Jax took a deep breath and swallowed. He tasted bile as he did as the guard said.

‘Good,’ the guard said. ‘Now stand up and spin around.’

Jax complied.

‘Faster,’ the guard said.

Jax spun faster.

‘Now bend over again and spread ’em,’ the guard said. ‘Nice and wide like before.’

Seemingly satisfied and ignoring another wisecrack from Rogers, the guard walked to a bench and set down his torch. Jax watched as he pulled out a rubber glove from a tissue box–like packet. Then another. White and coated in a light lubricating powder. He put them on, one at a time, tugging at the ribbing near the wrist to ensure they were tight. The snapping sound of the rubber made Jax shudder, and a sickening nausea rose in his throat.

Gloved and good to go, the officer turned back to face Jax, who was still hunched over and now fearing the worst. The guard pulled his fingers into fists and then spread them wide, stretching and straightening. Jax closed his eyes. Braced himself as best he could. His knees shook as he waited for the inevitable.

‘Stand straight,’ the guard ordered, now placing himself directly in front of Jax. ‘Look straight ahead and stay still.’ The guard combed his gloved fingers through Jax’s thick blonde hair. Jax exhaled with relief.

The guard then pulled back Jax’s ears and looked into them before lifting his eyelids. ‘Open your mouth,’ the officer ordered. ‘Wide as you can.’ The guard lifted Jax’s top lip and traced his upper gums with a rough gloved finger, before moving on to the bottom gum. He finished by fish-hooking the corners of Jax’s mouth.

‘Clear,’ the guard said.

Still naked, Jax was sent back to the young surfer dude, who was checking two oversized plastic tubs on the countertop.

‘Everything you own is to be kept in these two tubs,’ the kid said. ‘And if you can’t fit it in the tubs, you can’t have it. The only thing we will not take and destroy should you break this rule is legal papers. There is no limit on legal papers.’

He handed Jax a list.

‘By law I am required to offer you an opportunity to check that all the items listed on this form are present and accounted for,’ he said. ‘Would you like to take that opportunity?’

Jax nodded. He was instructed to open the first tub and check the items against the list.

T-shirts: 4.

Check.

Fleecy tracksuit tops: 2.

Check.

Fleecy tracksuit pants: 2.

Check.

Shorts: 2.

Check.

Singlets: 4.

Check.

Underpants: 7.

Check.

Socks: 7 pairs.

Check.

Shoes: 1 pair.

Check.

Washbags: 1.

Check.

With the exception of the underpants and socks, everything was green. No logos. No patterns. No print. Solid avocado.