I'm holding a pen in my hand and the notebook is lying on the bed near my face. It's bright outside and I don't know what day it is, but the clock says eight thirty. There's another buzz, then a nurse comes in. “Ryan, are you okay?” I wipe the sleep from my eyes. “Yes,” I answer. “I guess I fell asleep.” “Since yesterday?” I nod. “I must have been tired.” She grimaces and notes information into her tablet. “You need your cleaning and prescriptions,” she orders me. “I'll give you five minutes to get downstairs.” Today's scrubbing is the most painful I've ever known. One guard holds me while the nurse manages to make my skin completely red. There's a lot of discussion about the injuries from my fight with Brooks, and an administrator comes in to verify the information from my vitals check. In the cafeteria, I'm given a double portion of protein that I don't refuse, more drugs, and a lot of water.
