It was right after the dinner, some of the women went for a shower, some already turned into their units to have a quiet evening in and few still went on with their thing as studying in the library or visiting their friends. Wentworth has been quiet as quiet as prison can be. Guards just changed shifts, Jake Stewart fixed his belt and radio before turning the corner, quickly walking down the hallway.
He turned right towards the H3 at the end but turned to the other side when he spotted something with the corner of his eye. At the end of the corridor leading to the laundry room, there was something after second glance better to say someone lying on the ground. Jake quickly walked over, finding a small brunette in a puddle of blood, she was alive, though. She groaned and tried to lift her head. Jake pressed the button on his radio.
- Sierra two needs medical assistance in the south-east corridor. Bring a gurney, we have an injured inmate near the laundry room.
He squatted down next to the woman. She had a big gash on her forehead, blood running down her face and her shirt was soaked too, making hard to see if there were any other injuries. Jake recognized her, she is the small brunette from Proctor's crew.
- Try not to move. – he said. - You are Mel, from Proctors crew, right? - The woman nodded. – Alright, just hold on, help is on the way. - He stood up and looked around. The spot was perfect, dark corner, quiet with cameras far away. They probably won't show anything useful. Smart, he smiled.
Bea halfheartedly listened to Liz and Doreen gossiping about current events keeping the occupants of Wentworth busy and curious. These days the gossip is focused on the mysterious woman who is bashing everyone and on upcoming wars. At least threats were thrown around three times a day. Old grudges were pulled out on the light and everyone wanted to gain something from this chaos masked as democracy.
- What the hell? – Liz stared suddenly behind Bea's back. Everyone turned their heads. One of Juice's boys had someone, it was hard to see whom in a headlock. She started to land punches on her torso with her free hand. The whole yard has been watching, nobody tried to step in.
- What is that about? – Doreen whispered, maybe she thought talking aloud will land her a punch too.
- God knows, these days girls don't really need a reason. – Maxine said.
The scuffling women were on the ground now. Fists flying, kicks landing where they could reach. Just by now guards arrived, trying to separate them.
- Smith! – Bea heard her name echo from the yard walls. She looked around and spotted the governor behind the fence. She looked angry what is not a surprise, her job is at the stake and the prison is a mess. And that mess is bigger and bigger with each day. She waved at her to come closer, so she did. Bea stopped in front of her.
- Smith, what is going on is really bad for the prison. I hope you realized that?
- I do, of course, I do. Women are on loose. They get bashed and they are dying. The slot is full and everyone is on edge.
- So, what do you think we should do?
- We? I'm not the governor. I can't solve your problems.
- Don't be difficult Smith, you have to...
- I don't have to do anything. I'm not your guard dog anymore. I'm sure you know that Proctor is the Top Dog so why you don´t call her and talk to her. She is in charge now.
- It doesn't look like she is in charge. We can't just watch how the women die.
Bea shrugged.
- That is not my problem. Women have spoken, they wanted her.
- I don't know why are you so stubborn about this. We both know that the only one who could bring peace is you.
- Then something is really wrong with this institution governor.
They glared at each other for few seconds, before Bea turned around and walked away. She has really enough of this. She carried her fair share of prison the prison troubles. She almost let the prison politics to kill her, she deserves little peace now.
Bea took advantage of the commotion and after her talk with Bennett she disappeared. She was supposed to wait for Allie in the yard, but with the ongoing events, it was better not to. So, she walked down the hallway leading to the kitchen. She has seen few other girls from Kaz's crew pass her, but not Allie. She opened the door finding Allie cleaning the tables.
-Hey! – she smiled.
- Hey! – Allie answered with a smile lifting her head to look at her. - What brought you here?
- You.
- Awww, - Allie smiled and stopped wiping the table.
- And Bennett, we just had an interesting chat, had to go away.
Allie scrunched her nose.
- That was the wrong thing to say, you know that, right?
Bea let her eyes gaze over the blonde.
- I would kiss that pout of your mouth if I could.
Allie lifted her eyes towards the cameras.
- We still have the equipment room. – she winked. Bea stepped closer and slid her arm around her pulling her flush against her body. She leant close.
- Fuck that. – she whispered before capturing Allie's lips in a hard kiss. She tugged on the younger
Woman' s bottom lip, then sucking the other between her lips. Allie couldn't help herself, her mouth opened making clear what she wanted and it was granted immediately. Soft, warm and wet tongue instantly brushed against hers sliding into her mouth and swirling around. Allie moaned as she felt her body shudder, unbelievable how strong reactions she has every time Bea touches her.
Actually, touch is not needed. It is unbelievable how her body reacts even if she just think about her redhead. They pulled apart and Allie knew she must have a stupid grin on her face. She felt dizzy and the world seemed blurry, except those gorgeous brown eyes.
- Well, how are you? – she choked out. Bea raised her eyebrows in confusion.
- What?
- Nothing, I just... – she stepped out of the embrace and continued wiping the tables. – have to finish this.
Allie slapped herself mentally, it was a huge slap on the forehead. „How are you?" what the actual hell. She scrubbed the table with a force trying to regain her common sense. - Tell me what was that with Bennett?
Bea grinned, Allie was flushed and mumbling just after one fairly small kiss.
- Just the usual. She is mad because of the OD's.
- I bet she is. What about those bashings?
- We haven't talked about it, she just mentioned that the whole situation is bad.
- Who do you think it is?
- I have no idea. But I assume we can rule newbies out, she knows the place very well. She is smart and sneaky, that rules lot of women out too.
