Promise of a Lifetime (Bastille) DISCONTINUED

Big Softy

A few weeks flew by me within a blink of an eye, and already it's that time again. Visitation day. I inform Kyle that I would be taking his place again and that I was going to give him another chance like he suggested. Here's hoping that Dan has done the same. In the morning, I prepare myself like I did before; calming my nerves before facing myself with him. I take into account what Kyle had said about him being unpredictable, but then again, he always has been. Today I could be meeting with a completely unresponsive Dan who will comfortably sit there, arms folded with a look of boredom on his face. Or not...who knows?

Kyle generously offers me a ride to the prison and on the way he advises me on what to avoid in terms of conversations. For a split second I get hit with a sudden realisation: why am I getting told how to act around my boyfriend? Boyfriend. Is he my boyfriend?

I thank Kyle and strut into the prison without a moments hesitation to sink in the daunting gates once more, nor do I stop to think that once again I'm facing Dan allowing all courage to crumble. I get to my usual chair, badge already plastered my chest and patiently wait, discreetly eavesdropping into other peoples conversations varying from life within prison and life without. Through the corridor window I see Dan being led by three guards this time, handcuffed and under intense supervision.

Boldly containing the courage despite it being on the verge of extinction, I hold my head up high, no longer wanting to be manipulated by the plentiful amount of guilt. As much as I try to suppress my anxiousness I cannot stop my heart from racing when he is placed in front of me, looking no different from last time.

"Hello." I mumble, taking a slightly more ordinary approach. I receive no reply, just the grumpy demeanour of Dan staring back at me without a hint of interest. He sits, back against the chair with a slouched posture giving off the indication that clearly, he could not give a fuck with me today. For a moment, I thought that my predictions of a grumpy Dan were correct until he leans in closer, propping his elbows onto the table with a unsettling smirk expanding on his lips. I try to ignore the chills travelling up my spine but I fail, seeing how Dan's aware of my tremors. His smile widens as he scans me over, pinning out a possible weakness.

"So, you came back." He states, folding his arms. That coquettish smile leaving a mark on his lips.

"I think you and I both knew that this was going to happen again." I reply, my voice frustratingly lacking confidence. Silence falls between us, I take the chance to inspect him; hands bound together by cuffs as tight as they can get, his jumpsuit: a little oversized somehow making him look physically bigger. I stare up to the guards questioning why they're there. Why can't they leave when I'm with him?

"Why the handcuffs?" I boldly question.

I wish I didn't.

Again, that smirk never fails to makes the hair on the back of my neck stand.

"You see, Amelia, I don't behave at all. And when you don't behave in prison these guys-" he looks up at the prison guard standing behind him, anxiously swallowing the lump in his throat . "-kick you in solitary confinement." He turns back to me with some sense of pride in his eyes. Now, I feel like I'm getting the sense that Dan takes pleasure from being feared, enjoys the thrill of being in power - it's always been his adrenaline kick. Memories slowly catch up on me; the room I was in, the measly packet of crisps I was given, the spider in the room that terrified me and, especially, Dan standing above me looking down into me with the power he yielded after attempting to kill me. It's something similar to what I'm seeing in Dan now.

"Can...we maybe have some privacy?" I hesitantly asked the guards surrounding Dan. Surely, they back off but they refuse to take their sight off Dan.

"What causes you to go into solitary confinement?" I ask, leaning forward so that his musky scent wafts through my nose. Fuck. He still smells so good.

"Oh I'm terrible." He teases. He looks around the room, giving each of the inmates a threatening look. He stops, his gaze stuck on someone as if finding the person he was looking for. I follow his gaze to find a man sitting with his family, happy, seemingly glad to be meeting with his family. Bruised skin surrounds his eye and the leftover scab clinging to his lip. Dan didn't do this...did he? He abruptly stops when he catches Dan evil glare, his eyesight is locked under the menacing stare that Dan has him in. I notice his smile soften and the uneasiness surge through him, fidgeting in his seat as a worried expression riddles his face.

Dan gives a low chuckle at the reaction of the inmate, knowing that fear is always lurking when Dan's around. What has happened to him?

"James was my first cell mate." He lowly growls, I grip the edge of my seat to control my self, these hormones need to sort themselves. "I expected as much when he constantly threatened me about his personal belongings, what the consequences would be if I ever crossed into his part of the cell."

Intrigued with the story and only having a remaining 15 minutes left of the visit, I motioned for him to continue.

"I kept to myself. Did what I had to do. But still, that arsehole didn't seem to get enough of beating the shit out of me." His knuckles slammed the table as he told his story through gritted teeth. I simply stared at him, my pulse racing in my neck.

I should've been there for him when time where tough, I should've been there for him when he really needed me. But I wasn't. And now I can't stand myself knowing that Dan was getting beaten up while I was at home, relaxing.

"I soon realised that James was nothing but a big softy." He chuckles, clasping his hands together. "I fought back, and he ended up with a broken nose, cracked ribs and a burst lip."

I sat there in total silence in awe of what I've just heard. I simply couldn't place a thought in my head, nor an image to that scene Dan had mentioned. I close my eyes and purse my lips together, only just managing to escape a sigh. What's happened to my poor Dan?

"This isn't you." I state. My emotions somehow effecting my ability to stay courageous. I grip the edge of my seat even harder, rage pulsing through me at the speed of light. I can see his face scowling, as if somehow feeling insulted by my comment.

Suddenly, a feeling of delight rockets through my body as the ring of a bell is heard. Immediately everyone begins to go back to their own places, guards edging their way closer to guide Dan back to his cell. Willingly Dan stands still scowling at me through enchantingly haunting eyes. He opens his mouth to say something but he instantly cuts himself off having a second thought to expressing himself.

Before I know it, Dan walks away from me with not so much but ignorance.