Page 20 of The Freshman

“Did you believe withabsolute certainty Tyrone wasn’t faking?”

Alfie hesitated, and Ryan noddedpatronizingly.

“Exactly. Rookie error.Don’t try to play the hero. They will get you for it. I won’t besurprised if the next day they’re all unresponsive hoping you’llunlock their cells and hand them the keys.”

“I—"

“Enough!” Ryan yelled. “Noexcuses. If you can’t stick to protocol, then I suggest you findyourself another job. Dismissed.”

Ryan turned on his heels, marched backinto the office, and slammed the door. If someone missed Ryan’sshout, they didn’t miss the door slam that rattled the windows ofthe office.

Alfie didn’t want praise, but felt hedeserved it for saving Queenie’s life and protecting Larkwood’sreputation. Instead, he got a tongue lashing in front of theinmates and staff. Alfie didn’t have enough energy to blush, butthe awkward feeling of humiliation lingered in his gut.

Alfie closed his eyes and sighed. Notonly were the day shift guards watching, but a few of the inmatescontinued to do so. He knew Nate would be there, and he thoughtabout not looking to him, but as if magnetized, he hadto.

Nate wasn’t looking back. His darkeyes were fixed on the office, tracking Ryan’s movement. Hisplastic cup was in one hand, and his tray was wedged under hisarmpit. Neither of them had been used that morning. Nate wanted afront row seat to the unfolding drama.

“Nice one,Freshman.”

Alfie clutched onto the words andforced his legs to take him to the gate, back to civilization. Therest of his body ached, but his legs still moved at his will, andhe walked at a brisk pace all the way home.

Chapter Six

Alfie’s arms were too heavy to lift,and the muscles in his neck throbbed each time he turned. Hecould’ve called in sick, knew that Henry wouldn’t have blamed him.In fact, he probably expected it.

Ryan was the reason he forced himselfinto the shower. Running the sponge around his body was nearimpossible, and he didn’t bother putting shampoo on hishair.

Instead, Alfie rolled his shouldersunder the warm spray, then leaned back for the water to cascadedown his face. It soothed his sore body, and after a few minutes ofbreathing in humid mist, he climbed from the shower and driedhimself with a towel.

He stood in front of the mirror andglared at himself. Bruises and cuts could be seen, but strainedmuscles couldn’t, and he hissed at his normal appearance. He feltawful and wanted to be able to physically see it. Even his greeneyes weren’t red, and there was no sunken smudge of blue beneaththem. He hung his face to make himself look tired, but thatrequired too much effort to keep up.

Alfie slid easily into his trousers,but bending his arms for the shirt hurt, and he winced. He fixedhis tie into position, slipped on his polished boots, and grabbedhis jacket. Alfie brushed his damp hair into position with hisfingers and rubbed his jaw to feel the slight stubble growth. Hedidn’t want to shave when his arms ached so much.

He didn’t rush his stride like normal.He walked slowly toward the prison, sighing through his nose. Hehad recovered enough for humiliation to surface and just the signfor Larkwood had his face reddening.

Henry was locking up his car, andwaved Alfie toward him. “I’m sorry Ryan chewed you up likethat…”

Alfie wrinkled his nose then shook hishead. “Don’t worry about it.”

Henry patted his shoulder. “That’s it,that’s being part of the team.”

A team of one, Alfie thought bitterly,but he forced a small smile. There was no point arguing about theprevious night. Queenie was still alive, as far as any of themknew.

Alfie saw Marie coming toward them inhis peripheral. He turned away, hoping if he didn’t make eyecontact she would leave him alone. She tapped him on the othershoulder, and he gritted his teeth, fixing her with another fakesmile.

She flicked her heavy fringe away fromher eyes and blinked a few times before speaking. “I’m sorry. Meand Glen, we let you down. We won’t again.”

She used the same tone when she askedGlen to check a noise with her and Alfie shuddered. He couldn’t beseduced by her self-perceived sweet voice.

“It’s all right. I justwant to forget about it.”

She nodded, tutted, thenpouted.

Alfie’s cheeks began to ache with hispretend grin. He strode ahead of them and as soon as Marie andHenry were out of sight, he dropped his cheeks to his neutralexpression.

Ryan didn’t look at him once at thehandover. He turned on his heels and strolled from the office,whistling. If he had a cane he would’ve been twizzlingit.

The twins moved into the lobby, Danstood on one gate, and Ben the other. Alfie snapped his eyesbetween them, then groaned and squeezed the bridge of his nose.There were identical twins, and then there were clones. Dan and Benfit the clone category.

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