I sat in the eating hall, seeing other officers speaking together. I haven't allowed myself to really make friends here because I just feel like they're all corrupted. None of them give me true and genuine vibes.

Except I might have to involve myself within that to get some kind of information out of it. I just wonder...will they let me in?

Going over to their table, I set my drink down as they look up. I grin down at them instantly.

"Hey, mind if I join?" I ask, and they nodded.

Sitting down with them, they all were quiet at first. Until someone broke the ice.

"You're the new CO for Worth's pod, right?" A female CO asks, and I nod. "Yeah...you sound familiar. I remember when you called over to my pod.

"Oh...that was you?" I force a smile on my face despite how irritated I was.

"Yeah...sorry about that."

"It's in the past now." I sigh, looking beside her at the DART member that spoke to Worth. My eyes narrow on him and he instantly noticed. "What's your name?"

He frowned at first, and I wait for him to answer.

"Trevor." He tells me, and I snicker. "What?"

"Sorry, but I just wanna say but...isn't Worth fine?" I muse, smirking as I lean into my hand. "I've never seen such a man before in my life. It's too bad he's inmate, because shit..."

I lie, hoping they'd fall for the bait. I was risking a lot doing this, because what if it's on the down-low? If I just say this outright and it's meant for a particular group of people...will I be punished?

Except I began to see faces relax around me, and that female CO nods.

"Yeah...I agree with you, seriously. I wish I was in charge of that unit, because damn!" She exclaims, running her fingers through her hair. "I'm Natalie."

"Name's Nate." I tell them now, and they all nod. "I'm curious though. So, Worth was gone from his cell for a couple of days. Where did he go because I lost the only thing that pleased my eyes."

I saw another guy smile almost dreamily, and Trevor began to pout. I instantly knew that something was up.

"You're new here so you don't know, but Worth is allowed to move throughout the prison freely. Every two weeks, he goes up to the headquarters and that's usually where inmates get to visit their families or partners. He gets a room to sleep with any of the CO's, Sheriffs, and even the Chief! Has us all dying to be fucked by him because damn... He just knows where to hit. I'm not gay, but in here I don't mind getting fucked by him." The guy just tells me, and Trevor groaned.

"I'm so upset! I missed out on it! Fucking so many pods have had shakedowns recently. I was able to shakedown Worth's pod yesterday and see him. He was so close to me, I could just kiss him. Not to mention he just took a shower too so he smelled so good. I almost crumbled then and there." Trevor just says for us all to hear.

They began to talk about their sexual experiences, but I was absolutely disturbed.

He really had them...like this. It was too easy to get them to talk about it, they were too eager is more like it. How do you even get to this point? How do you allow yourself to be this swayed by a man?

An inmate, at that!

"You can even show up if you want to the next one, but you gotta find someone to replace your shift. Or come when your shift is done." Natalie offers to me.

I don't say anything, just nodding as I let them get back to what they were talking about. Except all it was now was Worth.

"Why...do all of that though?" I heard myself asking with obvious irritation. "Isn't he an inmate?"

"Not technically, no." The other guy shook his head.

"What's your name?"

"Ross."

I look away, wondering how he's 'not technically' an inmate. If he's not 'not technically' and inmate, then why is he here?!

"Why's he here then?"

All of them went silent, and I waited for them to say. Except I could tell that none of them were willing to tell...or just didn't know themselves.

"That's not allowed to be discussed unless the Chief comes to you about it, or Worth tells you himself. Which, he's never done; so..." Ross looked off sadly, and I stood up now.

I looked down at them all with absolute disdain, only to soon smile.

"I will show up to the next event, of course." I nod, and I don't wait for a response as I rush out of there.

I felt sick to my stomach because it was just so wrong! They were using him just as much as they were using him, but they seem to be keeping him here unfairly. Why can't they say what the fuck is up?

Yet at the same time...it's like he's using them more than they are using him. If that is even possible.

Getting back to my pod, I have the CO who was watching in my place leave, taking my place. Once they were gone I saw many of them were outside in rec. I didn't worry about them as I just watched them on the cameras.

Except I wasn't seeing Worth this time.

Don't tell me they're doing that again-.

"How was your lunch?"

I look up past the computers, seeing Worth looking down at me. He rested his arms on the counter as he waited for a response.

"It was...enlightening." I tell him, and he seemed to get the hint.

"Was it now?"

"Yeah..." I look away. I somehow felt ashamed even though I wasn't doing anything to him. I felt like I was using him! And I'm not!

I mean...yeah, I am. Trying to sympathize with him so that we get along and people respect me, and I become the pod boss. The main boss of this pod.

I'm not different from those people. I'm just not taking it as far as they are.

"Wow..." I heard Worth chuckle, and I look back up at him as he had a crooked smile on his face. "Officer Nate is at a loss for words. Never did I think I'd see the day."

