Page 48 of Freshman

“Come in!” Ryan yelled.

Dave and Mike walked into the room with matching wide-eyed expressions. Other than that, they were the opposite of each other. One was small, the other tall, one wide and one thin, one hairless and one with flowing blond locks tied in a bun.

“Rookie said he struck Nate,” Ryan said, flashing a look at both men.

The stocky bald man stepped forward, and an amazed breath escaped his lips. Alfie stared at him, not understanding the expression until he spoke.

“It was quite the sight, and Nate didn’t see it coming. He was too stunned to do anything after. He’s always so calm and collected, and that wiped the smug smile off his face.”

“Is he all right?” Alfie asked.

The skinny man stepped forward, arranging the knot of hair on the back of his head. “Nate, he’s fine. No worse than the usual in here. The prisoners are always scraping. I’ve had worse shaving.”

“But I’m not a prisoner. I’m supposed to be responsible, not lash out.”

“He was pushing you about,” the shorter man said. “Both me and Dave saw him. Several times he shoved you out of the way. You can’t let him disrespect you like that.”

Ryan tapped his hand on the desk, and Alfie turned back to him. “From what I’ve heard, he had it coming.”

Alfie frowned and shook his head. “I don’t understand.”

Ryan huffed and itched at his hairy strip of chin. It sounded like scraping sandpaper, and Alfie shuddered.

“You rushed out of here pretty fast this morning, and I wondered what had spooked you. Henry said you were by Nate when the power went out, and you were shaken afterwards but didn’t say why. I take it that’s why you haven’t slept and why you wanted to see me.”

Alfie opened his mouth, but he couldn’t confirm or deny.

“Did he try something?”

Alfie yanked at the collar of his shirt and shuffled in his chair. He was overly aware of all the eyes on him. His stomach sloshed with guilt, and his face heated with the memory of the night before.

“He just said some stuff. Got—got in my face.”

“Threats and posturing, sounds like Nate,” Ryan said. “You can’t let it get to you.”

“But it did, I hit him.”

Ryan nodded. “Yeah, you hit him, but what was the alternative? Let him walk all over you, run to get help from another officer? If you’d have done that, I would’ve talked you into leaving. There’s no room for pushovers here, especially on day shift.”

Alfie didn’t answer, and he turned at the sound of footsteps approaching him.

Dave bumped into the back of Alfie’s chair. His long face continued to look impressed, and he nodded at Alfie, then at Ryan.

“I didn’t hear what they were saying out in the corridor, but it didn’t look friendly. Alfie gave him lots of chances, but Nate kept shoving him and smirking, being his usual difficult self. I think the new guy handled himself well, considering. Most officers run away in fear when Nate’s around.”

It was Mike’s turn to step forward, and his hand tightened around Alfie’s shoulder. “We’ve got his back if Nate says anything, but I doubt he will. He wasn’t mouthing off on the way to his cell. He was silent and compliant.”

Ryan hummed. “Then this goes no further. He threatened you, shoved you about, and now he knows not to push it, but I’m not sure you should work on H-wing anymore. Nate will hold a grudge.”

“You’re not…you’re not to report me?”

Ryan lifted his lips in a smile, not the usual sneer, but an actual smile. He leaned over the table and stared into Alfie’s eyes. “It’s us and them in here. We look after our own. I’ll put you on days on G.”

Alfie frowned and shook his head. “I like working H-wing.”

Ryan’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. “You’re turning down a day shift? That’s all you’ve been after, and I finally think you’re ready.”

“I want to stay on H.”

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