Disclaimer: I do not own Attack on Titan.

NINETY-ONE

-"Well, well, I see somebody's feisty again."- Spoke Maxson from the other side of my cell.

I just glared at him and even though it took a lot of effort, I managed not to shrink back like a coward, ignoring the fact that he was outside of my cell. He's that scary. This isn't the first time Maxson has confronted me since I've started training -which doesn't surprise me that he found out. He's always watching me.

-"You don't look too bad, I admit, but I expect you not to… overdo it."- His brows furrowed. He was serious and that was a threat. It can translate to 'don't try anything funny out there' or 'don't start fighting back'.

-"Worried?"

-"Plenty."

-"Don't be. I'll be just fine."- I replied, eyes locked on him. He wanted to come in and the second he does, I have to be ready.

Maxson growled silently. He didn't like it one bit when I reply back with attitude like that. Abruptly, he swung open my cell and stepped in, gradually losing his temper. My body went rigid the moment he stood too close to me, our faces only inches apart, even though I had to look up a bit. He huffed often, forcing me to look and coward away, to apologize like I've always done before… but I didn't. My eyes locked on his for what seemed like an eternity. It wasn't until he was called that he stepped out of my cell with a rumbling snarl and a glare that aimed to kill, -"Stop pretending to be tough or there will be consequences."

When his figure disappeared, I exhaled and dropped my shoulders. There's still work to be done… I told myself. Maxson still had an effect on me but it was less than before.

-"Holy shit…"- Someone cursed.

-"You got guts, man, standing up to that asshole like that,"- A prisoner in the cell before mines spoke, -"Wish I had your courage."

I leaned against the door, watching the man struggling to even stand up, -"What did he do to you?"

-"What didn't he do,"- He shook his head and placed his hand on his forehead, -"He fucking tortured me, raped me and told me… things. I… I can't even look at the man without shaking and I have nightmares every damn night…"

-"He tortures us all, controls us with fear by making us docile."- Another one commented.

-"Then all of his guards take advantage and fucking abuse of us, enjoying our misery."

-"We've all done some bad things out there but do we really deserve this?"- The one before me spoke again, his fragile figure still unable to stand up.

-"This is unfair!"

-"Yeah!"

I knew then that I wasn't the only one Maxson has left a scar on. All these guys were afraid of him too and if I didn't know better, I'd say that guy was just another criminal in here.

~ o ~

-"Jean, you look… different."- Marco breathed out, still observing me and unable to snap his eyes off me. The sight didn't make him sorrowful like on previous visits and that's good, that's really good.

Of course he'd notice. He knows me better than anyone else, -"You think? I've been training a bit, keeping myself in shape."

Marco quirked an eyebrow and shook his head, -"A bit? Really, Jean?"

I laughed. I can never fool him, -"Well, a lot, actually, and I might have pushed my limits a bit but I'm fine, I'm great, so don't worry."- He has never liked when I overdo myself while exercising.

Marco smiled, genuinely smiled, utterly relieved. I missed that smile. I really missed it and I loved it. I wanted to see him smile more. He wasn't the only one relieved, I was relieved too to see him happy for once since I started my sentence, -"I'm glad, I'm really glad,"- He breathed out, in the brink of tears again but these ones were different; they were of joy, -"But… what happened? I mean, you were so…"- So beaten and gaunt, so weak and fragile.

-"Yeah, it's… a really long story and I don't have time,"- I replied, looking at the stupid clock again, -"But when I get out of here, I'll tell you and we can snuggle under the moon or our warm sheets again. So just wait for me a little bit, can you do that?"- I spoke, bringing up warm memories of that night. I really yearn to be by his side again. It made my chest tighten.

Marco nodded, -"I will, Jean, no matter how long it takes."- He placed his palm on the transparent wall that separates us.

I placed my hand on the wall, on his position, from my side and even though I couldn't feel his soft skin, it felt good, warming, -"I know, Marco. I love you."

The clock rang just then and I stood up and walked away. This time, when I looked back, I saw Marco gazing me lovingly, with a positive smile on his cute face. I smiled at him too before I disappeared from his eyes.

~ o ~

Honestly, backyard hour is the best recess hour because I can get fresh air and wander around freely, stretch my legs, get some sun light and gaze at the sky. Also, it was the worst. This is the hour were fights are picked, drugs are everywhere and the guards presence is off the chart -that's an understatement, considering most of them just slack off. Drug dealing is practically being done under their noses and they don't notice -either they're stupid or they don't mind. The latter one seems more like it. I got the hunch that the prisoners weren't the only ones doing that kind of business. I mean, prisoners doing business with other prisoners is lacking and trust me, drugs are not lacking in here. Who else will they sell their junk to? The guards and then they sell it to others outside the prison and then they bring even more in from outside. That's the only reasonable explanation I can make considering the high amount of drug trafficking in here.

