Between The Bars

WELCOME TO 000.0 PRISON RADIO

“Hello detainees. It’s Jack Chamberlain, reporting from Cell #B02. Welcome to Day 2 of our imprisonment. We’ve got some mighty fine weather today. Or at least I assume...” The prostrated radio DJ fiddled with his finger nails, unsure what to do with what just might be the final moments of his life. His head, damp, greasy hair and all, was thrown against the wall, just near enough to “broadcast”, but far enough to keep agitated Peace Keeper feet away from his face. Seeing as they were all going to die or have their tongues cut out soon, he had gradually convinced himself to make some light on the situation. However, the situation was ironic, considering President Snow ordered him here directly. Jack, looking at how his odds were playing out, had accepted his inevitable fate. He wasn’t sure whether he’d survive or not, but knowing the President on closer terms than all of the other prisoners, he’d most likely have his tongue cut out. Cat caught my tongue, sorry... President Snow must’ve been laughing at this very moment, chuckling at his cleverness.

"So I guess my first day has been pretty well, or at least, in filthy prisoner standards” he called out, training his eyes out between the bars, looking around to make sure there weren’t any guards near his cell. One blink of the eye and the butt of their guns could come crashing down on your head. In this place, if you want to be a rebel, attentiveness was everything. Though what he said was true. He had had his experience here a light one so far, compared to the other prisoners. Others were tucked in their beds, staring at the ceiling, safe at the moment. And then the unlucky ones, who had to go through torture for as long as they could bear until they revealed the truth of their crimes. He winced, the memory of his torture reemerging in the back of his mind.

He remembered when the transmission had been cut by President Snow and his Capitol guards. They had beaten the rest of the radio crew of course. Heck, they even gunned down Ollie, the quiet sincere audio producer, for fighting them off. Poor Ollie...did anything to save the show... After Ollie was made an example of in front of everyone, the crew backed off, allowing them to take Jack away to the Detention Center. No last goodbyes. They took him shackled; even gave him a dark swollen cheekbone as a welcoming gift. He was ordered to change on the train, then to gorge on the dry, sawdust grain pasted onto the plate.

And at last, they arrived at the Interrogation Center. No, this wasn’t his interrogation. It was simply to give him a taste of what was soon to come. They ripped off his clothes, leaving him in his boxer briefs, and strapped him down on the cold, metal chair. It looked like a dilapidated bathroom rather than an interrogation room. It was then he realized this wasn’t a place to interrogate; it was to torture. They asked no questions. Only three Peace Keepers circling around him, mocking and taunting him with their weapons. It was burly one that made the first move, butting him in the girth with his gun. After that, it was just plain cruel. Bludgeons crashed all over his body, leaving painful muscle spasms to deal with later. The last torture method was the worst. They electro-shocked him until they were sure he was bawling and literally trying to rip the restraints. After 2 hours, they let him go to his cell.

They dragged him to the bed and gave him one final kick in the rear as a parting endowment. There were two beds, one of which was neatly presented; the other with torn sheets and blood smears all over. The scrappy bowl in the corner was encrusted with dry vomit and the walls were just as grimy as its prisoners. ”Sadly, there aren’t many tunes in this place, and I’m not much of a singer, so I’ll just sign off for now. Doesn’t matter really. We’re never getting out of here..." He looked at his feet for a moment, and rolled his head back up. Just in time for the nightstick to crack across his face. He emitted no sound; pain took its place.

”Get up, Chamberlain. We brought you a cell buddy..."