Lock Down (Supernatural Prison Trilogy Book 1)

by Aella Black

On that depressing note, I continued eating in silence. Once the meal was finished, we headed back to our cells.

  I gave Birdie a quick hug before she ducked into hers. She attempted a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. In fact, she looked terrified. I wasn’t sure why exactly. As long as she didn’t try to escape, she should be safe.

  “Good luck tomorrow,” she said.

  Good luck?

  Before I could ask why I would need luck, a guard hollered at me to keep moving. I seethed silently. It was always hurry-up-and-wait around here.

  My stomach sank to the bottom of my feet when the door to my cell slammed closed behind me. Rocky sat on her bed, glaring at me. Not for the first time, I wondered why I couldn’t have had a more pleasant cellmate. Or at least one who wasn’t annoyed by my very existence.

  Standing in the center of the small area, I was paralyzed with the realization that I’d be spending the night in this tiny room with a girl who could easily smother me in my sleep. And if she’d picked up a rock outside…

  I shivered. There was no way I was sleeping well tonight.

  Rocky shifted, sitting cross-legged on her bed. “You going to just stand there all night?”

  Surprised she’d initiated conversation, I shook my head. “I just still can’t believe I’m in prison.”

  “Well, better start believing it. And hey, at least you’re not dead,” she said pointedly.

  My gaze shifted fully to her. “How did you find out?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t watch TV like the other idiots, but word gets around.”

  “Why don’t you watch TV?”

  Rocky pulled out her magazine and began ripping pages from it. Then, oddly enough, folding them. “Because I don’t care what goes on out there. This is my life now. And yours. You should get used to it.”

  Wincing, I sat on my bed and carefully stretched out. Then I resumed my earlier activity of staring at the ceiling. They should have added that to the schedule.

  I couldn’t remember the last time I had this much time on my hands. Apparently, it wasn’t a good thing. Too much of an opportunity to think and wallow.

  This was what anyone would consider a major life change—and I didn’t do well with change. When my mother left four years ago, it took a long time to accept she wasn’t coming back. I guess the same thing happened with my dad, but at least I took action.

  Not that I’d had a choice. Keeping a roof over my head kept me busy, though. Between that and school, I hardly had a moment to feel sorry for myself.

  But now I was stuck here, being held against my will. No judge, no jury, no due process. Which reminded me… what about the Constitution? Didn’t I have rights?

  Freedom had always been this ambiguous topic relegated to social studies and history class. Of course, people had suffered the loss of it in the past. And often in other countries. But not in the here and now. Certainly, never in my reality. I hated that I’d never once considered what those people felt like.

  I was well and truly on my way to throwing yet another private pity party when Cathy’s voice sounded in my head.

  “Hey, looks like there’s a new guard.” Rocky cocked her head and frowned. Apparently, she was in on the conversation too.

  “He’s super cute. Think he’ll be nice?”

  “Cut it out, Cathy,” Rocky growled.

  I was tempted to point out that Cathy couldn’t hear her, but we seemed to have come to some sort of impasse. I didn’t want to spoil it.

  It seemed Cathy was only getting started. “He’s stationed at the East exit, right next to me. Ohmygosh, he just looked at me! What should I say to him? Any ideas?”

  “We don’t care!” someone yelled down the hall.

  “Shut up!” another called out.

  “Come on, guys, this is the highlight of my night. What am I talking about? This is the best thing that’s happened all year!”

  Not only was that super sad, but just how long has she been here?

  “We’re all so happy for you,” Rocky muttered. “Doesn’t mean you’ve gotta tell the whole world.” It seemed Cathy wasn’t the only one feeling chatty this evening.

  I watched surreptitiously as Rocky continued folding the paper until she’d fashioned a perfect paper crane. Nice.

  “So, no advice?”

  “We’re trying to sleep!” someone shouted.

  Cathy wasn’t making friends tonight, that’s for sure. I hoped she wasn’t making enemies.

  “Right. Well. Goodnight, everyone!”