Regarding the fight picking, an unmistakable, annoying guy came right up to me after dumping a poor prisoner in the trashcan while I played cards with Gabe and that prisoner from a few days ago, the one that couldn't stand up when we were speaking about Maxson. His name's Phil. He had light, green eyes and ginger, messy hair and beard. He looked like Gabe, all gaunt and really into drugs, with his eye's sclera all red. Another junkie. Yay. He's a good guy, though -a little paranoid too. Oh, and the tattoos running down from his shoulder to the tip of his fingers were cool.

-"Hey, you three."- The moment he spoke, I rolled my eyes.

-"Fuck off, Finn."- I said, eyes on the cards before me, focused on the game which was the only peaceful and relaxing thing I've done since I've been here.

-"Yeah, mate, fuck off."- Phil said, waving him off.

Finn and his buddies mocked Phil for his accent, -"Listen, 'mate', I thought I made it clear that I do whatever I want in here because this is my castle and I'm the king and I want those cards. Now."

I shook my head and gaped my mouth to speak but Finn snarled and snatched them from me before I could even protest. I quickly stood up to go after him but Gabe held my hand and pulled me down, -"Is it really worth getting into a fight for some cards, man? I don't think they're worth the trouble."

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. Finn didn't care about the cards, first off. He wants to tip me off, trigger me into a fight so that I could get in trouble while he stays the innocent kid. I care about the cards because they're Gabe's and they're the only ones he got. Plus, I was having fun and it's not fair of him to come in and ruin it just because. Double plus, he can't take other people's stuff whenever he wants to. He's not king of this 'castle' and he can't do whatever he wants to and stomp on others. I'm done tolerating him. He's going down today. Period, -"Sorry, Gabe, can't do,"- I waved them both goodbye while I stormed towards Finn, -"Hey, asshole!"- I shouted once I got close enough, -"Give me the cards. Now."

He turned around, with a grin plastered on his annoying face, -"Or else what? You can't fight back. You're weak. I'll just end up dumping you again."

-"Ah, come on, have a little faith,"- I clenched my hands and readied myself for a fight, -"Just try me. I'm like one of those toys with the buttons; press it and see what will happen."

Finn glared at me and observed me. He knew I meant business but his ego got the better of him. He gestured his buddies to stand back, telling them that he'll 'take care' of me on his own, -"Don't say I didn't warned you, faggot."

-"Trust me, kiddo, I won't."

He snarled and greeted his teeth. He hates it when I call him a kid.

I prepared myself and when he attacked with both hands clenched, I blocked and counterattacked, punching his abdomen several times before he started attacking again. His punches aimed high, to my face, and I ducked and dodged them all. When he left an opening, I did an uppercut straight to his jaw, making him groan and tumble to the ground, -"Fuck…!"- He cursed, stroking his jaw while struggling to stand up, -"Fuck… you, faggot!"- I cleaned the sweat from my forehead before aiming a kick at Finn but before it could make contact, he swat it off, making me fall too. He straddled me quickly and attacked me endlessly, really angry at me. He grabbed my head, covering my face with his palm, and kept pushing it against the mud beneath me. I groaned and bit his skin harshly, making him shriek and pull up a bit. I then pushed him down and retaliated. That's when he started calling his friends for help like a madman, -"Get him off of me!"

They thought about it and some of them were brave enough to step up and hitch me away from Finn. I growled and kicked them off and when I was free, all of Finn's gang made a circle around me and each one lashed at me. When I defeated one, another jumped in and sometimes two attacked me at the same time. I concentrated and fought them off but they managed to hit me a few times. I was often pushed to the circles' girth, where some prisoners held me back while the others punched my abdomen. I darted my head back and smacked it against the one holding me while kicking the one in front of me flat in the chest, pushing him and making him fall on the mud. More joined in the attempt to seize me but I elbowed them and kicked them all off.

Finn was losing it, -"Knock him out already!"- He was still stroking his jaw.

-"We're tryin, boss, but-!"- I punched the guy's nose, the one who replied, making him fall flat on the ground.

