“You think my name is funny, boy?” He comes, standing closer to me.
“Yeah, I do.” I stifle another laugh. “I think it’s kind of ironic… or maybe more like a destiny that was already chosen for you. I mean, I’m not saying that all Leroy’s are racist, egotistical pricks, but your chances are pretty good.”
“You think you’re funny, boy?”
“I think that the bigger question is how did a country fuck like you end up in a prison in Southern California.” I laugh out as his fist connects with my face and my head bounces off the table. I don’t black out, maybe it’s because I’ve been through worse. I’m being pulled off of the chair and hurled onto the floor as a foot lands on my face, causing my eye to radiate fucking pain. A second kick and my jaw slams shut. I’m sure at least one toothbreaksand I swallow it.
Kick 3 lands to the ribs. I’m positive that one breaks.
“What the fuck.” A shushed shout comes from behind him as he instantly stops and looks over his shoulder. “Goddamnit, Leroy. Leave him alone.”
“He’s fresh, we al…”
“He’s one of mine.” I look up at him, confused, as I spit blood from my mouth.
Leroy sulks back before he leaves the room completely.
“Get up,” he snaps to me. Then reaches his hand down.
I follow behind him down the hall before we move into the bathroom and he nods to me, “Clean yourself up.”
“Who are you?” I look back at him before I glance at myself in the mirror and slightly cringe. My eye is swollen already, turning colors, and the cuts on my face sting as I splash the water onto it.
“Oz came to see me. Asked to cash in a favor I owed him.”
“What?” I look back at him as I’m still hunched over the sink.
“Yeah, I dunno, he said you were family, so…” he trails as I just turn back to look at the mirror. “Name’s Trip.” He nods his head.
I finish washing my face before I turn back to him and he nods to the door again.
“How do you know Oz?”
“Oh, we go way back.” He tells me as he laughs, “but I was also here when he was in a few years back. When he was—“
“I remember.” I nod to him as he just laughs.
“You look young, kid. I just thought that maybe…”
“I am, but I was around. I may have still been a prospect, but I was still here.” He just nods his head again.
We walk back into the chow hall and sit down. “You gonna eat?” He asks me as I just shake my head. “Suit yourself.” He nods before walking back around to grab a tray.
Light outs.
It’s something I’m used to. In fact, I’m used to a lot of this place because, in a fucked up way, boot camp was similar.
The guard comes into the cell and looks at me.
“What?”
“You give it over at night?”
“What?” I look at him like he’s fucking insane.
“Yeah, it’s the rules.”
“It’s bullshit.”