Chapter three

Brendan hated the dark. Especially in this damp cell. And it WAS damp. He looked to the shadows of the ceiling thinking back to his nightmare past when SEAMUS would abuse him in the dark. Calling him Brenda and touching him in places he didn't dare tell another soul. SEAMUS couldn't abuse anybody again thanks to Cheryl sticking a bullet into the bastard. Taking full responsibility and doing the time for her was more than worth it...

He listened around him. At least the shouting had stopped. Him down the hall. Psycho Phil. Hits everyone on sight.

Well, not him...if he tried to hit him...

At least he had a cell to himself. There was another bunk in the corner but it was unmade so no sign of a cell mate just yet. But if he had a choice, then young David was a best bet.

He held out his fist in front of him...the cuts were healing now...he could feel them with his other hand in the darkness.

The silence lasted throughout the night..

The next day Brendan was taken from isolation and escorted to the wing governors office.

"Brady...we are only here to help you...and to warn you that violent outbreaks will only add to your sentence...is that what you want?"

Brendan sat in the chair of the wing governors office. The walls were littered with curled up forms on notice boards,"add to my sentence? I'm doing life"

The wing governor leaned forward, "Brady...you are one of those who like to keep their feelings bottled up...I can see that...but in places like this, it's not recommended...it's best to keep everything out in the open"

Brendan looked up, but was silent.

"Was it Paul Wallace who goaded you...was that it?"

Brendan shook his head and said though gritted teeth, "Do I look like a grass?"

The officer chuckled, "We get that a lot...but if you NEED to talk to someone"

Brendan grinned at him, "I'm alright thanks"

The officer leaned forward, "We are letting you back to your cell...but anymore trouble and you will be back in Isolation...is that clear?"

"hmm...yeah"

Brendan went back to graft in the workshop. He placed the block of wood into the vice and stared over towards Porker. That cunt still had what was his, and he couldn't rest and get to work without it being returned to him so he strolled over with his hands in his pockets. Porker was talking to one of his lackeys and looked at him, "Yeah?", he grunted.

"shower block in 5...don't keep me waiting, or I might decide to give you a matching pair"

Porker's black eye was in full view as he watched Brendan disappear up the gantry. Porker followed him into the shower block to find Brendan leaning against the tiled wall with his arms folded.

"What do you want?", Porker barked.

Brendan greeted him with a smile, "Just a little catch up, you know what I mean", he approached him, and Porker was instantly on his guard, "keep your distance you Irish Psycho"

Brendan titled his head, "Do you have to bring the Irish into this? Don't be scared, I'm not going to hurt you"

Porker looked at him. It was hard to tell if this Irish wanker was going to hit him or kiss him, "What do you want then?"

Brendan held out his hand and gestured him, "My property, give it to me", Porker knew exactly what the Irishman was talking about and it was burning a hole in his back pocket of his sweat pants, he dug his hand in and pulled out the photo, "what? Is this what you want?"

Brendan's eyes flickered from the photo and Porker, "just give it back to me and I'll promise to leave you alone"

"YOU leave ME alone?", cried Porker astounded by such a comment. HE ran this wing, he wasn't the daddy for nothing.

"You heard me cunt, now give it back to me"

Porker cracked a smile, "Okay...you want it back, you'll gonna get it back"

Brendan stepped forward and raised his hand to snatch the photo back, "glad you see things my way"

"Yeah, I do!", and then Porker held a lighter up next to the photo in a threatening manner. Brendan widened his eyes in horror, "No wait"

"Wait what?"

Brendan's stance hardened as he balled his fists and bored into Porker's eyes, he lowered his voice in a dark tone, "give it back to me, or I will kill you"

Porker wasn't going to take this nutter lying down, "I'll think I will take my chances", and with that, he flicked the lighter and set the photo alight and then chucked it into the tiled area.

"No no no no no no no no", Brendan panicked and was on his knees reaching for the burning picture, his own image on the photo already burning out. Porker leaned in to him, "PATHETIC"

And he laughed his head off as he left. Brendan eyes were glued on the image as his beloved Steven's image gradually melted to nothing, he closed his eyes. He was going to get even for this.

The next day the Prison visitors room was busy. Brendan put on his visiting vest and went and sat in the corner. When the prison officer opened the doors, the visitors came bundling inside. Wives and girlfriends coming to see their hubbys and lads. And then there was Cheryl.

Cheryl came and sat opposite him, and grabbed his hand.

"Bren...I didn't think you were ever going to let me visit!"

He looked tired and depressed, "You're here now"

"Yeah...they treating you right in here?"

Brendan sat back in the chair and shrugged, "So so...what have you told...did you..."

"I told Eileen to tell the boys you're in Spain, like you said...but I hate doing this...they're gonna find out sooner or later"

"later is good"

Cheryl sighed and leaned forward and caught Brendan's gaze, "You not gonna ask after..."

"Don't go there...please...I can't bear it"

"But...he's been..."

"I SAID NO"

A warder looked in their direction. Cheryl waved a hand and put on a laugh, "It's okay, every things okay"

Brendan stared at the ceiling.

Cheryl coughed to get his attention, Brendan met her gaze, "I'm only worried about you"

"Then do as I ask...if you can't, then you should leave here today and NEVER come back, I gave up my life so you could live yours Chez, don't let me down now"

Closed to tears Cheryl nodded, and held his hand.