My muscles and knuckles started to ache but I kept going, defeating all of them until it was just me and Finn. I panted heavily and brushed the blood off my lips with my thumb. I felt the adrenaline rush by my veins and I admit, I liked it. I liked how it felt, how it made my heart beat quicken and my skin prickle. I was enjoying this.

-"Son of a bitch…,"- Finn cursed, watching his defeated buddies on the ground, groaning in pain, -"You'll pay for that!"- He launched at me and we wrestled again. With a lot of force, he pushed against a tree and tried to pin me there but I kicked his abdomen several times before I took his head and pulled it, smashing it against the tree's stiff trunk. Finn fell back, hands on his bloated forehead, yelling obscenities and screaming in pain, -"You're… nothing but trash, Jean! You'll… always end up in a dump!"- Deranged, he started throwing junk from the trash can at me. I ran for cover to the same tree and held position. Finn was still shooting junk while screaming, -"You can't stop me! I won't let you! I have everything here and I'm not gonna let you ruin it!"

A wave of memories ebbed me as soon as he said those words. I've heard them before, from Frank. Like Finn, Frank had a good life -in his case, in school. He was popular, had his own gang of jocks and was a leader. He also did whatever he wanted to and he also stomped on others and mocked them for fun. When I… did what I did and ruined it, he got furious at me -like Finn now.

And I enjoyed crushing these assholes' parties.

A metal bucket suddenly fell right beside me and I got the hunch it didn't came from Finn. I quickly took it and shielded myself from the junk as I ran towards him. When I was close enough, I lunged myself against him, smacking the metal bucket in his face, and literally shoved him in the trash can, -"Sorry, Finn, but your days as "king" are done,"- I said wittily, cleaning my hands over his defeated figure. I buried my hands in his pocket and dug out Gabe's cards. I then headed towards said guy, -"Here, got them back for you. Let's get back to the game."

Gabe just stared at me, his eyes glistening in admiration. He threw the cards away and launched at me into a hug. I wasn't expecting that and neither the sudden cheers. I looked over my shoulder and just noticed the massive crowd of prisoners heading my way, cheering on me. I also noticed the amount of guards gathered to watch my fight and some of them had their phones out.

In a far and dark corner, I saw Maxson and he was watching me intensely, leaning on a wall and never taking his eyes off of me.

I couldn't observe him anymore because the latter mass of people reached me and all the prisoners started hugging me and lifting me up, still cheering and saying my name aloud, -"Jean, Jean, Jean!"- I was carried all around the yard and I have to say, it felt good. Victory felt good. I leaned back and stared up at the clear sky. I extended my arm up and smiled broadly at the sensation that my freedom felt closer.

Just a few more months, Marco. Those months will at least be peaceful.

After a few, loud and head-aching minutes, the prisoners settled me down and we all gathered around to enjoy the evening, -"That prick was annoying as fuck, dude. You did us all a favor."

-"You sure know how to throw punches, though,"- One of the prisoners I defeated before said, caressing his cheek, -"Wouldn't want to mess with you from now on."

-"Then why did you followed him?"- I asked.

-"Bah, I dunno. We got nothing else to do but we'll be glad to follow you now."

I shook my head, -"No, I… I don't have the right to order any of you around."

-"Then why did you fought him?"

-"For starters, he was an asshole, bullying me and others every fucking day. Second, he… took something from my friend and I wasn't about to let him take stuff from others just because he's "king of the castle"."- I answered but I wanted to say more, like that time he said those things about Marco -specially that- but these guys didn't need to know about that.

-"You sound like a vigilante of some sorts."

I laughed, a bit bitterly, -"Trust me, I'm not."

-"You're like that cop here, um… what's his name? Don't remember."- They scratched their necks, thoughtful.

-"What cop?"- I asked, curious, considering every guard in here was violent and relentless.

-"I don't remember his name but he's one of those good cops people respect a lot."

-"He's not like Maxson, like at all. In fact, they kind of have a muss in here."

-"Hold on a minute,"- One of them interrupted, -"How come someone like you ended up here?"

I sighed and leaned back against the tree, -"Murder."

Some of them gasped and others, the more serious type, nodded, -"Though so. You seemed too good to be true."

-"Hey, hey, who did you kill?"

-"A guy in school."- I answered, like this was a normal conversation, and it surprised me a bit.

-"Holy shit, in school!?"- They gasped, -"I killed someone too but damn not in a place so public!"- Then again it wasn't technically in the school…

-"Wait, wait, wait, how old are you?"

-"I'm… nineteen."- I looked away.

As I expected, my age surprised them but I bet there's someone around here younger than me, -"Damn, son, you were born to be a killer!"

