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♥ Chapter 3♥

10:50 ''Horizon Penitentiary - Zephyria''

Aurelia Dusk.

After picking up our trays of food, if it can even be called food, we made our way to a large empty table, where we sat side by side.

"Don't worry about the food; it may look awful, but it tastes good," she said, reassuring me with a smile as she settled down.

With a mixture of suspicion and curiosity, I began to eat, watching her do the same. The dish in front of me looked like a strange soup, but I gave it a chance as my stomach churned with hunger. Surprisingly, it wasn't bad. Maybe it was even good.

She looked at me with an amused expression as I tried it.

"From the look on your face, you seem to like it." She laughed, and I couldn't help but smile.

"It's kind of good." I replied, relieved that it wasn't unpalatable.

We continued our meal in silence, but soon the cafeteria was invaded by the other prisoners, who approached noisily. She seemed calm, as if she was used to the movement. For me, however, every glance was a potential threat.

'' It's about time they arrived. '' She commented nonchalantly, while I tried to control my nerves.

I'm the new girl here, and this reality was starting to weigh on me.

"Well, I'll give you one piece of advice: never look the other prisoners in the eye. They'll think you want something to do with them. '' She spoke with a serious tone, conveying the seriousness of the situation.

'' Got it. Thanks for the warning. '' I replied, trying to sound confident.

She just nodded, as if she knew that my words hid the fear I was feeling.

After we finished our meal, she discreetly pointed to a group of prisoners at a nearby table.

"Do you see that group over there?" she asked, making me turn my head to look.

I nodded, curious to know more.

''They're the new leaders of the prison, temporarily. '' She explained, while I absorbed the information with surprise.

''What do you mean temporarily?'' I asked, impressed by the complexity of the prison hierarchy.

She took a sip of her juice before answering, her countenance revealing the weight of the circumstances.

''The leader of this prison is the devil. He's in solitary confinement for killing a policeman. '' Her words echoed in my mind, sending a shiver of fear through my body. ''Every time he's in solitary, the other prisoners fight each other to be the new temporary leader. So be very careful not to attract their attention. They all like new meat.

'' You like to scare me, don't you? ''I said, trying to disguise the tremor in my voice.

''No, I'm just warning you about how things work around here. The police have no power in this place. The demon went to solitary confinement because he wanted to. I think he wanted to take a break; I don't know. The only thing I do know is that he's not a man to be trifled with, so be careful you don't end up being killed by him. Obey, and maybe you'll live." She replied, her firm voice contrasting with the gloomy atmosphere of the prison.

I took a deep breath, trying to control the emotions that threatened to overflow.

''Why were you arrested?'' She asked suddenly, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as I remembered why I was here.

'' The damn cops put a kilo of marijuana in my college bag and said it was mine. '' She laughed, but there was a bitter tone in her laugh.

''That always happens; in every jail, there will always be someone who has been wrongfully imprisoned. '' She commented.

''What about you? What were you arrested for?" She looked at me with a seriousness that made me swallow.

''I killed my father. He abused my mother, so I lost my mind and killed him without any pity. Something I don't regret. '' His confession was direct, without beating around the bush.

''How long have you been here?'' I asked, trying to disguise the incredulity in my voice.

"Last week was three years." She looked at me, her expression a mixture of resignation and determination.

''That long.'' I muttered, unable to imagine what she had been facing all this time.

''My dear, everyone here gets the maximum sentence, up to thirty years in jail.'' She explained, her vacant gaze revealing the harshness of the reality she was facing.

The conversation was abruptly interrupted by an unfamiliar voice that echoed behind me.

'' Well, new meat on the block. '' An unknown woman approached, her presence shrouded in mystery.

I looked at my cellmate for guidance, but all I found was an amused look and a wry smile on her lips.

''Ah, Nebula, this is Aurelia; she arrived here at the prison yesterday. '' Trix introduced me, pointing in my direction.

'' Hum. '' Nebula looked me up and down; her clear blue eyes seemed to penetrate my soul. '' Be careful, beautiful; you might end up being eaten by someone.

I felt afraid of these dark words.

'' Well, I'm going. Bye. '' She said goodbye, leaving us alone again.

I looked frightened at my cellmate, who couldn't contain her laughter at my terrified expression.

''She's jealous of you,'' she said, amused.

'' What? Why?" I asked, still perplexed by my encounter with Nebula.

I swallowed, feeling a lump forming in my throat, as Trix gave me an amused look.

''Sweetheart, you're very naïve.'' She leaned over the table, smiling mischievously. ''You're too beautiful; you even overshadowed Nebula's glow, and she didn't like that one bit.

I felt a wave of frustration and despair wash over me.

''W-What do you mean beautiful?'' She rolled her eyes.

'' Sweetheart, your skin is dark, your long hair is dark and shiny, you have a beautiful body that would make any woman cry with envy, and best of all, you have beautiful light brown eyes. You are very beautiful.

'' Now that's it; not only have I been unjustly imprisoned, but now there's a young woman hating me for being beautiful. And I'm at risk of being raped. What a great life!'' I covered my face with my hands, feeling the tears wanting to fall.

The urge to cry was overwhelming.

'' Oh, honey, don't be like that. I'll help you; you can trust me. '' She put her hand on my shoulder, conveying unexpected comfort.

''How are you going to help me? If someone tries to attack me, what will we do?" My voice came out shaky, and my eyes were watery.

''I'll do my best to protect you, Aurelia. I like you; you remind me of what I was like when I first came here. The nebula helped me then, and now it's my turn to do the same for you.

I let out a sigh of relief.

'' Thank you. '' A fragile smile broke out on my lips. '' Can you tell me your name?

She laughed softly.

''I gave up my name a long time ago; just call me Trix.'' I smiled a little weakly.

'' Right, Trix.

'' Let's take our trays; I'll explain the things we need to do.

'' All right.

We got up, carrying our trays, and I followed her. As I passed the cafeteria, I felt heavy eyes on me, especially from that black man who said I would be his. He's smiling in a disturbing way.

"Why doesn't that guy stop staring at me?" I asked Trix nervously.

'' He's known as the executioner around here. Always keeping an eye on the new girls. He fucks all the new girls, and if he likes it, you're his, exclusively.

My whole body stiffened with fear.

''How do you know that?'' My voice came out in a shaky whisper.

''I've been in the shoes of many girls here. And I'm thankful I wasn't his. '' She laughed darkly. ''I don't want to be anyone's, but sometimes we don't have a choice.

'' Why not? '' I asked, confused.

''Because I want to live.'' Her expression was serious. ''Aurelia, you've noticed that there aren't many young women here, right?

'' Yes. '' I nodded, understanding.

''They were all killed for disobeying the other prisoners. My friends and I are alive because we obeyed. You need to let go of your pride; no one has any options in here. '' His eyes conveyed a serious warning. ''I'm telling you this for your own good.

I nodded, unable to articulate any more words. We handed over our trays, and she pulled me out of the cafeteria.

''Everyone works here, except the demon and the nebula,'' she explained. ''There's everything, from the kitchen to the laundry.

"What about you?" I asked.

''I prefer washing clothes. In the bathroom, you run the risk of being attacked. It's happened to me. '' His tone was calm, but the story was frightening.

"Are you all right?" I asked, worried.

''Yes, just some pain. '' She shrugged. ''We have an infirmary, but it's precarious.

How could anyone be so calm? You must have been through so much here that you've gotten used to this inhumane treatment.

May God help me in this place.

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