This doesn’t make any sense!

I threw a mental tantrum, as the hours I’d just spent trying to figure out this mess, were wasted.

I’m sure of what I heard, but it just didn’t make any sense! They wouldn’t have come to the prison they plan to destroy unless they had no other choice. So… they brought the bomb with them?

How is that even possible?

And who are they working for?

It could be the resistance, but that'd be far from logical. The Prison is full of resistance fighters. Plus, the Resistance hates the government, not the people. They have never done anything to harm a civilian before, let alone their own kind.

Who would have a strong enough motive to kill not one, not two but the entire prison body? That would literally be the end of the pri…

Wait a minute-

The 9th is in a few days… Could it be that…

Someone is trying to sabotage the conversion!

I fell into the bed and closed my eyes from exhaustion. But no matter how hard I tried, my mind was plagued with haunting images; the stench of death sullied my subconscious.

*Beep* Beep*

The dinner alert went off and in ten seconds, the cell door flew open. I dragged myself to the lunch room and quickly got food and a place to sit. The rest of the table was left unoccupied. This was of course because no one wanted to sit next to me. Well, maybe, not no-one…..

Damn all this noise! I need to think.

“So what, you don’t eat lunch now?”

Speak of the devil and he shall appear.

I looked up to see Alex looming over me, about to take a seat. “You’re keeping tabs on me now?” I swiftly replied.

“No…” He answered with a raised brow. “It just became pretty evident after Duran wouldn’t shut up about it at lunch.”

“Is that so?” I tittered. “I see that you’re on a first name basis with a guy you barely know.”

“I’m on a first name basis with you…” He quickly halted his eating to look increasingly at me to emphasize his point, “and I’ve known you both a day a part.”

“Yeah, but I almost died saving you, twice!”

“ I noticed” he jeered “but that’s probably because you’re a narcissistic jackass with a hero complex.”

Ignoring his previous statement, I turned to ask, “Is that also why you care so much about my disappearance at lunch? Concerned about my safety or yours?”

He stopped the sandwich midway in the air; making It apparent that I’d struck a nerve. “Does it matter…” he asks rhetorically.

No, I suppose it doesn’t.

We continued eating, my mind all the while still trying to think up a plan.

There are three check-out points when entering and leaving the warehouse, all of which are heavily guarded.

It’s impossible for me to sneak in or out. The only way for me to do this is if I remain in the warehouse, and that too is impossible. The computer would notice my U.I has not signed out, alarming the guards.

“Coach Wells…?”

Huh?

I looked up in surprise due to Alex’s utterance, only to be met with a most unpleasant coincidence.

“Well look what we have here. Ain’t this a small world- I mean prison?”

Alex and I reflexively turned to look at each other.

“Is this another one of your relatives?” Eason directed at me after walking right up to our table.

“No, he is not. In fact, we’ve only recently met. What’s it to you?” I responded.

“How do you know coach Eason?” Alex interjected.

“I allegedly went to High School with his sister.” Eason’s distrust towards me was evident in his response.

“You have a sister?” Alex squinted.

“Don’t look so surprised” Eason quickly replied, “We’ve all got siblings.” He went on. “You, a brother… I mean sister.”

He was clearly taking jabs at Alex, but why specifically his sister?

“Her name’s Elena and I can see that your mouth has gotten the best of you; no wonder you’re here.” Alex sniped back.

Trouble was brewing. But for a moment there when Alex said coach, I thought there was some level of respect; I guess old habits just die hard.

“You’re one to talk!” Eason lashed out. “The whole world thought you were going to be a star player. The most talented model student in history. But I guess karma’s a bitch and she sure fucked you good.” He couldn’t withhold himself from enjoying a moment of laughter.

I could see Alex boiling in his seat. He held tight to his fork as he looked Eason dead in the eyes.

I don’t have time for this…

“Well, wasn’t it just nice catching up with old friends?” I gave out. “You should probably get to eating, there’s a cut off period for the lunch room, you know.”

He smiled at me then stood up from the seat. “Right, I’ll be seeing you around.” He winked, “both of you.”

He walked away and I immediately commented. “I can see he has the same effect on most people.”

“Anyone with a brain...” Alex added.

“He seems to hate your guts,” I stated.

“Yeah well, people tend to do that when you get them fired from their jobs.”

My interest was piqued and I immediately pressed for answers “You got him fired? How? When?”

“Long story…”

I see…

“Does it have something to do with him referring to your sister as a boy?” I inquired.