I sighed and pondered about it. Was I really meant to end up here? Was I really meant to kill this young? Don't get philosophical now, Jean. That ain't your thing. Whatever the case, it didn't matter.

The bell rang, cueing the end of recess. Everyone was still in a feast about what happened but we were escorted to our cell nevertheless. Once in, I laid comfortably in my bed and breathed deeply. I was at ease and even though my body ached, I felt good. I wanted to kick that guy out of his 'throne' for a long time; yeah, for Gabe's cards, for treating me like shit, dumping me in the trash and specially for saying those stuff about Marco. More than anything, though, I felt… self-confidence. When I got here, I was like a baby, literally crying for someone to get me out. Then, I adapted to this place and fell really low by inheriting drugs and sleeping with someone else than Marco, cheating on him -which I totally regret. I was depressed, weak and submissive, just like Maxson wanted me to be. For a long time, he won. He had his way and I stayed quiet in this little cocoon of mines filled with my insecurities, scared and wasted. Then, I had enough. I realized that even though I'm a criminal, this kind of aggression was uncalled for and unnecessary. It's inhumane and I didn't have to stand it. Ever since then, I started training and I became stronger. Sure, Finn and Maxson managed to knock me off my feet a few times, but that just made me rise again, even stronger. I managed to defeat Finn and it's not like he'll be completely gone but he'll think twice about bullying me now.

There's only Maxson left. I don't plan on banishing him from his officer post -that's out of my league- but I'm not going to bow to him. I know he's planning something but I'll be ready.

The sun dropped and I could finally close my eyes and sleep in peace. Around midnight, I heard my cell creak open, waking me up. I sat up, groggily and squinted my eyes at the peering darkness. I saw a figure but I couldn't make out who it was…

Then again, I didn't need to.

My eyes slowly widened but before I could react, the figure lunged at me and pressed some cloth against my mouth. That's when I saw Maxson, furious out of his mind, snarling and glaring at me like a rabid dog. He pressed the cloth harder against my mouth, hindering my breathing. He wanted to suffocate me. He wanted to kill me -or render me unconscious. Whatever the case, I fought back, kicking and punching him continuously. I started seeing stars as he pressed harder with both hands, rendering my attacks weak.

-"Jean…?"- I heard Gabe's faint but worried voice nearby, -"Oh shit…"- He then gasped, probably spotting Maxson stifling me.

-"Sshh, don't do anything rash that you'll regret later,"- Maxson spoke menacingly, -"Just crawl through your hole and we'll both pretend we didn't saw anything."

Gabe was speechless as he thought about it. If he tried anything, he's in serious danger, especially since he had no experience in combat whatsoever. Maxson will just snap him in two. If he didn't try anything, then I'll probably die and I'm not going to hold any grudges. In his place, I'd probably do the same.

But then he surprised us both by lashing out at Maxson and attempted to pull him away from me. Maxson pushed him off with little effort but Gabe kept standing up and tried to loosen the man's grasp on the cloth by pulling his arm off my mouth. It didn't budge, but at least he managed to get Maxson madder, making him release one of his hands from my mouth to attend Gabe. It took only a few seconds to back-hand Gabe and knock him out but it was enough for me to twist my head to the side and breathe deeply. I regained a bit of my strength and with force, I took the man's arm and shoved it aside. Quickly, I sat up and reached for the man's baton. When I took it, I swung it towards his head as hard as I could and smacked him.

-"God damn it!"- He cursed and covered his head with both hands, completely releasing me. I wanted to check on Gabe but I didn't took any chances and kept smacking his head. Once he was on the ground, by impulsive I ran towards Gabe but I knew, on the back of my mind, that the man was faking it. He was waiting for me to be distracted so he could snatch me again.

I knelt beside Gabe and took his bloated head in my arms. I had to check on him. That blow got him good; he was barely breathing, -"Hey, hey, hey, man. Don't pass out on me,"- My heart was beating rapidly as I kept gazing back at Maxson's "unconscious" body, -"Tell me something… anything. Just let me know you're not dead, please."

Gabe suddenly coughed and opened his eyes wide. That's when I saw a big shadow loom over me and when I looked back, Maxson had his hand cuffs ready, yanking both my arms back and tying them together with it. He pulled me away from Gabe by my hair, making me wince at the sharp pain as I stood up. Without my arms, I was defenseless, but I kept kicking around until he snatched one of my legs and pushed me against my bed. I tried to wriggle out of his grip before he could… do whatever he was going to do but he caught my other leg and tied them tightly together with his belt, -"Fuck!"- I cursed, wagging my legs up and down and side to side to no avail.