  A deafening silence followed. Ten minutes later, and I was wishing for more chatter. I wondered if everyone else was, too.

  And this appeared to be highly irregular. If the appearance of a good-looking guard created that kind of buzz, I was in for some long nights.

  It was weird, but I felt a sort of kinship to this mysterious new guy. It was his first night here as well. Of course, his situation was a whole lot better than mine. I’d bet he didn’t have to worry about being suffocated by his roommate while he slept.

  As if she knew I’d dared to think about her, Rocky grumbled and got up from the bed. The door to the tiny restroom slammed shut a moment later. After taking care of business, she opened the door and began brushing her teeth. When she was done, I followed suit.

  I looked forward to the day I didn’t have to copycat her every move, but it wasn’t like I’d been given a grand tour of the place. Hopefully, that day would be tomorrow.

  In the cupboard, I discovered a cheap toothbrush still sealed in plastic, along with a travel-sized tube of toothpaste. I scrubbed my teeth and tongue with the painfully hard bristles. Thankfully, the vomit taste from earlier was gone, but still…

  I didn’t bother looking in the mirror when I was done. “Where do we shower?” I asked.

  “Oh good, you finally recognize how much you stink.” Impasse over. Rocky sighed dramatically. “We get showers in the morning. After exercise. You’re only allowed five minutes, so don’t be a shower hog.”

  I’d take it. Even a five-minute shower might make me feel human again.

  As I crawled into bed, I subtly sniffed myself. Rocky was right.

  The next hour inched by. I wondered why people said that. It felt more like millimeters.

  Random thoughts slithered across my mind. Sadly, each one was gloomier than the next.

  Like New York, for example. All those people, being forced from their homes, never to return. Where would they go? Probably inland, if New Orleans was any indication. Selfishly, I hoped they went somewhere other than Kansas City. We had enough issues.

  Then I felt bad. Having to start over in a new place with new people sucked. I could relate. Plus, it wasn’t like I lived there anymore.

  Sadness crept in, so I tried thinking of some good things about my new “home.” No bills to pay, for one. No cooking or cleaning. No homework or tests. Hmm, maybe it wasn’t the worst place in the world.

  Also, it appeared I’d made friends in the short time since I arrived. I guess bonds formed more quickly and easily when the risk of life and limb hung over your heads.

  Which reminded me, I’d also made a few enemies. That wasn’t so good.

  Wolf’s threat on my life had really shaken me. He wouldn’t really follow through with it though, would he? I knew bullies liked to intimidate, but somehow Wolf seemed less like a bully and more like a sociopath. Regardless, I’d have to be more aware of my surroundings at all times. My safety depended on it.

  The moment the clock struck ten, the lights above us switched off. If I wasn’t creeped out before, I would be now. The room was black, except for a hazy, bloody red light coming from the hall. I wanted to close my eyes to that eerie sight, but my need for self-preservation overruled.

  My cellmate lay silent in her bed, and not a sound came from her side of the room. Even still, I imagined her turning her paper crane into a quartz knife and stabbing me with its beak.

  I stayed awake for another hour, my eyes and e
ars straining. Unfortunately, my mind was also tossing and turning. The only sound I picked up in that entire time was sniffling, followed by a small sob.

  It might have been me.

  11

  The lights flashed on with a sound like the electricity was gasping for air.

  I buried my face under my sheets. They felt scratchier than usual. My sluggish brain concluded I needed to splurge on fabric softener.

  It wasn’t time to get up, was it? Maybe I could skip school today. No one would notice any—

  “Rise and shine!”

  I shot out of bed in an instant, my heart racing. Looking around wildly, I saw a dozen vertical bars, two small beds, and one sleeping Rocky. Then it all came back.

  I was in prison. Leavenworth Penitentiary, to be exact. And that voice that still reverberated through the hallway was the warden. “Put on your sweats, we’re going to run a few laps. Let’s move, move, move!”

  Rocky groaned and shoved aside her bedding, her eyes still closed. As if on autopilot, she swung around, stood, and shuffled to the bathroom.