I look away again, back at the cameras to the people outside. Only to see Worth's hand dangle over my screen and I look back at him.

"Whatever you're thinking...you're not like them, so you can stop feeling a certain way about the situation." He tells me, and my lips tighten together. "There's more to it than what it seems on my end, so don't feel bad-."

"What then?" I interrupted with this evident pain in my voice, standing up. "I became a CO because I wanted to better this place. I wanted to go up in rank over time and completely fix this facility. It's considered one of the worst and the most corrupt. I want to fix that and yet...the people I am supposed to rally behind are not good people. No good intentions, no intentions to help, just take! They all take from you, and it seems to be particularly you. By technicality, you shouldn't be here either! This is why many hate the police, because of what not only happens on the outs; but what they do here."

I stepped back, my lips tightening together to hold back just shouting in frustration. I saw Worth look at me...differently as he grinned softly.

"Officer Nate-."

"And I wasn't nice either. I placed all inmates in this category that you all are horrible monsters. Not even worth the consideration of anything, just to stay here and be punished with lost time. I wanted respect like every police worker does...but I was a bitch demanding it. Not trying to earn it. I was so mean to you...and you still defended me against those trying to defend your honor, and for what?" I croak, and Worth stilled was grinning softly; but somehow more gently.

"Officer Nate-."

"You should've let me get shanked, and you should've let that guy and his friends punch me in the face. I was very disrespectful and I can't even say I'm any different! I was trying to use you too...to sympathize and earn your friendship so that people respect me. Not even trying to earn it myself. I'm no different, I'm a user... Don't call me Officer Nate either, I don't deserve it, just Nate. The status isn't deserved." I felt my lips tremble, making myself sit down.

Running my hands over my face, I tried to calm down. I can't cry here...getting myself all worked up.

As I sat here I felt fingers grip my hands gently off my face, and I look to see Worth crouched before me. He looked up at me even more gently than before. To be quite honest, it was startling.

His hands rest mine on my lap, pulling them away now.

"Malakai."

I frown at him, and he nods.

"Malakai?"

"Yes, Malakai is my real name. I have people call me Worth because there's a lot of worth your name carries. It says a lot about a person and that worth is priceless. No one here deserves that pricelessness." Worth murmurs, and I shook my head.

"And I do? I don't...I wish you hadn't told me."

"After what you just said, I believe you deserve it. No one here knows, but you and me. I'm trusting you to keep my secret." He smiles up at me. I felt my chest feel warm from his words alone.

No longer felt that hollow...at a loss-feeling.

"I'll keep your secret, Worth." I say his alias name and he smiles. "I'll tell you a secret too."

"What's that?"

"My full name is Nathaniel, but I prefer Nate." I tease, and his eyes widen in mock surprise. "But you have to keep it a secret. They can't know my real name, it's confidential."

Worth smiles, nodding fast in understanding.

"Your secret is safe with me, Nate." He smiles at me and I grin back.

Now I look away shyly, looking back at the cameras to rec. They were still doing their own thing and I turn now as Worth stood up. I watch him go out too, now leaving me to my own devices.

So his name was Malakai...?

The name kind of suited him, but it wasn't what I expected. Malakai...I'm so used to calling him Worth, I won't be calling him his real name. He doesn't need to be worrying about that at all.

As I sat here I couldn't get over how...kind he was to me just now. I was still kind of wondering if that really just happened.

Did I really just say all of that to him? I got so wrapped up in what I was feeling that I lost the character I am supposed to be portraying. This mean, domineering individual who takes over this pod!

Yet, I just...crumbled under how much corruption there was. It disgusted me, and I almost showed myself completely. If I had cried...I'd really be the weakest here.

Especially if someone saw it.

Even if Worth was the only one who saw, it still feels odd. I can't let him see that. I can't let anyone see such a thing. Wouldn't matter if it was Worth or anybody else!

"Are you getting along with Worth?"

I frown, seeing Matthew sitting at the top of the stairs. My eyes narrow on him as he points at his cell and it was clearly popped open.

"I was taking a nap. I saw you and him talking earlier, there was no yelling; so I'm assuming you took my advice-."

"I'm just doing what I want because sympathizing with him feels like using. I'll try to earn my respect my own way, not because of him." I snap, causing Matthew to frown.

"You can still sympathize with someone without having an agenda behind it stupid." Matthew snorts, my eyes narrowing on him. "Seriously though, you can. Especially if you're doing it with a person like Worth, he's very kind to people who deserve it."

In my mind, I did agree with that. I'm not going to say I agree with such a thing because what good does that do me? I already know that to be a fact considering all he's done for me even after being a bitch to him.

He wasn't kind to me either, but I deserved it.

