Chapter 3

Prisoners Shop-4-0-9

Ocean’s POV

Letting out a sneeze, I grumpily sat up on my bed, staring at the clock

9:39.

My eyes slightly closing, they pop right back open as I realize I am five minutes late.

Dang, it.

#

"I'm late again," I sneeze, rubbing my nose with a tissue. "I am so sorry."

Trevor looked amused as he sat his head tilted. "Are we coming down with something?"

"The cold, I didn't realize that it would rain so much last night." I sigh as the guard leaves, no yelling this time.

"Where were you?"

I bite the inside of my cheek, recalling what happened earlier

"Dain I—"

"You're not coming in."

"Please, I left my textbook in there, I'll leave as soon as I get it." I was close to tears as I stood banging on his door, the rain sinking into my hair.

"Why are you so dumb? Don't you need it to study?" He was drunk again.

"Dain just—"

"Don't tell me what to do!"

#

"Just took a walk, the rain caught up with me." I reply. He nods, before eyeing the paper in my hand.

"So you're going to be free tomorrow, after how much time?" I question.

"Two years." He concludes.

"Today's just a little freestyle session since your sentence is shorter. Usually, they'd give me people with one, or two weeks left until they leave." I inform, "but you're not just somebody, you're everybody." He gives me a playful flat face and I giggle slightly.

"Well let's learn about you. "

"Me?"

"Yup, what do you like to do?" He asks and I shrug.

"I sing?"

"Really?" He raises an eyebrow and I realize I've said the wrong thing. "Please don't ask me—"

" Sing something for me then.' I sigh loudly.

"Someday else." I joke knowing we probably won't ever see each other and he smirks.

"I'll hold you to that."

#

"We have five more minutes, last question. What really happened to your face? Please just be honest." My mood immediately deflates as I think of Dain. Trevor's eyes were observing. . . calculating as he never missed a move I made.

You'll probably never see him again Ocean, for once, just let someone know.

I sigh loudly, before averting my eyes.

"My boyfriend. . . he.  . . he hit me." I clear my throat, feeling vulnerable and pathetic. They say strangers are probably the most trustworthy people. Well, that's what I think.

"Is it the first time he's done it?" Trevor asks, his use set.

"No." I laugh bitterly, 'I'm his punching bag." His eyes follow something on my cheek and I don't even realize I'm crying. I wipe it quickly only for more to fall.

"I'm sorry, this wasn't supposed to—"

"No, its okay, tears are just words the heart can't say." He murmurs and for the first time I don't just notice his handsomeness, but I notice that this murderer'/ "former mafia king" had more than just a supposed black heart.

"Times up." The guard walks back in on time.

"Ms. Devila, you are not required to return tomorrow due to the release of Prisoner 409, on behalf of the prison and it's staff we thank you for your service to our people." I offer him a small smile as Trevor mocks him silently.

I shake my head at him, pursing my lips.

"I'll see you soon, Ocean."

#

It was over. Three short days, well hours of fresh air gone. Now all that was left was the toxic atmosphere of disrespectful men and a world of pain.

I walk on the streets, sullenly, my direction...   nonexistent. It was only a matter of time until my phone rang, and prisoner 409 was replaced with another one.

I sat on a public bench, a small breath of air leaving my lips as I waited on the bus.

Two days later and I was spotting a black eye. It was getting worse, not just that, but I felt like it was exhausting to even try, and lift my mood. The cold had subsided a little, giving me relief.

My fridge content was running low so I decided to take a short walk to the grocery store.

Stocked on convenience foods and soda, I decided to just stay a little longer.

"Excuse me," my eyes trail to a small girl, maybe the age of four rugging at my dress. "Hi, sweetie are you lost?"

She pouts, nodding and I tsked, gently grabbing her arm.

"Who did you come here with?"

"My brother." She states and I nod.

"Where was he last?"

"Right. . .  over... "

"Here." Trevor pops in front of me and I nearly fall over, hitting an elderly lady in the hits with my basket.

She gasps as I gape ready to apologize only for her to hit me on my head with her heavy purse.

"Watch it." Trevor immediately snaps, his eyes blazing and I place a hand on his chest.

"No, it's okay, I'm so sorry mam." She scowls at me before huffing and leaving...

"Trevor? What're doing here?" I ask, removing my hand from his chest to rub my head.

"Well. . . I'm buying groceries... like everybody else?"

"Well... I mean yea... but, I thought you'd probably leave or—"

"What happened to your eyes?"

No amount of makeup can save me from this guy.

No sense in lying since he already knew.

"We need to do something about that guy." He sets his jaw and I sigh.

"Is this your sister?" I question as she grins up at him.

"Yup, this is Marie." He picks her up and I smile.

"She's cute."

"Obviously." He points to his face and I roll my eyes, finally noticing his attire. He was in cotton knee-length shorts and a plain black T-shirt.

He looked so good.

I shake my head, before returning my gaze back to him.

"How does it feel to be out?"

"I can breathe properly now. Literally." He scoffs, "and I get to see this little one every day." I give them another smile and he winks at me.

"I'm glad you're happy." I say truthfully, "I have to get going... it was nice seeing you around." I was about to leave when he grabs my arm.

"Let's exchange numbers. ." he suggests. "To keep up."

Biting my lip, I worry a bit about Bain seeing it, but he had already pulled my phone from my pocket at typed it in, calling him so he could get mine.

"Already Ocean, I'll see you soon?"

"Maybe."