Page 103 of Caged In

He’s worse than everyone in here. His body count is growing with every passing day. He should be locked up for the rest of his life. They should throw away the key. Never let him out. How can he live normally in the outside world when he has done so many bad things in here?

He will never be the same.

He thought he enjoyed being around people, but in this cage it always results in violence. In fighting. In death . . .

His friends punished for something they shouldn’t have been involved in. People dead who had years left to live. Families who’ve lost loved ones. All because of him.

He is a curse to them. Maybe he should go to The Hole. It would protect everyone else from him.

And worst of all, Sinn'ous hadn’t looked at him. Had walked off and left him behind. If not even a serial killer will have him, there must be something wrong with him.

I’m broken.

32

It’s rapidly approaching lunch time, and Izz still hasn’t seen Sinn'ous since the . . . incident yesterday. His mind is filled with the nagging thoughts he’s screwed up and Sinn'ous is done with him. As much as he should rejoice, all he feels is rejection. He and Sinn'ous had been getting along well. Things were doing great.

Turns out he was very wrong. Sinn'ous hates him.

Izz’s with The Gang in the Rec-Room purely out of self-preservation. If he has indeed pissed Sinn'ous off, hanging around a group would be wise. To protect him from other inmates, but also to protect him from Sinn'ous. Even if he truly believes Sinn'ous would never—will never—raise a hand in aggressive violence towards him.

I still believe this. I still believe Sinn'ous will not hurt me.

And there is the other matter . . . He feels like shit and doesn’t trust himself to be alone. He’s never been a self-harmer but a lot has happened to him in this Hell-hole. He doesn’t want to risk taking up a new hobby, so here he is. Pretending to have fun with this card game he is barely tracking.

He wants to sit down and cry. He’s alone and helpless even surrounded by his friends. Sinn'ous is the only one in here who helped him feel different. Who combated the dark depressing life as a caged animal. Who gave him a strength he can’t find now that Sinn'ous is gone—

“Ow. What the fuck,” Izz snaps when Zidie slaps the back of his head.

“I said it’s your go. Are you even paying attention?”

No, I’m not.Izz flops his cards down, “I fold.”

Zid purses his lips, but doesn’t say anything. Getting back into his own little zone. A hundred percent invested in the game, trying to beat out Isco. Who usually wins every game.

Izz settles back into his chair. Observing the other inmates scattered around the room. It’s packed in the small space today, because the rain is heavy, drenching everything outside. So the guards closed off the yard, forcing them to stay squashed indoors.

They’re just lazy and don’t want to watch inmates out in the rain and get wet themselves. It’s not due to some nonsense about inmates being cold. He doubts they give a shit if their captives come down with the flu.

The hairs on the back of Izz’s neck prickle in warning, agitated by an unseen threat. The rest of the table doesn’t appear to have noticed his unease. They haven’t sensed whatever has his instincts flaring to life. They’re too engrossed in their game.

His eyes land on the doorway, drawn to the grey-clad presence which is filling the entire space. Izz’s reaction is a jumbled mix of emotions—of dread and excitement.

Sinn'ous is scanning the Rec-Room. His eyes roaming over all the bodies which are stilling in their actions and conversations. A hushed silence falling over the room, as everyone slowly comes to grips with the predator gracing their presence.

Sinn'ous’s eyes fall on Izz. Hard cold gaze drilling into his very soul. He isn’t sure what he’s expecting to happen. If he is still in Sinn'ous’s good graces. Or if he’s another prey among the many.

He’s stressing. Extremely worried Sinn'ous is angry at him. Fearinghis presence around the male is no longer welcome.

Sinn'ous strides over. Inmates vacating the space in his advance. No one wanting to be caught in the predator’s path.Everyone watching. Waiting. Trying to figure out why the carnivoreis in their presence and who will be on the menu.

The Gang catches on. Their game pausing as they swivel to watch the predator prowling closer, his eyes locked on their table as his destination.

Sinn'ous stops directly behind Zidie’s chair. The cupcake-tattooed inmate’s eyes blown wide as he stares right at Izz, not daring to turn around. Izz would have laughed at Zidie’s expression if he wasn’t so anxious about where he stands with Sinn'ous.

Sinn'ous’s cold gaze runs over the occupants of the table Izz sits at—

The Gang clears out. Quickly departing—except Zidie, who’s stuck between the table and a serial killer up against the back of his chair. With no way to slide his seat back without touching Sinn'ous in the process.

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