Page 14

“Today was kind of overwhelming,” Silla says carefully. I wonder what secrets she has, because there are a lot of things in her file that are redacted or missing. All kinds of red flags were raised for me about this, and unfortunately for her, it's one of my favorite colors. “I think my nap and dinner were the best things about today. I’m still processing everything else.”

Her answers ring dishonest to me, and I struggle not to pull her hair as I think about this. Usually people attach to someone when they’re in a new place, and she walked over here with a guy. Is she already attached to someone?

“Food and naps are solid choices,” I tell her absently, not letting my irrational jealousy color my words.

My brother and I always single out someone to play with when there’s a new influx of inmates. It’s a game we quite enjoy, since we’re stuck here together. Last I saw, he was flirting with his chosen conquest before I snuck in here. I can’t wait to hear about how that went, outside of the sex, of course. We may be twins, but even we have limits.

“I last ate two days ago, so while it’s not exciting, it was very necessary,” Silla says.

My eyes widened at this. While our correctional facilities are difficult, I’ve never known them to starve people. What the fuck did she do?

“The holding area you were in didn’t feed you?” I ask carefully.

Shrugging, she shakes her head. I smirk because it pulls her hair where I’m braiding. If she enjoys that type of pain, I’m happy to provide it in other ways.

“I was mostly an afterthought,” she explains. “My trial was rushed, and then I was left waiting to be picked up for hours while cuffed with my arms over my head. Before you ask why I didn’t just stand up, the angle didn’t allow for it, and there were cameras in the room. It was easier to just wait, because the bailiff threatened to tase me.”

“Damn girl, you had a really rough day. Now I don’t blame you at all for food and sleep to be at the top of your happy list,” I chuckle.

Finishing her last braid, I realize it’ll be time for lights out soon. Everyone is going to be rushing for the bathroom, but with a half an hour to ten, there’s not much to be done about that.

“You’re going to have a long day tomorrow, let’s get ready for bed. Have you figured out your way around yet?” I ask knowingly, brushing my body against her as I stand.

She shivers, and excitement courses through my veins. I want to know what else about her is warm and soft.

“No,” Silla laments as she follows. I show her where her tote is with her face wash and such, and tell her I already washed up for bed. I don’t actually have anything in this room, outside of a book and a change of clothes.

“There should be pajamas in that stack of clothing,” I explain, pointing to the closet.

“I wonder if it’ll actually fit,” she muses, and I hide my smile, glad she noticed someone gave her clothes that are too small.

Looking through the small pile, she pulls out a long sleeved white T-shirt and blue pants.

“Thank God, I swear I have a permanent wedgie right now,” Silla mutters.

“We need to see if we can find you clothes that fit,” I offer, though I doubt I’ll be here past the morning. She’ll hate me tomorrow either way.

Nodding, she looks awkwardly at me. Aww, that’s cute, Silla is shy.

“Change in the bathroom, girl,” I laugh. “It’s really nothing I’ve not seen before.”

A faint blush paints her cheeks as she nods. “Do you need to grab anything, or are you set?” she asks, opening the door.

“I’m solely coming to make sure you don’t get lost and to pee,” I laugh, following her out. At her glance at me, I notice she doesn’t look me directly in the eye, and it fuels my curiosity even more. “I was lost for ages when I first got here.”

Silla doesn’t ask how long I’ve been here, and instead just nods. This shows just how different we are, because I’d be pelting her with questions. Instead, she looks like she’d rather melt into the background. The reality is, her beauty, small smiles, and blushes make her stand out even more.

The large dormitory-style bathroom is very busy, and I lose track of my “roommate” as I go into a stall to pee. Eyes sweeping the room, the women who know who I am avert their gaze quickly, while the newbies scurry back to their rooms.

This hall has different sections in it, because the Warden doesn’t like to isolate them. The staff puts the inmates through a lot of mental and psychological hoops to ensure they can survive spying for the Queen. Only the very best are released, while others are forced to work here, or are “sent” to prison.

The paperwork is very shifty about whether or not they actually arrive alive.

Finally finding Silla, I watch her dry her face, finishing up whatever night routine she follows. Seeing me, she tosses the washcloth into the hamper, and walks towards me with her clothes and bathroom tote.

“Drop the clothes in that hamper,” I direct her, showing her the big clothes container. “There are staff that will bring you new clothes as you need them.”

Nodding, she drops the clothes with a relieved look. I don’t think that’ll keep her from getting shrunken down bottoms if her size is written wrong in the system. Though, her pajama bottoms fit just fine.