" Asked Charlie, getting up to reach into her pockets.
"She's one of Mum's jobs for me. She's the daughter of some bitch in prison, and Mum's using Debbie to get back at her. I dunno, I don't care. She's nice, and I like spending time with her," said Brayden.
"You know what's going to happen though, right?" Asked Emily, flipping the pages slowly.
"No... What do you mean?" Asked Brayden, confused.
"What's going to happen when Aunty Jac has had enough of this wench in prison, and decides to make her pay?" Responded Emily, placing her magazine down.
"She's gonna make you kill the girl," said Charlie. She pulled the vials out of her pocket and thrust them into Brayden's hand.
"She won't!" Exclaimed Brayden, almost horrified at the idea.
"Better get used to it. Your Mum's in there because she killed a guy, your Dad was much the same; they're going to want you to take over the business. Well, Aunty Jac will anyway; dunno about Uncle Vin if he's got that new tart Cass hanging around," said Charlie, shrugging her shoulders.
"My mother is not like that!" Exclaimed Brayden.
"Think what you like. Just don't be surprised when she asks you to top her," said Emily, resuming her perusal of her magazine. Brayden scowled at the twins and stormed out.
Two weeks later, Debbie was found in her room, overdosed on heroin.
Four weeks after that, Jacs Holt was murdered by Bea Smith.
Twelve weeks after Jacs' murder, the Wilson sisters were arrested for trafficking in a drug of dependence, and were sentenced to fifteen years behind bars.
"Governor has approved your move to the compound." Nikki looked up at Will, her face incredulous.
"Come on, we've got to stop by the canteen to pick up your personal belongings before we move you down there," said Will, encouraging Nikki to move. She managed to make her feet move forward, and Will led her down to the canteen. Once there, she was handed a basket full of clothes and a pair of runners.
"You got everything?" Asked Will.
"I... I think so," stuttered Nikki.
"Come on, Liz will meet you at H2." Will led the way a little, but walked beside Nikki, guiding her through the maze of corridors. She was nervous about finally joining the compound, but knew that Liz, Doreen, Franky, Boomer and Bea would look out for her as much as they possibly could.
No woman ever wanted to hear that a young girl had been raped.
She stepped inside H2, and Will directed her to Kim's old cell.
"You can decorate a little bit, but some items are prohibited. Check with Liz or Doreen if you're not sure, and they'll help you out," said Will encouragingly.
"Thanks Mr Jackson," said Nikki softly. Will nodded and left just as Liz walked in.
"Nik! They told me you were coming in today, but they said I couldn't come up and walk down with you. Did you see the canteen?" Asked Liz.
"Yeah. They gave me all this stuff," said Nikki, indicating the basket of supplies.
"That's you're uniform. You can keep the sunset orange in your drawers if you like, but I personally think the blue looks much better," said Liz.
"I don't want it," said Nikki.
"Not a problem. We'll arrange with the screws to take it out," said Liz.
"Hey! I thought you weren't joining us until at least next week!" Exclaimed Franky as she spotted Nikki.
"Yeah. Good behaviour can get you a lot of places," said Nikki.
"It's good to see you out here. I tell you though, if you don't hurry up and get out of that puke orange uniform, I'll have to strip you myself," threatened Franky. Nikki blushed, and quickly closed herself inside her cell. Franky giggled a little at herself, before glancing up at the sound of footsteps.
"Miss Bennett! Come to see the new girl?" Asked Franky, grinning.
"Franky, you've been requested at medical," said Vera, ignoring Franky's question as she approached the unit
"What for?" Asked Franky.
"Governor requested to see you. Hurry up," said Vera sternly. Franky shrugged her shoulders, and headed inside the building. A thousand thoughts ran in circles in her mind; she had no idea why she had been called to medical.
She'd remember every minute.
"Franky. Thank you Vera. Please close the door," said Joan. Franky felt her heart jump into her throat.
She remembered something like this with Erica.
"What's going on?" Asked Franky.
"Cavity search. Mr Ward feels you would be uncomfortable with him searching you, and Elise is dealing with Nik..."
"What's happened to Nikki?" Asked Franky, concerned. She'd only seen her a few moments ago.
She hoped the newbie was okay.
"Nothing you need to worry about. Instead, I will conduct this cavity search. Strip," ordered Joan. Franky pulled her shirt over her head as Joan snapped on her black gloves.
A shiver of fear wound it's way up Franky's spine.
"Come on Francesca, I don't have all day!" Exclaimed Joan. Franky eventually stood in front of Joan, naked as the day she was born, and shook a little with trepidation.
This was nothing like visiting with Erica...
No warmth.
No happiness.
Just darkness.
Anger.
Hatred.
This was so much worse than could ever be expected.
She just hoped she could forget it all when they were done.
If she could recover...