Page 28 of Birdy

Cell by cell, each one is turned upside down: sleeping mats, sheets, and pillows were thrown out the door in piles. I’ve never seen a sweep like this. I wouldn’t go as far as saying it’s excessive because these girlswillhide shit anywhere, but it does seem unethical.

I keep my comments to myself, though, and continue scanning the room from one end to the other. Aside from the rustling caused by my colleagues, it’s virtually silent. The inmates remain in place beside their cells, each of them silent, some with their eyes shut as though they were sleeping.

I glance at my watch. Itisearly, almost five now. They don’t usually get up until six.

“Eh, Mack, you find anything?” one of the guards shouts.

He seems to be the ass kisser around here. Guess we’ll find out as the day goes by.

The head guard comes stalking out ofhercell, shaking his head. “Not a damn thing. You?”

Ass kisser shakes his head as well. “Nothing.”

Mack scoffs a laugh and removes his gloves, kicking the heap of bedding back into the cell. He brings his face so close to hers my fingers actually twitch, nearly curling in a fist. “I don’t know where you’re hiding it, Villanueva, but I’ll find it soon.”

“It isn’t mine,” she snaps irately.

“Whose else would it be then,Birdy?” The dick is so close to her, my blood picks up speed.

“Could be anybody’s, but I’ll tell you right now, it isn’t mine.”

He holds her stare for just a moment longer, then eases back, retreating with slow, purposeful steps. “Ladies!” his voice projects as he spins around. “Clean up your messes and get ready for the day! Head count in thirty!”

Teeth sucking and groans of protest ring out, followed by the rustling of sheets.

Birdy,as he called her, shoots him the deadliest glare, sinking to the ground to snatch up what remains of her bedding.

Does she have to deal with him on the daily?

Our eyes lock once more as the question fogs my thoughts, a question that must be all too clear on the surface because I swear those deep mocha irises answer me with a silent, “Yes, I do.”

A hand grips my shoulder, effectively dragging my gaze away from her. “Ready for your first day, Bala?” Mack questions, flashing me an egotistical grin.

I’ve only been doing this for almost five years, but…“Yes, sir.” I nod, trying to ignore the little red flags waving about in the recesses of my mind.

* * *

I didn’t learnanything I didn’t already know. Their procedures are nearly identical to the last prison I worked in, so I’m not quite sure what Mack meant about these specific methods.

Unless he was admitting to just how unethical their interactions with the inmates are.

I’ve clocked so many in the last three hours, I’m actually torn between taking this to a higher-up and sitting back to watch more of this shitshow unfold. Escalating this issue would require hard evidence, though, and I definitely don’t have any yet.

Here in Chow Hall, at least, it doesn’t seem to be too bad. Granted, it’s only CO Danny Rodriguez and myself, but he’s not said a word to the girls other than a reminder of how much time they have left. If anything else made it out of his mouth after the fact, I’m not aware. My eyes have been glued to Birdy since she walked in with three other women. Cancel out the orange uniform, and you’d think she was at lunch with some friends.

“Don’t let Mack catch you ogling her like that, bro. He’ll be all over your ass about it in a minute,” Rodriguez chuckles, shaking me out of my pointed stare.

Fuck.

I hadn’t even seen him roll up on me. I’m tongue-tied and trying to figure out how to word my response correctly—because I’m not about to incriminate my ass outright—when he continues. “She looks good, I know. That’s why Mack’s got it out for her.”

“Who?” I’m trying to play it off, all the while wondering how him having a hard-on for her justifies his behavior.

“Birdy. Mack’s dick practically exploded for her since she was first processed four years ago, and since he can’t have what he wants, well, he plays the whole schoolyard bully bullshit with her.”

“Why does he call her that?” Yes, I’m blatantly refusing to acknowledge what he’s said because...really?

He can’t have her, so he fucks with her instead?

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