His ex really was the bitchiest girl on the planet, Sam realised. He sat mouth wide as she cried her crocodile tears openly to the court. He saw as they all were lapping it up, every twisted story, every heaving sob. Even his own lawyer was giving him side eye as he slumped hopelessly down in his chair. She had always had a talent for wrapping people around her finger, but he never knew until now how dangerous that skill was.
Everyone here thought he was a rapist. He wasn't of course, he was just a guy who had made a mistake. He had cheated. He wasn't proud of it. It had all happened so fast, his girlfriend had been making him feel like crap for weeks, and then this other girl came along. She was so nice to him, so interested, it felt amazing to be wanted. It was only once. Before he knew it his girlfriend was screaming at him, chasing him out of the house with tearstained cheeks and a kitchen knife.
She had always been, difficult. That's why he had been too afraid to break up with her for so long. He had known she wouldn't take the news well but this... She lied with ease, telling how he had been abusing her, raping her repeatedly. Showing them bruises he had never seen, text messages that had been taken so out of context it was almost laughable.
He was hardly surprised when the verdict came down on him as guilty, with a six year sentence. He was glad his mother hadn't seen this. She had been unable to come to the trial, she was so devastated by the whole thing. Even she thought he must be guilty, despite his pleading with her that it was fake. She had seen his ex more like a daughter than him her son, and it became clear where her loyalties lay.
'Follow me please Mr Hudson,' a man said, approaching him and cuffing his wrists. He felt numb from shock, the metal cold and heavy against his skin. He didn't fight as he was led away, he knew it was hopeless. With luck he would be let out early on good behaviour, and that's all he could wish for, might as well start from the get go. He caught one last glimpse of his ex with a glint of satisfaction in her eye before he was dragged away.
He hadn't always been so subdued, he had fought her, but as back after back was turned against him, he had given up, resigned himself to the inevitable. Not even the girl he had slept with backed him up. Perhaps she was paid off, or maybe just didn't care. But she refused to corroborate with his alibi.
It was all a blur from there, he was taken in a van to the prison that would be his home for the near future and stripped off his clothing and belongings, every inch of him measured and charted. He felt small and pathetic stood in the examination room, naked in front of the officers. Sam was reasonably short for an eighteen year old, 5'6 and not too muscular. The idea that they thought he'd be strong enough to overpower and rape a girl seemed unlikely to him, but the way his ex told it he'd been drugging her with roofies so they believed it.
'Right now, squat please,' the officer said. He squatted awkwardly and gasped as he felt a finger probe at his ass. He tried to pull away but the other officer held him still at his shoulders firmly.
'Now now, it's routine procedure,' he said, and Sam shuddered, tears springing to his eyes as he felt the unwelcome fingers push into his anus, looking for anything abnormal.
'He's clean,' the officer said, pulling off his latex glove and throwing it into the bin before passing him a pile of bland grey clothing, and flimsy fabric white shoes. The clothing turned out to be a pair of boxers, grey joggers, a faded white t-shirt and a matching grey zippered hoodie which Sam began putting on in silence, still feeling violated and afraid from his rather rough strip search. Once done the officer looked him up and down and gave him a dark smile.
'They're gonna like you, I can tell,' he smirked, and Sam felt dread kick into his stomach. What did he mean by that? He wasn't conventionally handsome, but his big dark eyes set in a thin pale face with matching scruffy brown hair managed to get himself more attention than he usually intended. He sighed and hoped that the stories you heard about were just exaggerated. And anyway, he was sure the officers would protect him if anyone tried anything against his consent.
Entering the prison flanked by the guards was a daunting experience. He was led through the hallways in silence, feeling eyes following him, a couple of creepy grins. Other inmates were more verbal, shouting, jeering or even wolf whistling which only made his heart sink further. He was relieved when they finally reached what was to be his cell, even if just to avoid the prisoners who had started to form a knot of followers behind them.
The officers opened the cell wide and Sam was greeted by the dismal scene. A metal uncomfortable looking bunk bed was pressed against the nearest wall, crammed in next to it was a small sink and a toilet, with only a half wall of privacy. On the nearest wall were two lockers, their locks removed and a small shelf on which a couple of books sat, worn and dusty with an old broken wooden chair shoved in the corner.
'Welcome to your new home,' the officer said in a bored tone, 'your cellmate will return shortly as its almost the end of Sunday Social time. You've already missed dinner, so you'll be staying here until breakfast. Get comfy.'
The officer pushed a stained thin pillow into his hands as well as a small scratchy towel and a second set of clothing.
'You may be able to get some of your possessions back with time, if you display good behaviour. But they have to be approved by the warden, so don't be expecting a mobile phone after week one.'
Sam nodded, too stunned at the reality of his new life to speak. The officer didn't seem surprised at this as he continued talking in his monotone voice.
'We'll be around to lock the cell doors in about twenty minutes, you're free to look around until then but be back here before lock down, or you will be severely punished. We'll track down your cellmate so he knows to be expecting you, and will get him to fill you in on the rest of the rules and such of the prison. Any questions? No, good.'
And with that the officers left, leaving Sam alone in his cell. He approached the bottom bare bunk and dumped his belongings on it and sat down, feeling the springs digging into his tailbone. He looked miserably around the room, he felt so alone. Although not for long. He felt their gaze before he saw them. Stood in the open doorway watching him were three men, all in matching grey like he was, all with interested and hungry expressions.
They walked into the room uninvited and Sam stood, the room feeling cramped with the four of them barely fitting between the metal bed frame and opposite wall.
'Don't stand up on our account,' the nearest and biggest man said, putting a strong hand on his shoulder and pushing him back down to sit on to the bed in surprise.
'Can- can I help you?' He asked, and the men chuckled.
'Well, perhaps you can since you're offering so politely. What's your name honey?' Sam cringed at the nickname but told him his name.
'Nice to meet you Sammy, my name's Craig,'
'Oh no, I go by Sam not-'
'And this,' he said speaking over Sam's protest, 'is Max and Seth. We were wondering what you're in for Sammy? A young'un like you.'
He didn't want to tell him, he didn't want anyone else to believe the lie.
'Come on,' Craig said jovially, 'what if we go first? Myself and Max are both in here for armed robbery, and Seth was caught dealing cocaine.'
'I was falsely accused,' Sam muttered hesitantly, Craig ushered him on.
'Of...?'
'Raping my ex,' he said quietly.
'Sammy boy,' Craig whistled with a fake shocked air, 'now none of us are angels here but that is just not okay kid!'
'But I'm innocent,' he protested.
'Are you? Well, we'll see how innocent you are when we fuck you raw and see how you like it,' he growled, launching towards him. Sam lurched away from them in surprise, feeling their hands grabbing him and holding him down, he shouted and protested but they were too strong, leering down at him, he couldn't breathe they were so heavy as they pressed him against the bed.
'Let him go,' a strong low voice came from the doorway. The hands pulled away immediately.