Suddenly I see my receiver flicker on as if someone was trying to communicate to me. I answer it, confused.

"You have a new person coming to your cellblock." I recognized Ross' voice and I sneer. Thank goodness he couldn't see my face.

"What are his charges?"

"Unlawful use of a firearm and great bodily harm, so...he assaulted someone pretty badly-."

"I know what it means." I snap, looking as my cell door opens. I stood up as I go towards it and saw a black guy holding his stuff to move in.

He looked...kinda crazy as he smirked down at me.

"Are you the CO of this shit?" He asks me once the doors close.

"Yeah I am, so don't talk to me crazy." I snap, causing him to nod mockingly.

"Oh, I understand. You're the leader! You're supposed to be telling me what's up, fill me in on what to expect here. Because I haven't been in here for a few years now, it's been some time." He snickers, and he follows me to my counter as I look for him a cell to place him in. "My name is Zarian, but I make people call me 'Big Shot'."

I glare at him, seeing him grinning down at me oddly. That's when I point to the cell on the bottom floor that happened to need one extra person to complete it.

"Why is that?"

"Because I never miss a shot when I shoot. It's straight killin' when I fire that bitch." Zarian says to me, leaning his elbow on the counter. "What do you think 'bout that?"

"I think you need to back up. I'm not calling you that, it's stupid. Just put your stuff in your cell and get out of my space." I snap, and he gasps dramatically.

"Damn, I see how it is." He walks off to his cell, and I saw some people begin to come in from rec.

Probably because it was commissary day, they'd be able to get all the goods and snacks they ordered. I'll, unfortunately, have to hand that shit out since I don't have any trustees myself.

I don't trust anyone in here. After what most of the people tried to do to me, no one in here will ever be trustee!

Except maybe...no...

"So, let's just say," I heard Zarian, looking as he was back like a nat, "We met on the streets, yeah? I don't really fuck wit' the cops because they always comin' at me the wrong way! Bitches in uniforms, that's who they are straight up. Except, I think I can say with all honesty you ain't no bitch. I like that vibe you given off. You know, years ago I was pod boss in here."

"Were you now?" I snicker because I happened to see Worth coming in from rec.

"Yes I was. My crime before kinda instantly earned me that respect I deserved. Protecting my own from a cop, and it ended up ending in a messy way. No one died, of course! Considering I was a teenager when I did it, I didn't suffer too much. I had everything and anything I wanted in here, even a guard was wrapped around my finger. Let me just say it how it is, you sexy as hell." Zarian whispers to me, and I glare at him.

I point away from me as I want him to get out my face.

"Back the fuck up."

"I'm just sayin'! If I can see it, everyone else can. Unless you been a bitch to everyone in here, if not they blind. I'm not gay, but I am willing to fuck a guy or two. They take it up the ass and can handle it rough, my woman can't and doesn't." Zarian looked at me and I roll my eyes.

If only she knew what the hell he's doing in here.

Just disgusting, cheating like that. What's the point really?

"Have you ever been fucked?" Zarian questions me, and my eyes widen on him.

Only to see Worth walk up now, looking down at Zarian who looked startled to see him. He soon fixed his composure as he smiled.

"Who is you?"

"Who are you? I should be asking first." Worth says instead, and Zarian snorts. "What's so funny?"

"Nothin'. They call me 'Big Shot'." He just tells Worth that and I saw him snort back. "Now what so funny?"

"Your name is funny to me, that's why I laughed. What's your real name, I'm not calling you that."

"The fuck? Who is you?" Zarian pushed up, shoving Worth's shoulders but he didn't budge. That clearly took Zarian aback.

Worth was clearly showing him who was pod boss in here by the way he was behaving. Not to mention I think he was trying to defend me. At the moment, I didn't really need such a thing, but Zarian was doing the most though.

"You either call me that or you call me nothin'!"

"Okay, 'Nothin' it is, I guess you're not worth shit here. Why expose yourself like that?" Worth mocks, smiling at him and I had to stop myself from snorting.

It ended up coming out anyway and Zarian's head whipped onto me so fast.

"What the fuck you laughin' for bitch? I was nice to your ass-."

"Because you tried to go for my ass. You're as fake as they come." I sneer and I saw Worth expressionless.

He looked like that the last time someone called me that...wait.

"I'm not in here on fake shit. I'll beat your fuckin' ass like I did that other guy if you try me-."

I suddenly saw a fist sock him straight in the cheek. It looked like his jaw popped as he fell to the ground, and I looked at Worth in shock.

He didn't show any emotion, just looked down at him.

"What the fuck-?!"

"Try him, you're tryin' me. I'll gladly beat your ass everyday, it'll be my welcoming present to you," Worth smirked down at him as Zarian already lost all his bravado, especially when he realized Worth was the new boss now, "Bitch."

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