Chained to the Devil

2:46 PM

I check all the cells to make sure the inmates are inside, ignoring their leering and twisted looks.

I stop in front of the last cell”but it’s empty. I frown.

It’s isolated from the others; only one cell faces it.

Don’t tell me I’ve already lost one!

A voice calls out:

"Relax, miss. He didn’t escape."

I turn and see the man in the cell opposite the empty one.

He gives me a warm smile, trying to be reassuring.

He’s around fifty, green eyes, pale skin, straight nose, and full pink lips.

I notice deep wrinkles on his forehead. Despite his age, he’s in good shape.

If I saw him on the street, I’d never suspect he’s a criminal.

But I know better”looks mean nothing.

"My name is Fatih."

"Do you know where the inmate is?"

I’m being rude, but I didn’t come here to make friends.

If word gets out that I lost a prisoner, I’m screwed.

"You can speak informally with me. I’ll tell you if you tell me your name."

I sigh.

"I’m Inara."

"Beautiful name."

I give a small, embarrassed smile.

"He’s in solitary. That’s why he’s not here with the rest of us. It’s been three weeks."

I breathe in relief. I was afraid my cover had already been blown.

"I wasn’t informed."

"Your colleagues were too busy checking you out to tell you about the inmates."

Sadly, he’s right.

"Thanks for letting me know."

"You’re lovely, and you look like a fighter. I felt it was my duty to help when I saw the worry in your eyes."

I give him a sincere smile.

"What did he do to get placed in solitary?"

"He fought one of your colleagues”Anis."

That explains Anis’s visible injuries.

I hope it hurt like hell.

"I see."

"Anis took revenge by putting him in that awful cell."

"I’m not surprised”that guy’s a rat."

He smiles at my comment.

I give him a small nod to thank him and let him know I’m leaving when I hear:

"Alexander is a criminal who enjoys violence far too much for his age," Fatih whispers.

I think he said that to himself, but I heard it and immediately turn to him.

That’s the name I’ve been looking for. I need to confirm it’s the right Alexander.

"Alexander Graves?"

"How do you know that?" Fatih replies, surprised.

It’s him.

Now I know where he is”perfect.

I just need to find a way to get into solitary to get closer to him.

"My colleagues mentioned him. They told me he’s dangerous and that I should stay away from him if I don’t want to get raped."

My ability to lie never ceases to amaze me.

Fatih frowns, visibly irritated.

"Alexander is a good boy who would never force a woman into anything.

If he had heard that bullshit, he would’ve lost it."

I nod and leave the floor.

I’ve finally found Alexander.

Now I just need to figure out how to get to solitary confinement so I can get close to him.

I don’t have a clear plan yet”but I’ll find one.

I have to succeed in this mission.

It’s not just about the money”it’s about proving to the idiots in my gang that even as a woman, I have the strength and the mind to succeed.

I continue doing rounds until my shift ends.

Then I head to the locker room, change, and leave the prison.

PRISON

7:49 AM

I finish buttoning my shirt to start another day in this prison that gives me no sense of security.

My body aches and I have bruises from last night.

Even though I’m undercover, I’m still not exempt from my duties to the gang. Far from it.

I wish I could be free from all that.

My nights always come down to the same crap that filled my childhood.

They’re unavoidable if I want to avoid my father’s wrath.

I also had to come up with a plan to get into the isolation wing. It’s really complicated. I can tell my coworkers are watching me.

They’ll probably find it strange that I want to go into such a dangerous area on just my second day.

But I don’t have a choice. I don’t intend to stay in this prison for long.

Thankfully, I’ll get a nice sum once I complete this mission.

I still hope that one day I’ll have the means to get far away from the gang and my father.

I want to be free and live the life I dream of.

I arrive at the surveillance room where my colleagues are sitting, drinking coffee.

I shake hands with Mathieu, who hasn’t done anything to me”unlike the other two idiots, whom I completely ignore.

Anis can’t keep his mouth shut:

"Nice to see you too."

I ignore his comment while Franck smirks and Mathieu remains neutral.

I sit down in a chair and watch the surveillance footage while thinking about how I can access the isolation wing.

Really, I just need to be discreet since my colleagues don’t leave their seats unless it’s for patrol.

If I can slip away for a few hours, it’ll be perfect.

