Chapter Nine

What I witnessed early this morning... will be haunting me for the rest of rest of my life. Gavin, someone I met at the springs a while was brutally killed and then shared upon as a dinner entree by the four warden's of each prison. I will never forget those screams that caused my blood to run cold, the sounds of his joints being snapped, and sound of organs being pulled out of his body to be gnawed on.

We had to hurry and get everyone out of here. I still don't know how we were going to accomplish that but we had to try. Even if that meant taking on the wardens themselves.

Closing my journal and placing it down I looked at my lap to see Dakota was still asleep. After hours of crying in my shoulder he had finally fell asleep. I combed through his long silky hair keeping him comforted in case of any unexpected outburst.

"Zach," I heard Dakota tiredly say, "I just wanted to say I'm sorry. For being, well me and interfering with what you were guys were really trying to do."

"Dakota, to be honest I don't blame you. I've always admired how you were able to always be happy in all situations. You are always happy and cheerful and full of life. What I saw this morning was definitely not the Dakota I knew for the past month." I combed through his hair once more. "Wanna go somewhere today?"

A simple head shake was his response. He told me was going to just stay in the room for today and there was no way I was gonna pester him to go with me.

Telling him we would talk later, I left the room and begun walking down the hallway. People begun roaming the halls from waking up early in the morning. Today, our little operation has now commenced. I needed to find Kirk and of course, tell him about the warden's plan. If I remembered correctly Kirk sleeps at the bar. It's still early so he may be asleep I just needed to hurry!

"Zach!" I stopped walking forward turning to see Sam walking straight towards me. "Where you off to this morning huh? I was just coming by to see you." He said stepping a lot closer to me then I wanted him too making me back up a few inches.

"I was just looking for Kirk. You know where I can find him?" When I asked Sam this question his whole entire demeanor changed completely disgusted that I even mentioned another boy's name in his presence.

"Kirk? What do you want with him? What does he have to offer that makes you want to find him?" Oh I don't know maybe a tolerable personality? How about being smarter then you by huge margin? Wait! I know! That he's way more important to me then you will ever be Sam! God, I don't have time for your nonsense this operation was top priority and this idiot was really wasting my time.

Sighing I looked straight into Sam's emerald colored eyes, "do you know or not? I really need to have a discussion with him." He shook his head walking past me obviously upset that I wasn't giving him the type of day. After that little run in Sam, I continued walking to the bar at a steadily fast pace hoping to catch Kirk before he disappeared for the day once again. He needed to know about this that way we'll have another ally in on our operation.

I made it to the bar at a reasonable time for me. If he did everything he did when we talked at the bar he should still be asleep at the counter. Come on Kirk, please still be asleep we need to talk about important matters. Pushing opening the door my sight went straight towards the bar and sure enough just like I had hoped Kirk was still resting his head on his arms. I walked over by him and took a seat looking at him sleep so peacefully. "Kirk?" I called to him gently patting his back. No response from him besides soft snores escaping his slightly parted lips.

He looked so cute when he slept.

"Huh?" He slightly opened his eyes seeing that it was me who tapped him once more. "Oh, hey what's up." He groggily lifted his head taking a big yawn and stretch. "What brings you here so early?"

I was well aware about the warden's excellent observation. I was sure he was back in his office by now and according to him he knows about every conversation. Especially if the two prisoners he wanted to eat for himself were in the same area. There was no doubt that he was actively watching us as we speak. "I just wanted to check on you. Plus, I was thinking today we could hang out? Like all day? Maybe at the springs later tonight?" You see, I wasn't aware of how the warden's observation work. I'm assuming it covers the entire island if he knows everything. However, giving him a reason to pay close attention to us would greatly help us throw him off track.

"All day? Well, I kind of got a busy schedule. Maybe next week?"

IS THIS BOY INSANE?!

"Well, whatever you had plan today. Cancel whatever you had plan. I want US to hangout today. You can afford to miss out on your so busy schedule you won't get rid of me that easily."

Kirk just looked straight ahead at the wall of drinks ahead of him. "No! You are not drinking till you pass out again. Let's go." Taking his wrist I literally forced him to walk with me out of the bar. "What are you doing that requires seven days to complete?" Truth is, he did not have anything going on it was just his way of avoiding me. I don't know why he tried to do that but he wasn't escaping me.

Walking down the hall with Kirk's wrist in my hand did draw attention. There were whispers and some even asked others about my current status with Sam. Knowing him he probably bragged about me and that was most likely the reason he came over to my cell today. "I have projects that need to be completed. I also have to check on a few things." And that takes you seven days Kirk? Come on, you know I am not stupid. "Is this your way of asking me out? If it is I am not interested and aren't you going out with Sam? I really don't want to deal with that idiot."