-"Now to deal with your damn big mouth."- He cursed, silently. He didn't want someone to hear the commotion. He took that cloth he used to suffocate me before from beneath the bed and I took that chance to impulse myself out of bed and crawl towards the open cell, like a worm.

-"Hey, he's here, he's…!"- I shouted, wanting to let whoever Maxson was avoiding know. Before I could scream anything else, Maxson had tied the cloth tightly around my head, muffling my mouth.

I managed to wake up a few prisoners and they started jamming the cell door and making loud sounds, -"Oi, it's Jean! Someone help him! He's gonna get killed!"- Then they woke up other prisoners and starting making even more sounds.

-"Motherfucker!"- Maxson cursed again, a bit louder, and drove my head against the floor with force.

I saw a sharp light wash my vision as I groaned in pain. Stars began to float through my eyes as Maxson lifted me up, reclined me on his shoulder and carried me all the way to his favorite cell after closing mines, leaving Gabe to suffer from his blow.

When he reached the isolated cell, he literally hurled me in, as if I was a bag of trash, and quickly closed the cell. My back collided with the wall, making me cry at the wave of pain as I fell to the floor next. Maxson turned to me after closing the cell and pulled out something long from… somewhere. It was a whiplash. He swung it in the air as he approached me slowly, -"You're a real pain in the ass, kid,"- He began, nibbling his own lips in anger, -"I thought I made it pretty clear last time we've been here that I didn't wanted you to cause any sort of problems, am I right?"- He lashed the whip close to me, -"And yet, here we are, because you still haven't learned to stay down."

I couldn't say anything but I kept my glare on him.

-"I'm teaching you a lesson and this time…,"- He leaned down to me and gripped my hair, -"… I'll make sure you never forget it,"- With a sudden yank, he pulled me towards the pole and tied me to it like last time. This time though, he wrapped the chain around my neck along with my hands after loosening the handcuffs. I couldn't move. He loosened the cloth around my mouth, -"I wanna hear you cry, Jean. I wanna hear you begging me for mercy but I'm not gonna comply. I'll scar your skin, make it bleed and bloat. I'll make you suffer and regret disobeying me."

-"You done?"- I asked, with attitude. His threats weren't as effective as before and I'm aware that this is really going to hurt, but I'm ready. I'll hold on as much as I have to.

-"Oh no, I'm just getting started."

-"Bring it on, then."- And the second after I said that, he tore my suit open and lashed me. I winced and closed one eye at the pain but more came. He lashed me quickly, one whip after the other, giving me no time rest whatsoever. Painfully, I felt my skin tearing up, bleeding as I hissed silently. I closed my eyes and gritted my teeth, holding myself against the pole as firmly as I could. My eyes began to water. Fuck, it stings. Come on, Jean! Hold it together!

God, it hurts! My eyes burned, about to burst in tears anytime soon, but I held on, swallowing each and every one of them.

Maxson never dropped his pace. He kept lashing me nonstop while laughing to himself, enjoying this like last time. I was sweating like crazy, my mind was getting hazy and my breathing was ragged, kind of stuck by the chains around my neck. I gasped for air often.

He started off too fast though, severing my back and rendering me weak like he wanted, and after a few minutes, his pace slowed down. He got tired. He huffed air and stretched before lashing me again. I was numb. I couldn't feel my hands nor my legs and when sweat drops dripped in the fresh wound, it stung like hell and made me wince in pain -it made the pent-up tears closer to bursting out, -"Come on, boy, beg for me to stop and tell me you're sorry, that you'll never get in-"

-"N-no…,"- I slurred, interrupting and gazing up to him, -"… n-never…"

Maxson snarled and darted the whiplash back, ready to hit me with it harder. I closed my eyes and waited for it…

-"Maxson!"- Someone spoke, a male, really loud and with seriousness, -"That's far enough!"

-"You,"- Maxson dropped the whiplash and I impulsively sighed in relief, loosening my body away from the pole a bit. I didn't know who this newcomer was, though. He might as well finish Maxson's job for all I know. I can't trust anyone here, -"Why do you always have to follow me around to ruin my work? I'm teaching him discipline, something you can't do!"

-"Discipline?"- The other man spoke and his voice was… familiar, like I've heard it before a thousand times. I heard the cell door creaking open with desperation. I peered over my shoulder at the discussion and the mysterious man's figure was foggy. I couldn't see his face and Maxson's figure was fading, -"What you're doing it's an atrocity, inhumane!"

