Page 4 of A Game of Secrets

I think over my time here, not a lot has really changed. I still have the final say for my crew on how we operate and transport our goods. That's the reason I had to take the fall, I'd get less time than my brother, Cole and my friend, Lincoln. They have both done their stints in this hole already. If they went down for having a firearm during a crime, they would have gotten triple the sentence for being second offenders. Me however, a first time offender, well not first time so much as first time being caught. I've probably committed far more crimes than them in our lifetimes. I got a quick stint that I was happy to do for my brothers.

"Rise and shine boys it's time for breakfast and have we got a treat for you today!" Shouts one of the guards. It sounded like Mickey or Mikey fuck knows, he's new, fresh meat to the guards, he'll learn soon how it all works in here. I hear his boots stomping around in the communal area, he should be more careful out there, the weasel is going to get shanked if he keeps shouting his mouth off like a bitch.

I finally get out of bed and go stand to have a piss in the shared urinal and then get dressed in the god forsaken clothes we all are given. I think these are the things that I'll be the most glad to see the back of. I shove my cell mate, Nicholas to wake him, dickhead has always loved his sleep but he's an alliance in this place, most of the inmates are scared of the fucker, he's massive at 6ft 6” and built like a brick shithouse. I'm not much smaller than him at 6ft 1” so the dorm is cramped. We both enjoy working out so it's not just height wise we take up space, but it's safe to say no one messes with us.

Nicholas grunts as I nudge him again. ”Another day in paradise my friend," I laugh. He hate this place, he's one smart mother fucker though. If anyone found a way out of here, it would be him. He's always got his head in a book, sometimes I think it's just to avoid the reality of being in this shit hole, can't say I blame him.

Once I'm ready and Nicholas finally rolls out of his pit, Derek, the most senior guard, saunters into the pod with a few other guards, Karl, Gray and Travis. Once they are all outside our dorms, we leave 15 at a time and make our way to the showers where we have 10 minutes each to wash before the next group gets in. I've got a lot of influence in here, I go in first followed by Nicholas. The other inmates move out of our way and let us get our shit done in private. The guards tend not to make too much of a fuss about this as it's prison politics at its finest. Anyone that wants to take my spot has to challenge me and none of these fucks can take me out.

When Nicholas and I are done, the other inmates from our section take their turn.

Showers done, our group moves back to the pod for breakfast. Apparently the doctor is here today and if we’re lucky, we’ll be on the call list. It’s a nice change to the usual routine so you can guarantee the doc is going to be busy today with STDs, time wasters, drug seekers and those suffering from yesterday’s fight.

After finishing breakfast Nicholas and I make our way back to our cell. It doesn’t consist of much, two single beds that aren't comfortable but it's better than having to sleep out in the communal area with the inmates that haven't made any allegiances here. At the end of the cell there’s a sink and a urinal. The walls are covered in graffiti and tags from former prisoners. Not my sort of thing, my presence in this building will be enough of a reminder of me, I don’t need to leave a tag, I don’t intend on returning.

Sitting on my bed, I look over at Nicholas. "When do you think the next room check will be?" I ask, leaning back and looking up at the white ceiling covered in cracks and cobwebs.

"I'd say we will have one come Friday, in case any dumbass tries to pocket any contraband from the docs visit," Nicholas states, his expression showing that he's calculating his reply carefully. In the time I've spent here, I've got to know and trust Nicholas almost as much as Cole and Linc. I don't normally do this but I've given it so much thought, Nicholas is an asset here and he will have his uses on the outside too.

"I've been thinking Nick, when you get out of here you look me, Cole or Linc up. You'll always have a place in our crew, we protect our own and you've proven to me that you can be trusted. I just need you to hold on tight here, I'll get my lawyers on your case to see if I can get you earlier parole as soon as I'm out of this shit hole. What do you say?"

I don't look at him, I continue to stare blankly at the ceiling so I don't see his expression but he's silent for a moment. His reply is simple, "I'd appreciate that Si. Sooner I can get out of here, sooner I can make sure my sister is safe."

I've told him time and time again I'll check in on her for him once I'm out of here but he's said he doesn't want to invade her life unless she's in danger and he never expands more than that, so I don't push it.

"Have you given much thought to who you'll bunk with when I'm free?" I ask, thinking over the other inmates, mentally doing a list of approved names that won't cause too much of a hassle for him.

