Page 74 of The Rat

“Fine, then.”

Sebastian stood up, but theguard pointed at him sternly.“No, you can wait.”

Rory walked out the door first,and Pauly quickly followed. They walked side by side back to thecorridor, but didn’t speak or glance at each other. They stopped at the gate,the guard opened it, then they were back on the wing.

“Interesting picture youdid…”

Rory rolled his eyes. “Don’t youstart.”

“You forgot to draw the redbandanas though.”

“Whatever.”

Pauly blocked his path. “Youwanna knowwhat my picture was of?”

“Not really.”

“I called itsplats.”

“Splats?”

Pauly hummed. “Yeah, red splats, bloodsplats, all that will be left of Sebastian once we’re done withhim.”

“I’m not listening tothis.”

“And when we’re done with him,therewill beno one between me and you. We’ve got eight years together and we’regonna have such fun.”

He patted Rory on the head, then walkedoff in the direction of his cell.

****

Rory hung his arms over therailings, watching the wing from the secondfloor. Metal grids stopped anyonehurling objects or people from the walkways, and Rory watched theinmates through a double cage filter. He counted twelve bandanawearing inmates, and sighed in relief when he saw Captain, stillnot wearing one.

The gate opened, and Ollie walked insidewith his drawing pressed to his chest. Teddy followed him, tiltinghis head, trying to catch a glance of the picture, but Ollielaughed, and denied him.

Sebastian stepped onto the wing,and connected gazes with Rory. He didn’t smile, but marched straight to thestairs. Rory went back to watching Ollie and Teddy.

Ollie ducked his head as hepresented Teddy with the picture of the butterfly. He’d spent fourweeks on it, and Rory hated to admit it was good, more than good.Ollie’sarrogant grinning was justified. Teddy gawped, took the picture,gawped some more.

Then he reached for Ollie, crushingthe picture between their chests as he hugged him. His lips foundOllie’s ear, and Rory swore he saw them move.

Hands tugged Roryback, and hedidn’t fight against Sebastian’s hold on him. He let go of therailing and ended up leaning against Sebastian’s widechest.

“Pauly didn’t do anythingto you, right?”

“No, he didn’t touchme.”

Sebastian slipped his armsaround Rory’s middle. “What did he say?”

“Said he’s gonna hurtyou.”

Sebastian chuckled, and Rory tried toturn around, but his arms clamped around him, holding him inplace.

“You’ve got to take himseriously.”

“Why?”

Rory’s arms were trapped, and hecouldn’t point, instead he stuck his chin out. “Because those guys down thereare taking him seriously.”

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