Chapter Five-
The slot is a lonely place.
Terrifyingly lonely when you've never spent any time in solitude.
Everything was amplified...
Every noise...
Every movement...
Every breath...
What doesn't kill you makes you stronger...
Or sends you crazy...
"How is it there is so much to wash?" Asked Nikki, pulling a load of sheets out of the washing machine and dumping them into the dryer.
"Sheets are changed every week in every unit, and in medical they're changed every time a new patient comes in," said Liz.
"Boomer, slow down on the sewing machine," called Bea from the steampress.
"But look how fast it goes!" Exclaimed Boomer cheerfully.
"We want you to still have ten fingers when you're finished today Booms," added Doreen.
"Wheee!" Franky chuckled at her best mates enthusiasm as she entered the laundry.
"You know Booms, Dor is right; bit hard to bash people when you haven't got enough fingers," said Franky, clapping her friend on the shoulder. Nikki flashed a grin to Franky, and continued loading and unloading dirty laundry.
"So Queen Bea, what would you like me to do today?" Asked Franky.
"Folding with Nikki when she's put on that next load," decided Bea. Liz hand Bea another sheet, and she pulled down the press, smirking as it hissed.
"So, I was in the Governor's office this morning, and you'll never guess what I heard," said Doreen conspiratorially. Bea glanced over at the tiny guards office, where Will seemed to be engrossed in paperwork.
"Go on!" Whispered Boomer.
"Looks like they're organising some sort of get together with the men's prison," whispered Doreen.
"God, hot, desperate men," crooned Boomer.
"Boomer! They're criminals too, remember?" Snapped Liz.
"Doesn't mean a girl can't dream. You can only do so much by yourself," replied Boomer.
"Don't worry Booms, we'll find you a man," giggled Nikki nervously. Franky stood behind her and wrapped her arms around her waist, pulling her close.
"Don't you go thinking about those men. We'll make sure you're safe," assured Franky quietly. Nikki nodded.
"What are you lot doing? Finished folding those sheets yet?" Barked Will, startling them all. Nikki pressed herself back against Franky, who glared at Will in return.
"No, and it's nearly lunchtime. What are you gonna do about it?" Retorted Bea. Will stared at her just as the announcement came through for lunch.
"Get out," he snarled. The six women left, heading up to the cafeteria.
"The hell was up his ass today?" Asked Franky.
"Reckon he's back on the smack," said Bea knowingly.
"How would you know?" Asked Liz.
"I heard Mr Fletcher talking about it the other day when I was heading to the Governor's office," said Bea. She winked at the girls.
"Yeah, and pigs fly. He's a screw Bea, screws don't go bad!" Exclaimed Doreen.
"They do Dor, you just don't see it happen," insisted Bea.
"Chicken!" Exclaimed Boomer excitedly. Franky and Nikki laughed at her as she pushed her way to the front of the lunch line.
"So when are the Wilson sisters due from the slot?" Asked Liz, taking a seat at their regular table..
"Ms Manning said four weeks if they behave. If they haven't, then six," said Nikki, leaning against Franky.
"What happens then?" Asked Doreen.
"Rounds increase to make sure that they're behaving," answered Franky.
"I'll smash them for you," assured Boomer around a mouthful of chicken.
"You'll be alright. They're looking out for you," said Liz reassuringly.
"But for how long?"
Cold...
Lifeless...
Unseeing eyes...
Pale skin...
Death...
Vera never appreciated what her mother had done to her over the years, but she still loved her no matter her flaws. Even more so now she had passed in her sleep. Vera made the necessary phonecalls to organise the funeral home, and to organise her mothers cremation.
She wouldn't want a funeral...
Vera prepared to leave her house as the funeral home car left, her mother in tow. She knew she could call in sick at work, citing grief as a reasonable excuse, but she couldn't do that.. She needed to work, needed to get her mind off everything.
She pulled on her uniform, straightened her bun, and walked out the door, not looking back.
As soon as she could, she'd put this house on the market, and put bad memories behind her.
"You're quiet today. Finally realised you're not living up to expectations?" Sneered Joan.
"No Ma'am, just want to do my job," replied Vera quietly.
"There's hope for you yet Bennett. Pleased to see you listened to what I had to say yesterday. The women are having lunch, but after that, we're adding on a new rotation of maintenance. I want you to select a group of women who you think would be ideal for the task. Derek would like this prison maintained in an orderly fashion, and I must agree. Are you still handling rosters?" Asked Joan.
"Yes Governor," replied Vera.
"Excellent. I no longer want the women to stick to one job assignment. Every two weeks, I want them to rotate through kitchen, laundry, cleaning, maintenance and gardening. I trust you can handle this Vera? Or do I need to ask Beth or Linda to do it?" Asked Joan sternly.
"No Ma'am; I feel I will be capable."
"Very well. While they're on lunch, I want to see Francesca and Nicole. Immediately."
Franky and Nikki were arm wrestling over lunch, the others egging the two women along.
"Come on Nikki, smash your girl!" Exclaimed Doreen.
"Come on Franky, you've trained for this. You can take her!" Added Bea.
"Franky, Nikki? The Governor has requested to see you in her office. Now," said Vera sternly. Nikki and Franky glanced at each other, then followed Vera out of the lunch room.
"Wonder what happened there?" Mused Liz. Doreen glanced at her, then resumed eating lunch.
"Who knows. Looks like they're in deep trouble though."
