Adam sits in the holding cell of the prison, waiting to be lead to his permanent cell. He nervously bounces his leg as he looks down at the faded denim shirt they had given him to wear. 'RUPP207B' was written on the left chest of the shirt.

This was really happening. He was in prison.

He hugs tightly to his chest a brown paper bag with a few belongings in it that he was allowed to bring.

He spent the entire morning being moved from one room to another being asked the same questions over and over again only from different people. The humiliation of the strip search. Trading in his nice clothes for this prison suit.

He begins to rock, his breathing quickens and his heart beat rapidly in his chest as realization sets in. This was not a dream.

The sound of the cell door opening jolts him from his thoughts. A heavy set man with a bushy beard walks in carrying a blanket and a pillow. He didn't look what you would expect a prison guard to look like. He had a kind face and twinkling eyes behind the glasses that he wore.

"You'll need this." The man says handing Adam the bedding.

Adam reaches up with shaking hands to take the blanket and the pillow, giving the guard a nervous nod.

"Listen, I know you're scared." The guard says as he sits down beside Adam. "But don't let them know that you are scared."

"That's gonna be hard to do. I'm literally petrified." Adam smiles even though tears fill his eyes.

"And you definitely don't want them to see your tears. I'm Rob, Rob Lundquist." The guard says, giving a small smile.

"I .. I'm Adam." He says in a quiet shaky voice.

Rob looks down at Adam's shirt, seeing that the prisoner was having difficulty talking, due to his nerves.

"Rupp." Rob reads and then chuckles. "207B? Huh, this should be very interesting."

"Why's that?" Adam asks. His nervousness hitting a new high.

"Foust is in 207B. He's going to love this." Rob laughs.

"Is he dangerous?" Adam asks, fear evident on his face.

"Naw, Oh, he can be. But he's a loner. He hasn't had a cellmate in years. For certain reasons, everyone seems to fear him." Rob says. "But he's not at bad as he seems."

Adam nods.

"When I lead you up to Cellblock B, walk close to the railing. Do not walk close to the cells. That's very important, understand?" Rob says and then continues when Adam nods. "You're the new guy not to mention a nice looking guy. They will be hollering at you. Ignore them. I will assign you over to another guard Adam Chance. He's a cool guy. He'll take care of you."

The door opens and another guard looks in.

"Lundquist? Chance is ready for you." The guard says.

"Alright, thanks." Rob smiles and then turns to Adam. "It's time to go see your new home."

They make their way up two flights of stairs to the second floor.

"This is Cellblock B." Rob says as he unlocks a huge steel door. "Remember, stay by the railing."

Adam nods, laying his hand on the railing and looking over at Cellblock A below them.

Sure enough, as they begin to walk down the cellblock, prisoners run to their locked doors to catch a glimpse of the new inmate.

"Hey, Lundquist. Put that good-looking thang in here with me. I'll make him feel right at home." A prisoner laughs.

"Come to daddy!" Another one yells.

Whistles could be heard echoing throughout the cellblock.

Adam whimpers softly to himself as other provocative things were shouted at him along with vulgar gestures.

"Yo, Lundquist. Where you delivering the new meat?" A prisoner asks while licking his lips.

"207". Rob answers.

"207? Foust?" The prisoner asks with disappointment. "HANDS OFF, GUYS!! HE'S FOUST'S!" He yells.

Adam hears a bunch of disappointing moans and no one else yells. He had no idea who Foust was but he had his mind set to keep on good terms with him.

Rob leads him in front of the cell 207 where they are met by another guard, presumingly Adam Chance.

While Rob and the other guard talks, Adam peers inside the cell.

It was very small. Bunk beds were along one side of the room. A toilet, a sink and a small dresser were all that the room held. On top of the dresser were several books. The mattress of the top bunk was folded. Meaning it was unoccupied.

On the lower bunk sat a man. He had long brown hair hanging a bit past his shoulders and a light well kept beard. He was wearing dark framed glasses as he sat Indian-style on his bunk.

In his lap was a book along with a notebook. He seemed to be studying and taking notes. The man was so pre-occupied with what he was doing that he never noticed the three men outside the cell.

'So this is Foust'. Adam thought to himself. 'Not bad. Not bad at all. He seems pretty harmless'.

"Rupp." Rob calls, breaking him from his thoughts. "This is Chance. My partner in crime." Rob laughs. "He'll take good care of you."

"I hope so." Adam says with a nervous chuckle.

"Good luck." Rob pats him on the shoulder and walks away.

"As long as you don't cause me trouble, we're good." Chance smiles.

"So this is my new home, huh?" Adam says looking back at the cell.

"Unfortunately, yeah." Chance shrugs. "Inside, your cellmate, Tim Foust. He's been studying for the past few weeks, wanting to get his GED. I truly don't know why, though. I mean, what good will it do him in here."

The sound of the keys in the cell lock causes Tim to look up from his studying. He quickly sticks the notebook inside the book, closing it and shoving it underneath his pillow.

"What the hell is this?" Foust asks, taking off his glasses and laying them aside on the dresser.

The vibrations of his bass voice made Adam shiver.

"This, is your new roomie." Chance smirks as he gently pushes Adam inside the cell.

"I don't recall asking for a roomie." Foust growls in a low voice.

"We don't recall asking you either." Chance chuckles as he walks out of the cell locking it. "Be nice."

Tim jumps up and pushes past Adam, grabbing the bars of his cell.

"CHANCE!" Tim yells, his bass voice echoing. Only to be answered by the guard's laughter.

Tim sighs and slowly turns to face his new cellmate.

Adam stood frozen hugging his blanket and pillow to his chest, his fear filled blue eyes staring at the unreadable brown eyes of the man in front of him.

Tim eyes quickly scan over the shaking form before him.

'Not bad. Not bad at all.' He thought.

"Top bunk is yours. You don't snore do you?" Tim asks.

"Uh, not that I know of." Adam forces a smile as he turns to unfold the mattress. He could still feel Foust's eyes on him.

"So your name is Rupp?" Tim asks, leaning against the concrete wall.

"Yeah, Adam. Adam Rupp." Adam nods as he spreads out his blanket.

"So, what're you in here for?" Tim asks.

"Arson and murder." Adam answers, turning around to face Tim.

He notices Tim's eyes shifts to the dresser. Adam looks around to see a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

He chuckles as Tim slowly walks over to the dresser, picking up the lighter and sticking it in his pocket.

"Just to be on the safe side." Tim says as he sits back down on his bunk and resumes his studying.

*~*  SANDRA  *~*

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