No Kirk, asking you out is the last thing on my mind. Unfortunately, I can't tell you the real reason why I am doing this. If I did he'd know about it and just like Percy said it was cause chaos earlier then we needed right now.

Before we left the isolation room. Percy told us where he would be resigning for the time being until he decided to show himself. Meetings were going to be held at Kyzarian's cell. Of course, naturally I questioned about the warden just seeing us talking about the plan. All Percy said was to not worry about it and that Kyzarian had everything under control. So, that's where we were heading at right now and he's not having any disagreements. "Where we are going is none of your concern." Was all he was getting as a response.

It took quite a bit of time to reach Kyzarian's cell considering he was some distance away. Kirk still was my hostage just letting me drag him along never really asking anymore questions. I was surprised that he didn't attempt to break free given the fact I know Kirk's appearance is not to be underestimated at all. This was the same skinny guy with no muscle at all to push open giant steel doors that weigh well over two tons by himself with no efforts. If he wanted too I knew he could break out of this feeble hold I had him in. However, given his nature he just wanted to see where this was heading. Eventually, we reached Kyzarian's cell that was isolated it honestly looked more like it was suppose to be abandon but I guess he just moved his stuff from point A to point B. Kirk wasn't even aware of this room or that anyone was even living in it.

Inside the room we walked in and first thing noticed was Jacan, Percy, and Kyzarian all sitting around on a couch. Letting go of Kirk's wrist I quickly closed the door locking it behind us. "What the hell is all this? Percy your out? Jacan, what are you doing here?" Then Kirk goes to look at Kyzarian who stood up and walked towards Kirk till he stopped right in front of him. "Well, long time no see old friend."

Huh?!

"Your the one who keeps disappearing. But what I do expect from someone like you? Kirk Lakeland." Wait, these two know each other? HOW! WHEN! WHY! WHERE!

From behind I saw Kirk's jawline tighten. "So what is all this? Why did you have Zach bring me out here? More importantly, how the hell did you manage to get Percy out?" His voice was laced with worry I knew how he operated when balance was slightly thrown off its axis. Even when Charley sent that note to my cell he freaked out. Though it was clear as day that I never have done anything of the sort to piss him off.

"Have a seat Lakeland, I will explain everything."

We told him, we told him every last thing that happened just a few hours ago. Those same hours that caused me to have almost no sleep, cry so quietly in the dark, replaying Gavin's bones being snapped, and this cycle kept restarting over and over again. When Kirk heard this I could see how uncomfortable he was about the situation. Even more so when we told him that there was three more left to go and that Hyptant, the warden had plans on eating both me and him.

Sighing, Kirk lifted his gaze from the floor to look at all of us who were waiting for his reaction. "As uncomfortable as it sounds, this isn't something new you guys." He said with an almost emotionless stare.

This wasn't something new? Is Kirk implying that he has been through this same thing as us beforehand?

"I have been here for over a century and what I witnessed shouldn't be shared with others. But, since you four have been snooping around I might as well tell you now." He paused taking in a deep breath before he began. "I've seen people jump into that red void, he would have been forty-five if not for me." He looked at me causing everyone else to look at me. Okay, we get it I almost offed myself now continue please. "I have seen people kill themselves by other means, kill others, massive fights, and most importantly the warden's eating prisoners."

"Your saying that these warden's eat us on the daily?" Percy asked.

"No, what I am saying is that when events like the ones I described just now happen. Where do you think those bodies of the dead go?" He waited for us to respond however we were all very well aware what the answer was. "We make up a huge part of their diet. It's not surprising that every once in a while they sneak one of us out to eat us. The warden's also have an interesting in smarter people like us because we simply taste a whole lot better this is their belief. I never ate a human so I don't know how true that statement is."

It was scary how he explained this so casually to us. Just like it was another stroll in the park for him. "I can tell you guys one thing and one thing only. If you guys are looking for a way out all you need to do is convert yourselves. Fight those urges for the human male body."

Christ, here we go again with the conversion. Kirk has reached new levels of delusions but there was no way I could blame him. Secretly deep down he only wanted to see his parents again.

"Kirk, come on man don't you hear yourself? Your speaking like crazy person. You know as well as I do that converting a sexuality is impossible." Percy told him, "so how about you help is in finding a way to escape for all of us. Zach and you together? Two of the smartest guys here in this place? We're bound to be free of this hellhole."

Despite giving him so much praise. Kirk shook his head he wasn't interested in trying to be free of this place. Not by our means anyway if anything I think he only wants one thing out of life and that was to see his folks one last time. After that, he most likely had already accepted his fate.