He sighs and shakes his head, "Well it definitely won't be that gobshite Danny. No matter how much he thinks he's got an in with us. I'm actually thinking about the kid; Billy. He’s quiet but I think he'll be loyal and can hold his own with a bit of direction."

Looking at him now I see he's sat on his bed, leaning back on his elbows, tapping his foot. Something he does when he's assessing someone or a situation. "Billy will be a good choice, but he'll have to learn to use his big boy voice in the next three weeks or you'll be having to use those fists of yours to keep the likes of Gerry and his druggies from poaching his shit."

I approve of Billy, he's a good kid. He’s younger than most here but he's no fool, just a bit naïve, which I think after getting sent here has finally been knocked out of him. I just hope my friend will have enough allies here to keep him out of trouble so I can get him an early exit. I look up to the clock out in the corridor, it's 8.28am which means it's mine and Nicholas's turn with some of the other inmates to go to organize the library. Only a few of us get this job, most others have to go off site and litter pick, peel or pick vegetables but I've paid a pretty penny to ensure Nicholas, me and a few others go to the library for a few hours.

"Let's go Nicholas, it's your favorite time of the day," I say.

Nicholas smirks because it really is his favourite part of his day, he loves reading, the guy is smart as fuck, it's part of reason I want him as one of my capos. It's not just that he's loyal, he's got a brain and will use it rather than taking risks.

After two hours of mundane reading and occupying ourselves while the others do the grueling task of sorting books alphabetically, I’m glad when it's time to head outside for our hour of exercise. This happens to be my favorite time here, I get to see the sunlight away from that almost suffocating pod. I can smell the grass in the breeze. I can almost pretend I'm not here as I use the outside gym equipment.

The sweat from how hard I'm pushing myself and the blistering sun on my back is agony but I need it to get me through my days here. I look around the grounds while I pump the weights, I see several groups huddled together gossiping about this nurse that came with the doctor, apparently she’s hot. I'm tempted to check for myself but I need to focus on my goal of getting free of this place, plenty of pussy will be on the outside waiting for me.

Coming in from outside, I take my seat at the top table in the canteen with Nicholas at my left and Danny at my right. Danny has come up the ranks quickly and proven himself to be an asset, keeping the rats in here in line.

"Boss there is talk of a doc's visit today, you know what that means right?" mumbles Danny.

Gripping my fork and knife and shoveling a bite of this bland pasta into my mouth, I think of all the ways this food could be improved. I swallow the mouthful, keeping my face blank, and reply, ”What are you implying Danny?'' I slowly place my knife and fork down and glare at him. Danny isn't always the brightest of the bunch, if he's implying that we try to get some prescription medication to sell, I'm not in. I've got 10 days until I'm on my way and out of here. That shit isn't worth the extra time so I'm going to shut it down before it’s even started.

"Woah boss, I was just thinking that we don't want the rats in here to beat us to it, also last time there was that hot nurse Kat, I wouldn't mind me a piece of that!''

Fucksake, he just wants to get high on pills and get his dick sucked. But for the record, I do remember that nurse, she was hot, not my type usually but when you've not had pussy for a while most women start to look good. I'm finding it hard not to bitch slap him right now, he's testing me in front of the other inmates. I need to carefully put this conversation down before he gets any more idiot ideas. Before I have a chance to reply, Nicholas slams his hand down and snarls at Danny making him flinch. "That nurse was never going to suck your shrimp cock Danny, and about stealing the doctor's prescription meds. You are fucking mental. There is no way you will get close to that shit unless you’re sucking one of the guards dicks and then that makes you the enemy. You'll be treated as a snitch whether you are one or not. So, choose now. Are you saying you’re going to back stab every fucker in here or you gonna shut your own mouth so I don't have to?"

It's silent in the canteen now, normally I'm the one to remind others of their place. Nicholas doesn't always involve himself too much with this crap, but I get a feeling that nurse Kat had an effect on him, not that I'd say a word, that shit isn't my business.

"I umm, you know, I'm not gonna be on my knees for anyone. Forget I said anything, I was just throwing ideas about, sorry man." Danny stutters.

I smirk at Nicholas, he is going to be a great boss of this pod once I'm gone in a few days. I'm glad he handled that.

"So who's up first for the doctors check up?'' I ask.

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