  I remained frozen in place, trying to get my bearings.

  The toilet in the bathroom flushed, and the door opened. “Your sweats are under your bed. Better hurry or you’ll lose rec time.”

  I rubbed my eyes that felt swollen from lack of sleep. Then I groped under the bed for a drawer. Locating both the sweats and a hoodie, I pulled them out and put them on over my jumper. They weren’t great, but at least I’d be warm.

  I’d barely taken care of business in the bathroom when guards appeared and unlocked our cells. Everyone flooded out at once. I followed the crowd to the outside rec yard, where there was a small track we were apparently expected to run circles on.

  I shivered when my gaze caught on the site where Hot Rod had burned a hole through the wall. It was covered in barbed wire now, even though no one—not even little Birdie—would have been able to escape through the small space.

  Glancing around, I saw people spread out all along the yard, yawning and stretching. As I began to limber up, I realized how sore I felt. It appeared I wouldn’t be getting a good night’s sleep on that thin mattress.

  After a few minutes stretching, the warden blew a whistle. “Five laps!”

  That wasn’t too bad. Like middle school gym class.

  I started off at a leisurely pace, not concerned about speed. Footsteps approached quickly from behind, and then I felt a shove as Wolf pushed past. Heat rose up my body, and it wasn’t from running. Exactly like middle school.

  I spotted Birdie running with Cal up ahead and caught up to them. Birdie barely acknowledged me. She kept her eyes on the ground, her breathing coming out in short little gasps.

  After the run, it was finally time for showers. There were hundreds of us and only a limited number, so I now understood Rocky’s five-minute rule. Unfortunately, I needed way more than five minutes to get the filth off me.

  It was rushed, but I was thrilled to discover that at least the water was warm. I stepped out, feeling refreshed. Like a new person, reborn into this prison lifestyle. Like the nickname I’d been given but didn’t feel like I’d earned.

  That was a fluke, right? A one and done, get-out-of-hell-free card.

  I dressed quickly and made my way to breakfast. The first thing I noticed when I walked into the cafeteria was utter silence. Yesterday, groups chatted and laughed or yelled across the room. But this morning, barely anyone said a word. If they did, it was hushed.

  Maybe it was because everyone was still waking up. Teenagers were notorious for wanting to sleep in, so it made sense the lot of us weren’t fans of mornings.

  At least, that’s what I wanted to believe. My stomach churned, and it wasn’t from hunger. I could practically feel the collective pool of anxiety as I stood in line to get my breakfast.

  Finding my group, I sat down next to Tex. “Hey,” he said, his voice low and soft. “How was your first night?”

  “Oh, five stars.” I opened my strawberry yogurt and shoveled in a spoonful. “Rough sheets, thin mattress. Luxury at its finest.”

  There were a few smiles, but no one laughed. Birdie picked at her food, not looking at anyone. Something was definitely off.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  Tex looked down at me. “They didn’t tell you?”

  I shifted uneasily in my seat. “Tell me what?”

  Cathy’s ears perked up. Even with this somber mood, she seemed eager to connect. “It’s testing day,” she informed me. “Which means Cal gets pumped with alcohol, Tex has to experiment with colors—and not in a fun, artistic way—and my brain gets poked. Still can’t read minds, by the way.”

  Tests? This was the first I’d heard of any tests. “Does everyone get tested?” Panic started to claw at my throat. What kind of tests could they possibly give me? And where was this on the schedule?

  “Yeah, everybody’s tested,” Tex said, “but all the tests are different.”

  “When?” I choked out. Mounting hysteria was rising in me. There were too many unknowns, and not enough information to know what to expect.

  “After breakfast. In about twenty minutes. But not all the time,” Tex added.

  Special Activities.

  I recalled seeing it on the schedule. What was special about taking tests?

  My stomach fell. How were we supposed to eat knowing tests were right after breakfast?

  It turned out we weren’t. Or I wasn’t anyway.

  A hand landed on my shoulder, and I spun around. Warden Will stood behind me, two guards standing beside him. “Phoebe. I hope you’ve had enough to eat. We need to ask you a few questions and run a checkup. Please follow me.”

