Page 40 of The Freshman

“They’re both dead, my mumwhen I was ten, and my dad when I was mid-twenties.”

Alfie bowed his head and blinkedslowly. “I’m sorry.”

He jolted back at Nate’s bark oflaughter and collided with the railing. He winced and stared atNate’s door. “Why the hell is that funny?”

Nate’s laugh softened. “It’s obviousyou haven’t read my file, Freshman, and I’m wonderingwhy.”

Alfie opened his mouth, but no wordscame out. He waited until Nate’s laugh had died completely beforereplying.

“I know you’re in here fortriple murder, I don’t need the details.”

“If you read my file, youwould’ve known my dear old dad was one of three. You would not haveapologized for his death when I am the one that killedhim.”

Alfie forced himself to swallow,backing away from Nate’s door.

“I bet you spent yearswishing you had a dad, and here I am, killing mine. How careless ofme, or not. It depends if you read my file.”

“I don’t want to,” Alfiewhispered.

“Do you wanna know how Idid it?”

Alfie shook his head. “No, Idon’t.”

“Why not? Everyone likesdetails. Everyone likes to know everyone else’s business. Peoplesee a crash on the road and they just have to stare, have to slowdown in their cars to take it all in. It’s humannature.”

“Not mine.”

Nate chuckled. “You have full accessto my file and yet you don’t want to read it.”

“I know all I need toknow,” Alfie mumbled.

“What about Queenie? Doyou know what he did?”

“Oi, don’t bring me intothis,” Queenie hissed. “Me and Alfie get along fine. Don’t goruining it.”

Alfie heard the slap of Queenie’s feetas he walked away from his cell door.

“I’m just curious,” Natesaid. “So have you read Queenie’s file, yes or no?”

“No,” Alfiewhispered.

Queenie clapped. “Good, keep it thatway.”

Nate hissed. “You’ve not read anyone’sfile in here, and that’s your biggest mistake.”

Alfie shook his head. “I know whyyou’re both behind those doors. I know why you were sentdown.”

“Freshman, you aresurrounded by rapists and murders, and you haven’t read about whatthey did to their victims. That’s why you’ll never get off nightshift. Ryan knows you haven’t read any of the files. He knowsyou’re afraid to, and if you’re afraid to read them, there’s nochance you can be around us when we aren’t caged up.”

“I’m not afraid,” Alfiesnapped, stomping away.

“Yes, you are,” Natemurmured back.

Alfie stomped away, then slammed thegate and glared in the corner of the prison where Nate’s cell washidden in the dark.

“What’s he said thistime?” Henry asked, peering over the top of his glasses.

“Nothing,” Alfiesnapped.

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