He stood and walked himself to the door stopping just before his hand even touched the knob. "Guys, I want you to realize that I'm not being selfish. My wish is too see my parents one last time then I'll willingly come back. I lived long enough. It is unfortunate how my long life was lived but there is no point in complaining. If we were to get out, it's not like we'll age and eventually die. The warden's main objective was to make sure we stayed young eternally to stay forever fresh. I would be alive forever on earth watching as people I may get to know grow old and die. While I stay here. Only difference is, we will be in a bigger box." With that, he unlocked the door and walked out closing it behind him leaving us baffled.

Out of frustration Percy had punch the wall breaking his already weaken knuckles even more. "Damn it!"

"Lakeland has always been like that. I am not surprised by his response at all. In all the years I known him he has always been keeping things to himself to keep the balance of this place."

I stood up walking towards the door he had just left out of. "Let me talk to him I'll handle this." Was all I told them before running after him. I hadn't a clue why I was so interested Kirk maybe it had something to do with knowing he wants to just die?

Not to far down the hall I caught up with him jumping straight in front of him to stop him from walking any further. "What's your problem?" I asked him, "why do you do this to me? More importantly yourself? Don't you want to at least see what it's like outside this place for more then one day."

"Your not my friend, your not my boyfriend, and your are not family. I don't have to explain myself to you." He tried to walk around me but I had different plans. I had grabbed him by the wrist and swung him to look at me again.

"Stop doing this..." I growled, looking straight into his dark brown eyes. He was mad, mad that I wouldn't let him pass by. We had an intense stare down with one another neither of us blinking or moving an inch. Then, out of the blue Kirk's nose had begun bleeding. "Shit." He whispered to himself wiping away the blood with his free hand.

The fact his nose bled did not phase me from looking at him with my cold dead stare. I refused to let him go until he would join us otherwise he would be stuck with me. Eventually, Kirk had begun to start looking in other directions anywhere that wasn't my own two eyes. It reminded me of when a dog knows they done something wrong and they look anywhere else besides your eyes. I had won this little ordeal between us and he knew it too. "I'm sorry."

I nodded my head at him pulling him a bit closer to me so I could give him a hug. Our heads rested against one another rubbing his back to ensure him that it was going to be okay.

Me and Kirk's little moment ended on a good note. I had finally convinced him to help us with the operation. It took a bit of begging to complete but I think my point was made. No, I did not suck Kirk's lollipop more like I threatened to actually start a confrontation with Charley. When that was said and he saw my seriousness he successfully caved in. He was to come back tonight for a meeting discussing possible scenarios.

I laid on my bed staring towards the ceiling this morning's event still played in my mind numerous times. It was hard to forget and this wasn't going anywhere anytime soon. Dakota had left without telling anyone where he was off too. More then most likely he just needed some time to himself and I respected that. Once upon a time when first arriving I remembered how bubbly and jovial he was. The constant yelling, moving all the place like a rabid gerbil, and not afraid to express himself really made this place not so bad. Now, it can be said that Dakota won't be like that for a while.

Jacan was also another I was concerned about. He wasn't even in the room and still he heard Gavin's screams. The fact he squeezed through that tight spot to get to us showed that he cared for all of us. Yet, even he decided it was best to run from something beyond his comprehension. Someone that I wouldn't imagine be easily intimidated by anything or anyone. However, I am deeply indebted to him as if it weren't for him I may have still remained in that place never moving an inch. In that room I was even more shocked that he didn't say anything at all I figured him and Kirk had a bit of history but I didn't think it was so bad that he stay silent.

"Zach!" A voice that sounded like the person was in despair drew me away from my secluded thoughts. Sitting up in a hurry I saw that Hayden was at the foot of the bed in a panic. "Zach! Zach! Please come with me! Please!"

"What happened? Why are you freaking out?"

Hayden begun pacing back and forth wiping away the sweat on his forehead obviously from running all the way over here. "Jessie, Gavin's boyfriend is freaking out because of his disappearance and he thinks that you and Dakota have something to do with it! He's beating the shit out of Dakota and he won't let him go until you come! Please come with me! Dakota looks so bad he's barely conscious!" Grabbing my boots I immediately slipped them on not even bothering to tie the laces.

Running out of the cell I looked back to see Hayden run past me leading the way. Gah! How could I forget about Gavin's boyfriend? Of course he would be freaking out like this! His boyfriend just disappeared without a trace. But why was he taking his frustration on us?

Gotta get back to my babe before he gets jealous of seeing me talk with two gorgeous fruitcakes.

Oh that explains everything. Jessie is just one of those types of people who go overboard with even the slightest of things just what I needed from this guy.

