My Dragon Mate

0.4 | An Unlucky Day

Anna's POV

"I hate this place."

Were the first words that came out of my mouth when I saw the rules conveniently pasted on the wall.

I had been woken up from my peaceful sleep with a loud bang on my cell door, they were not even trying to be polite. My brain was still feeling the waves from the sound.

Turns out it was already morning and I had to go work and earn food. It was a ridiculous rule, who has enough energy to work in the morning and that too on an empty stomach?!

But it was what it was, nothing would change if I try to educate them on basic health care. So I went along with the procedures. A common bathroom system was used in the prison, not very ideal but it would have to work.

A few other inmates who were late, like me, were rushing about to get themselves fresh and going.

Overall the washrooms were kept clean, the materials provided were good and I wasn't grossed out. I freshened up and followed the others out. I had no idea what was gonna happen and with my luck it wasn't going to be anything pleasant. I was walking in a random direction where the others were going.

Where I was going? No idea.

The hallway I was walking in opened up to a big hall, the little windows at the very top gave off some light that was just enough to make sure no one tripped on each other. Otherwise the whole room was just a big box.

Inmates piled in like sand grains falling from a loose fist. They were forming lines in front of what looked like counters. After being pushed around a little I realised I was one of them too. It took me some time to finally get myself moving and get in a line which was already very long.

By the time I reached to the front, my stomach was growling and my head was already spinning. The person who was at the counter gave me a once over and passed me a sheet of paper and what looked like a nutrition bar. It was wrapped in a transparent paper and looked inedible.

"You are assigned to the group number given to you. Decide among yourselves what job will be whose. Move." The person barked and as if on cue, the inmate behind me shoved me aside to get his own paper and nutrition bar.

"Wow. Is this dictatorship or what?" I muttered to myself and moved as far away as possible. I reluctantly started chewing on the bar, which wasn't that bad compared to some things I had tried back on earth. I wasn't expecting a gourmet meal anyway, so this was good. I looked around in absolute defeat. How was I supposed to find my group?!

I looked at my paper again, a big bold number 5 started back at me mockingly.

'You won't ever find me.' add a villian laught at the end. Maybe it was the bar messing with my head. A few more shoves here and there got me to the end of the room by one of the walls. I chose to stick to the wall for my own safety, in this place only this could work. I wasn't physically strong, I regret not taking martial arts lessons when mom suggested.

"What is your number?" A voice said behind me making me jump in fright. I turned around with my hand on my chest where my heart was threatening to leap out. I gulped and blinked up at the lady who was easily a head taller than me and had purple hair.

"F - Five."

"Come with me."

I did the stupidest thing.

I followed behind her.

Not like I had any other choice, she seemed to be familiar of the things that go on here, so she was my beacon of hope. She took a few graceful twists and turns in the crowd and I struggled behind. I lost her a few times but overall I did a pretty good job catching up. At a point I was convinced that she was tricking me into circling the room.

Just when I was going to kick her for fooling me, she turned to face me and pointed towards the group of 3 who stood at the corner by themselves.

The group consisted of a two girls and a guy. The girls looked like identical twins while the guy only gave off bad vibes with the fake silver tooth in his mouth and tattoos in place of skin.

I nodded and smiled her way, muttering a thank you. She tilted her head and huffed before stomping her way to only she knew where. Cursing my luck and with heavy steps I went towards my group.

The guy saw me first, then he nudged one of the girls who was bickering with the other. They both had their light blonde hair tied in high ponytail which highlighted their face. Pale and barbie. No, seriously. They looked like a living version of barbie dolls that had run out of business more than a hundred years ago.

"Hello." I greeted politely with a small smile. The girls smiled a little and shared a look while the guy was more focused on staring at my assets. Jerk.

"We were wondering where the fourth one was." One of the girls said, "My name is Suzan and this is Riz. We are sisters."

I nodded in understanding and waited. And waited and waited. Suzan raised her colourful eyebrow at me, I gasped and muttered a sorry. I was supposed to introduce myself as well!

"I'm Maryanne."

"This is Brood." Good for you, I thought to myself. They took my paper and wrote their names on it and passed me theirs to write mine. They already had three names each on them, so I guessed you had to have your teammates names on the sheet.

"We assign the job ourselves. The type of work you do will determine what kind of food you will be eating at lunch and dinner. The lower the job, the worse." Riz explained like an experienced person.

"Okay." Brood and I nodded. I eyes him from the corner of my eyes and found him staring at my butt. I shifted slightly and glared at him to let him know that I knew what he was doing.

"Riz and I have already decided what we are gonna do based on the list of chores we recieved, that is kitchen duty with other ladies. Brood had mentioned earlier that he is good at physical work, so he will be incharge loading stuff in from the supply trucks."

I nodded again, waiting for my turn. Riz took a look at the chore list and then at me, her eyes were sparkling with a strange light that I didn't like. Soon Suzan was giving me the same sparkles and Brood straight up scoffed.

"You are on toilet cleaning and sweeping job."