  Wait, no! Tex had just said I had twenty minutes. I cast a desperate glance in his direction, but he simply nodded his head, a resigned look on his face.

  I had to go with them. There was no getting out of it.

  Trembling, I stood. “Where are we going?” My voice hitched, my throat suddenly dry.

  “There’s no need to be alarmed. We’re taking you to an examination room for a quick checkup. Coming back from the dead couldn’t have been easy.” He smiled, but there was something in his eyes I didn’t like.

  He was lying.

  Every fiber of my being wanted to run and not stop until I found a way out of here. Eyeing the tasers and guns at the guards’ waists, I knew that attempt would be futile.

  I felt like I was going to be sick. Even still, I followed the warden out of the cafeteria, flanked by the guards.

  Warden Will didn’t say anything as we walked, but I saw how stiffly he carried himself. Did he like working here? Why did he do it? I thought about asking, but I worried I might vomit if I opened my mouth.

  Once I’d asked my dad. He was a scientist—a climatologist, to be specific—and he’d said, “I love what I do but not who I do it for.”

  Obviously, I’d asked what he meant by that, but I never received an answer. I still had no clue. I mean, didn’t he work for the people? By studying weather patterns and how they changed over time, he was trying to help society avoid the catastrophes we currently faced.

  It made perfect sense why he’d been so stressed. Why he needed to get away.

  That’s what I told myself when I questioned his love and loyalty to me.

  My every step was leaden until I could barely move my feet. One of the guards shoved me, and the warden whipped around.

  “Don’t touch her,” he commanded. His tone softened when he looked at me. “Apologies for my brisk pace. I have a busy day ahead.”

  Forgiven. Just let me go back to my cell.

  Strange that my mind went there. Just yesterday, I’d been deathly afraid of being left alone with Rocky while I slept. Either I’d toughened up, or this situation felt way worse.

  I followed the warden up a flight of stairs to a level of the prison I hadn’t been in before. Well, not that I remembered. It was possible they’d treated me here after the f
ire.

  That made even more sense when the smell of antiseptic and latex gloves assaulted me. Suppressed memories surfaced, rearing their ugly heads, and my anxiety spiked. Not only did it smell like a hospital, it looked like one too. Men and women in white lab coats completed the terrifying picture.

  Warden Will stopped at a door and knocked. “Enter,” a female voice called out from the other side.

  He did, and we stepped into the room. There was nothing spectacular about it. Like any number of examination rooms I’d been in, only bigger. That, and the examining table had straps on it—

  The door shut with a click behind me. My stomach plummeted.

  A middle-aged woman stood from where she’d been sitting behind a computer. She had brown hair streaked with gray and sharp blue eyes rimmed with too much liner. Eyeing me with abject curiosity, she asked, “Is this the Phoenix?”

  My nickname had reached the medical ward. Interesting.

  Warden Will nodded. “Yes, this is Phoebe Atkinson. And I’ll leave you to it.”

  His words sent a bolt of terror through me. I grabbed his arm as he passed me to leave. “Wait. Please.”

  He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Do everything you’re told, and you’ll be fine. I’ll see you at dinner.”

  Dinner? I’d barely touched my breakfast. Just how long was I going to be up here?

  “What is she going to do to me?” I blurted out.

  But he was already halfway out the door. One of the guards followed him, the other stayed put.

  I swallowed, turning back to the doctor. Or I assumed she was a doctor. Who knew what kind of quack operation they were running here.

  “Hello, Phoebe,” she said, extending a hand. “I’m Dr. Venn. Please have a seat.”

  I eyed the examining table. I supposed I should be grateful she was an actual doctor. Our anatomy class had studied the Hippocratic Oath right before I was brought here, so I knew Dr. Venn had to adhere to a code. But I hated hospitals.

  I’d spent more than my fair share of time in them, and I never wanted to step foot in one again after my cancer treatments ended. Just being here made it difficult for me to breathe.