“Nope, he’s just a prick.”

After dinner, we went back to our cells. The Deafening Alarm that goes off every morning at 6:30 am had no place annoying me, as I was already wide awake; just thinking...

I took a shower and Alex and I walked to the lunch room together. I wondered if this is what it would feel like to have a kid or a pet; constantly keep an eye on them. Worrying that anyone could hurt them at any moment.

We sat down to breakfast and were quickly joined by Duran and Raymond.

“Hello, lovebirds” Duran sat, poking fun at me and Alex.

We paused simultaneously and began to stare him down with a look of disgust. “Say something like that again, and I’ll punch you in the face” I assured him.

“Okay, okay… keep your panties on.”

Raymond was quiet. In general, he only speaks whenever something interests him or he has something to gain. But I need a favor and I think he's just the person to go to. People like him usually understands the significance of knowledge; because knowledge is power. So, just how powerful are you, Raymond?

The buzzer went off and we all got up and went to work. I quickly signed in and got my P.C scroll to begin my checklist.

Great!

Today I will do stock count for two rooms in the 60th section. Neither of the rooms was shipment room 67th, but this will give me some time to do recon.

_________________________________________________

I got it! This is the plan! It’s going to be tough, but I think it can work. I just need to take care of one more thing…

It was getting close to lunch; I had so much to do. But the stroke of pain on the left side of my head had other plans for me. I remember thinking my next room to check is 401 when it happened.

A vision!

I’m having a vision … about Eason.

(Clunk)

(Cling)

(Bounce)

I grabbed a hold of my head with my left hand, while holding the scroll in the other.

(I see metal bars and… blue skies?)

I opened my eyes as the vision faded and I knew for sure. I knew… Eason was going to die, today!

It was lunch time and I intentionally stuffed my face at breakfast so that I wouldn’t need to go out, just in case I’d finalize my plans; which I did. For this plan to work, I need to avoid the guards and the sensors and try to remain low-key. I have a plan, a good plan. Yet I feel myself hesitating, and I think I know why.

I know that Eason is a piece of shit, I knew that I’d never been able to stop a vision before- but something had me thinking.

This is the first time; I’d been locked up or confined to one area after having had a vision. So, this is the first time I’ve had a vision and was able to pinpoint the exact location of the next target. In the past, I was either too late to save the victim or just wasn’t sure who it was until it was too late.

Maybe… just maybe, I can stop Eason’s death.

If I can, does this mean… Can I also save myself?

This revelation forced my hand to act quickly and slightly irrationally. I was ridiculed with conflicting emotions.

Should I risk everything to try to save Eason?

Or follow through with my plan to get to the shipment room to get the hell out of here. I need to know what’s in that package!

LUNCH ROOM

Meanwhile, Alex was chowing down in the lunch room. He impulsive looked over his shoulder every now and again; having everyone thinking he was checking his surrounding for danger. But Raymond knew distinctively that he was looking out for me.

He was soon interrupted by Eason who rudely sat down before him with two other guys by his side; one of them being his younger brother.

“What do you want?” Alex bluntly inquired.

“I’ve come to make you a deal.” He immediately cut to the chase.

“Not interested…” he declined.

Eason and his company began to snicker at what they thought was a fools' response. Alex’s face was dead of emotions and his obvious disdain towards them had onlookers prying.

“So here’s the deal. They’re serving lasagna today, so I’ll make this quick.” Eason began. “My brother’s been telling me some troubling news about your little buddy Nick; and I’ve got to say- that’s going to be a problem for me.”

Alex was drawn in by the mention of my name and was now completely fixated on Eason.

“There’s going to be a reckoning soon, and your buddies going to get what’s coming to him.” Eason continued. “It’s only a matter of time before his Karate chopping days are over. He may be good, but he can’t stop what’s coming for him.”

Alex furrowed his brow and parted his lip to inquire the one thing that Eason is desperately trying to squeeze out of him. “So what do you want from me?”

“Ah, now we’re getting somewhere!” Eason smiled.

“This is where you come in, kid.” Eason’s drew himself closer to the Center of the table to meet up with Alex.

“Nick clearly has a soft spot for you. I don’t know, maybe he likes you. Maybe he wants you to call him Daddy. I mean, why else would he be all over, protecting you and shit. Have you even thought about it, or are you actually that stupid?”

“Get to your point!” Alex lashed out.

