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 Β£5,000 (auction starting price)
Highest bidder (so far): Mr. Smith? (Β£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."