Page 128 of Shadowman

Without another word, the asshole storms off, leaving us all to bitch and moan among ourselves. Once the door is closed, that is.

Weighted and sullen, I drag myself back over to my bed and crash down on it like I’m full of gravel.

A no-talking order… Really?? As if this place wasn’t terrible enough, now we have to spend our every human interaction in silence??

I already have no cellmate, which means no one to talk to for a majority of the day. Now I’llneverbe able to speak to anyone again.

Fucking lovely.

Many more hours pass before the door opens again. Surprisingly, everyone shuts the fuck up this time.

A different dead-eyed prick shows up outside my cell, opening the door while I stand back. “Assume the position, inmate,” he grumbles.

I do as I’m told, hands and forehead on the wall. He pats me down, then cuffs me—behind my back, which sucks.Velle rarely did that.

He drags me out and barks, “Move.”

I can’t help but notice that only myself and four others from this row are going. Glancing over my shoulder, I look for Luthor.

I guess he’s not coming…

As we pass Ren’s cell, I see that it’s still empty.

“Face forward, inmate!” the guard snaps, and I straighten.

The six of us march toward the caf in complete silence. It’s highly unnerving. Granted, I was never a fan of the mindless chatter, or the loud bellows of my fellow prisoners. But this is an extreme swing in the opposite direction.I feel even deader inside than I already did.

When we get to the cafeteria, there are a few inmates and another one of the new guards already in here. Still, it’s a grandtotal of ten. That’s less than half the usual group size. This deteriorating room is a million times creepier when it’s silent and practically empty.

My inner turmoil is interrupted when I spot Trevel, sitting alone at his usual table. My heart does this leap thing, which I won’t read too much into. Call it relief, seeing a friend amidst the isolation and dismay.

Trevel looks up as I’m wandering over to the chow line, his face noticeably brighter in an instant. He smiles and waves, and I can’t stop my lips from quirking as I wave back.

Jesus, you’re corny.

What about interacting with this dude turns everything into fucking high school??

I take a seat across from him at his table, blinking while he beams.

“Hey,” he whispers, sloping forward. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

“Shh!” I place my finger to my lips, glancing around for the guards. They’re circling the cafeteria like vultures on the hunt for fresh roadkill.

Trevel frowns and shakes his head. Once he’s placed them across the room, he leans in even closer, melting those deep purple eyes over me. “Are you doing alright?”

Peeking over my shoulder once more, just to be sure, I mumble, “Been better, but I guess I’m managing. You?”

He shrugs. “I haven’t been here long enough to know if this is different or not.”

My chest rumbles in amusement. “Oh, it’s different. Velle’s been in charge since this place started… Running the show for over ten years with his team. These assholes showing up must mean—”

Trevel’s eyes widen as a loudthwack!comes from behind me; the sound of a billy club being slammed down on the table.

“What was that rule we just warned you about, inmate?!” the guard roars.

Cringing, I’m hunched and stiff with nerves, too afraid to turn around and see him glaring at me. My lips part, but before I can speak, a different voice mutters, “Um… no talking?”

My face flings, and I see that the guard is actually scolding Matthews. Not me.