“Help us take him down and we’ll forget your crime. Ah, you didn’t think we had forgotten about that, did you?” He threatened.

“If you help us take him down, we’ll restore order to the prison and you can go back to hiding in the shadows and stop worrying about having your head accidentally smashed up against the bathroom floor.”

Alex flicked the fork between his fingers multiple times, and then scraped the surface of his plate. “And why should I trust you?” he asked.

Eason laughed. “This question…” He got up from the seat and looked down at Alex “Because you know all the demons in my closet. What are you going to find when you open up his?” And he walked away, trailing his lackeys behind him.

The buzzer went off and lunch time ended.

_________________________________________________

I made my decision. After work, I must stop Eason’s death… assuming that he will live that long.

I have to try!

I know I’m risking a lot; but if this works, then maybe, just maybe…

Alex and I…

I left the bathroom and went out. Everyone was back to work. I’m working as possible. The clock is moving slower than a fish on dry land. Words could not describe my anxiety.

*DING* DING*

The buzzer went off and I quickly rushed to the check out at inventory. We walked in a queue up to the Final check out that leads into the security hall. The Security Hall exits out into the lunch room.

I’m out!

Each Department has to check out one at a time and unfortunately for me, inventory is last. I immediately begin to look for Eason. I haven’t quite figured out what I’m going to do. But first, I must find him before it’s too late!

Nope, not in the lunch room! Where is he?!

Just then, I recalled that the prison has a Recreational Center!

I quickly made my way through the lunch room and signed into the Recreational Area. The guard did a spot check and signed my U.I in.

“Close up is in 47 minutes.” He warned.

I practically ran down the short narrow hall and entered into the Recreational open space that was filled with Styrofoam benches and tables.

Ah, Raymond!

I was in luck; it would appear that Raymond and Duran were here chilling. I swiftly ran up to them to inquire, hopefully, they’d seen him.

BASKETBALL COURT – RAS 3

In the recreational area Section 3, Eason walks up on the sidelines of the basketball court trailed by his two lackeys. He stops a few feet away from Alex and immediately asks, “Have you thought about my offer?”

As Alex continues to watch the game he nonchalantly answers Eason, “I have.”

“And…?” Eason asks impatiently.

Alex finally turns towards Eason, looking at him in the distance and says, “As inspiring as your speech was, I’m going to pass.”

Eason and his men take an intimidating step towards Alex as he growls, “That’s a shame.”

Apparently not feeling intimidated in the least Alex stares Eason firmly in the eye and says, “I may not know Nick, but in the few days that I have, he’s shown more courage, more humanity and definitely more balls than you’ll ever have.”

OPEN SPACE – RAS 1

“So, have you seen him? He and I need to have a little chat!” I reached out.

“I don’t know any Eason” Duran puzzled. “Is he new?”

Damn it, this is going nowhere! I’m better off running around in circles.

“Eason… Eason, that name sounds familiar.” Raymond held his chin while gazing out into a short distance as if he were trying to recall a lost thought.

“Oh…” He exclaimed. “You mean that new fellow, tall, kind of big guy with blonde hair?

“Yeah...!” I enthusiastically responded.

Shit, I need to tone it down a bit.

“I mean yeah, did you see where he went?”

“No, I recognize the name because Alex took off with him a few moments ago. I didn’t pay much attention to where they were headed”. Raymond turned and pointed “Try the basketball court.”

Oh no!

Balls…

My legs took off in the direction of the court and I began racing forward, my heart pounding constantly in competition with my steps.

Why is he with Alex? Or better yet, Why the hell is Alex with him!

As I approach the court, I start to make out Alex’s outline and that of Eason.

There they are!

I began to scream in the distance, “Get off the court!”

The other inmates begin to turn their attention to me as I’m running and screaming like a mad man. They eventually turn but they aren’t able to hear me; they are just standing there looking.

The current player attempts a slam dunk, he jumps to shoot and that’s when it happened... He lands the slam dunk and time slowed down for me.

(( BOUNCE )) (( BOUNCE ))

I felt the psychic wave pass through me as I saw it all. Just moments before it actually happens; the events played out in my head. The screws became loose and begin to fizzle out of the net, throwing the player out of balance.

In an attempt not to fall, he grabs onto the hoop causing it to burst and putting additional weight on the pole itself. The player swings to the left and drops flat on his feet; then immediately on his ass.

The pole begins to fall… and my mind goes blank!

With my eyes focused on Alex, I dive!

Hoping…

That it’s not too late…