I didn't sleep to well that night, a combination of missing Matt, worrying what would happen to me without him there to protect me and just what he was going to show me regarding the prison kept waking me, but eventually morning came and I had made it through the night without incident.
The night doctor came in to my room, picked up my chart, scribbled something on it and then left again, all without saying a word. I went to reach for the chart, to see what he had written, when the door was opened for the second time.
Lifting my head I was relieved to see Matt standing in the doorway, holding a large file and smiling at me.
"How was your night Julez?" He asked.
"Okay I guess Matt," I replied. "Just didn't get too much sleep that's all."
"Why not?"
"Because I was worried that someone would come," I said. "Like they did while I was in solitary."
"You don't have to worry about that here."
"Well that night doctor is a miserable fucker."
"Why do you say that Bill's alright?"
"Just before you arrived he came in, wrote on my chart and then left without saying a word."
Matt looked at me, concern spreading across his face, and he grabbed the chart. As he read I saw the colour draining from his face and, occasionally, he would glance at me before going back to the chart. Finally he put the chart back down and sat on the edge of the bed.
"What the fuck does it say Matt?" I asked.
"I've got to get you out of this place, somehow," he replied.
"Why what's going on?"
"According to this you have been selected," he said his voice wavering.
"What do you mean selected?" I asked. "Selected for what?"
"Look take this file, and hide it under your mattress," Matt said. "I'll go and make a phone call then go through it with you, it explains everything."
With that he handed me the file and left the room. Doing as he said, even though I needed to know what was in it, I slid the file under my mattress and waited for him to return. Just by the look on his face I could tell something was seriously wrong, and what could he mean about being selected? Selected for what? I really didn't like the sound of that.
I was just about to retrieve the file when Matt came barging back into the room, his face flushed.
"I am getting you out of here," Matt said. "Later today the laundry van comes and you're going out in that."
"What? How can I do that?" I replied. "If I get caught we will both be in the shit."
"You won't get caught trust me," Matt said. "And if we don't do it we will never see each other again."
"Tell me what the fuck is going on Matt," I said raising my voice.
"Get the file and I'll show you," Matt said. "Then you will know everything about this place, and why certain prisoners seem to disappear overnight."
Reaching under the mattress I retrieved the file, and went to hand it to Matt, but he held his hands out.
"No Julez you open it and start reading," he said. "I'll keep my eyes open for anyone coming."
Matt got of the bed and went over to the door as I opened the file. Staring back at me from the first page was a list of contents and as I read each one slowly I felt the colour draining from my own cheeks.
Lists of names, why they were in this place, how they behaved towards the staff, what they did sexually without complaint, a price and another name at the end of each column. There were also newspaper reports, photos, death notices and letters of recommendations, and thanks, to the governor, quarry boss and the prison.
As I read down the list of names I was shocked to see my name at the very bottom of the list, and Jeff's one line above, and began to read what had been written about me.
Name: Julez
Crime: GBH with intent to kill
Sexuality: Gay
Enjoys: Giving and receiving oral and anal
Worth: At least £5,000 (auction starting price)
Highest bidder (so far): Mr. Smith? (£7,500)
Time left: 5 days
I looked over towards Matt, who was still peeking through the door.
"What the fuck is going on?" I shouted.
"How much have you read?" He asked back.
"Just my qualifications, apparently," I replied sarcastically.
"Now can you see why I've got to get you out of here?" Matt said. "Because if I don't you will be sold as a sex slave, and probably shipped out of the country."
"I don't understand though," I said confused. "Why are you so desperate to help me and how have they been getting away with it or so long?"
"I'm helping you because I do really like you," Matt said lowering his head in slight embarrassment. "And if you had read those death notices you would see how they get away with it."
"You're telling me they just dispose of anyone that doesn't agree?"
"Yes they do Julez," Matt said. "And I'm not prepared to let that happen to you."
"Why haven't you gone to the authorities with all this?" I asked.
"Because I don't want to end as one of those death notices that's why."
Closing the door Matt came and sat on my bed, next to me, placing his hand on my thigh lightly.
"Please Julez let me get you out of here," Matt begged. "Then we will both go to the authorities."
I put the file down on the bed and looked into his eyes. Tears were beginning to form at the bottom of his eyes, and I could tell that he was terrified.
"The laundry driver will be here at two," Matt said. "It's all arranged for you to leave with him in the laundry cart."
"You're joking!" I said. "This is real-life not some Hollywood blockbuster."
"It's the only chance we will get before it's too late."
"How do you know we can trust the driver?" I asked. "How do we know he won't just drop us both in it?"
"Because it's cost me enough that's how I know." Matt said. "Just be ready at two."
"Okay I will," I said. "But where is he going to take me?"
"Back to mine," Matt said. "Here's the key."
Matt reached into his pocket and pulled out a key that looked like it had not long been cut, and handed it to me.
"Just stay inside until I return, and don't answer the phone."
"I won't but surely people will guess me disappearing is down to you."
"Don't worry about that I shall make out you were gone when I arrived," Matt said. "And I've been trying to find you ever since."
"Don't worry I'll be ready," I said. "And I'll make sure no-one can ever find this file."
Matt leant forward and kissed me softly on the lips, before he stood up and left me alone again.
Quickly I hid the file back under the mattress and started to think about taking the governor and this whole place down, adrenaline coursing through my whole body, and I wished two o'clock would hurry up and arrive.
Time seemed to drag by so slowly, a number of people came in and out of my cell, but eventually it was almost time.
Matt came into the cell twenty minutes before two, to make sure that I hadn't changed my mind, before leaving again and making sure the coast was clear.
Getting out of the bed I put my shoes on, ready, took the file from under the mattress and sat back down to wait. Seconds turned into minutes and I began to get paranoid, and think that everything had gone wrong but, eventually, the laundry driver appeared outside my door.
"Are you Julez?" he asked as he entered my room.
"Yeah that's me," I replied.
"Well hurry up and get in here then," he said.
Doing as he said I hopped into the cart, with the file, and he covered me with the sheets from my bed, as well as a load of other dirty laundry and began to push me down the corridor.
We hadn't gone far when the cart suddenly stopped, and I began to fear the worst. Laying as still as possible, under all the filthy bedding, I strained to hear what was going on, and was relieved when I heard Matt's voice.
"Everything okay Dave?" matt said. "Have you got it all?"
"Yeah see you next week," the one called Dave replied and the cart began to move again.
For what seemed an eternity the trolley trundled along through the prison, until I suddenly felt the cool air from outside blowing through the cart, and the sound of van doors being opened.
"Hang on driver," a voice called and I heard the sound of footsteps running towards the van.
"What's the problem?" Dave shouted back.