Hayden lead me all the way over to the lobby where a humungous crowd of people completely encircled. Barging through the wall of people who didn't make an effort to help Dakota out at all. I made pushed past the last guy seeing Dakota laying face down barely moving blood coming from his head. "Well look who finally decided to show up everyone!" Jessie said with a wicked smile on his face kicking Dakota in the side as a sign of disrespect. "I just had about enough of beating your friend up. Come to take his place?"

"Stop this Jessie! I don't know what happened to Gavin! You don't need to beat Dakota up!" I wanted to tell him what really happened but I was well aware what would happen if I did. He wouldn't believe me at all nor will anyone else plus the warden will come after me personally. This needed to be kept a secret despite every fiber of my being telling me to just spit it all out.

Dakota rolled over on his back revealing his bloody nose and swollen eye from the constant punching. He looked at me his eyes puffy most likely from crying that no one would even bothered to help him. Jessie took this opportunity to bring his knee down as hard as he could into Dakota's vulnerable stomach. This caused him to him let out of hard cough of air rolling over on his side. "STOP!" I yelled out running straight at Jessie who was continuing to torture my friend.

I lunged at Jessie causing him to fall back on the ground. Me and him rolled around on the hard concrete floor until I was on top of him pulling back my fist to only be stopped by a strong grip that then pulled right off of him. Rolling backwards onto my feet I saw the person who had saved Jessie from me pummeling his face till he became apart of the floor.

"Not so fast Zach." It was Sam, having a stupid smile on his face standing in between me and Jessie. "you see, you belong to me and you know what that means right? Whatever I say you have to listen. Stop defending this idiot and come with me."

How dare he talk about my friend like that? My clenched fist had gotten even tighter looking at Sam's stupid smirking face that I wanted to knock off so bad. Dakota sat up, I quickly went over to his aid helping him off of the floor and putting his arm around me so he could be supported.

"Didn't you hear what I just said you idiot!" Sam called out to me rushing forward pushing Dakota away from me so he could fall again. Out of frustration I pushed Sam back who didn't even budge from my push. "Sweetie, your going to have to do a lot better then that." Grabbing a hold of my wrist he pulled me away. I tried breaking away from his hold but for some reason Sam had a killer grip. As I kept trying to be free of this I couldn't help but see Dakota struggle to get up and follow me only to be knocked down by Jessie again and again. "Stop struggling!"

I didn't listen I couldn't help to see my friend just be beaten for something he didn't even do! Unexpectedly, I had kicked Sam straight in the jewels that was only then he let go causing him to grunt in pain. Just as I was right next to Dakota, Sam grabbed me by the wrist again pulling me away.

"LET HIM GO!" From the corner of my eye Percy was sprinting towards us hitting Sam square in the jaw only for him not to move a single inch.

"Percy? Your out?" Sam calmly asked, "you should have stayed in isolation where you belong!" He grabbed a hold of Percy's forearm lifting him up overhead only to slam him on his back.

Everything was going into utter chaos.

Sam looked back at me with a disgusting smirk continuing to take me along despite my attempts of breaking free. "You have been a bad boy Zach. I think you have forgotten who has a say in what goes on around he-"

He was cut short and I was too busy trying to fight him off to see that there was someone who was more then capable of stopping him.

It was Jacan.

That massive right hand clutched around Sam's scrawny neck hoisting him high into the air forcing him to let go of my wrist finally falling back on my bottom.

Jacan's strength had me in complete awe. Sam feebly try to claw at his veiny forearms but there was no use. Jacan was far too strong even for him the same guy who was shrugging off a punch from Percy. "D-damn you Jacan! Let me go! This has nothing to do with you!" Sam growled at him trying to reach his face with his feet. Due to having a long reach Sam was kept at a safe distance.

"Pick on someone who can put on a fight." Jacan pulled back and with as much force as he could threw Sam into the concrete wall causing an imprint to be made with Sam's body. The force made him cough out some blood falling out of the newly made imprint falling unconscious nearly immediately. "Squirt, step away from him!" He yelled at Jessie who was already far away from Dakota in the first place. Not wanting to test him he stepped back even further.

I rushed over to him helping him up again he was in such bad shape. Much worse than the first time obviously. My eyes shot over to Jessie who mouthed a spew of foul words towards me in which I returned straight back to him. "Is there a clinic around?! He needs it!"

"I will carry him." Jacan told me having Percy on his shoulder. He grabbed Dakota from me cradling him as if he were a baby. "Follow me."

"No! Get back here now!" The two of us looked behind ourselves seeing Sam gathering himself slowly. "You think that's all it was going to take you abnormal giant! Meet me in the arena! Right fucking now!"