Allie laughed and went for the mop.
- So far she is bashing the right girls, so I have no interest to even think about it. Until she leaves H1 alone, I don't care.
Bea started putting the chairs on the tables.
- So, you are really not going after Tina either?
- No, why should I? Do, you think I should?
- I have never said that. I stand by you whatever you decide to do. But I won't lie, I'm happy that you think about it and about what it could cause.
Bea let out a long breath.
- Yeah, I really don't want to get into something again. We have been through so much shit lately. I don't have a crew to back me up, there is no need to get involved.
They finished up the cleaning. Allie took off her apron and wrapped her arm around Bea, who asked.
- Where to now? Do you want to go to the yard?
- Maybe later, now we should retire into one of our cells?
- You talk like a princess.
- I´m with a queen, I think I am one.
- Former queen, but yes, you are most definitely my princess.
- Bea Smith! For someone who is not gay, you really know how to treat a woman. Charming, full of cheesy compliments and exceptionally good in bed.
Bea laughed and pulled the blonde closer kissing her cheek. They hurriedly left the kitchen. Making their way quickly to H1.
Vera Bennett watched through the glass the sleeping form in the medical bed. Nurse Radcliffe turned around and nodded at her, Vera looked that way and saw Proctor approaching with a guard. The older blonde stopped next to her, her eyes instantly landing on the small woman lying on the bed.
- Have to say, I don't recall such a lousy Top Dog as you are. – Bennett said. – She is from your crew, isn't she?
Kaz nodded, her eyes glistening with tears, she was looking at the battered woman feeling her chest tighten at the sight.
- How come that people get away bashing your crew members?
- Don't you try to blame it on me! It is your fault!
- No, it is not! – Vera stepped closer to her. – You always thought that you can run this prison better than me or anyone else. It is time to prove it.
Kaz snorted.
- I´m telling you, Proctor, if you can't keep the women in check then I will have to do it. I will take all your privileges, order frequent cell tosses and we will lock up earlier.
- That will make them more angry don't you think?
- Yes, but I have no other option. We will see how long they will last. I will make sure that the most troublesome will get charged with something and get more time. I can assure you that I will find a way to fix this, but there will be a lot of bad blood and collateral damage. Is that what you want?
Kaz shakes her head. She hasn't slept properly for weeks now. This is not going the way she had imagined. She knew Tina might try something and that she could cause trouble, but she was surprised by the others. Everyone suddenly started acting like major bitches. And by the looks of it, she can add Bennett to her long list of problems.
Doreen and Sonia were sitting at the table, the older woman making Doreen´s nails. They were quietly talking. Liz made her place in the chair reading some magazine. It was a quiet evening, just one hour left until the count. Girls were enjoying the peaceful quiet in H1. Bea is sitting in the right corner of the couch.
She balanced her sketch pad on her bend right leg. She held it down with her drawing hand because the other was occupied. Allie was lying beside her fully engrossed in some book with one leg on Bea´s left thigh. The temptation to place her hand on the smooth skin just above Allie´s socks was too hard to resist. She rather fought with the dangling sketch pad than to pass the opportunity to touch Allie. Bea had no idea if she paid more attention to her right hand or left.
- Bea, - Liz called her name. – someone is here to see you.
Bea lifted her head. She never heard anyone coming or Liz talking to her. Her eyes landed on the older woman walking from the gate closer to the table. She knew her, saw her few times mostly in the yard.
She was in her fifties probably, no tats or crazy hair. She looked like one of the decent ones. Bea lifted her hand and placed down the sketch pad. She stood up and walked closer to the woman. Putting herself between the visitor and Allie just in case.
- I´m sorry to bother you, Bea. – the woman said looking little at unease. – May I have a word with you?
Bea nodded and pointed back to the gate. They walked away so they could have privacy but still being close enough to be safe. Bea felt Allie´s eyes on her and just hoped that in case this woman tries something funny Liz will grab her before she can run and get herself killed too. The older woman smiled at her, though.
- I´m really sorry coming after you with this. But I need help, we have troubles with Hana, you know that big tall girl with the huge cross tattooed on her arm.
Bea nodded even if she couldn´t recall her face, but she would surely recognize her in the hallway. The woman took a deep breath and continued.
- I swear Bea, she never did this before. But last weeks she started using. One day al of the sudden we found her high. I don´t know what got into her. She has no money either.
- If she has no money how does she get the gear?
- From Tina, that is why I´m here. From what I have learned Tina is giving out free ice bags, she is up to something. Making girls addicted or I don´t know what. I´m worried about the girls.
- I can understand that things are pretty shady now, but still have no idea how could I help you.
- Bea, someone has to stop her.
- Have you told this to Kaz Proctor?
The woman raised her eyebrows and shook her head.
- It would be a waste of time, that woman is useless. She is the reason we are in this mess in the first place. You know, maybe most of the women here are lunatics, but the few with common sense never wanted you to step down.
Bea smiled but shook her head.
- I´m sorry, but I´m not the Top Dog anymore. Go ask Kaz, maybe she will surprise you.
The older woman snorted.
- Yes, right and the pigs fly. – she looked at her feet in defeat and then back at Bea. – Alright then, sorry again for the disturbance. I just had to try, you would do the same. – she nodded towards the table and the relaxing bunch of H1. She turned around and walked away after waving her hand and saying goodbye to the others. Bea watched her disappear and turned to face her unit. Yes, she would do the same. She smiled at Allie who was peeking at her from above the book.