Season III
Day IV
"Liar"
It's impossible to know how much time has passed since Parker first closed their eyes.
They lay as still as they can against the concrete floor, a hardcover book as a makeshift pillow. Their neck already has a permanent kink in it from the past couple of days. Parker can almost pretend they've gotten used to it. They can at least pretend well enough to feign sleep for a few more hours.
At best, they've gotten a couple of hours most nights. The first one, Parker doesn't remember sleeping at all. They and their allies - Colby and Jovanni - take turns keeping watch over the small room they found on the first day. So far, nothing has disturbed the trio.
Parker knows not to take that for granted. They know that they need sleep, they need food, if they're going to last for the next several days. Parker can already feel themself teetering closer and closer to the edge. There's a headache behind their eyes that hasn't let up for two days. The tight knot in their stomach has been there even longer. None of them went to the supply drop on the second day. It felt too much like a trap.
Everything does. Parker swallows as they listen to the circling footsteps again. They know it's only Colby. He often paces during his watch, but the last two nights have been different. Once in a while the footsteps disappear entirely. Parker can only allow themself to open their eyes ever slightly, but they haven't been able to see him or his shadow.
That can only mean one thing. The question now is where is he going? What's so important that he's left not just once but multiple nights in a row? As Parker's heart picks up speed against the concrete, the realization starts to take shape.
… who is he going to see?
That's it. That has to be it. Parker remembers their ally talking to other inmates during the first few days, when things were still calm and no one knew what was going to happen. He had friends, friends that Parker can't remember the names of. Friends that could still be around, that could in fact be closer than they want to think about.
They could be planning something. They could be waiting for the perfect moment to strike, and what better moment than when the pair of them are fast asleep. Parker won't be caught off guard, not now when they're so certain. Perhaps it's the lack of sleep. Perhaps it's the fact that Colby has gotten quieter and they can't figure out a good reason why that might be. All they know is that they're not going to let it happen, whatever it is.
They'll stay awake for as long as it takes to be sure. For as long as it takes for the alliance of three to become two or maybe even one. Parker can do it. They know they can. Sleep isn't any use when it's just a precursor to the one that'll last forever.
We'll look out for each other - Jovanni on the first day.
The three of us until the end - Colby almost immediately afterward.
Yet now Parker has their own response and it rings louder than either of theirs - Liar.