Page 11 of The Rat

“Eight years,right?”

“Right.”

“Thought there would be more to you. No onewill start on that Captain—he’d surely finish it. That Ollie kidhas won the instant affections of Teddy, so he’ll be wellprotected, but you, there’s nothing, you’re in trouble. You havevictim written all over you.”

“I’m not a victim.”

“Give it aweek.”

“This is my first timeinside. I’m—I’m trying to get a grip of things.”

“A grip of things? Don’t gosaying that in front of Pauly, he’ll see that as a solidinvitation.”

“I wanna keep my head down,do my time.”

Sebastian tipped his head back and barked alaugh. “Don’t go saying that outside this cell either. If you’restill here on Friday, I’ll be surprised, reallysurprised.”

“Where else can Igo?”

“The morgue.” Sebastian smirked, “Now there’san idea.”

ChapterThree

Rory had been inside for four days,and he knew one thing for certain.

SebastianClaw hated him.

He tried to strike up safeconversation, but Sebastian always argued against him. He jokinglycomplained about the sausages being rubbery, and Sebastiancalled himungrateful, told him he’d get the inmates serving to spit in hisfood.

When he complimentedthe sun in the sky,Sebastian growled that it was too hot for him and held his towelover Rory’s face until he was gasping for breath, each inhalebitter with Sebastian’s sweat.

Any opinion, food, films, books,games, Sebastian had the opposing one. There was no common ground, and the fourdays felt a lot longer, more like four weeks of constantly hittinga brick wall, constantly being forced back, until Rory changed hisopinion to coincide with Sebastian’s. Four days, and he wasexhausted.

Outside thecell, Rorystayed close to Ollie and Captain. The three of them were their owngroup—one of many. Pauly had his group, and Sebastian had his, butit was clear Sebastian had control over the wing. Any argument orscuffle, the inmates looked to him for guidance. He was nothingsort of a Caesar looking down from the top walkway. He’d call out‘enough’ or tell the inmates to ‘settle it in the gym’, which Roryfound out meant boxing until someone forfeited and admitted defeat.The guards didn’t intervene—they allowed the controlled fights togo ahead.

****

Another scream woke Rory, and hesat upright, pressing his hand to his heart. Captain’s calls echoed, butnothing he said ever made sense. It was garbled, muffled, and itmade it even more unnerving.

“Poor bastard.” Sebastianmumbled.

“I know.”

“You should convince him tosee the doc.”

“He doesn’t want to,said hedeserves to suffer.”

Sebastian laughed lightly.“Can’t hefind a way to suffer in silence, you know, not take us all downwith him? How long’s he in for?”

“Five years.”

Sebastian smacked his lips together.“Is that all? I wonder what he did.”

“No idea.”

“It’s funny, isn’tit…”

“What is?”

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