Haven Ward

by Elias Witherow

  You better hold up your end of the deal, Titan.

  That night, or whenever it was we were sealed in our cells for extended sleep, I lay on my cot, contemplating the next day. I was stretching my brain on how to shank this guy without being caught. There were so many variables, so many risks, but I flushed those away, focusing on the act itself. I wondered if the guy was in a tribe.

  Tribe life, or gang life depending on who you were, was just as influential here as it was in the Gallows. Titan hadn’t been kidding about that. The three main tribes in Haven Ward were the Prophets, Dragon, and the Underdogs. The Underdogs was a tribe of children, all banding together to make a powerful force. They were smart, they were fast, and they knew how to work the system. I noticed that their leader, a kid named Nark, had been watching me very closely over the past week. They didn’t give me any trouble, just kept their eyes on me. I’d let them watch, not interested in whatever ideas they were forming.

  The Prophets and the Dragons hated each other. If there wasn’t a fight in Grub Hall at least once a day, then it was unusual. Another thing I picked up during my short incarceration, was that most business between tribes was conducted in Grub Hall. Every tribe had their section of the long benches that stretched throughout. From what I could tell, my victim tomorrow wasn’t in any of the tribes. At least he never sat with them if he was in one.

  As I drifted off into a light sleep, trying to ignore Titan’s roaring snores, my thoughts faded back to the Medical Ward and my conversation with Progg. Trying to shake these troubling thoughts from my head, my mind was released from reality and sleep came crashing upon me like a tsunami.

  I was sitting, food untouched, half of it stolen, watching the fat man slurp his grub down. Titan had been asking me all morning what my plan was. I remained silent. Finally he stopped bugging me and stormed away looking angry.

  I had placed myself at the very end of the table the fat guy was sitting at, head turned slightly, eyes watching him and everyone around him. I had to time everything just so. I was nervous, the scalpel in my hand shaking slightly as I gripped it in my pocket. After a few minutes of heavy breathing, I made my move.

  I dropped my fork on the floor, under the table. No one noticed, no one cared. I bent down to retrieve it, but instead, slid my whole body down beneath the table. It was just wide enough where I could crawl between the prisoner’s feet without touching them. One of the pros of being a kid. Sweat pouring down my face, heart pounding in my chest, I made my way forward.

  My victim was easy to spot, his generous gut sagging and jiggling with every bite. I almost was kicked in the face as I passed someone, my reaction time was just quick enough from scoring me a black eye. I took another deep breath and pressed on. My pulse thundered in my ears as I closed in. I placed my scalpel in my mouth, biting down on it so I could keep my balance and both hands free. I rolled up my sleeves. The idea was to get as little blood on me as possible, making my escape easier.

  I mopped a layer of sweat off my forehead, taking the weapon from my mouth. I blinked, readying myself, and then stabbed.

  The sharp blade went in a lot easier then I had expected it too, sinking into the soft belly like it was a warm loaf of bread. Immediately I heard screaming and blood rushed out of the wound onto my hand. Frantically I ripped the blade down, opening the man up, making sure the cut was fatal. Hot, thick red spilled onto the floor and I jumped back, pulling the scalpel out, not wanting to get splashed. I heard yelling and more screaming as the man stood up. Feet pounded and somewhere an alarm was hit. The deep wailing drone told me my job was done and I needed to get out of there fast.

  I turned around, still under the table and scurried back the way I had come.

  “Shit, shit, shit,” I kept saying as I banged and bloodied my knees on the hard floor, adrenaline dumped into my system. I reached the end of the table and stood up, quickly checking to make sure no one had seen me. All eyes were on the heaving fat man, rolling around on the floor, hands grasping at his opened stomach. The amount of blood was dizzying. Hazmats were storming into the place, rushing over to where the action was, a crowd of inmates whooping and cheering, screaming and yelling, gathering around the spreading pool of guts.

