The Web

Chapter One - Incey Wincey Wednesday

"Laws, like the spider's web catch the fly and let the hawk go free." -Spanish Proverb

"Alright you walking piles of excrement! Hands on the rear walls, legs apart!"

I silently turn and obey, shuffling alongside my cell mate as the sounds of steel caps, opening gates and grumbled cussing creep down the hall.

"DO NOT SPEAK!! If I want your nasty ass voices disturbing my ears, I will be sure to ask for them. SHUT. UP!" CO Benson shrieks. His voice sets my teeth on edge. This whole place sets my teeth on edge. I take a deep breath, close my eyes and briefly smile. This will be my last raid. This will be the last day I have to listen to that smug little weasel mouth off like he means something. The last day I'll have to imagine just how good it would feel to turn that screeching, grating voice into something more resembling a bloody gurgle. I open my eyes to find my cell mate looking at me.

I can't for the life of me remember his name. He's green, came in just a week ago pissing his pants and sniffling for his mummy. Patterson? Peterson? All I really know is I don't give a f**k.

I stare back and he drops his gaze. Good pup.

"Just shut up and keep your head down." I hiss. Stupid kid has no idea who's house he got put into. As if I didn't know this was coming. As if I didn't have time to prepare. I have to bite back a chuckle. It isn't too hard to stay three steps ahead of the morons that run this place, screws and inmates alike.

Our gate creaks open and neither of us so much as turn our heads.

"Alright boys, no moving, no talking, no problems". I pick CO Smith's low voice and can't help but be slightly relieved. He is still a screw, but at least he doesn't sound like a damn banshee.

The raid is soon over, the pat-downs complete, the gates again closed. Movement within the cells and back to our bunks is now allowed. The shiv used to find Davis' rib a few times earlier that day was located exactly where I knew it was, down five and across in that smart ass Green's cell.

I grin to myself. Of course I knew exactly where it was, I put it there. I mean, I've got nothing against the guy, but I don't like him either. You do what you have to do. I'm not saying I like the i***t responsible any more than Green, but he had information I needed. Very important information. And I had the means to access Green's cell and plant the evidence.

Deals were made, life goes on. It's a dog eat dog world, especially here, and I'll be damned if I'm not the dog doing the eating. This particular piece of information, however has made me very, very cheerful today. Green's pathetic "I don't know nothing sir's!" all the way to the hole were just an amusing bonus.

I lay back in my bunk and stare at the roof. One more night. Nine long years I've endured these moronic COs and these sub-human pieces of filth they call inmates. But what really suffered was my pride. I'm not one of these idiots. I don't belong here. I'm not some muscled up meat-head felon too stupid to do anything else with their lives. I wasn't brought up to be here.

Nine years ago, I was 21 years old. Already a partner at Morgan's, a very well respected stockbroking and wealth management firm. My upbringing made sure I was successful. The "untimely" death of my high-flying father made my mother a very young, very wealthy widow. I was given the best of everything there was to offer, education included.

I excelled at university and completed early. I was quickly promoted within my firm and set my eyes on making partner. And so, naturally I made partner. I got what I wanted. I did what I wanted. I lived a life that most people could only dream of. Sure, I had to step on a few lesser people along the way, but that is all just part of success. No point pretending the world is different.

Being here infuriates me. I pride myself on my intelligence. My mind, precision, and careful planning are my weapons. And yet I got caught. Not because I was sloppy, not because I messed up. No, far, far worse. I got caught because of HER. Some stupid little seventeen year old tart who thought she didn't have to shut her mouth like everyone else. Just the thought of that little b***h causes my eye to twitch and my blood to boil.

I take a few long, deep breaths and steady my rage. No point losing my cool, not now. I never lose my cool. And now I have no need to. Because now, thanks to that little piece of information that I traded in Green for, I can finally have my revenge. And if revenge is best served cold, then nine years should have it chilled to perfection.

A slow smile stretches across my face as I stare up into the darkness. It's been a long time time coming. Nine years. Nine years wasted. But now I know where that stupid w***e is. One more night.

I drift off to sleep, lulled by my dreams of justice. Oh I'll dream of you tonight, b***h. I'll dream of you begging for mercy. I wonder if you dream of me, too? I bet you do. I bet you look over your shoulder every damn day, just wondering when I'll find you. Don't you worry, little Wednesday Gray. You're all grown up now and I'm coming. I know where you are and I'm coming.

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My hand is clasped over my mouth, holding back the scream clawing at my throat, begging to come out. My body is pressed to the wall, my legs like lead, unable to move. The coats and dresses that surround me keep me hidden from view, but they feel more like tentacles, grabbing, pulling, holding me into place.

I can't breathe.

Just one more minute, Wednesday. You can do this for one more minute. I repeat this mantra again and again, and every minute that passes, I will myself to hold on for just one more.

Time has lost meaning. I don't know if I have been hidden in this wardrobe for minutes, hours or days. Will I die in here? Is this to be how I leave this world? Hiding like a mouse amongst perfumed clothing?

Just one more minute. Just one more minute. Just...

As the footsteps get closer and the coats are abruptly pulled back to reveal my shaking form, the scream that has been trying to escape for so long finally rips from my chest. I fall to the floor, unable to stop my sobbing.

"Hey!!! There's another girl in here, she's alive! Get up here!"

Footsteps start to thunder up the stairs towards me, and my mind abandons all reason.

"Please, please don't hurt me, please I just want to go home..."

I vaguely register the aluminium blanket that is thrown over me, I hear radios and quickly spoken directions, but nothing makes sense.

"Hey. Hey now. It's ok. We got you, miss. We got you. I'm Rhys, and I'm a police officer. It's ok now. It's over."

The confusion fades into black and my consciousness slips as the words stumble their way into my mind. It's over.

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