My mind reeled from the injustice of it all. The sheer cruelty of using people as training dummies, treating their lives like they meant nothing, was more shocking than I had expected. I already knew something similar was being done to those with powers, but I'd compartmentalised that reality. Powers made people different. Dangerous, even. But prisoners? Whatever we'd done to end up here, that kind of treatment was abhorrent.

"Weren't people asking questions after the Challenges?" I asked, my voice tight.

"They were," Billy replied, leaning back in his chair. "But like I said, by that time, most of the horrors had already 'appened. Don't get me wrong though, some of the inspectors didn't like what they found. But The Wallowhackers have been so damn effective, it makes it easy for people to look the other way."

"Do they still use us for training?" I asked, then immediately followed up without thinking. "Wait—then why is One Eye still here?"

Billy smiled knowingly. "Now you're askin' the right questions."

He paused, giving me a moment to catch up.

"They'll still pull a prisoner for training now and then, but it's rare. Most of The Wallowhackers are seasoned now. They're not the green recruits they used to be. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but some years back they got their hands on a bunch of magical equipment. Changed everything. From what I hear, they were already risin' through the ranks, but after they got that gear? They started tearin' through the Challenges like an 'ot knife through butter."

He gave me a look. "And before you ask, no, I don't know what they found."

I wasn't sure whether Billy was being honest or playing coy. If he truly didn't know about the battery farms underneath the prison, then he was missing a huge piece of the puzzle. Still, I couldn't be sure. It was highly likely that whatever trump card they had came from the people down below—even if it was just the power they'd extracted from them.

"But I do know why Grian 'One Eye' Selvig hasn't been sent to a Challenge," Billy said, his tone shifting.

He paused for dramatic effect. "It's because he's Sebastian's brother."

"What?" I asked, my mouth falling open.

Billy nodded, clearly enjoying my shock. "Grian got caught takin' liberties with a noble's daughter, years ago. His brother couldn't get him out of the charges, even with all his pull. But lucky for him, his House runs a prison. So they made sure 'e ended up 'ere. Tucked away. Protected. Now he plays the part of 'One Eye', safe from any of the 'ouse's enemies and in a perfect position to help keep control of the other prisoners."

"Plays the part?" I echoed. "What do you mean? Have other people been One Eye?"

"Not like that," Billy said with a smirk. "I mean it's exaggerated. Grian's a mean bastard, don't get me wrong, but he's not 'alf as terrifying as they make him out to be. The guards pin things on him to cover their own mess. Makes 'im look worse, makes them look cleaner."

"So... he's a snitch too?"

Billy snorted. "Course he is. Grian practically lives with the warden. There's a reason you never see him assigned to a job or breaking a sweat like the rest of us."

A wave of relief passed through me. I was glad I hadn't approached Grian. If he really was a member of House Brutan—and on top of that, the brother of a Wallowhacker—then there was no doubt in my mind that they'd have taken any opportunity to punish me for what I'd done. I wasn't so arrogant as to think I was special, but I had beaten up the heir to the House. That made me a walking embarrassment to them. If anything, it was surprising they hadn't come for me already.

And that thought—why haven't they?—began to gnaw at me.

I'd need to be even more careful going forward. Protecting myself was important, but so was consistency. I couldn't afford to slip up in my story about Rolando Mykov. Any inconsistency would get passed up the chain, and once it reached the wrong ears, I might not get a chance to explain myself.

"Is that why you were so worried when I brought up my idea?" I asked. "Because you thought I might report you to Grian?"

Billy gave a slow nod. "That's right. They've been lookin' for an excuse to come after me for years. But I steer clear of all that these days. You mentionin' that kind of plan so soon after joinin'—well, it felt like a trap."

"What changed your mind?"

Billy leaned forward slightly. "I can read you like a book."

I made a face, and he waved me off.

"Don't pull that look—it's true. I've dealt with too many street rats to be fooled by the basics. Besides," he added, "I'd already heard some things about you that made me think you're not the setup type."

"You've heard things about me?" I asked, blinking. "What kind of things?"

I hadn't been in here long, and I didn't think I'd drawn enough attention for anyone to dig into my background. The only connections I had that might surface were Morgana and Dillon. Enough people had seen us together over the years that, if someone went looking, they might link us. But nothing concrete.

Billy grinned. "A mutual friend of ours sent word. Says you're reliable. Said you'd done a few jobs for him before you got caught."

