Page 61 of Shadowman
Nothing is perfect, of course. We’re inprison. But for the most part, everyone is doing okay.
Except for O’Malley. He’s still in the East, according to Dash, who saw him last.
Am I worried about my friend?Sure.But there’s nothing I can do about it. So for right now, I’m just moving along with life in prison, worrying only about the things I can actually control and holding out hope that Kieran will be back at some point.No more, no less.
It’s time for showers. Wandering out of my cell, I’m looking for my crew, like a reflex. Luthor and Dash are already out in the row, headed my way. But as soon as they’re close, I can tell something is up.
Oh, come on…
Please tell me I didn’t jinx it.
Luthor seems a bit shiftier than usual. My eyes flick to Dash, who glances up from his shoes, pinning me with a shimmering hazel gaze that sets my teeth on edge.
“I don’t want this…”
“Sup,” I grumble, swallowing down the tension I need not to be feeling.
But Dash seems infinitely less fidgety than usual. In fact, he’s acting more normal than both Luthor and me combined as he chirps, “Hey,” offering me a kind smile.
The hunch in my shoulders retreats, and I exhale.
Okay, so… Good.
This is good.
My eyes shift to Luthor, narrowing at the way he’s picking invisible lint off his shirt.But what’s up with him now?
Ignoring it, the three of us putter along, following Jasper and Peters to the showers. Ren isn’t in his cell, which automatically sparks some worry in my gut. But I remind myself that Ren kind of does what he wants, and it’s not unusual for him to be off trading goods or collecting gossip the way a child collects tickets at an arcade.
Doesn’t automatically mean he’s off taking his… supplements.
“You got anything for me?” Dash’s voice cuts into my thoughts, and I peek at him. He lifts his brows in wait.
I’m momentarily caught off-guard as a slideshow of memories hits my brain. But I shove them all back into the shadows where they belong.
“Privet, kak dela?” I say to him slowly, sounding out the words he taught me.
Dash chuckles, beaming. “Not bad, my dude. You’re making better progress than me…Tokki.”
I cackle. “You just called me a rabbit.”
He chuckles, forcing a scowl. “That’s what I meant to say! It’s my nickname for you… Bunny.”
Luthor snorts. “Aww!Bunny… So cute.”
“Nice, dumbasses.” I shake my head, my own smile unrelenting.
Whatever weirdness Luthor was dealing with has slipped away. And I can’t ignore the way Dash’s face is glowing.
If I didn’t know any better, I’d say they got some action. Separately, I mean. Not together. Unless…
The moment we step inside the showers, my curious musings are once again cut off. Moans are echoing off the walls.
My stomach drops so fast it’s in my shoes. Luthor and I share a look, all of his joy from a moment ago having sunk into a sea of fear.
Racing around the corner, I’m praying that I’m not about to see what I’m expecting to see… I’m dreading it, holding my breath and everything. And Luthor is practically falling down. But we come to a stop when we find the source of the sex noises.
Hancock is fucking Benson up against the opposite wall. My anxiety evaporates, as does Luthor’s. I literally hear him exhale as if he just narrowly avoided death.
