Page 43 of The Rat

“Teddy comes back on thewing today.”

“Has it only been twoweeks?” Rory groaned.

“What?”

“Feelslike months have draggedby.”

“You gotta getused to it, you’rehere for eight years.”

“Kill me now.” Rorymuttered.

“I forgot to tell you, Isigned us up for art class.”

“What?”

“Art class.”

“Why the hell did you dothat?”

Ollie gestured to Rory slumpedin his chair.“Always moaning you’re bored, I took the initiative. So we’re doingart class.”

Pauly paused attheir table. “Artclass, sweetheart?”

“So what?”

“I know what to sign upfornow,that’s all.”

“Do what youwant.”

“That aninvitation?”

“Go away.”Ollie hissed.

“I will, but I’ll see you at artclass. Maybeyou can be the nude model, Rory, but for my eyes only.”

He winked, then carried on tohis table and sat down with his group of inmates. They’d allstartedwearing red bandanas, and when he asked Sebastian about it,he said not to worry.

Rory spotted Sebastian comingdown the stairs. He threw a venomous glare at Pauly and walkedstraight to Rory and Ollie.He placed the chessboard he’d been holding on thetable, then sat on the opposite side of the table toRory.

“What did he say toyou?”

“Said he was gonna sign upfor art class.”

“Art class?”

Ollie nodded. “Yeah, I signed me andRory up.”

“I guess I’ll be doing thatclass, too …again,” Sebastian sighed.

“You gonna tell me what the redbandanas areabout yet?”

“He’s getting a gangtogether.”

“To do what?”

Sebastian grinned, but it was crazed,and Rory leaned away.

“To beat the shit out ofme.”

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