Page 28 of Rat

“Your turn,” Sebastian mumbled.

Rory got down, brushed his teeth, used the toilet, then washed his hands. He tentatively lifted his T-shirt and felt Sebastian’s eyes on him. The stark white bandage was impossible to hide, and Sebastian’s gaze snapped to it.

“Whoever did it,” he said slowly, “didn’t want you dead. They would’ve gone for your throat or your heart if they did. They wanted to freak you out, scare you a little.”

“It worked,” Rory admitted.

Sebastian opened his mouth, but no words came out, and after a sigh through his nose, he pressed his lips together. Rory thought it was the end of the conversation, but Sebastian mumbled, “Who do you think it was?”

Rory shook his head. “I don’t know. There were too many prisoners coming towards me all at once, passing by. It could’ve been anyone.”

“And how does that make you feel?”

Rory bit his lip. “Unsafe.”

Sebastian rolled onto his side to face the wall of the cell, presenting Rory with his bare back and ending their conversation. Rory removed the rest of his clothes, folded them up, then eased himself onto the top bed.

“Night, Rory.”

Rory bit his lip, waited a minute, then whispered. “Night, Sebastian.”

6

Captain’s scream tore throughthe prison. They’d had a few nights without the screams, but Captain had warned them it wouldn’t last. Rory struggled out of his sheet, then yelped at the pinch in his side. He panted through the waves of pain until they only lapped inside his body, getting more and more gentle until he was okay again. Sebastian got out of bed and steadied Rory as he rocked forward and back while the pain faded.

“Okay?”

Rory nodded, then swung his legs over the bed and slipped down. Sebastian held him up for a few seconds, then backed off when Captain called out again.

“Jesus,” Sebastian breathed. “That is not fucking healthy.”

Rory limped to the door of the cell, then got to his knees, cheek to the floor.

“What are you doing?” Sebastian asked, nudging Rory with his foot.

Rory ignored him and yelled through the gap between the door and the ground.

“Captain Tracy!”

His throat spasmed at his shout, and he ended up inhaling dust that he spluttered on.

Captain immediately stopped screaming. Rory sat up, rested against the door and coughed into his elbow.

“He needs help,” Sebastian muttered. “Professional help.”

“I know,” Rory mumbled. “But he’s stubborn and guilt-ridden. He thinks he deserves those nightmares.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know, he hasn’t said.”

Sebastian got back on his bed but didn’t lie down. He tilted his head and stared at Rory as he rested against the door.

“What?” Rory asked.

“I’m wondering how you got his unwavering loyalty?”

“He said me and Ollie reminded him of some of the recruits he trained up.”

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