Hanif

The two men circled around me, their fists raised. I kept my fists raised as well, tucked against my chest. My eye stung from their cheap shot moments ago, wishing I had been paying better attention. I guessed it was my fault for enjoying my meal of sludge instead of watching the other inmates around me. 

The dim lights flickered above the cafeteria, revealing the horde of inmates that were now watching Rezik and Vince as they circled me. I didn't expect anyone to come to my aid, but I still didn't like being the center of attention. I was a lover of shadow, and the deception it allowed for. Being a thief and all, I preferred living in the shadows. 

Rezik and Vince weren't like that at all. And they hadn't appreciated when I had beaten them to the last blanket in our prison block. In fact, I was sure other inmates were silently cheering those guys on because they had a grudge against me as well. 

I guessed it was my loveable character that made them all treat me so. They couldn't handle it, I figured. 

"Scared yet, little boy?" Rezik crowed, and Vince laughed, right in line. 

I shook my head, feigning offense. "Little boy? My my, Rezik, you do need spectacles. I'm just past twenty seasons!" I scooted a step back as Rezik's fist flew towards my face, barely dodging. "I suppose it's to be expected though, at your age," I continued, enjoying this far too much. 

Okay, maybe I didn't always prefer the shadows. If I had a chance to make fun of Rezik, then I wasn't going to pass that opportunity up. He had taken it upon himself to terrorize me ever since I was moved to this hole of a prison. He acted like the head warden of the inmates, which was hilarious, since he was sentenced here for life. He would die in this hole. 

I, on the other hand, only had ten years left. Still a mighty long time, but not forever. And sometimes I wondered if that was why Rezik took it upon himself to torment me. 

So caught up in my astute thoughts, I almost missed Vince as he made an approach. I feigned left as he stepped forward, and swung around his outstretched arm easily. I grabbed his arm and wrenched it behind his back, twisting until he moaned. 

"Hanif... puh-please!" He cried like a child. 

I ignored his plea, ready to snap his arm. However, I couldn't finish the move before Rezik was on me. He grabbed my shoulders, and I stumbled back, almost losing my balance. I spun around once my feet were steady and slammed the side of my hand into his neck. It struck squarely, and Rezik's eyes bulged as his hands flew to his neck. 

I shoved my foot into his gut, sending him back into a worn table, scattering discarded dishes and cups. I smirked and eyed the crowd, not missing the guards who lingered at the edges of the room, their hands at their swords. 

I turned back to face Vince, knowing my time was running out. But I didn't care. It wasn't every day that I was allowed to put these scumbags in their place. 

Vince was still cradling his sore arm against his chest, and didn't try to approach me. But I wasn't done with him. I took a step forward, cracking my knuckles just to psych him out. I pulled back my fist, sucking in a breath before I hit the man.

But before I could let the punch fly, a vise-like grip grabbed my wrist and shoved me back. Startled, I was unable to react as the same fist made contact with my nose. Shooting pain echoed up my face behind the cracking of my bones. Blood sprayed from my nose as the man shoved me back against the ground. 

I stumbled, wiping a hand across my nose as blood poured from it, trying to get my hands underneath me. Pain splintered my side as a boot connected with my ribs, sending me spinning onto the ground with a thud. I coughed, trying to peer through the pain to see this man. 

I groaned as I saw the brutish face. Another of Rezik's cronies. How could I have missed him? 

I didn't get another chance to consider my mistake as his foot raised above my face. My eyes squeezed shut on their own accord, and I ceased breathing. 

But the pain didn't come, and instead shouts filled the room. Shouts of guards as they rushed to stop the fight. What took you so long?  I wanted to ask, but the pain in my side and face was too strong. 

I forced my eyes open as hands hauled me up and through the dispersing crowd. I spotted Rezik and the other men being pulled away in front of me as well, and that was a mild consolation. The sting of frustration eased some at the sight, even though I hated that they had gotten the best of me. I was still healing from their last beating. 

The guards dragged me out of the cafeteria and down the hallways of Brinestone prison, not bothering to be gentle. They were paid to keep me in here, not to care for my well being. Which, now that I considered it, was surprising that they stopped the fight. Perhaps the Anax had ordered I be kept alive. 

I almost laughed at the thought. The Anax didn't even know I existed, much less cared whether I lived or not. I was a criminal, less than dust to him. I wasn't fit to lick his boots. The guards never failed to remind us all of that. 

As the guards pulled me down the stairwell into the lower levels of the prison, the screams reached my ears. I had been in solitary plenty of times, but I never grew used to the noise. The sound of suffering was too powerful down here. I was pretty sure the guards liked it that way. They wanted us to suffer in any way possible. Dastardly dimwits.

