Page 23 of Burdens
I let out an exasperated sigh. “Bathroom’s in the corner and I’ll see that someone gets something to eat sent to you,” I threw at him. “And before I forget,” I added before I raised my fist and connected it with the injured side of his face.
His head whipped to the side from the sudden impact, the bones of my knuckles crunching against his cheekbone. “What…” He paused to spit, a mix of blood and saliva landing on the cobblestone floors. “What was that for?”
I raised my hand, my knuckles stained with splatters of his blood, and patted his cheek. “Just doing my job.”
People would grow suspicious if I’d visited a prisoner and came back unmarked. This was insurance. And a little payback if I was being honest.
He said nothing more as I turned on my heels to walk away.
As I moved to lock his cell, I briefly chanced one last look at him, finding him rubbing against his abraded skin. When the bolt slammed shut, he lifted his head and our eyes met again.
I paused for a moment, a tumult of emotions running through me. Then I left.
Just like he’d done.
CHAPTER 6
NOAH (PAST)
I was aboutto reply to the email the Director sent me earlier this week when someone knocked on my office door. It cracked open and revealed Alex, the new trainer I’d be working alongside this year.
We hadn’t officially met since I only got in late last night, but I already knew everything I needed to know about him. Top of his class—not as good as I was, but good enough that I approved his application—which meant he would be competent enough not to screw up, but unfortunately for me, he was too cheery for my liking.
“Sorry to interrupt, Mr. Brown,” he started as he stepped into my office uninvited. Annoyance bubbled in my veins at his intrusion. He gave a bright smile that I was sure charmed a lot of people. It only fueled my irritation. He shut the door behind him and walked over to my desk, where I was still seated. Placing his hands behind his back, he continued, “I just wanted to introduce myself and say that I’m very much looking forward to working with you. I’ve heard?—”
I tuned out the rest of his sentence. It was always the same when anyone met me for the first time. I didn’t need to listento him list my accomplishments and how eager he was to learn from me.
When his chatter quieted, I focused my attention back on him and noticed his outstretched hand. I stood from my seat, towering over him on the other side of the desk. He wasn’t short by any means, but I still had a few inches over him.
Then I did the professional thing to do, gave him a curt nod and reached over for his extended hand and shook it. “Mr. Avery,” I said as I let go of his hand. Bracing my palms against the wooden surface in front of me, I added, “Next time, wait until you’re let in before coming into my office.”
His smile faltered and he cleared his throat. “I-I didn’t mean…”
“I’ll see you in class, Mr. Avery,” I said, cutting him off.
“Yes, sir,” he replied before hurrying out of the room.
I let out a sigh and hunched over my computer to quickly reply to the offer I’d gotten every few months with the same answer I’d always given.
Thank you for the offer, but I’m satisfied with the position I currently hold and I’m not looking to fulfill a new position at the moment.
For the last two years, Director Williams had been offering me a unit chief position back in Bemes. Although it would be a much better pay than what I earned here as a training officer and I would be closer to my mother, who always reminded me I should visit more, I just didn’t want the change.
I’d been at this job for the last decade and I liked stability. I didn’t want to have to acclimate to new people, a new role, or a new city.
After clicking send, I locked my computer screen and looked at the clock to see that it was almost 8:00 a.m. So I left my office and headed for the training room. I paused in front of the double steel doors, looking through one of the small windows insideeach door to watch the group I’d have to train for the next twelve months clustered together in the middle of the room.
I frowned when I noticed Avery talking with the students at the front of the group. He erupted into laughter at whatever one of them seemed to have just said.
I shook my head.
Fraternizing with students was discouraged, but I guessed he must have missed that part of the rule book before he came to work here. Either that, or he was choosing to ignore it.
Something I’d have to discuss with him after today’s session.
Finally, I took a deep breath and pushed the set of double doors open.
Here we go.
