Page 40 of The Fall Guy

This feels like a hint he’ll be out of jail soon. I’m not happy with that idea at all.

Thanks.

I hadn’t thought that far ahead. Once Kaden goes my whole routine will need to change. I’ll have to watch my back more, especially with Max.

It’s almost time for lights out and I’m just finishing up with a game of chess with one of the guards. He beats me but maybe I’ve just given up. Max is up to something and the only reason he hasn’t re-approached me was because of the company I’m keeping. We tidy up and I make my way into the bathroom to change for bed.

It’s a little quieter than usual but the thought quickly flees. It’s been raining most of the day and people are probably already settled in their rooms. I wash and put on my sweats ready to retire to my own cell.

I’m about to leave when Felix enters carrying his own pyjamas and wash bag. He opens the zipper, pulling out a razor. The glint in his eye puts me on edge. I look around for something to defend myself with, but I didn’t bring a weapon of any sort in with me.

“It’s just me and you now pretty boy.” He takes a lunge forward but I’m faster and slide out of the way.

“I’d like to stay pretty, thanks. There’s no reason for us to dance.” I try to shrug off my panic at the situation I find myself in.

“Oh, but there is. A little birdie told me you were thinking of joining the Cyclones and we can’t have that.” He jolts forward again, grazing my shirt with the razor.

“I’m neutral and staying that way from all rotten apples. I’m not joining any gangs at all. Not yours and certainly not his.”I shake my head trying to convince him I’m telling the truth, which I hope I am.

“Come here, pretty boy, I’m going to change your mind.” He smiles but it’s anything but friendly. The word unhinged comes to mind.

“Fucking hell,” I mutter under my breath. I scarcely avoid his next two advances as I round the shower cubicles. The plastic casing breaks away from the razor leaving the blade bare as he bangs it against the tiles.

He corners me in the far edge of the room with nowhere for me to run. I’m less fortunate when he lunges forward this time. He makes a deep cut across my left forearm which stings like a bitch. I’ve got no time to wallow though as he advances again catching my right hip. Blood drips down his arm and I’m unsure who’s it is.Probably mine.

He slices me a few more times making me feel lightheaded and my world starts to spin.Fuck, I’m in trouble and can’t seem to find a way out. I’m not usually this reckless. I don’t get caught with my pants down and no way out of a tricky situation.

Felix isn’t a complicated man, actually he’s quite predictable. Like Kaden, I’ve still ended up falling into his trap, even though I should’ve known better. Now I’m the one looking weak. My error might just lead to my demise and it’s too late to do anything about it.

Stretching my hand out I try to protect myself. If I can hang on a little longer, hopefully someone will find me.

Felix groans moving forward but not with intent to injure me. He’s sloppy as he bends over, like he’s in pain. That’s when I see him, my knight in shining armour, Kaden is coming in strong like never before. He pulls the knife he just stabbed Felix in the back with before he thrusts it back in. His grimace is menacing, showing no sign of weakness. If I wasn’t losing so much blood I might be turned on.

Felix goes down like a deadweight, hitting the ground with a thud. Kaden stares at his lifeless body where it’s landed. His adrenaline must be in overdrive as he doesn’t move even though the threat is taken care of.

A whistle sounds and guards pile into the room. Kaden steps back, dropping the knife so he can put his hands up. The guards restrain him, but his stare stays with me. They pull him back, pushing him against one of the shower stalls.

My blood pools on the floor in front of me and my vision starts to go dark. I’m going to lose consciousness. A hardly audible laugh leaves my lips and I whisper, “I think I’m in love with you, Kaden.”

He probably can’t hear me over the chaos and I’m out of time. The blackness creeps in further until I’m completely knocked out.

CHAPTER 19

KADEN

Fresh airand stable ground are finally under my feet as I stare back at Eastward prison. The governor set me free following a review of my case by a court judge. But the freedom I craved doesn’t feel so free.

The wind blows the leaves on the trees, a paper cup flies through the air catching the breeze, and I can feel the weather on my face. Being able to enjoy nature and go wherever I want is my reward for getting out. It’s just a shame there is a dark cloud looming over.

After I stabbed Felix, I was taken into isolation for a couple of lonely days. Apparently, it was for my safety, but I just wanted to see Rio. The governor wouldn’t give me an update on his or Felix’s conditions. I overheard one of the guards saying they thought they found the pills that killed Jono in Felix’s cell so he’s facing murder charges. It seems like I won’t be prosecuted for my part in the shower block incident as they have bigger things to deal with. I can just concentrate on myself.

The day I was arrested I didn’t exactly dress for the occasion. I was rudely awakened by officers breaking down my front door. I’ve only got the clothes I was sleeping in that night and some beat up old trainers from the prison’s lost and found box.

Nobody came to meet me on my release. Maybe because they don’t know I’m out or maybe because everyone’s turned their back on me. I have barely any money in my wallet, no car, and only the clothes on my back.

Heading east, I start the walk across town towards my shared house. Brad is the only one that’s been good to me, and I have nowhere else to go. That thought alone is sad. In my younger days, I wasn’t popular at school, but I had people that cared for me. The world was my oyster, and I had options. Now I don’t feel so lucky. I’ve got the choice to swallow my pride hoping my mum will take pity on me or go back to the bed I made in the drug den.

The further I get from the prison the lighter I feel. I’d die a happy man if I never have to go back there. Everything about the place was rotten to the core, except Rio. It was changing my morals in a way I didn’t like. I had to watch my back around every corner and rethink my moral compass. Before prison I’ve never had to choose between trying to kill someone or watching someone I care about die. When I attacked Felix, I knew I had to fight with everything I had. He’s a tough mother fucker and I had to hit him hard.

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