When we arrived at the last cell in the hallway, the guards unlocked the door and tossed me inside. I landed on the stone floor with a soft grunt, shaking my head in frustration. Climbing to my feet, I faced the guards. 

"Nice to see you too," I called before the door shut, blocking out my sight of them and cloaking me in darkness. There were no holes or windows in the heavy door, made to complete my solitary experience. This room had become like a second home-- or cell-- to me in my two years at this place. I knew all the scratches on the walls, the bumpy straw in my pallet, and the bucket in the corner. As much as this place stank, sometimes it was better than having to deal with the other inmates. 

Limping over to the cot, I allowed a small sigh to escape my lips. Something scurried across my foot as I sat down and leaned against the wall. I wondered how long they would keep me in here this time. My record was two months, and that wasn't a pleasant time. Here in solitary, you were given one meal a day. And I wouldn't even call it a meal. 

I spit out another wad of blood, reaching up a hand to wipe some of the dried blood away from my nose carefully. My nose throbbed something fierce and I knew it had to be broken. I couldn't bear to breathe through it, the very simple act causing agonizing pain. This meant it would have to be reset to heal, but I couldn't do that right now. If I tried, most likely the only thing I would accomplish would be knocking myself out. 

My hand roamed through my mess of ruddy hair, trying to distract myself from what I knew I had to do. I wasn't ready to do it, and this was my way of procrastinating. 

With as little movement as possible, I shrugged off my dull grey shirt that was spattered in blood and let my stomach air. I felt along the stiff plane of my stomach until a sharp pain stopped my hand. Carefully, to minimize the pain, I pressed along my ribs. Nothing felt broken, but I was sure there would be massive bruises there, if there wasn't already. 

As I finished my inspection, I bit my lip, knowing what was coming next. The throbbing in my nose was a constant reminder that I couldn't shy away from this. I needed to reset the bones before it was too late. I wasn't an alleviator, but I knew enough that bones had to be in the correct position so they didn't heal wrong. 

I pushed myself back against the wall, leaning forward and bracing one hand on the pallet beneath me. With the other, I prepared to yank my nose back into place. The thought alone brought moisture to my eyes, and I blinked furiously. 

"On three..." I mumbled to myself, trying to prepare my mind. Maybe even trick it. "One... two..." Before I could reach three, I gripped the bridge of my nose and yanked it back into place. 

Snap. 

Stars exploded in my vision as what felt like hot lava traveled up my nose and into my brain. I coughed, surging forward despite the hand I had out for balance. Dastardly dimwits. I growled, but it sounded more like a squeak to my ears with the pain that roared through my ears. 

I shoved myself against the pallet, allowing myself to lay back. More blood poured from my nose, and I allowed myself to relax for a moment. My body took that as a much needed hint, dragging me into the depths of unconsciousness. 

{~*~}

The sound of my cell door being shoved open brought me back. I opened my eyes just as my meal was shoved inside and the door slammed shut. The pitiful cup's contents sloshed over the side as it settled beside a measly hunk of bread. 

Dinner. Absolutely lovely. "Dastardly dimwits," I muttered, forcing myself into a sitting position. Almost immediately, I noticed that the throbbing in my nose had decreased significantly. It still hurt, but the pain was at a manageable level. 

With that thought to lift my spirits, I reached over and grabbed my dinner. I couldn't see the food up close now that I was back in the dark, but I was sure the bread was moldy and the water filthy. It had never been any better than that. The standards here at Brinestone left much to be desired. 

Without another thought, I jammed the bread in my mouth and chewed. I downed the water right after, doing my best not to taste as the murky liquid went down my throat. Once I was done, I felt much better. I could feel the meal, however mangy it was, giving me some energy. To think I had forfeited a wonderful meal of gruel in the cafeteria for this stuff. 

I laughed, not even bothering to acknowledge the fact that I probably sounded crazy to anyone who could hear me. I tapped the tin cup against the wall, listening to the odd melody it created. It helped to drown out the sounds of suffering, and my own thoughts. I didn't need to think about her right now. 

I was sure Shani was fine. She was always smarter than me, even though she was younger. Even when I had been forced to take care of us both many years ago, she had done her part. And, even though I didn't want to admit it, I had been a crappy older brother. 

But that didn't matter now. She was gone, making her own way in this cruel world. If she couldn't survive, no one could. She was a fighter. 

A/N: Well, here is chapter two! The first introduction to a new character, Hanif :) I have to say, he's one of my favorites from this story. But... shhh, don't tell anyone! My characters don't like when I pick favorites...