-"I don't care what you think it is! I'm getting the job done, I'm keeping this damn rebel on a leash!"- Maxson was furious with this other guy.

Maxson raised the whiplash again and I quickly pressed myself against the pole, ready to take in the pain, -"I said that's enough!"- The mysterious man stopped him, though, holding Maxson's arm back firmly, -"You've crossed the line!"- I was surprised. I've never seen a guard stand up to Maxson like that.

-"Get out of my damn way or else!"- Maxson warned but the mysterious man didn't budge.

Maxson snarled and jerked his arm back, turning away and storming out of the cell, fuming.

The other man sighed and turned to me slowly. He stepped close and I gasped and shrank back, a bit distrustful. I didn't know who he was. I can't take any risks -it's not like I could escape anyways. My arms, legs and head were all tied. I've gotten a bit paranoid, haven't I? -"Easy, Jean,"- He took a step back, realizing and understanding my discomfort, -"You can relax. I'm here to take you out, alright?"

I shook my head a bit. I still couldn't see his face. It's so dark in here…

-"I know you distrust of me and you have every right to but I promise I'll get you out and take you to the infirmary."- He said and I swear, the more he spoke, the more familiar he sounded. Oddly, I felt comfort… just like I felt comfort when Marco spoke to me. Bit by bit, I started to trust him and leaned closer. I mean, he stopped Maxson and was considerate, stepping back when I showed distrust, respecting my space. He understood me. The man noticed, stepping closer again and undoing the chains from my arm and neck. Then he undid the belt around my legs and stepped back, giving me space again. I couldn't move, though. My legs were numb and every move I did made my sore back hurt more, making me whine in pain. Everything hurt and the pain was overwhelming. I felt woozy and depleted as I tried to keep myself steady.

-"You're passing out, Jean, but it'll be alright. I'll take you to a doctor and she'll take care of your injuries. I promise."- He moved close to me again and lifted me up in his arms, which were strong and stern. His fingers felt warm against my bare back… like Marco's touch.

Waves of relief and comfort washed me again. I believed him and I didn't know why. I just did. Who is this guy? Why do I feel so… secure in his arms? I gaped my mouth to ask but nothing but a painful groan came out. As he carried me, my light head hung and I couldn't see his face still.

I kept passing out from time to time and even though my eyesight went dark, I was still… conscious and I felt myself in a cold place, -"Amari, he needs treatment. Asap."- And I heard people speaking.

-"Oh no, don't tell me…,"- A woman spoke, with a shaky tone, -"Maxson again?"

-"Yes, he's… in a really bad shape."- I then felt myself descending to a soft and comfy surface. A bed, most likely, and it made the wounds in my back sting. I hissed and that alarmed them.

-"Lay him downcast, quick!"- And so he did and they both gasped at my severed back, -"Oh God…"

-"He overdid this time, Amari. He's a monster. He has to be stopped."- The man spoke, distraught.

-"And how do you plan on doing it? You're reckless, Nick. He's a psychopath, he's going to try to kill you again and you know it."- She sounded worried, really worried.

-"Then what am I supposed to do? Just watch him while he tortures these men to death?"- The man replied, raising his voice, -"You know I can't do that…"

The woman began to sob, -"Please, you're the only good thing that has ever happened to this place…,"- I've heard that before. Gabe told me that same thing too. The man kept quiet and must have gestured her to me because I felt slender hands caress my back, -"This is the sixth one you've brought me this week and his wounds are… more severe than the rest. He really overdid it."- She applied something sodden on my back and it stung my wounds, making me hiss and writhe.

I felt another hand grip my shoulder, -"This is going to hurt, Jean…,"- And sure enough, the second she poured the liquid down on my back, I was awake. Every cut burned, making me hitch up and squeeze my bed's sheets, trying to endure the unbearable pain. All the tears I've kept locked up got loose as I cried and groaned against the pillow. What was that?! Alcohol? Peroxide? I was held down firmly by the man beside me -Nick, was it? -"It's going to be okay, it'll be over soon…,"- He kept saying stuff like that, to comfort me and I admit, it was working. The doctor washed my back with a soft cloth and then dried it with another one. She then applied some kind of cream and waited a few minutes before bandaging my back completely. Then, she started massaging me and I got really drowsy, struggling to keep my eyes open, -"Just rest easy, okay? You're safe here,"- Nick said soothingly, his grip on my shoulder loosening. I kind of… reacted, impulsively, thinking he was leaving, and I wasn't expecting it. Nick noticed, -"I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

I began to wonder what got into me with this guy but I fell asleep before I could come up with the answers.

