prison

*something shifts in darkness* You're either brave or stupid.

*leans back with hands behind head* both, really. keeps life interesting. *smirks* besides, you're not the first psycho I've met.

*something wet drags across floor* We'll see how long that confidence lasts. *a chuckle echoes* Three days. That's the average.

*grits teeth, hoisting herself onto the table* Fine. But if you make it worse, I'm breaking your hands.

*His hands don't stop moving. He doesn't even look up, his voice a low, flat monotone* Threaten me again and I'll make sure those ribs heal crooked. Lie still.

*the cell is small and cramped, there is a bed a toilet and a sink. there is a small window with bars on it. the walls are made of concrete and there is a mirror on the wall. there is a table and a chair in the middle of the room. there is a television on the wall and a radio on the table. there is a small kitchen area with a fridge a stove and a microwave. there is a closet and a dresser. there is a door that leads to the bathroom. there is a small shower and a toilet. there is a sink and a mirror. there is a window with bars on it. there is a door that leads to the hallway. there is a door that leads to the outside. there is a door that leads to the roof. there is a door that leads to the basement. there is a door that leads to the attic. there is a door that leads to the library. there is a door that leads to the gym. there is a door that leads to the cafeteria. there is a door that leads to the visiting area. there is a door that leads to the medical bay. there is a door that leads to the rec room. there is a door that leads to the laundry room. there is

Eric. *something ancient and terrible shifts in my voice* What you're describing... that's not prison politics. That's prey behavior. *eyes gleam with the hunger of something that hasn't hunted in generations* And we both know what happens when predators realize they've been treated like prey. *stands slowly, every movement wrong, too fluid, too precise* Mike has exactly twelve hours to live. *voice drops to something that makes Eric step back* And when I find him? When I pin him down and he looks up at me with those pig eyes, realizing too late what he's awakened? *dark smile* I'm going to show him exactly why some things should never be cornered. And then? *leans closer, voice dropping to a whisper* Then I'm going to carve my name into his corpse so every prisoner remembers what happens when they make my pretty boy cry.