I decide to gather a bit more intel:

"Why can’t we see what’s happening in the isolation cells on the footage? Aren’t there cameras in there?"

They stare at me with wide eyes like I just brought up a sensitive subject.

It feels like shady things are going on”but that’s not my problem.

"Why do you care?" Anis asks.

"I work here, remember? I’d like to understand how the prison operates."

"Don’t get upset, Inara," says Mathieu, trying to ease the tension.

"I just don’t like people who talk nonsense."

"A real tigress, this one," Franck laughs.

"Alright, guys, go check what the inmates are doing. I’ll stay here with Inara to monitor," Mathieu orders the other two.

Franck gets up, and Anis follows with a scowl:

"Guys like you don’t get to give me orders, got it?"

He glares at Mathieu, who quickly lowers his eyes.

Anis is clearly more physically imposing. His tone is full of disgust and disdain.

Now it’s just me and Mathieu. He lifts his head and gives me a timid, awkward smile.

"Don’t mind their behavior. They’re decent deep down… they just like to act tough."

There’s nothing decent about them.

"You shouldn’t let them talk to you like that. Anis makes shady comments about you."

He tenses.

"Don’t worry about it… it’s between us."

I shrug. It’s not my business.

"To answer your question, there are no cameras in the isolation wing. Some pretty intense stuff goes on in there."

Just as I thought.

"How intense are we talking?"

"Anis and Franck like to beat and humiliate the inmates… That place is their playground to abuse power."

"Seriously? What exactly do they do?"

"Your life would be in danger just for knowing."

I wonder what kind of abuse we’re talking about”there are plenty of ways to hurt or humiliate someone.

They make me want to throw up.

"Is the warden aware of all this?"

"He doesn’t care."

"So, what? Everyone knows but stays quiet out of fear of retaliation?"

"Nobody wants to piss off Franck or Anis."

I just shrug. I need to keep gathering information.

"Who runs the isolation block?"

"Two guards, but you won’t see them often. They rarely come down to our wing because they’re overwhelmed."

"And you? You never go there?"

"You’d have to be insane to go voluntarily. The guys in general population are babies compared to the ones in solitary."

"I’m not scared, don’t worry."

"Why would you even want to go there? Those guys would tear you apart the second you get close."

"Don’t worry about me. I’m not planning anything specific. I just want to understand criminal psychology."

That’s the best excuse I could come up with on the spot”and Mathieu seems to believe me.

He’s nothing like those two brutes. He seems so naïve and innocent.

It’s almost… endearing.

"You’re into psychology? That explains why you came here. I found it strange that a young woman would be assigned to a place like this."

Time to bring Alexander into the conversation.

"One of the inmates mentioned a fight between Anis and… from what I gathered, it was pretty violent."

"He must’ve been talking about Alexander."

Bingo.

"Yeah, that’s the one."

"It took seven of us to break it up. Alexander was uncontrollable. That guy could kill someone with his bare hands. He almost murdered Anis."

"Seriously? He sounds dangerous."

"My advice”stay far away from him if you don’t want any trouble."

Trouble is exactly what I’m here for.

"What happened between them?"

"I don’t know. I guess Anis provoked him, and Alexander isn’t one to back down."

"How long is he in for?"

"A month. He’s got two days left in solitary. He’s been in there for three weeks."

Two more days before I can meet this so-called Alexander. Too long.

"That’s a long time."

"Anis insisted he face the consequences. Alexander couldn’t care less about being in isolation”it’s not his first time."

"I’m guessing he’s a loner."

"He keeps to himself. No one messes with him. He’s highly respected by the other inmates. I find it strange he was only arrested for assault”he’s done and is still doing far worse."

I nod like I care, but honestly, I’m just like him”I’m involved in shady stuff too.

The only difference is that I’m not nearly as influential.

"I kinda want to check out that area. Just to get a feel for it."

He gives me a surprised look.

"You’re insane."

"That’s the perfect word to describe me."

"If it’s for your criminal psychology research, I’ve got your back. Just be quick."

I give him a hard slap on the shoulder with a wide grin.

"You’re a good guy."

He smiles and rubs his shoulder.

"You’re stronger than you look."

I smirk and he points me in the direction of the isolation wing.

I memorize the path and then leave the room.