I thought to myself that there was only one person that could be; Marky. He was deeply connected to the underworld and likely had a lot of contacts in here because of it. I'd also done a lot of jobs for him so he could vouch for the sort of person I am, without even going into the fact that it was on one of his jobs that I got caught. That should be a huge plus for me because I hadn't mentioned a word about him to anyone. I knew there was a chance I'd slip up if I started talking about my connection with him. If people knew that Mark was essentially my main employer, then it wouldn't be too much of a leap to conclude he was the person who set me on the train job.

"We have a mutual friend?" I asked, trying to sound confused.

"Marky the Fence," he confirmed. "Don' look so put out. Me and Marky go way back. We've known each other longer than you've been alive."

I was perturbed to be honest. Talking about me wasn't strictly snitching but there was still additional risk that I didn't like. Logically I knew that you couldn't control what other people said about you but it didn't stop me from wishing that was the case.

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"Marky sent word that you'd be joinin' us 'ere and asked if I could look out for you. Said you were the good sort." Billy gave me an appraising look that made me switch my face up. Sure, it was annoying that Marky talked about me but I could appreciate that he was trying to get me some help.

"So that's why you've been giving me advice?"

"That's part of it, yeah." He took a breath whilst looking me in the eyes. "You're not like the others. I can see it when I talk to you. There's an intelligence there that shouldn' be wasted in a place like this. Most of the sorts in 'ere are lifers. They were always going to end up 'ere. You though," he shakes his head. "You look like lost potential."

The praise was making me squirm a little bit and I wasn't sure how to handle it. It didn't feel like a throwaway comment. The way Billy was looking at me made me feel like he could see into my soul, see the very essence of my being, and he was judging me to be better than I thought of myself.

"I was a thief before I came here. Not just because of the necessity but because I liked it… because I like it," I tell him, revealing a part of myself in the hopes that it would shine truth on his view of me. "Honestly, if I was still on the outside, I'd probably still be stealing."

"We all 'ave our vices," he shrugs. "There's plenty of people who enjoy doing wrong things but that's not what I mean when I say people are lifers. The people I'm talkin' about are fuck ups. The sort that can't get away with it. They'll end up here no matter what 'cause they don' know any better. That's what separates people like you with the lifers. If you really wanted to, you could get away with it."

I laughed. "Then why am I doing a thirty stretch?"

"'Cause you didn' have any guidance. Cause you were sacrificed for a job you shouldn' 'ave been on. Cause it's not just you who 'as intelligence, and sometimes those others get in the way."

My heart pumped rapidly in my chest as I listened to him talk. Billy was sounding like he knew more about what happened to me than he'd been letting on. "What do you mean I was 'sacrificed'?"

Billy relaxed his posture, leaning back in his chair like he didn't have a care in the world. I was reminded of the start of this conversation and once again I felt like I was being tested. "I've known Marky since I was a kid. Back when he was more… involved… in our industry, if you catch my meanin'. We've done a lot of work together me and 'im. Spent a lot of time takin' care of problems. The sort of work we used to do together is the sort that makes you really get to know a person. A lot of long nights and even longer days. Do you know what it taught me about Marky?"

I slowly shook my head. I figured they must have been deep into the criminal underworld at that point. Judging by the look of them both, when they were young they were probably enforcers, or at least gave it a go. It's rare you see a giant of a man that isn't used a bruiser when it comes to crime.

"I've learned that Marky cares about two things. His business and 'imself. You can narrow your eyes all you want, it won' stop it from bein' true. Now, don' get me wrong. I'm not sayin' 'e's completely self centred - cause 'e's not. E'll 'elp you out but 'e'll get somethin' for it. 'E knows when someone will be useful to 'im you see. 'E's switched on. Marky's like you. It's one of the things you 'ave in common." He paused and looked at me, a slight smirk on his face.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused.

Billy paused for a moment, almost savouring the fact he had me so interested. "'The other thing I know about Marky, and this is somethin' that not many do, is that 'e carries a jar of sand with 'im everywhere 'e goes. 'E says it has special meanin' for 'im but 'e never says what that meanin' is. 'Ave you noticed?"

"There's always a lot of sand in Marky's shop. He even has a sand moat around the outside but I can't say that I know of him carrying sand around."

"And you don' think that's weird? Why would 'e be so obsessed with sand?"