  I grabbed my cup of water from my meal and pulled my bloody hand out of my pocket. I sat down, pretending to be just another inmate not interested in what was happening, and poured the water out over my hand, under the table, scrubbing it vigorously. The blaring alarm continued as Hazmats threw inmates onto the table, checking them, ordering them, trying to figure out what had happened. Since I was so far away from the stabbing, just a kid eating his meal, avoiding trouble, the Hazmats weren’t paying attention to me.

  I heard someone yell, “He’s dead! The son of a bitch is dead!”

  My hands clean, hiding the scalpel in my boot, I left Grub Hall, going back to my cell. Before I made it to the door, I felt a hand grab me. My heart leapt and I nearly pulled my weapon back out. It was Titan.

  “Jeez kid,” he muttered.

  I looked around, a new sheen of sweat standing out on my forehead, “I expect you to remember this when I need help,” I said, my voice low.

  Titan’s eyes were wild again, “Yeah kid, yeah of course. Thanks for this. I won’t forget.”

  I suddenly felt very naked. Exposed. I watched the chaos rise around me and I wanted nothing more than to just melt into the floor and slither away. Paranoia was crouching on my shoulders, it’s fangs brushing my neck, it’s claws digging deep.

  I realized that my whole body was shaking, sweat stinging my eyes. I turned to leave Grub Hall for the second time when someone called out to me quietly.

  My head spun left, eyeing a kid who was leaning against the door. He had long, wild black hair, his eyes were deep set, his skin phantom white. He looked just a little older than me. He grinned slowly, revealing broken yellow teeth.

  “I saw what you did,” Nark, the Underdog leader, leered.

  “Fantastic,” I whispered to myself, walking past him, leaving the whole mess behind me, trying to calm my fluttering heart and stop my hands from seizing.

  Chapter 8

  The next few days I lived in a shell of fear. The Hazmats had been poking around, trying to find out who had committed the murder. Thankfully, their hearts weren’t in it. They could care less about another dead prisoner. It was all formality. Just put on a show, make it look like they cared. Titan had been unusually silent since the incident too, barely speaking a handful of words at a time. I mostly kept to myself.

  It was now three days after I killed. I was wandering around Celsius Block, mapping the place out, taking mental notes. I had tried to get some of the inmates to talk to me about the layout of the place, but no one seemed interested. I had nothing to offer, so I was left alone. After the fourth prisoner told me to go screw myself, I decided to map it out myself. So here I was, slinking about.

  I was frustrated with Titan. I knew I couldn’t count on his protection. It was as if he was afraid of me, but I knew that couldn’t be the case. This distance growing between us was about something else. I planned on speaking with him when we were locked in our cells later on. A deal was a deal and if he backed out of it now, we were going to have a serious problem. But what could I do? The man was a giant.

  Suddenly I was grabbed from behind. I had been lost in thought, not paying attention to whose turf I was on. I was spun around and shoved against the wall. Four men surrounded me, all with tattoos of a snake forming a P on their arms. Great. Prophets. I kicked myself for not paying attention.

  “Just what the hell you doing?” One of them asked. He had a short trimmed beard, his hair cut to the scalp.

  “Little boy lost his way?” Another jeered. I looked around, trying to find someone who would help me. The halls were empty. My pulse quickened.

  The leader of the little posse stepped forward and grabbed me by the shirt, hauling me up the wall. “Why aren’t you answering my friend’s question kid? What are yo
u doing here?” His breath stunk and I was struggling to breath, lifted off my feet.

  “I didn’t know this was your turf,” I sputtered.

  “Oh really?”

  “Yeah…honest, man,” I coughed, feeling faint.

  “I think we’re going to have to make a lasting impression so you don’t forget,” He laughed, reaching down and revealing a frighteningly long sic. The blade moved to my face.

  “Put him down,” a soft voice almost cooed from behind the men.

  They spun around, dropping me in the process, looking to see who dared challenge their actions. As I lay slumped on the floor, sucking in sweet breath, I saw that it was Nark. My heart sank. The one who saw me kill. His black hair hung low around his eyes today, his hands cast into his pockets, looking relaxed. The four men appeared to be torn.

  “What are you doing here, Nark?” the leader asked, angry, but respectful.

