Several inmates nearby laughed.
Derek liked that.
Most new people immediately tried to impress him.
Marcus didn't.
That made him curious.
CHAPTER 2 — THE BULLY LOOKING FOR ENTERTAINMENT
Derek approached Marcus during lunch.
The entire table became quiet.
Derek placed his tray down.
"You know how things work here?"
Marcus continued eating.
"Not completely."
Derek smiled.
"Then you should learn."
Marcus looked up.
"I'm listening."
That response annoyed Derek.
Because it wasn't afraid.
It wasn't disrespectful.
It was simply calm.
Derek leaned closer.
"People here earn respect."
Marcus nodded.
"I understand."
"Do you?"
Derek tapped the table.
"Because I don't think you do."
Derek wanted a reaction.
Anger.
Fear.
Anything.
But Marcus gave him nothing.
That became the problem.
People like Derek depended on emotional reactions.
Fear made them powerful.
Anger gave them control.
Calmness took that away.
A few inmates started whispering.
"New guy doesn't know who Derek is."
"He will."
"He always learns."
But Marcus wasn't like everyone else.
Because Marcus had spent years dealing with pressure.
Just not in prison.
Somewhere else.
Somewhere nobody knew about.