Page 43 of Babalon

Poor guy.

Settling back, I’m almost on the verge of falling asleep again when the broken toilet I tried to use yesterday bubbles and groans from its old plumbing; the stench making my stomach churn.

I’m going to be sick.

Day 6 - Solitary Confinement

Curled up by the door, my knees press into my chest while my back aches against the wall. My hands squeeze and pull at my hair. I am going insane. I just know there was a point in time yesterday when I heard whispering right next to me, but when I went to whisper back, I was met with silence.

Obviously, no one was there, right?

Couldn’t be, I’m locked in a concrete box. There’s no in or out. Only me, the thoughts I have running through my head, and my cramping stomach. I am sure seg is listed under ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ according to one of the past Presidents. If it’s not, I need the human rights people to come back; the ones that closed down the basement of the prison that Nadia told me about.

Maybe we all need them.

I don’t know how much longer I can go without food, let alone water. I think it’s been three days since my last cup and my lips are so dry they’re beginning to crack. Don’t even get me started on my empty bladder. I am glad that I stopped needing to urinate, especially since the toilet is out of commission. I bet they won’t clean it when I leave either. They’ll just use it as another means to torture the next poor guy that comes in here.

How do other inmates do this over and over again? Something has to be seriously wrong with them if they find joy in this or are willing to come back for whatever reason.

Day 7 - Solitary Confinement

I can’t do this.

I need the fuck out of this cell. I am losing my fucking mind. The whispers came back last night and then I could hear one of the inmates a few doors down screaming like something had taken hold of him and ripped off an arm. I know that’s not what happened, at least I hope it wasn’t like that. I could have missedthe sounds of guards walking in because I’m so fucking tired it’s unbelievable.

I spent the better half of last night dissecting the sex I had with Nadia. I miss her. I wish I can go back to the days where she’s being a bitch and throwing her officer privileges around. Yet the more I think about her, the madder I get. She did this to me. All I did was pop off about her past to make her angry. Serves me right; I won’t be doing that shit again, but neither will she. I’ll be getting my retribution for this shit, but first she’s going to cry for me, and tell me what in the hell happened to make her the way she is.

“On your feet inmate, then feed your hands through the port.”

Great, another person leaving while I sit here and rot.

“Inmate!”

Wait, is he talking to me?

“Huh… I,” I choked out.

“Get your ass up and get your hands through the port or you can fucking stay here for all I care.”

I move as fast as my body will let me, my shoes nearly sliding across the dingy floor and almost make me smack my face on the back of the door. I scramble like my life depends on it, I guess in a way it does. I can’t stay down here a day longer. I am not made for this. I need people around me.

I need a smart-mouthed, annoying, going to beat the ever-living shit out of her, brat.

Though I’m furious at her, I need her.

What does that say about me?

Chapter thirteen

Lucien

Present Day

“Welcome to Darkwater Correctional Institute. You have been delivered here because you were deemed unworthy to remain free within society. You have been convicted and have thus given up your rights to freedom within the United States. While you are here, you are a ward of the state of Michigan and Warden Durden. You will be given two pairs of jumper uniforms, two pairs of undergarments, three undershirts, three pairs of socks, one pair of shower slides, and one pair of work boots.”

“As a Michigan state ward, you may not be facing the death penalty for your conviction, but you will spend your sentencing working as the Warden sees fit. You will have weekly visitationas long as you abide by the rules of the institute. If you disobey, you will be faced with a plethora of consequences ranging from additional work to solitary confinement. You will remain under constant supervision ranging from Correctional Officer observation to video and audio surveillance.”

“Please place your belongings in the brown sack, take the uniform provided, and change in the bathroom to your left.”

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