Total pages in book: 69
Estimated words: 63895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63895 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 319(@200wpm)___ 256(@250wpm)___ 213(@300wpm)
“I thought about that. Could be used to climb.”
“It might be hard to clear the fence, though.”
“I agree,” Roman said, continuing to look around. He had already soaked in some of the previous vitamin D that he’d been missing these last three weeks, and his mood had risen exponentially because of it. He also felt sharper, smarter. He could think clearly again. Solitary had done a number on his concentration, but it seemed like the sun was the perfect antidote to remedy that.
“We’ve got company,” Bang Bang said in a hurried whisper, drawing Roman’s attention to the pair of men walking over to them. One was a tall and lanky kind of guy with crooked glasses and a neck tattoo of a spiderweb wrapping up around his chin. The other was shorter but much stockier, with muscles that appeared to want to break free from the blue jumpsuit. He had no tattoos and a surprisingly friendly smile, which he flashed as the two men got closer.
Roman’s guard instantly shot up. This wasn’t middle school recess where kids were making new friends on the playground. This was the complete opposite; a predatory dance that could end up in someone landing on the ground with a shank in their chest.
“You two are new, huh?” the taller one said, eyeing up both Roman and Bang Bang. He had his hands stuffed deep in his pockets.
“We are,” Roman said, standing up so he could look the man directly in the eye. Prison was all about posturing. You had to appear strong so that the target was painted on someone else’s back, not yours. The second anyone sensed weakness was the moment it would be game over.
“Y’all want a Snickers bar, then? A welcoming gift.” He pulled his hands out of his pocket, producing a squished-up candy bar.
“No, we’re good,” Bang Bang answered, his chest puffed out as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Roman.
“You sure?” the man asked, pushing his hand out as if he were trying to tempt a stray dog to grab his treat.
“Positive,” Roman said. He knew damn well that any kind of “gift” in prison came with a hundred different strings attached to it. He’d be in this man’s debt, and payment for that debt didn’t involve actual money. Currency in prison went far beyond dollar bills.
“Oh, what, you have diabetes or something? Can’t have any candy? Huh?”
“I’m not hungry,” Roman answered simply, keeping his expression neutral but his back straight.
“Really? Looks like you could use some food. Maybe not your friend here. What are your names?” The tall one with the spiderweb tattoo stepped forward, beady black eyes drilling a hole through Roman as if he were trying to read Roman’s mind.
Roman shook his head, ignoring the man’s question and instead answering with a statement. “We’re not in here to make friends.”
“So you like making enemies, huh?”
“That’s not what I said.”
“It’s what you meant, though, ain’t it? That’s alright. I’m a good enemy to make. I’ll have you bleeding out on the floor by the end of the week, don’t you fucking worry.”
Bang Bang took a step forward, but Roman’s hand on his forearm stopped him. The tall man’s eyes dropped to the hand, then back up at Roman, bouncing between the two as a sinister smile crept up his face.
“Ah, you two are butt buddies, huh? Makes sense. I knew I smelled come when you opened your mouth.”
Roman was seconds away from saying, “Yeah, and it was your dad’s,” but managed to swallow down the quip. If those words came out of his mouth, then fists would be flying shortly after, Roman was sure of that. Instead, he shrugged and kept quiet. Let this walking advertisement for toxic masculinity think whatever he wanted to think, so long as it kept him from getting aggressive with them.
“Kenny, what do you think about the gays?”
The burly man crossed his arms and licked his chapped lips, a set of yellow canines popping up through his smile. “They’re easy to beat up and even easier to fuck. Especially when they don’t want it.”
Roman’s blood began to boil. He wondered how many poor queer men these two had taken advantage of. He balled up a fist at his side, his nails digging into his palm. “Let’s go, Bang Bang.”
He started to move around the two but was stopped when the ringleader of the group stepped back in front of him, a hand on Roman’s chest. Roman grabbed the man’s wrist and pushed him off, not wanting to touch the sentient trash can for longer than necessary. Kenny didn’t seem to like Roman’s reach because he pushed Roman hard enough that he nearly lost balance.
“Don’t touch Jim unless Jim tells you to touch him.” There was acid in Kenny’s voice, his gaze radiating anger. Roman could see where this was going, and it was nowhere good.