~ o ~

-"Mhm…"- I groaned, slowly waking up.

-"Nick, he's waking up."- The doctor spoke as I rubbed my eyes.

I heard footsteps and when I opened my eyes, I saw… I swear I saw Marco above me, -"M-Marco...?"- I slurred, feeling my throat dry. Is this another dream or am I going crazy?

Marco or… whomever it was gazed at the doctor, -"He needs water,"- Then, he gazed down at me again, -"No, Jean. It's me, Nicholas -or Nick. I freed you from Maxson last night."

Oh… it's him. The one who saved me. God, he looks like..., -"W-who are you?"- I asked, slowly sitting up and wincing at the sudden shots of pain.

-"Hey, easy, your wounds are still fresh,"- He said and with an arm behind my back, he helped me sit up, -"I'm Nicholas Cross. Nick or Nicky, for short. I'm a cop of the Garrison. I've been sent here for patrol."

I shook my head slowly and reached for his face, -"Are you... real?"- I pinched his cheek and felt real skin. So… he's not Marco. Of course he's not, dumbass.

-"Hey!"- He exclaimed, laughing a bit, taking my hand and laying it down. He's ticklish too..., -"Are you alright, Jean?"- He observed me, worried and weirded out by the question. Well, it was an odd thing to ask.

I observed him too. He… kind of looks like Marco -no… he looks like Marco's father. I quickly remembered his picture I saw in Marco mother's car; he has the freckles running from one cheek, through his nose and to the other cheek, and finally cascading down his neck. He also has the chocolate eyes and the dark hair. Plus, he has tall and toned body and with the police uniform, I'd say Marco's father came back to life… if I didn't know better.

I realized that he was still waiting for an answer. I gulped and tried to brush off that latter reflection, -"I'm… I'm fine, yeah,"- He's that good cop the prisoners were telling me about yesterday, -"Um.. th-thanks."- Which also scores a point to my "theory" that he was somehow Marco's father. Marco told me his father was the 'good cop' type, you know, uncorrupted and righteous. What's different, though, is that this guy was more serious about it. Marco's father never took the job as seriously as he needed to.

-"You don't need to thank me, Jean,"- Nick smiled and God, he had Marco's smile, warm and sincere, -"You should take a bath and have something to eat before I take you to your cell. Can you stand up?"

I dismounted the bed and even though my sore back made it a bit difficult to stay on balance, I nodded, -"Yeah, I'm good."

-"Follow me and stay close."- He gestured me to follow him with his head.

-"Nick,"- Amari called, -"Please… be careful."

Nicholas just nodded and stepped out. I followed him, staying as close to him as I could. As we passed the hallways, some guards muttered something and glared at us -mostly at Nick- and I figured he doesn't get well with most of these guys. I then understood why Amari worried about him. These guards aren't subtle, -"Hey, where you takin' him?"- A guard asked Nick.

Nicholas stood before me, -"To the showers. Something the matter, officer?"- Nick was honest and if I remember correctly, Celine told me his husband was an honest man too -fuck, I need to stop thinking about this. It's crazy.

-"Don't talk to me like that, Nicky. You know damn well that these pigs don't get to shower until next week,"- The guy pointed at me menacingly, -"And why isn't he in his cell? What are you up to now? Playing the good cop again?"

-"He was injured and he needs a bath to clean his wounds, alright? Now, I'm going in, whether you like it or not,"- He's bold and I liked that. Nick passed right by the guard before he could even gape his mouth. Once we reached the showers, I quickly took off the jumpsuit that the doctor gave me, -"Hey, slow down,"- Nick spoke, -"First of all, you need to take the bandages off and second-"- I reached for the bandages wrapping my chest and abdomen and when I hooked my finger on it, I pulled it but it proved difficult, -"Easy, let me help you."- With a sharp knife, he sliced the bandages and dumped it. When he faced my back, he sighed.

-"Looks bad, huh?"- I haven't seen it but I can imagine how horrible it must look.

-"Listen, Jean, just… take your time, alright? Don't rush yourself. I'll be waiting outside."- Nick began to walk away, giving me the privacy I've never had in this place.

-"Why… are you doing this? I mean, why are you helping me this much?"- And risking your neck like that.

He chortled, figuring I'd ask the question sooner or later. It's apparent, I mean, he comes out of the blue when I'm being tortured, saves me and is super nice with me, giving me my space, privacy and all, -"Long story short, I… I admire and respect you. I know what you've done and why you've done it, and I think you don't deserve to be here, that you… didn't deserve that punishment. Plus, it's the right thing to do and as a police officer, it's my job."