I mulled the question over in my mind but I couldn't come up with anything that would explain Billy bringing it up. He could see that I wasn't getting the answer he wanted and intervened.

"Disappointin'. I thought you'd already know." He held my gaze a moment longer and then seemingly gave up on whatever it was he was hoping I'd figure out. "Like I said, I've known Marky for decades. I know who 'e is. I probably know 'im better than most people if I'm 'onest. So when 'e told me to look out for you, I knew it wasn' just a passin' comment. There's no way Marky would say that unless 'e did business with you, and Marky isn' a fool who does business with people who think they can rob a train filled with nobles."

Panic sent in. He was too close to the truth and I didn't know what it would mean if it was said out loud. "I used to sell some goods to Marky. Years ago. He must think that if he looks after me in here, I'll owe him one on the outside."

"Is that so?" Billy leans forward again, iant hands spread on the table. "'Cause I think Marky was involved in that job. I think 'e put you up to it."

"Marky?" I kept my cool as I spoke, despite my heart thundering in my chest. "Nah, he wasn't involved. It was all me."

"All you was it?"

I leaned back, faking nonchalance. My left arm drifting over the back of the chair and my right drumming against the table edge. If Billy moved, I'd have a half second advantage. The conversation was going through so many ups and downs, I wasn't sure I could handle the change in tension.

"Yeah, all me. Don't get me wrong, I'd have tried to hawk some of the stuff to Marky if I got the chance," I let out an exaggerated sigh "but the guards got me too quickly. Barely even had time for a nap."

Billy's eyes narrowed and I tensed my legs in anticipation for his attack. Even with my healing, I didn't think I would be able to beat him in a fight. The only chance I had was getting away and either running or finding a weapon. Both required me to be faster on the uptake than him. I contemplated making a break for it before him but decided this was still potentially salvageable. Afterall, he hadn't actually indicated he was an enemy.

"Hmm. Now that's interestin'. Erick told it a little differently."

I felt my eyes widen and I nervously looked towards the door before chastising myself and bringing my eyes back to Billy. It was a tell but not confirmation. He couldn't know for sure that I recognised the name.

"Who's that?"

His eyes studied me, taking in every minute reaction my face made as he spoke.

I liked Billy, I'd even go as far to say I trusted him on some level but I wasn't naive enough to accept his statement at face value. If I revealed I knew Erick, it would be as good as announcing I knew the rebels. Then my thirty year stretch would turn into an execution. To make things worse, that would probably include Morgana and Dillion.

No, as far as I was concerned, I would be keeping it a secret from everyone. Erick and Marky could come in here and ask me point blank and I'd deny it to their faces. That was all I could do to protect my friends.

Billy laughed. "Erick.The sculptor. Our mutual friend."

"Can't say I've heard of him. Is he a friend of Marky's?"

"You could say that, yeah. We've been known to work together when the cause is right."

"You're into sculpting then? Or art in general?"

"Why don' you trust me Brandon?"

"I'm not sure what you mean. I've come to you for advice. Surely that shows I trust you."

"And yet you won' admit to knowing Erick even though I've told you I know 'im. Why is that?"

"Sorry Billy, I can't remember meeting an 'Erick'. Maybe he was at Marky's once when I was younger? But he definitely shouldn't be talking about me and what I get up to." I let real anger bleed into my voice. "Especially if he's telling stories about me. I don't know what this 'friend' of yours has been saying Billy but I don't like being lied about, so you can tell him that next time you see him. And you know what, if I do ever see him, then he better be giving me an apology."

"So you don' know 'im then?" He asked in a tone that made it clear he didn't believe me.

"No. I don't. Why would I lie about it Billy? If I knew who he was, I wouldn't deny it."

"That's a very good question Brandon, I must have been mistaken. Please accept my sincerest apologies, I can see that you've got a bit worked up. It's gettin' late, why don' you get off and we have another chat tomorrow? Maybe we can discuss some potential business since that's on your mind."

I nodded and rose to my feet, heading towards the door. My heart still hammered in my chest from the adrenaline. I wish I could slow it down. It was so going so fast I swore Billy could hear it. As I got to the cell door, Billy called out.

"Do me a favour Brandon, keep it between us that I'm friends with Marky and Erick." I turned and looked at him. "I don' like people talkin' about me either."

"No worries Billy, I don't like gossiping about others. Pretend you never even told me."

"See you tomorrow Brandon."

"See you tomorrow Billy."

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