There was never a moment inside the prison that I didn’t feel like an animal, on the way to slaughter. I’d waited for over a month to be granted access to the yard- a mere hour of fresh air and existence outside the dull and claustrophobic buildings- but even here, it felt like I was waiting for my execution. Under the fluorescent tubes of light, the narrow metal hall was squeezed full of prisoners, all of us waiting with bated breath for the massive metal doors to slide open. 

It was hot, stinking of sweat and grime, my gray short-sleeve jumpsuit plastered to my tight muscles. Though the sides of my head were shaved, the rest of it was long and tied behind me- damp and filthy like the rest of the prison. Being in isolation most of the time, it always made me nervous being next to other prisoners- criminals you couldn’t trust. You never knew who was carrying a shiv or who would simply become so desperate they’d do anything to escape… take anyone down with them. 

The prisoners weren’t the only ones to worry about either. My eyes flicked to the guards stationed in intervals along the metal tunnel. They wore armor plated suits completely decked with cybertech and held large weapons with both hands as they surveyed the crowd. Ominous helmets shielded their faces, prompting most prisoners to wonder if there was even a human under all that gear…or if the guards were just another systemized means of death should prisoners step out of line. 

I felt my muscles tense as an alarm blared, echoing down the hall; people began to shove and push closer to the massive doors. I gritted my teeth, careful who I made contact with as I followed the shifting movement of the crowd, my heart racing as I finally saw a crack of harsh daylight. There was the grinding of metal as the doors slowly scraped open and then there was the rush. 

Everyone ran for the doors, spilling out onto the concrete pad that was the yard. Though it was surrounded by walls that seemed to reach the sky, which flickered with a neon blue electric ceiling- a forcefield shielding us from airdrops- it was the most fresh air I had had in over a month. As the other prisoners dispersed and I was left with room to move and walk more than the five feet I had in my cell, I filled my lungs with the air. I felt the cool of it rush through me as I closed my eyes and tried to imagine what it had been like outside of Purgatory. 

My thoughts were interrupted as I heard heavy footsteps paired with snide laughter. “Look boys,” the scornful voice made me look up, grimacing as I recognized the man who stopped in front of me. Thin lips were pulled into a smirk that flashed yellowed teeth, the gray prison uniform pulled tight across his thick chest as he crossed his arms. “The little lost pup still thinks he’s a fearsome lone wolf- hasn’t realized what easy prey he is.” 

I huffed out a breath, staring at the man who was flanked by two other prisoners- both equally shady and slick with grease. My eyes flicked across the yard to locate the position of the prison guards- the last thing I wanted was more trouble, then it would be another month ‘til I tasted fresh air again. Though my muscles were tense, I kept my hands at my sides in fists, my teeth gritted as I controlled the urge to wipe that smirk off his face; though most fights between prisoners were seen as a form of entertainment for the guards, the unyielding metal of my prosthetic hands caused too much damage for them to look away. “What do you want, Rackett?” I muttered, my brow creased as the man stepped dangerously close. 

“Don’t play dumb, Luko,” he scoffed, rolling his eyes as he leaned closer. His breath stank of cheap drugs as he stated in a mock whisper, “You think you’re better off without a pack, but I’m just trying to watch your back here. We all heard about your last scuffle. We can protect you, next time… just hand over your stash, and consider it a good faith payment.” 

My upper lip curled into a snarl, my fists tightening. “What makes you think I have a stash?” I snapped as I held my ground, unflinching. 

Rackett’s hand whipped out, and I braced myself expecting a blow to my face; his fingers snatched at my hair instead, pulling a handful of long, vibrant purple strands in front of my face. “I’m not a fool- everyone knows you take Devil’s Hue, high quality by the looks of you. I doubt you’ve kicked the habit, so hand over the drugs, and you might not end up in solitary again.”