Dear Fitzy,

Today I’ve been gone 113 days, but two days ago, something happened.

I told you already, we’re watched while we shower. Depending on the day, it’s either Gloria or Karen. All they do is say hurry up. If I’m being honest, I got used to it.

But two days ago, there was a change.

When I got to the bathroom after my name was called, I walked to the section where the showers were, and since I was the first one there, I was happy. That’s weird, right? Do you know why I was happy? I could choose which stall I would use. The first stall is the one that has warm—not even hot—water.

I was so happy I didn’t even see that there was a man standing across from it. I looked around for Gloria or Karen because I thought maybe this guy was from maintenance. Maybe he was going to fix the other showers so they would be warm too. Then we all could be a little happy.

But there wasn’t anyone else there. Just him.

He tipped his head toward the stall. “Go on,” he said.

I didn’t.

He told me again. I still didn’t.

And then he took two steps forward and slapped me.

I’ve been slapped here. But I’ve never been hit like that, never by a grown man. And that wasn’t the worst part. The worst was he pulled my towel and hung it on the hook of the first stall, just out of reach.

“Tick tock.”

I didn’t need a clock. I felt every second of his eyes on my body. All forty of them before something out of the corner of my eye caught my attention in the mirror behind him.

It was Sarah. But as soon as she appeared, she retreated. My stomach dropped, but I wouldn’t have blamed her for leaving even if she hadn’t done what she did in that moment.

Scream.

There were no words, just sounds. But enough to sound the alarm. Enough for the orderly with me to leave and for others to flood the bathroom.

I didn’t shower. I tightened my towel and looked down the hall at where they dragged her away. And do you know what she did? She winked at me.

I haven’t seen her since. That means she’s in stable. That means she’s totally isolated in the same room I was during my first few days. It’s dark, so dark. It stinks. The food they serve you there is inedible. And she did that for me.

I’ll never forget her. As soon as she’s out, the rebellion begins. Forget hammers. We’ll use our fists, our feet, and our pain to get out of here. There’s enough of it to take down a wall.

Rebels Only.

Parker.

Chapter 27