I nodded slowly and looked at him over my shoulder, -"Thank you… I really mean it. You saved my life."- I don't think I'd be here if he didn't show up last night.

-"I know you do,"- He smiled again, tenderly -yeah, like Marco. I… really have to talk to him about that. Otherwise, it's just gonna stay in my head forever, -"Holler me when you finish so I can help you bandage your back up."

-"Got it."- I nodded and when he left, I sighed deeply and faced the shower. I turned it on and the second the cold water sloshed on my cuts, I cried and lost balance. The pain was abrupt and sharp but I held myself with both hands on the wall before me. I looked down, hissing at the soreness and watching the blood pooling beneath me. Fuck, I need to clean these wounds and the thought was painful enough. With shaky hands, I took the soap from the small table beside me and started scrubbing it across my back gently. I started to bite my lips a bit too hard at the dizzying pain, my hands on the wall slipping every second.

Don't pass out, man. You gotta get clean. Come on, who's the tough guy? I gripped my hair as hard as I could and gulped. I started to scrub my back again and even though it hurt like fuck, I held on and endured it. After a few minutes of painful scrubbing, I turned the shower and washed the soap off. Then I dried my bloodied back with a towel and washed it again. When I finished, while tidying the stuff up, I spotted a small, portable mirror and took it. I winced at my reflection at the huge bruise on my forehead from Maxson blow, -"Hey, Nick, I'm done!"- I shouted, dropping the mirror on the table and wrapping a towel around the lower half of my body. I gotta say I enjoyed that shower, despite the pain. It felt good not feeling someone's eyes on your butt.

-"Coming!"- He trotted in with the bandage box in hand. As Nick circled around me, bandaging me up, he observed my body -and not in a pervert way, -"Your body's healthy. You should try keeping it like that,"- He patted my chest and gave me a clean, orange jumpsuit, -"All set. I got you this. Put it on and I'll take you to your cell."- He turned around quickly, again giving me privacy.

I smiled and dressed up, -"I know I've said it a bunch of times already but… thank you. I really can't thank you enough, though. You'll probably hear it more."

-"You can say it as much as you'd like, Jean,"- He replied, smiling while peering at me over his shoulder, -"You ready to head out?"

-"Yeah."- I nodded, adjusting the buttons on the suit.

-"Good. Follow me,"- He gestured me to follow him again and believe it or not, I was relieved to see my cell. Nick opened it and gestured me in. He closed it once I stepped inside and leaned on the door.

He was going to say something but I gaped my mouth and spoke, afraid he'd walk away, -"Hey, um… will I see you again?"

-"Plenty,"- He smiled, -"I'm your new assigned guard."

I smiled too, broadly, and exhaled in relief, -"Holy shit, you have no idea how relieved I am to hear that,"- I blurted while gripping my hair, -"Who assigned you?"- The question just slipped from my mouth. I honestly don't care as long as he's my guard.

He chortled, -"I did, while you slept in the infirmary."

Isn't he the coolest guy ever or what? -"You're cool and it's nice to know there's a good police here."- I feel safe with him and I haven't felt safe here since I arrived.

-"Coming from you, that's one hell of a compliment,"- He laughed and slowly stepped away from the cell, -"Take care, okay? And keep your strength keen. I'll see you soon."- He waved me goodbye.

-"Yeah."- I said, watching him go and as he passed by, I heard him chat with other prisoners, prisoners he probably helped too.

With him around, I felt better, safer -even though I knew Maxson and Finn are still lingering. I'll be ready for them and now, I had someone to back me up and it felt good. I didn't felt so alone now nor outnumbered. Oddly, I knew I can rely on him and I've only just met him. I know it's weird, really weird, but that's just how I felt when I first heard him.

The feeling about him being Marco's father was a scramble but it's still there and strong. I swear, he's almost identical and the more I watched him, the more I believed it. Somehow, in a way, it also scared me. It made me think and wonder if shit like that (supernatural shit and other stuff) really happens on our planet and I've never wondered about that sort of shit. Never.

Sooo, that is a weird thing to add to this story, right? What do you think? Do you think Marco's father reincarnated or revived? I dunno why I decided to write that XD I felt like it was time Jean met someone good in there and I recently saw Dracula Untold where in the end (SPOILER AHEAD) he meets his wife, reincarnated. I DUNNO. Let me know what you think, please!