Lutfi Gilang's

7. Other Prisoners

3 Hours earlier.

I got to the attendant's bathroom, like yesterday, but again this time it's not the same. I didn't shirk, just wiped my face with water and saw my reflection that looked as white as a corpse. The action at the place of eating a few minutes ago, gave a burden to me. I feel like I have turned into a selfish and brutal man like the criminals in this place, even though I decided that 3 days ago. But is this the end result I expected?

I lowered my head. Hiding both face and identity from the reflection of the Mirror, though every eye that enters this place will soon know through the number on the prisoner's shirt that I wear. 986.

In addition to the uniqueness of the three numbers that remain the same despite being rotated 360 degrees, it is also a curse for me, a curse as a marker of new prisoners who make battered one of Mabonk's subordinates aka Chairul Saputra. The one who was said to be the leader of block 12, whose subordinates repeatedly made me a punching bag a week back. Then just now, managed to knock out Herman, the leader of the end block. Men are often rumored to be more brutal and crazier than Mabonk. Either way, I hope, the other inmates will no longer bother me.

In the prison consists of several blocks led by a "Director"—kon reportedly they are more powerful than the leader of the guard, in each block led by the "Boss". The block consists of several habitation rooms led by "Palkam". They work according to the structure that you often encounter in school organizations and companies. Of course, better than that. In short, parallel to the Mafia.

From the information I got, the "Bosses" worked with the bailiffs to make illegal transactions. Even some eyewitnesses have seen the warden concocting the prohibited items themselves to then be circulated according to the advice of the "Boss".

Yeah, it's surprising. If you don't believe me, try to be one of them, because that's the main condition you can expose the secret behind bars. Right, you must be a prison officer or a prisoner with the title "Boss" or his right hand, Palkam. But, surely you need something more than a criminal act. Hmmm.

The roar of the water from the flaming faucet accompanied the various questions that came to my mind. The foam gave the officer's bathroom a surprise that smelled uninspiring the first time I entered this place. Sunlight suddenly passed through the gap and bounced off the glass and then illuminated my dreary, gloomy self. There was a lightness that enveloped my heart and brain about my actions just now. Doubt between right and excessive. I am somewhat back to what I used to be, the old me, who was always hesitant to make decisions without any certainty from you Lutfi.

I know, I realize, also understand, that this attitude should not be owned by a man who will bear the title of Husband and Father, because it is appropriate to guide his Wife's children. So, we should be forbidden to show doubt to anyone even to ourselves. Unfortunately, it is undeniable, we are still ordinary people. It takes others to solidify the choices that have been decided. It's like what's happening to me now.

But, I don't need anyone other than Lutfi, my fiancee. To me, he is a part of me. Although he disappeared without a trace and I could not find until this second. That shouldn't be what I'm thinking right now, I should be focusing more on surviving with criminals and people who take unfair charges. The discrimination! Yeah, that's the main problem in prison. Either from the inmates themselves or even the officers, as I saw last night.

In the thoughts and feelings that flutter are not muddled, I closed in. Trying to control myself that started to waver. Pain in the chest as well as a great shock to my footstool. It's been a long time since I've been in prison. Angina and vertigo are two things I don't want to get away with either. It always comes when I think of many things at once. I know it's my fault, I need to deal with it as soon as possible. From the outside the siren sound again held, a sign that the breakfast time was over and the inmates had to return to their living rooms within 5 minutes if they did not want to be sent to the clinic.

I catch my breath and return to my eyes. Stepping with the help of hand creeping the wall. Exit the WC. Then walk with trembling feet. Through the officers who were busy organizing the ranks of the inmates. Among them I saw the old man and the New Prisoner, both of them slightly raised their hands together. Probably greeting me. I tried to smile before it collapsed.

🚶🚶🚶

I woke up from my daydream after hearing one of the men call me. "Nine-eight-nam,"

I looked away, facing him.

Quickly he raised his hand. "I don't mean to bother you, believe me" he said. "Look," He pointed to the Southeast where it appeared a group of inmates were surrounding the old man, Kusnadi I mean.

"What happened to her?" my thinking.

"You, don't want to help him?" ask the prisoner by my side.

I went back to work breaking rocks with a big hammer. "It's none of my business,"

I heard the man exhale then step through me, towards the place he had pointed at earlier.

I ignored it, and went back to work. I wish I could use this wage from my labor to bribe the officers if they found my books and stationery. Yes, ready an umbrella before it rains.

A few seconds later I heard the inmates shouting, then following the rumbling of fists, a sign that there was a fight. I stared at the source of the voice, and was surprised to see the man being trampled by the prisoner who was crowding the old man.

Whether out of reflex or caring, I ran towards them with the intention of stopping their actions. And, I don't know why, when I got there the five inmates jolted and just ran away.

"Will you kill them?" ask Kusnadi.

