7

A man in a crisp blue suit gets out of a jeep ahead of the cargo trailer. His face is locked in a perpetual scowl and the sparse hair on his shaved head is just starting to grow back in a gray horseshoe. He approaches you and the other lined-up wolves, clearing his throat. He doesn't smell nervous like the other humans; he almost feels casual. Business as usual.

"My name is Warden John Washburn. The prisoners of the Nail call me 'Sir.' That's sir with a capital 'S,' for those of you with book learning. Proper noun; you get me?"

No one says a thing. The grammar lesson seems utterly incongruous with being treated like animals during the mostly-silent hours of transportation.

The warden remains silent, waiting.

I stay quiet with my eyes downcast submissively. The warden may be looking for someone to make an example of.

He's waiting for an acknowledgment. I step forward and say "Yes, Sir," boldly.

I stay quiet, but I won't show any signs of submission to the human.

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