Meeting the Grizz

Klang.

Klang.

Klang.

Dexter blinked as he heard the sound of the metal door of his detention room being knocked loudly. Not long after, a metal tray came through a hole in the door that reminded him of the dog hole in his house. The soup in the tray splattered from its bowl as soon as the metal tray hit the floor.

It had been a familiar sight to Dexter in the morning for the past two years. He chuckled softly and shouted at the person behind the iron door. "You always spill the soup, you idiot! Can't you be a little careful?"

No one answered. Only the sound of the door being hit with a club responded to his shout.

Dexter grunted in annoyance and got up on the 2x1.5 meter bed that creaked every time he got up. He then turned to his left side and stared at the small, barred hole two meters above the wall. The spot provided light in his cramped prison during the day and was a source of comfort for Dexter. At least he could still tell the difference between day and night, thanks to the hole.

Dexter reluctantly got out of bed and grabbed the tray the warden had pushed over. He sat back down on the bed and immediately ate the bland soup and a slice of cold bread while imagining the warm cream soup sold at The Wild Oak, a restaurant located on the coast of Belton City, which he often went to with his girlfriend, where Dexter was arrested two years ago. In less than ten minutes, the food, which looked like reheated leftovers, was gone from Dexter's tray. He then opened his water bottle and drank half of it. After that, he stood up and started stretching.

Dexter's eyes focused on the small hole that illuminated his cramped prison as he began to run in place. He did a combination of running, jumping, squats, and push-ups to maintain his muscle strength and stamina. In his mind, he was already planning his escape from the military prison. He just needed to wait for the right time to get out of there and breathe free air again, even though he had to become a fugitive for a crime he didn't commit.

After thirty minutes of his routine training, Dexter stood in the center of his holding cell staring at the iron door. It wasn't long before the metal door to his cell opened. He chuckled softly when he heard the sound of shoes approaching his cell. Two heavily armed guards appeared from behind the door. Dexter quickly grabbed his toiletries and walked out of the cell.

The warders who opened the door for him exchanged glances as Dexter walked past them. Dexter's past as a Navy Seal special forces member deployed on dangerous missions made the wardens in the place very careful of him. His tall posture with his stretched muscles and the sharp gaze from behind his gray eyes made anyone who looked at him feel intimidated.

Dexter held out his hand as soon as he stepped out of his cell. He laughed softly at the warden's hands, which trembled slightly as he placed the cuffs on his hands. "Are you new?"

"Walk quickly. You only have thirty minutes outside the cell," said the warden as he put the cuffs on Dexter's hands.

Dexter glanced at the name tag on the warden's chest. He smiled as he held up his cuffed hands. "Thanks, Rufus. Your name is so unique. I'll definitely remember it."

Ignoring the nervous expression on Warden Rufus' face, Dexter turned away and walked down the hallway of his detention room. Along the hallway, he noticed the metal doors around him. Dexter didn't know who was in a cramped holding cell like his. One thing he knew for sure was that the cell he was being held in was an isolation cell with tight security.

Those placed in the cell were military members who had committed serious crimes. At least according to the judges and prosecutors who tried them. But in Dexter's case, he felt he had not committed any crime. Yet he was suddenly thrown into prison after a trial without any evidence.

"Hi, Dex!"

"Hi, Champ," Dexter replied flatly. Champion, he called the officer standing guard at the bathroom door. A black man with shaggy hair and a cut on his left cheek. Champion was always Dexter's go-to guy when the man was in the shower.

"I overheard some gossip about you while I was doing my roll call this morning," Champion said, stopping Dexter in his tracks.

Dexter turned his head and looked at Champion with a curious expression. "What did you hear?"

"Maybe you'll be released soon. They've finally realized that they don't have enough evidence," Champion replied.

Dexter chuckled. "I guess it's too late. They've already taken everything. Even if I'm released, I won't be able to return to duty."

"At least you won't rot in this prison like me, Dex," Champion said.

"You're not rotting here as a prisoner, Champ. As soon as your shift is over, you're going to go home and watch TV with some fries," Dexter said as he walked into the bathroom.

Champion followed Dexter after he asked the guard watching Dexter for the key to the handcuffs. He then unlocked the handcuffs on Dexter's hands as he spoke to him. "Shouldn't you be happy that you're about to be released?"

"I don't know. I think I'm starting to feel at home here. The soup doesn't taste too bad either." Dexter and Champion glanced at each other and chuckled together.

Champion shook his head as Dexter began to remove his prison clothes. He then patted Dexter's arm. "You should treat me if you ever get out of here. I wish you all the best, man."

Dexter smiled blandly in response to Champion's remark. After the man left him alone in the bathroom, Dexter sighed and started to turn on the shower. His eyes closed as the cold water washed over his head.

"Two years—" Dexter muttered.

Two years of his freedom were taken away. The military career he was proud of had to end even though he was released. For him, there was nothing left. Dexter's hands clenched into fists, and he punched the tiled wall in front of him until it cracked.

***

Lukas sighed and grumbled when he saw Arthur sleeping again in the basement of his mansion. "You have a comfortable bed. But why are you so happy to sleep in a stuffy place like this?"

Tskckckck.

Lukas came closer and watched what Arthur did until the man fell asleep, sitting with his head against the table. He nudged Arthur's shoulder slightly to wake him up. Lukas' brow furrowed when he saw how many articles about the Eye of Horus Arthur had collected.

"Art... it's time to wake up," Lukas muttered as Arthur didn't wake up.

"I can't even sleep," Arthur replied.

Lukas straightened up and looked at Arthur with a questioning gaze. Meanwhile, his boss got up and leaned back in his chair.

"I think you should start your therapy again. You're getting worried," Lukas said.

Arthur shook his head. He then stood up from his seat and tapped Lukas on the shoulder as he spoke to him. "I'll see you in an hour."

After that, Arthur walked away from the basement. Lukas looked at Arthur who staggered away with a low sigh. He then checked the trash can under the table.

"I shouldn't have left him alone," Lukas muttered as he saw several beer cans in the bin.

***