  The kid shrugged and then nodded towards me, “Leave him alone eh? I want to talk to him.”

  The Prophet put a finger under Nark’s chin, “Now look here, he’s trespassing on our ground, we’re not letting him out of here without a reminder not to do it again.”

  The child laughed, “Look, Teller, I know our gangs aren’t exactly friendly, but I would say we’re neutral eh? I wouldn’t want our relationship to turn sour. You understand?”

  The Prophet, Teller, waved a hand at me, “Fine just take the damn brat. And don’t think I’m doing this because you asked Nark. I’m doing this for the tribe. Now you stay out of Celsius Block. Both of you.”

  “Thank you for being so understanding,” Nark smiled, walking through the Prophets and pulling me to my feet, brushing me off, “Come on,” he said to me, his deep set eyes haunting, “We have some things to talk about.”

  We walked back to Fahrenheit Block in silence. I knew this prick was going to try and use me. I wasn’t about to let him. He was going to be a problem though, his dead eyes seeing too much. I braced myself for whatever ridiculous demands he had.

  “My names Nark, I’m the head of the Underdogs,” he said quietly, out of nowhere, sticking his hand out for me to shake. I glanced at it, saying nothing, still walking, Hazmats warily watching us.

  Nark smiled, the expression looking odd on his face, “I saw what you did the other day.”

  I didn’t look at him, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “It’s ok, you don’t have to hide it. I was impressed.”

  “So what?”

  We passed Grub Hall, empty this time of day except for a few prisoners mopping the floor. Nark scratched the back of his head, “So I want you to work for me. For us. For the Underdogs. Join our gang.”

  I snorted, “I’m already part of a tribe.”

  He shrugged, “So? I’ve heard some things about you. Rumors. I heard you were in Dynasty gang.”

  “Tribe,” I corrected.

  Nark continued, “I heard you killed two Hazmats. We could use someone like you.”

  “Someone like me?”

  He smiled again, “A killer. Someone who’s good at it.”

  I grabbed him suddenly and shoved him into an empty cell. His head hit hard against the wall as I slammed him into it, “Hey,” I growled, “Listen. I’m not going to be your little murderer. I’m not going to work for your stupid tribe. I’m not going to be your bitch, you hear me?!”

  He licked his lips, my arm pressing into his throat, “You’re forgetting something here, Weston. I know what you did. You wouldn’t want people to know your secret hm? Perhaps the Hazmats?”

  I pushed my arm harder into his neck, “You’re playing a dangerous game.”

  He barked a laugh, “Oh you think I am? I have an entire gang on my side. Who do you have? The Dynasty gang doesn’t exist here. You’re alone. You think that mental patient Titan is going to help you? Let me ask you something. Who helped you just now? Where was Titan? That guy is the biggest pussy in Haven Ward! No matter how tough you think you are, you’re just a kid. But I’m a kid also. And together we can become stronger. You saw how those Prophets acted. People fear the Underdogs. You’re a fool if you don’t accept my offer.”

  I let him go, staring him down, “I don’t want any part of your stupid tribe, now leave me alone.”

  He started to say something, but I cut him off, shoving a finger in his face, “Hey shut up. I said I’m not joining so back off.”

  A Hazmat appeared at the door, clutching his gun, “What’s going on in here?”

  I pushed by him, “Nothing. Absolutely nothing.”

  “Don’t’ be a fool!” Nark cried after me. I blocked him out, fuming. There was no way I was going to turn into his blackmail pet. And yet, I had to do something about his big mouth. I didn’t know if he would actually go to the guards about what I did and that ate me up inside.

  I went to my cell to think and practically ran into Titan on his way out. He stepped back when he saw me, looking at his feet, avoiding my eyes.

  I threw up my hands, “God Titan, what is it?!”

  He shuffled his feet, “Nothing Weston, just heading out. Got some business to take care of.”

  “No, we have some business to take care of!” I said, blocking his way. If he wanted to, he could have bowled right over me, but he didn’t. He just stood blinking at me.

  “What is your problem?!” I asked, fueled with fury, “Why have you been ignoring me! We had a deal asshole and I held up my end! You damn well haven’t been holding up yours!”

