cmk418 | OZ Ficlet: Day Six

Title: Day Six
Character: Ryan O'Reily
Rating: R for language (and implied nudity)
Word Count: 450
Setting: Season One
Summary: By day six in the hole, Ryan starts to go a little bit crazy.
A/N: Written for

sandrine whose birthday is today, and for the Halloween Grab Bag at

oz_wishing_well. And if you're reading this, please consider contributing something to the Grab Bag - icons, vids, drabbles, an epic B/K love poem, etc. - it's a way to keep our OZ community alive and well.

It’s the sixth day in the hole when things get a little bit fucked up.

At least, Ryan thinks it’s the sixth day.

It’s so cold in here. And the light never changes.

Sometimes he can hear noises, the advance and retreat of a C.O.’s shoes as he makes his way past the cell, the creaks of the pipes and a low humming sound coming from God-only-knows-what, gates slamming at odd intervals, the squeaky wheel on the meal cart as it’s pushed through, and a clatter of a tray on the floor as it’s dropped through the slot in the door.

It’s the sixth day that he starts to let his guard down.

And that’s when he hears it.

You’re gonna die in here, O’Reily.

“Fuck you, Ortolani.” Ryan curls up on himself, assuring himself that he’s alone in here.

He’s always been alone.

You’re gonna die alone too, you Mick bastard.

“You’re dead, motherfucker.” Ryan knows his mind is playing tricks on him. He has to make it stop. It’s quiet for a while, the familiar inside and outside sounds come and go, playing their soundtrack of ambient noise, until the voice in his head is just his own.

He’s on the cusp of sleep when he hears it again.

As long as you draw breath, O’Reily, I’m gonna be around.

The next days are no better. Ortolani plagues him in odd intervals. And worse, he’s starting to see the fucking prick.

They say that once you start seeing the dead, you’re halfway there yourself.

Ryan shakes his head as if to clear it. He’s gotta get out of here soon. This place is turning him crazy. How many days has it been? Fifteen? Twenty-two? Fucking ghost is making him lose track.

All those alliances you built for yourself, they’re gone. Those people have moved on and are working against you. Nino’s going to kill you.

“Haven’t you figured it out yet? Nino needs me.”

You keep telling yourself that. They’re gonna cut your dick off like they did Johnny Post. Watch you bleed out.

“What happened to me dying in here? You’ve been haunting me for weeks, Ortolani, and you haven’t done anything but talk. You sure as shit ain't gonna break me now.”

Somebody’s going to. One of these days. And I’m going to be right there when they do.

The door swings open and Ryan's clothes are thrown at him. Ryan hurries to put them on, anxious to get back to EmCity.

That night, he stares up at the top bunk, listening to his roommate’s snoring. The moment before he drifts into sleep, he hears the whispered voice –

You’re never going to lose me, O’Reily. Never.