Page 13 of The Rat

Rory had heardSebastian andLester’s last conversation, and Sebastian wasn’t lying. He’d givenLester plenty of chances to admit what he’d been doing, admit hewas a rat, but he hadn’t. The recording software on Lester wassensitive enough to pick up his splutters, and chokes as Sebastiankilled him.

“Anyway, that’s all in the past now. I’vealmost served my time, only nine months to go, and then it’sgoodbye to this cell, those gates, them guards.” He smacked hisclosed fist into the wall. “I’ll be free.”

“What will youdo when youget out?”

“I’ll drink, I’llfuck, I’llwork out, all things I do in here, but they’ll be sweeter on theoutside, and then … then…”

“Then what?”

Sebastian tipped his head back,wrapped his arms around his stomach, and laughed. Rory pulled hissheet closer,and kept his fingers bunched in the fabric. The laugh rivalledCaptain’s screams of terror.

Sebastian’s delight tapered off, and hestayed staring at the ceiling. His arms fell away, and he rockedback a step, then fixed Rory with a cold stare.

He shivered, despite the cellbeing too hot, and clutched the blanket up to his chin. That lookmeant revenge.

“I’ll celebrate my releasewith a big, fucking, bang.”

****

“Out of everything so far,this has been the best.”

Rory shot a skeptical look at Ollie, thenglanced down at his tray. Vegetables, gravy, rice, what he assumedwas chicken, and two cookies. “If you say so.”

Captain sat opposite, flexinghis fingers. There were bruises on his knuckles, and the skin hadsplit.

“Howdid that happen?” Roryasked.

“When I was having a dream,turned overand punched the wall.”

“The wall owned you.” Olliesnorted.

Beside the tiredness in his eyes andhis slumped stance, Captain managed a laugh.

“BenjaminTracy?”

Captain looked up at the guard.“That’s me.”

“Come with me.”

Captain sighed and gotto his feet. Hishand hung at his side, and several pairs of eyes snapped to it,analyzing the damage. “I’ll see you guys later.”

Captain no longer blocked thesight of Pauly and his table of friends. He perked up,waited untilCaptain had passed through the gate, then got to hisfeet.

“Sweetheart, now yourbodyguard’sgone, we can finally have a chat.”

Pauly sat down on Captain’s seatand reached across the table. Rory quickly pulled his hand away andwent to stand, but two hands pressed down on his shoulders, keeping him inplace.

Pauly turned to Ollie. “Take awalk.”

“But—”

“No buts, get up, andleave.”

“It’s all right.” Rory whispered.

Ollie stood up, grabbed histray, and moved to the opposite end of the room. Hedartedconcerned glances back, and Pauly wobbled his lip to mockhim.

“Poor little baby, have Istolen his favorite toy.”

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