  Titan looked around, his head down, “Hey, lower your voice.”

  I pounded the wall with a fist, “There’s no hidden microphones! No one’s listening! No one gives a damn about what you’re saying! Now answer my question!”

  Gulping, the big man herded me into the cell, “I don’t like it when people yell Weston, so if you want an answer out of me then calm down.”

  I put there burner on low, forcing myself to exhale and not take a swing at the idiot, “Fine! Whew…fine. Ok. I’m calm. Now what the hell?”

  He looked at me, then away, “There’s something about you kid.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “You’re trouble, getting mixed up with you is trouble. Everything about you is just going to lead to trouble and that’s something I don’t need. You’ve got a target on your back whether you know it or not.”

  I stepped forward aggressively, teeth bared, “Don’t you back out on me now, traitor.”

  For the second time that day I was hauled up off my feet, Titan lifting me with one arm, his face dark, “Don’t you call me a traitor, punk.” He stared at me for a few seconds more and then dropped me.

  “Sorry Titan,” I said, straightening my clothes, realizing that if I was going to get what I wanted, I was going to have to play this different. It wasn’t easy, forcing myself to cool. “It’s been a rough morning. I was out of line.”

  He nodded sternly, “Yeah you were. Now listen. I know I asked you to kill him. I’m glad you did. I’d do it again if we had to. But, I think this has drawn some attention to you, and if attention’s is on you then it’s going to be on me because I’m you’re cell mate. I just don’t think…” he trailed off.

  “Get to the point, Titan.”

  “I can’t associate myself with you,” He said abruptly.

  I looked at him blankly, “What did you just say? Do you realize that you’re breaking your word as a man because you’re too afraid? You didn’t even do it! I did! You just asked me to!

  He looked down at his feet again, “That doesn’t mean I liked it.”

  I shook my head, not believing what I was hearing, “You have got to be kidding me. I guess Nark was right.”

  Titan’s ears perked up, “What? What did Nark say about me?”

  “That you’re the biggest pussy in Haven Ward.”

  Titan stood dumbly, eyes wide, mouth open as if he was going to say something. After a few hanging seconds, his eyes welled up and he burst into
tears, running out of the cell. I stared after him, too shocked to call out. I couldn’t believe what I just seen. The guy had lost it big time. All the things he’s seen, all the bullshit he’s lived through, he was on the edge of a cliff and about to fall into the sea of insanity. This morning was turning out great.

  I spent the day, sitting in my cell, contemplating what I was going to do next. There were so many moving pieces, so many things I didn’t know. I wondered what was going on in the Gallows. Had King gone to War with the Hunters? What was Roland doing? Had he buried my sister? I paused, realizing with horror that I hadn’t thought about Ashleign since I was hauled in here. How could I do that? How was it that she hadn’t even crossed my mind? What was this place doing to me? I had only been here for just over a week and already my mind was wading into a marsh of numbness.

  For the first time since I got here, I cried. I lay in my bed and cried. I didn’t know I was going to, it just came over me like rolling clouds. I was so alone. I had a staggering number of enemies and I had just chased off my one potential friend. Chased off or pushed over the edge. I realized that one day, if I stayed in this hell hole, I could turn into Titan. A shell of a man who’s mind sank deeper into the cold waters of insanity with every murder. I shivered, holding myself as silent tears ran down my face. I couldn’t keep up this charade of unflinching iron, this mask of unwavering willpower. Sooner or later, I was going to die in here and it was no one’s fault but my own. I was digging my own grave, each angry comment and act of hatred was another shovel full of dirt. I needed to stop and rethink, revise, come up with a new plan that didn’t involve my certain demise. And yet, I didn’t want to be a part of this. Didn’t want to get caught up and involved in all the bullshit that went on here. I had a tribe. I had a leader. King. I longed to be back in the Gallows.

  More tears spilled over my cheeks. Oh Ashleigh, what am I doing here? How did I get here? What am I going to do?

  Footsteps approached me, my back turned to the door, not caring. Someone poked me roughly in the ribs.