It was dark. Lights out in juvie came early. Everyone in bed by 10, up at 6:30 the following day. Jamie was shivering under the threadbare blanket that covered her. It wasn't because she was cold, since it was the middle of summer. She was scared. While the other kids whispered to each other or cried, Jamie just stared at the ceiling every night until she fell asleep.
~Thwack!~ *Something hard struck Jamie in the arm, and she pressed her lips together to keep from making any noise.*
~Hey princess, you awake?~ *Jamie squeezed her eyes shut and tried to remain perfectly still. Maybe if they thought she was sleeping, they'd leave her alone. But, there was another thwack, and Jamie whimpered.*
~Ah, princess....nice of you to join us.~ *Then, she felt fingers grabbing her hair and jerking it softly.* ~Open your eyes..~
*She did, and found herself staring into the ice blue eyes of Tracy. Tracy was a member of one of Hell's Kitchen's gangs and had made it her own personal quest to make Jamie's life miserable while she was in juvie. So far, she was doing well.* W-What do you want, Tracy?
~What do I want?~ *Tracy laughed, eyes staring through Jamie as though she was nothing.* ~What I want is simple, princess. I want you to be my little slave for as long as you're here. You'll do all my chores and wait on me hand and foot.~
*Jamie tried to sit up, but winced as her hair was pulled and lay back down, pulling her blanket tighter.* -Why- on Earth would I do that?
~Oh, I don't know, princess. Maybe to protect that cute little boyfriend of yours? Or one of your other friends?~ *Tracy laughed, letting go of Jamie's hair and sitting down on her bed, looking down at her.* ~Ya see, I got friends in here too, and I'm pretty sure mine can handle yours.~
You wouldn't! *Jamie sat up, lunging at Tracy, who slapped Jamie hard across the face. Then, she used her body weight to push Jamie back down to the bed, her hands against the girl's shoulders so she couldn't try anything else. Her smirk was gone, lips pressed together in a tight line.*
~Why don't you ask Randall where he got his black eye? Next time, something more serious could happen to one of your little friends. *Tracy paused, staring Jamie in the eye.* ~Last chance, princess. Either you agree to be my slave for the duration of your stay or I can't vouch for the safety of you -or- your little friends. Juvie can be quite the dangerous place...but I'm sure you already know that.~
*Jamie didn't really have to think. She wasn't going to let anything happen to her friends that she could prevent. If that meant she had to do extra work in juvie, and help Tracy out, she'd do it. A heavy sigh escaped her lips.* All right, Tracy. You win. I'll help you.
*The bigger girl laughed, dark mocking laughter.* ~Excellent, princess, excellent!~ *She then grabbed the blanket, and covered Jamie up like a parent would do for a sleeping child. Tracy climbed back in her bed, and went back to sleep within minutes. Jamie just went back to staring at the ceiling, as silent tears slid down her cheeks. Sleep would not come easily, tonight..*