Chapter 4 Nica!

It'd been a week in detention at the central prison, it hasn't been tough like I anticipated.

"Did you enjoy your meal?" She asked, brows raised waiting for my response.

I was skeptical about my answer, "errr...not well cooked"

"Just as expected, that's how it is here, '' she giggled. We were just strolling leisurely.

"I'm sure you're used to eating fancy, well cooked food" she scoffed. "I've actually been eating same stuff all my life, you know," she added.

I just gave a grin, holding my tummy. I felt nauseated. We just had porridge at the big dining hall. All inmates were returning back to their base for the evening. We all ate our meals together. Officers were all over the place, always watching. They escorted us back.

Other inmates walked in groups mostly, I and Cecilia were the few who walked in twos.

She continued talking to me, while I just listened, it was a one sided conversation. Unlike others who gave up when I didn't respond, Cecilia seemed ok with it.

"You appeared in court for the first sitting of your trial this morning, right?" As usual I nodded affirmative in response. "So what brings you here?" She asked as we settled in, we just arrived.

I noticed how the room went dead silent, they all actually wanted me to share my story, just like they shared theirs on arrival. It's like a little prison ritual.

Cecilia told me all their stories, except hers, she promised to tell me. According to her, she saved the best for last. I actually didn't ask to know any, she just has the habit of telling stories.

"I'll let you go tonight, yet again", she smiled at me.

"Come here, you can have my bed tonight, I'll lay in yours" she said to me when I was about to sleep, I was too tired to climb up.

She understood I was tired, the court proceedings in the morning and general labor, all inmates were obliged to participate earlier this evening. I was exhausted.

"Hmm"

"Goodnight love" she helped me tuck in.

Cecilia was so nice to me, she always directed me. We were buds, age is indeed just a number, though she was forty-five she was so energetic and full of enthusiastic.

The other inmate's kept their distance, but she was always ready to help.

At about twelve in the midnight, laying on my bed while I sobbed silently, the upturn of my life left me like this every night.

The slight stroking of my breasts was what brought me out of my deep thoughts. I felt a hand run through my body. It was all like a dream, it took me minutes to process what was going on. Irritated by the movements of the hands about my body, I grabbed it and sunk my teeth into it.

"Arghh" a sharp almost suppressed cry escaped the mouth of the owner of the hands.

It was dark so I couldn't tell who it was. Before I could make any move on the individual, the person hid in the dark.

I was sweating profusely, "Cecilia!" I cried out helplessly.

"Cecilia!"I called out to her again.

The room was dark, I didn't want to take the risk of leaving my bunk space. The lunatic must have been one of our roommates.

"Cecilia!" This time I called out loudly.

"Nika" I heard her hoarse voice finally responding, breaking the silence, "What's the matter, Nika?".

"What's the problem? Nika?!" She repeated, this time a bit louder.

"Nothing" I said almost in a whisper.

"Are you sure?"

"Huh, we'll speak in the morning, hope you're fine?" She asked, concerned.

"Hmmm" I went back to sleep.

The next morning, everyone acted indifferent to last night's incident. They must have heard me cry out for help. They just went about their businesses.

Surprised, I raised a brow at Cecilia, as she approached me.

"Good morning" she greeted, smiling awkwardly at me.

She had her prison uniform up today, she normally doesn't zipper up but let the top fall off on her wide hips.

She noticed my questioning expression, she just knew it was because of the way she dressed today.

"I don't feel too well, it was cold overnight" she scratched the back of her head.

"I have a bit of fever"

"Hmm"

"Madam Nika, you have a visitor" Officer Manseh drew my attention from outside. He appeared in front of our cell room.

I stood up, waved at Cecilia.

"See you later," She said to me.

I walked through the door which was ajar. Officer Manseh led the way.

"Nika!" Friderick rushed from where he sat to embrace me.

I was taken aback, what was this dumbass doing here.

"Let go of me" my voice was cold.

"Nika, how are you?" He let go of me.

"I'm really sorry" he added.

Thank goodness Officer Manseh had not gone far, I called out to him.

Friderick had this sullen look, "what's going on?"

"Yes madam"

"Take me back!" What does this chameleon want,? The last person I want to see is Friderick.

We strode back to my cell. I boiled with anger as I walked down.

Thank God it was games time, I just strolled out to the yard where everyone was, Cecilia had a sitting in court today.

Looking around I spotted Alberta, the dwarf who slept next bunk.

For a week I noticed she's been trying to get hold of me, I suspected she had something to say to me. I braced up, on a Sunday, days ago I approached her myself.

She claimed to have something very important to tell me, and I would save my life. As soon as she saw Cecilia coming in she dashed away as if pursued. I just knew something was off.

Getting to the yard full of ladies, all in their prison uniform, Alberta was the first to sight me. She walked hurriedly over, looking around, as if making sure someone was absent. I guess it was Cecilia.

Holding my hands, she drew me to a discreet corner, under an apple tree, far away from everyone.

She began, "what happened that night, it's the Gay lunatic"

"..."

"Cecilia" she said in a hushed tone, her eyes wondering, she smelled of smoke.

"..." I was puzzled.

"She's gay, she must have liked you the day you came in an..an.. and that's why she drew close. She's locked up here on trial for killing her gay partner"

Alberta also said Cecilia's defense for killing the lady was anger because the lady refused her that night. She did the same to ten different women, she'd keep their trophies as souvenirs with names inscribed. She said it was all on the news, the pictures of her trophies collection.

This sent shivers down my spine, I could imagine my name engraved on my skull.

After several uncanny mysterious deaths, investigation started and they were all linked to her. Before my arrival she attempted the same with one of our inmates but they all ganged up against her and she retreated. Coming in that day, she saw me as a new prey, drew close to me, so she'd have me to herself.

"If you love your life stay clear"

"Em...stay safe" scratched her head, after saying this, she looked around to make sure no one eavesdropped on us and mostly to avoid Cecilia, and ran off.

I find it hard to believe, this information got me frightened, I didn't notice awkwardness with Cecilia. Still stunned from my current situation.

As days rolled through to a complete week I distanced myself from Cecilia. I knew she had noticed my sudden change of attitude towards her like the others.

"Nika!" Cecilia called out to me one night, I pretended to have fallen asleep and didn't respond.

"You are part of the pact now, right?" She stood up suddenly from her bed. I heard her foot but still was unmoved.

"Come down" she ordered me, I could hear the furry in her voice but I still laid in.

She used her strong hands to forcefully drag me down. Her zipper down this time, I saw the bite mark on her arms, no wonder she zippered up that day. Alberta was telling the truth.

I was speechless. I just looked on helplessly, the other inmate's were out.

She forcefully put her hands into my clothes, trying to feel me, I pushed it off. We both started to struggle.

"Leave me alone" I shouted, she was deaf to my words, she kept on struggling.

She had this furious look, I had no strength left to struggle with her, she overpowered me and beat the hell out of me for refusing her.

Later on, I was moved out.