Erm, I feel I have to write something rather than going straight into the fic simply because people might only realise it's actully the fic ratehr than just me posting until they've finished the first sentnce or two.
So, thanks for the comments as always guys, always great to see. I can ssure people that Konno is far from the only wacko who's going to be making an appearance.
--------------------------------------------------
The morning runs around the field were pretty much considered to be the worst part of the day by most of the prisoners, but for Fujimoto it was a good chance to see how and where exactly she could plan her quickest escape route. It was usually a pretty depressing affair with two or three of the girls usually been taken away by some guards to be “searched”. Searched for needles apparently, because these girls were intent in drugging themselves up...apparently. It was also a pretty sobering activity as the beatings and often sheer humiliations they received were harsh, just as often from each other as they were from the guards.
Today’s weather suited the mood perfectly as buckets of rain feel heavily from the sky, the girls drooping their heads even more than usual as they went around the track.
“How’re things going with your little plan Miki?” came a familiar voice catching up from behind.
“You still talking about that Ishikawa?” Fujimoto replied keeping her eyes firmly in front of her.
“Oh come on Miki no need to treat me like a little kid. I’m just making sure everything’s alright you know? The last thing I want is you doing something silly that gets someone hurt, especially not you.” Ishikawa had a grin on her face that suggested otherwise.
Fujimoto’s only answer was to speed up her running to get away from the girl. Ishikawa had overheard her talking with Niigaki about what she was planning, she knew she’d been carless to discuss it in the open especially with the likes of Ishikawa around who seemed to know everyone’s little secrets even if they’d never even been mentioned before.
Ishikawa stepped up the pace as well and quickly caught up with Fujimoto again; it was hard for the girls to communicate without having to shout since the rain was beating down so heavily.
“Come on now Miki, don’t go running away from me just because I said something you didn’t like. You know I’m not as bad as you seem to think, you’ve had it in for me ever since you were brought in here haven’t you?”
“Shouldn’t that be that
you had it in for
me?” Fujimoto retorted angrily.
“Now, now, I know we didn’t exactly get off to the best of starts but I’m sure we can still be friends right. After all if you’re planning on going back out to the big wide world you could use a few friends couldn’t you?”
“I could use a few friends yeah, but unfortunately this place is full of people more like you than friends.”
Fujimoto stepped up the pace yet again so that she was almost sprinting but once again Ishikawa caught up pretty quickly.
“Okay then Miki, you win. No more acting childish, no more silly little squabbles eh? We’ll be friends from now on; how does that sound?” Ishikawa said with a beaming smile and stretching out a hand for Fujimoto to take.
“Do you really think I’m that stupid?”
“I know that you’re stupid enough not to take my hand.” Ishikawa said with her tone suddenly changing, “If you honestly think you’re getting out of here anytime soon you’re going to get a nasty surprise.”
The silent reply from Fujimoto only seemed to anger Ishikawa more.
“I’m going to be watching you every step off the way Miki, and not just me, I’m going to have everyone on your back and you’re not gonna know what’s hit you. I’ve dealt with plenty of others like you in her before and they’ve all been stronger, smarter and hell even better looking than you are, so before you go acting clever; don’t. ‘Cause you’re only gonna end up looking stupid, or with any luck, dead.”
Fujimoto had heard enough; she tilted her head forward slightly and set off as fast as she possibly could. They still had another two laps to go before they could stop but she didn’t care, it wasn’t the first time she’d been riled by Ishikawa and she knew that she was right about one thing; she didn’t want to do something she’d end up regretting.
But sure enough, there again was Ishikawa by her side, this time the girls didn’t have extra energy to give to talking though as they dedicated every last ounce of energy into their sprinting.
They’d already passed most of the girls anyway since they were only travelling at a slow jog but by the time they were on to their last lap they were passing the girls again. Neither of them were even looking at each other now, they were determined just to get to the finish first no matter what. Fujimoto felt as though her lungs were about to explode but she could see the guard stood with his stopwatch at the finishing line; just one more straight to go.
She refused to slow down and a satisfied grin started to spread across her face as she came ever closer. But a look of shock soon followed as she saw Ishikawa passing her from the corner of her eye. She ordered her legs to go faster but they refused, she pushed with every ounce of strength she had left before feeling something give way.
She crumpled to the floor in agony holding her knee, watching Ishikawa as she finished the race about twenty metres ahead of her. It was obvious she was completely tired out from the way she too almost threw herself to the floor, but she still found the time to throw back a triumphant smile at her. That was all the inspiration Fujimoto needed, she hauled herself up again, still in excruciating pain but she did manage to hobble over the finishing line before collapsing once again.
“Very impressive girls, very impressive indeed,” said the guard looking intently at his stopwatch, “a bit too interesting for my tastes.”
He walked away from the girls still staring at his stopwatch as he went, heading over to another group of guards. Fujimoto expected a torrent of abuse and to have Ishikawa’s victory rubbed in her face but it seemed that for once Ishikawa didn’t have anything to say, or at least she couldn’t find the energy to say anything as she sat on the wet grass panting.
The guard returned moments later with a couple more men and simply pointed at the two girls.
“Look at this, “He stated, “All those other girls are only just getting to the last lap. A bit worrying don’t you think?”
“Yes indeed, such a clear difference in fitness levels is definitely something to worry about, “piped in a second guard.
Fujimoto was quite surprised, this sounded about as close to a compliment as she was ever going to get while she was here.
“Well these girls are clearly well above the usual fitness levels for these women and so we’ll have to find out why that is.”
“I think I know exactly why.”
“I fear that we all do.”
“Drug abusers” they said in unison.
“Well they’re just going to have to be searched.”
“Well they have to be.”
“It’s the right thing to do.”
“Then it’s settled, a nice thorough cavity search for both these ladies, and I feel that it’s my duty to do it.”
“I think you’ll require some assistance too.”
“Quite a bit of assistance.” The third guard said finally speaking up.
Fujimoto couldn’t believe what she was hearing, she simply sat there open mouthed, in complete agony. Ishikawa was sick all over her running shorts.