Page 21 of Babalon

“Yes.”

“As inGovernorBarclay?”

“The very.”

FUCK!

I killed the governor's daughter.

Chapter seven

Kace

Present Day

It’s been a few weeks since Nadia got handsy with me. I’ve noticed her milling around, giving more attention to other inmates in my cell block; thank fuck. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was dabbling in something she shouldn’t, but I’m not going to snitch on her. Matter of fact, I was almost positive she was one of the guards that’s peddling drugs in and out of the prison.

What a bad, bad girl.

Nonetheless, it’s hard enough being singled out by the brotherhood, I don’t need the rest of the population gunning for me either all because I want her to get in trouble. In reality, I want to see more of her.

Today is Saturday, not that it matters. Classes are not happening, and with Nadia staying off my ass, I’ve been able to catch up and somewhat get ahead. Most inmates spent their time in the rec-yard today, and though I like to avoid being around the majority of inmates, I did get a little bit of sun. I’m not a germaphobe or susceptible to allergy attacks, but being outdoors is not my idea of a good time. I like being in a controlled environment; a little trait I picked up from the accident when I lost all semblance of control and wiped out our lives that night.

Once chow came around, we had dinner and a show. Earlier this week two new Correctional Officers started, and they were getting the full Darkwater welcome treatment now. Having to break up a fight between two inmates then getting your own pepper-spray in your eyes was one hell of a way to close out your first stint as a rookie. I hate it for them as it seems like the animals in here would rather fuck with the guards more than anything else. Maybe the Warden will stop hiring cowboys and start getting some real COs on staff.

Things could always be worse for the new officers though. I think Nadia had a murder-suicide her first week or two. I swear I saw life in her eyes when she first ran into me, but now, they’re empty, just like the rest of ours. The darkness of this hell hole really sucks the good right out of you; if you consider any of us good to begin with.

Thankfully, I was sitting far enough away from the dramatics that I avoided getting my tray knocked off the table, allowing me to eat a full meal. Today is a cheap ass hamburger patty with runny gravy and dry mashed potatoes, something akin to Salisbury steak. It’s a little funny; this was one of those times that I wish Nate was around to steal my lunch like some schoolyard bully. If I actually had commissary money, I’d buy apack of ramen noodles or something instead of eating this slop. Alas, I’m not that lucky.

Nadia is off in my peripherals giving random pat downs, doing her job for once versus harassing people. Nice to see, if you ask me, but I’m sure it won’t be lasting very long. If there is one thing I know about her, it’s that she’s a fucking menace. It is like life has been a little too quiet lately, which does not bode well for me. I can only imagine what sort of bullshit is headed my way.

After eating, I went mulling through the gen pop rec room in B Block, the TV blaring in the background as I weaved my way through the tables and benches. We are drastically limited in what we watch here. Nothing violent, unless they are old westerns, and nothing that could start a craze. The room was more crowded today than usual. I suppose Warden Durden was allowing a few inmates to move between cell blocks since no one had died this week. With my cell in C Block, it’s a miracle that I am over here; then again, I’m considered a well-behaved inmate and get a few more wandering rights.

Shocking.

Nonetheless, people are always dying here, so good behavior was hard to come by and I fit the mold.

Making my way over to one of the tables, I notice Matias leaning forward with his elbows pressing into the top of the table, completely engrossed in the news-broadcast. Silently, I drop down beside him and look up at the mixed crew of news anchors as they finish their spiel.

“This ought to be a medical miracle, Jack. Providing these families, as well as those struggling with addiction, a better life. If you have any interest on applying for the clinical trials, you can access the clinics website at www.News8.com.” The anchorwomen finishes as they prepare to move into break. Ignoring the topic, as well as the commercials that rolled showing juicy cheeseburgers with piled high fries, I look back tosee Matias still locked in on the TV and give him a nudge with my elbow.

“See something you like?” I ask with a grin.

“Amigo! Didn’t see you drop down. That torta?” he asked, pointing at the food on the screen. “Yeah, the other shit, not so much. You know that medical mumbo-jumbo ain’t my bag. Anyway, you get a moment to talk to your professor about my case?”

“Actually, I did. He was able to suggest a few books for me to read, so I’ll need to stop by the library on my way to lights-out and grab them. Once I get them read, I can write a reduced sentence motion for you, sound good?”

“Hell yeah, whatever you gotta do. I appreciate you, hombre. I’d like to have it prepped for when my lawyer shows up in a month or so. He does quarterly check-ins; guess he feels bad about losing the trial.”

“That right? I may need to take him on as my lawyer since he actually seems to care about who he represents.”

“Hah! That spit fire? Fuego cares only about a few things. His precious appearance, and the fact that he no longer has a spotless track record. I’m the one that fucked everything up for him.”

Matias came up to me about a month ago and asked if I could use the education I am earning to help him shorten his sentence. There was a bit of evidence that was inadmissible, but the judge still accepted it along with a few other aspects that should have been thrown out. As someone who felt the full weight of a judge and jury’s’ power, I don’t mind helping him get his sentence lessened, especially under Texas Self-Defense Laws. Matias believes that defending his abuela against the officers that slapped her around falls under the umbrella of self-defense, even if he used excessive force. Not to mention the fact that hewent after the officers after the offense had initially happened— that’s premeditated but I won’t tell him that.

Either way, I’m going to help my only friend with this. He is the one that has had my back the most here while the rest of the inmates have avoided anything to do with me or have terrorized me for the past few years.

The bulk of us will never get out of Darkwater, and that’s fine with me as some of these fucks deserve to be here.

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