Franky and Nikki were marched up to Governor Ferguson's office, both of them wondering what exactly they'd done wrong to warrant such a trip. Vera knocked on the door to the office three times, then opened it.
"Francesca, Nicole, welcome. Please, take a seat," offered Joan. Franky and Nikki looked perplexed by the change in attitude, but took the offered seats.
"You two look well acquainted. How are you adapting to prison life Nicole?" Asked Joan.
"My name is Nikki," responded Nikki softly.
"Were you back talking me?" Asked Joan primly.
"No Governor."
"Backchat will not be tolerated from prisoners. Now answer the question!"
"I'm adapting well," responded Nikki, quieter than she was before.
"Can't you see she's frightened?" Demanded Franky.
"Quiet Francesca, you were not spoken to," answered Joan, voice dangerously soft.
"Fuck you. Erica was better than you were. At least they didn't fuck with their prisoners!" Exclaimed Franky angrily.
"It's a treatment! You are so stuffed up that even the world doesn't want you, that's why you're in here! You're both damaged goods, no use to the real world, that's why you're stuck in here! Rehabilitation for free, paid for by the taxpayers. You all think you have it so perfect in here; everything is handed to you on a silver platter! Not anymore; I'm going to make sure of that!" Exclaimed Joan angrily.
"Then get another fucking job! If you think we have it so great in here, why don't you join us? Go on, turn to the other side, cause you'd enjoy that, wouldn't you!" Retorted Franky. Nikki ducked away, fleeing the argument before she got involved. Unfortunately, she wasn't quick enough.
"Come here, bitch! No-one gets away while I'm speaking!" Shouted Joan. She grabbed Nikki around the top of her arm and yanked her back, slapping her across the face at the same time.
"Thought you would know your lesson by now, whore," said Joan viciously. Something inside Nikki snapped, and started attacking Joan. Fists and feet were flying when Will and Fletch burst through the doors, Beth and Linda behind them. Will and Fletch pulled Nikki off Joan, restraining her, while Beth and Linda led Franky out of the office.
"I want them both in solitary. I don't care if you put them together, maybe they'll kill each other!" Screamed Joan, her hair coming out of the neatly pinned bun she'd only tidied a few minutes earlier. Will and Fletch dragged Nikki down the hall and towards the solitary units, Linda and Beth not far behind them.
"Put them in unit four; it's larger, has two beds," called Beth. Will nodded, and held Nikki still while Fletch fumbled with the keys. Once the door was unlocked, they threw her inside, Franky following soon after. Will pulled the door closed, and turned to the three others standing with him.
"Who's on rotation for the slot?" Asked Will.
"Me," responded Fletch.
"I'll take it if you like. I haven't done a slot rotation yet," replied Beth.
"I'll help her out, show her the ropes," added Linda.
"Fine; let Vera know," sighed Will. He and Fletch left, and Beth and Linda glanced at each other.
"It's not like you to volunteer to help. What's going on?" Asked Beth.
"It's not like Nikki to lose her shit like that. Franky, I would expect it from, but not Nikki. I want to know what was going on," said Linda. Beth sighed.
"Whatever it is, it's not good."
Nikki huddled in the corner, sobbing, and Franky felt helpless.
"Babe, come on, it's okay," she tried to assure. Franky lifted Nikki's chin, and looked at the deep red handprint on her face.
"I didn't mean to upset her," whispered Nikki.
"I think she would have hit you anyway," responded Franky. She wrapped her arms around the shaking girl, and held her tight.
"From now on, we'll fight her together. She can't touch us," snarled Franky.
"She will. This isn't the first time," answered Nikki softly.
"What do you mean 'this isn't the first time'?" Asked Franky.
"When I was in medical last week, she came to visit with Miss Bennett. She asked Miss Bennett to stand outside the door, and then she beat me. She said she was trying to beat the lesbian out of me," said Nikki softly.
"Is that why you were bruised and bloody when I came to see you a few hours later? I was so confused," said Franky. Nikki nodded.
"Thank God it's not just me then. When you first arrived, the same thing happened to me," said Franky, leaning back against the wall.
"When did life get so fucked up?" Asked Nikki.
"I don't know. Why don't you get some rest for a while? I'll keep a lookout, make sure that no-one comes in," suggested Franky.
"That sounds good. Sit with me?" She asked. Franky nodded, and settled the pair on the nearest bed. Nikki fell asleep almost instantly, one hand clutched in Franky's, the other holding the blanket close. Franky ran her free hand through Nikki's hair, and felt the young woman relax underneath her as she slept.
After a few hours, someone knocked on the door, then let themselves in.
"Food," announced Beth, bringing in a tray. Linda was behind her carrying a second one.
"Niks. Nikki, wake up. You need to eat," said Franky softly. Nikki sat up with a start, pulling herself closer to Franky.
"It's just Miss Miles and Ms Manning. You're okay," reassure Franky. Nikki calmed down as Beth passed her a tray of food.
"Thought you two might like to eat," said Beth gently. Franky tucked into the standard prison dish in front of her, but Nikki held back, merely picking at the meal.
"Nikki? Are you alright?" Asked Beth. Nikki didn't look up for a few moments, still picking at the food.
"Nikki?" Pressed Linda. Nikki looked up at the two screws sitting in front of her, tears streaming down her face.
"Can… can you tell the Governor I'm sorry? I'm sorry for whatever I did wrong, just… please, don't let her hit me again."