Prison Nation Read Online Free Page B

remember his name. Still, just the fact that I easily recognized his casual walk and drawling voice made me feel as if I did know him, in some small, pathetic way. His eyes were always hooded, a yawn always trying to break through on his chubby face. He was never angry or rough like the other guards. He just seemed… indifferent.
    My eyes trailed to the second guard. He was new. Tall and lean, his muscular arms and shoulders were evident through his armored uniform. His short cropped hair shone in sandy blonde waves. I could smell his hair gel and the hint of cologne from where I stood. He looked as if he were made for the prison guard uniform. As the old guard waddled along, glancing inside each cell as he passed, the new one walked beside him, looking down the walkway instead.
    Looking at me.
    His blue eyes locked onto me, watching. As a slow grin spread on his chiseled face, I felt a lump form in my throat. It was never good when a guard noticed you. Noticing you meant that they had something on you. And having something was never good.
    My mind reeled, retracing all of my steps. Appointments, exercise yard, laundry, schoolwork. I had done nothing out of the ordinary. I could feel the guard’s locked gaze out of the corner of his eyes. Even though he glanced away to take in the rest of the walk, the guard watched me.
    “ Hello 942B,” the chubby guard muttered.
    He squeezed past me to lean into my family’s cell. I watched as he stared a moment at my sleeping mother, then as his eyes swept down to scan the ground. They paused on the shoes a moment before I heard him let out his usual grunt of approval. He backed out of the cell, rubbing his eyes with his chubby hand.
    The new guard gazed into my cell, occasionally letting his eyes flick back to look at me. I shifted my weight to my other foot, glancing at the new guard whenever he looked away.
    “ Good morning sirs,” I said stiffly.
    The chubby old guard stifled a yawn, his hooded eyes closing for a moment. Letting them droop back open, he caught me glancing tentatively at the new guard. “This is the new replacement day guard for Floor B,” he offered, his voice sleepy.
    “ Replacement?” I asked quickly, my voice squeaking slightly. Embarrassed, I pursed my lips shut, feeling the Dr. Eriks lines spread out.
    “ The Nation is finally letting me retire. Got a notice saying that I successfully completed my service and am now allowed to relax.” The chubby guard chuckled. “Relax meaning moving onto some desk job,” he mumbled under his breath. Stretching his arms in front of him, he added, “It’s alright though. I have had about enough of this walk.”
    “ Oh. Okay,” I replied softly, my eyes glancing over to the new guard.
    He smiled at me, his arms folding across his solid chest as it rose and fell in perfect rhythmic breathing. The chubby guard motioned to the new one. “Carl GF4 gets to have this exciting job now.”
    “ Oh yes, very exciting,” the new guard, Carl, replied. He winked at me. I felt a chill go down my spine, but managed to keep my face calm as I looked back at him.
    “ Well, come on Carl. Gotta finish the line, then I can finally clock out for good.” The chubby guard glanced at me. “Be good, 942B.” With that, he moved on to the next cell, leaning his chubby frame inside. Carl watched me a moment longer, then silently followed.
    Swallowing the lump that was still solid in my tight throat, I ducked back into my cell. I had suddenly remembered the dry thirst that had been growing and stretching through me all day. Cranking on the faucet, I grabbed my old metal cup from the shelf and filled it with the warm water that poured out, then tilted my head back and swallowed a large gulp. The water tasted like metal, stale and too warm to fully quench my thirst. I didn’t care. It felt good to fill my stomach with something other than butterflies.
    Something stirred behind me. I let my eyes lift to glance into the metal mirror. A