Hunger Prison

Chapter 4 The Sentencing

People were fascinated by Nathan Williams' case, including the media company that Ray was working with. His career was in jeopardy due to a drunk-driving incident, but his company kept him on at the branch; that was why he was sent to report on Nathan's case.

"He should be dead by now," Ray muttered as Sue next door banged on the wall again.

"Who did you say he was?" 

Apparently, the walls were not soundproof; therefore, no matter how faint the sound was, it could be heard clearly next door.

Sue didn't appear to have any genuine interest in the guard; it seemed like she just wanted someone to talk to.

Ray said, "I wonder if the guard was the same man that he reported on. Despite the case not being popular in China, I was responsible for keeping track of any news he had ever worked on. I was told Nathan Williams died when he was hit by a stone plate while working in prison. I can still remember the picture that my informant gave me. It was disgusting to see his head cracked wide open."

It was a scene Ray would never forget; he could picture it vividly if he closed his eyes.

"You must have come across someone with the same name then," Sue said cautiously and seemed to always be on guard for something.

"I am not sure; it was a case that I came across three years ago, and I only saw him in that photo. I could barely make out his face; it was beyond recognition."

"Stop it!"

Ray realized it was seemingly inappropriate to tell a lady that kind of stuff as he heard Sue's retching. He was now lying on the bed, yet he could still feel his body was aching, his eyesight was still blurry, and he was dizzy. The lightbulb flickering did not help at all; it only made his head hurt more.  

"Sorry, why not tell me about life here in prison then? Isn't the prison supposed to arrange hard labor or courses for us?"

It was common to keep the inmates both occupied and productive; the inmates could make a little money. Occasionally, activities such as watching movies and church services would also be arranged to facilitate the rehabilitation of inmates.

"No, you don't need to do that here. All you have to do is take medicine given to you and not fight when it comes to your weekly checkups," Sure said, her voice sounding like she was weak.

Ray's heart sank when he heard her explanation. He thought he was in prison, not a hospital; maybe it was a mental hospital which could be why the guards treated him like someone with a mental illness. Suddenly, he realized, if that was the case, then Sue might be ill as well; the thoughts in his mind made him feel like he was suffocating.  

"This isn't a hospital, though," Sue followed up.

It was not enough to calm Ray's worries; he believed that the prison was creepy and suspicious from the moment he saw it. He was determined to expose the truth before his sentence was over, but he couldn't remember how long his sentence was.

In a panic, he asked Sue, "How long is your sentence?"

Sue took a long time to answer, "Did they tell you about it? No, they can't just arrest someone without telling them how long their sentence is. I doubt that…."

The reply Sue gave only confirmed Ray's suspicion. It wasn't that he forgot his sentence; rather, that he wasn't given a sentence. Or, even a trial, he was illegally imprisoned.  

"We don't have a sentence," Sue interrupted Ray before he could even speak.

"What do you mean?" Ray was shocked to hear this.

"You will be taken away once you passed the physical examination," Sue was referring to the physical examination every Monday; the inmates would be escorted to the examination room, one by one.

"The ones who pass the examination will be taken away while the others will return to their cell."

"Taken? To where?" 

"I don't know; they are probably killed once they are taken."

"Don't you think this place is weird?"

Ray's limbs were cold, and his dizziness was overcome by the pain brought by the electric shock.

"You will get used to it after a while."

"How long have you been here?" 

"Two years."

**

After dinner, Ray laid back down, and the air seemed even eerier. The light was so dim that it seemed to cast a layer of dusty fog throughout his room. He stared at the layers of old paint that were peeling off from the humidity.

Just as he was falling asleep, he was awakened by low, deep noise.

"Who?" 

Ray jolted out of bed in shock.

The sound of iron scratching the ground stopped suddenly.  

"Who is it?" Ray shouted again toward the entrance door.

The door was slightly opened, and Ray could feel a cold breeze. He wanted to jump up and slam the door closed, but he was frozen with shock. The sweat dripping from his temple hit the edge of his iron bed, making a tick-tock sound.

He was surrounded by silence, feeling helpless and afraid. The flickering bulb cast twisting shadows on the wall.

"Sue? Are… Are you asleep yet?" Ray stuttered.

There was no answer, only silence from the other side of the wall until Ray heard an ear-piercing sound again. He held his breath and watched the door intently; it was slowly moving. The opening grew wider, and Ray could feel himself turn pale. He was staring back at someone.

**

In Shanghai, China, Ken Foster went to the airport to pick up his colleague, Ray. He saw him in the distance; Ray was wearing his leather jacket, with a blue sweatshirt and jeans.

"Ray!" Ken waved to him, yet Ray acted as if he was a stranger.

Ken wasn't sure what was happening, but he reached for Ray's suitcase. Typically, Ray would refuse Ken's help, yet he didn't say anything.

"It seems like there is a lot on your mind; what happened between you and the Korean star?"

It was really odd, Ken thought; Ray was always talkative and polite to those around him.

"Nothing," Ray said coldly.

Ken was baffled by Ray's attitude; it was as if he was dismissing him completely.

"I'm driving; let's take you home."

The gloomy sky rained soon, putting a coat of water to the city.

"No need," Ray's tone was flat and robotic.

"Then I'll at least walk you to a taxi!" Ken pointed toward the exit.

Ray still had not said anything like the two of them walked out the door.