I chuckled after understanding the meaning. Coincidentally very accidentally I shouldered my work tool, a big hammer. "It was not intentional" I said as I placed the object on the right side.

"Ha ha ha," The old man still laughed.

The other man who had been thumped by the five inmates got up with trembling legs with the previous three times coughing.

"Where is he?" ask me about Kusnadi.

The old man shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know dude, the three of us are in different ranks. And I didn't see him this half an hour."

I muttered. In the brain think: "Where might an investigator seem to be working as a criminal?"

"You okay, man?" Kusnadi asked another man who helped him.

He's still coughing. "Not so good,"

"Why are you helping me?" The old man again threw the question.

"Because you need help, right?" He asked back.

"If that were true, you'd be in trouble. Because there are many other inmates who need help." Hearts says.

Kusnadi. "Are you a cop?"

"No," her bells. "of course not! I just want to get better."

"Ha ha ha, what's your name, man?"

"Jupri. You're on your own,"

"I'm Kusnadi and this—"

"Nine-eight-nam," I said, grabbing the old man's sentence. "It's time to work, not talk." I then stepped up and went back to my job.

🚶🚶🚶

After the work session, the prisoners are required to return to their respective habitation rooms before 5 pm. Some take their time to buy this after getting a small wage, bathe— in prison you need to pay to be able to shower with water rations one bucket size medium, so, some do their routines—gambling, in order to get more money. I wonder why the officers still allow such activities here. Is it true that prison is a criminal course?

"So, where are you going?" I asked Jaja after the officer stepped away after locking our cell door.

The New Prisoner smiled wryly. "I told you, I'd give you two favors at once. And you know, I need time to take care of it."

I nodded after understanding the meaning. But in contrast to the old man, he precisely ascertained the guesses that appeared in his brain. "So, that's Bung kelu—"

"You'd better save that question, old man." I interrupted.

I saw him snort but finally complied.

"What about your business?" I asked back.

"Not half yet," Jaja replied. "maybe I need two more days to finish."

"Fine quick dude, I almost died because this nine-eight-nam dude doesn't want to take care of me."

I was intrigued by Kusnadi's words.

"Have they acted?" guess Jaja.

"Where do I know?!" snapped old man. "The fuckers here, they're always blackmailing me. Goddamn bum! If only I were twenty years younger, I would have sent them to the clinic!" he added with a big breath.

"That's bad," said the New Prisoner. "you better take care of him, Detective."

I breathed hard. "I told you, I'd help you if you paid half of your promise."

"But it's all for free if Kusnadi dies!" tangkis Jaja cornered me to help him immediately.

"Then give me your money, old man" I said.

"Well?!" yells. "What does that mean, man? Is Dude trying to blackmail me?!"

I grunt. "Working without pay is also blackmail,"

"I promised I'd pay him" said the New Prisoner.

"No." deny it. "Listen, the old man paid me as collateral. If you've fulfilled your promise, I'll give you the money back."

I saw the two prisoners in front of me breathing. "There is no other way," said Jaja while throwing a look at Kusnadi.

The old man nodded. Groped his pants pocket, and threw ten thousand dollars at me after squeezing it. "I'm a poor prisoner now."

I was intrigued after receiving it. Just like a duitan-eyed man.

"Well, let's go back to the previous topic" said the New Prisoner at last. "You're sure they're not your friends?"

"Where could I dare to lie, man?" The old man asked.

I saw Jaja lowered his head, a sign he was thinking.

"What did they tell you, old man?" I'm throwing questions.

"Hmmm. And if it's not wrong, they say something about 'burning'."

"Burns?" jaja asked along with my heart. "You ever blackmailed another prisoner before?"

"Absolutely not!" elak Kusnadi's. "While I'm being treated unfairly, I won't act like a criminal, man!"

Jaja is back to breathing. "Then, what do they mean by saying you're 'burning'?"

"Where do I know?!" ask the old man in a high tone. Maybe he is still not willing with his condition without money now. Who cares?

"You know something, Detective?" The New Prisoner asked me a question.

"Looks," I said. "I'll look for other evidence before making an accusation."

Jaja's eyes suddenly turned sharp. "We need to act fast,"

I'm nodding. "And you, old man, you better not get close to that other prisoner."

"But another one?" The New Prisoner confirmed his hearing.

"Yes, Jupri's name." replied Kusnadi. "He came right before I was beaten. He's a good man," he continued.

"You can't judge a person just from first sight, Grandpa." Jaja suggested forcefully.

"Hmmm.." he muttered.

"Again, he can't take care of you, can he?" my many.

"What's makudnya?" The New Prisoner throws questions.

"He's a bonyok" I replied.

"That makes more sense. You better not be close to him, Grandpa. After all, Detective's gonna take care of you."

"Hmmm...." The old man again muttered. "i disagree less with you guys."