Hands Off

Early morning, we marched out to the rice paddies to start our day of labor, payback to society for our crimes. There were no human guards just Bee Drones (BD). They were controlled by guards back at the prison. This was a new international style prison system requiring harsh conditions to those that were considered problematic. There was little security as we were in some high land in the middle of a vast swamp. We did not know where we were as we were transported to the area by plane, seemed like 4-5 hours and then helicopter with no windows in either. We were completely cutoff from communication to civilization.

I had gotten to know two of the inmates since my short stay here, we were all convicted of murder, Gil and Finn did not talk about their convictions. I let them know of my innocence several times with little response. They could only think of escape. Gil, a large rough looking guy who had a knowledge of swamps as a hunter, had figured that the bracelets we were wearing were beacons for the BD but they had to be getting recharged somehow. He decided that while we slept there was a wireless charge taking place over the 8 hours we were confined to our beds. If we left right after the bed down maybe our bracelets would have a low charge and we could get to the water in 45 minutes. The first bed check would not be taken for an hour. Once there our problems would only begin because the swamp was heavily populated with alligators, poisonous snakes and bugs.

We discussed the escape planned for tonight during a labor break from the rice paddy out of the hot sun. I asked, “how will we get away from the BD’s, they will follow us into the swamp won't they?”

Finn chuckled, “Gil has got a surprise for that but he won’t tell me what it is.”

Gil grinned, “We need three to scale the wall, are you in or out?”

Thinking any chance to escape this hell hole, “in,” I replied.

“OK, today we get chicken for dinner, do not eat it, hide it on you and bring it tonight,” Gil said. I thought it was a good idea to bring food along.

After the bed bell we scaled the wall acrobatically using the strength of two to help the third. Gil picked up 3 pieces of 12-inch rope he hid by the labor trail. We made our way to the swamp water entrance. I was already being eaten alive by the flying insects.

Gil said, “Find a small tree branch to use with the rope I gave you to make a tourniquet.”

I said, “Tourniquet, what for?”

“Just watch me, the BD’s will be here soon attracted to the bracelets, we have to get rid of them,” he said.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

We arrived at the swamp water edge. He then waded in with his chicken in his left hand waving it above and splashing the water surface. Next, a lot of thrashing at the water line happened and Gil fought violently with a gator which had grabbed hold. He remained in the water, used his removed shirt to wrap and applied a tourniquet after removing the bracelet and tossing it into the water. There was blood all over. He allowed the gator to take his hand without any hesitation as if he did this all the time.

Gil grimaced, “Well what are you waiting for, get busy or you will be captured by the BDs and stung badly.”

Finn, “Oh my God, you are crazy if you think I am doing that.”

I looked on in horror of what I just saw but said nothing.

Gil, “I don’t give a damn if you do anything now, I just needed 3 to get out of the camp. We probably would not all of made it out of the swamp anyway.” He looked a me, “coming or not?”

“You really should have told us more about your plan,” I said.

Finn, “Yeah, like feeding an alligator our appendages.”

Gill, “You cowards would not have come if I told you but now you have an opportunity to become free with me or stay here to rot. Do you hear that buzz? It is the drones coming for you.”

Finn was absolute that he would not lose his hand. I was considering all options. Could I do it? I started to wade in with chicken in hand. Fear swept into me, nausea, no I can not do it I thought. Gil started left following the shallow path with a slight movement in the water probably showing him the way out if downstream is out. Finn and I looked at each other as the buzz grew louder.

When I was younger, I used to be able to get out of handcuffs not as a criminal but as a cheap party gag. I wonder if I could still do it now with this homing bracelet. I tried frantically but was not able to get it off. A cold sweat broke on my forehead and I continued to try to remove the bracelet by contorting my wrist joint and pulling as hard I could. The first BD scout arrived and started to sting Finn. He cried out in pain. Finally, the ring that was on my wrist slipped past the boney joint and fell to the ground. Many BD’s were now swarming us just like real bees would if they thought their hive was in danger. Finn was on the ground about to pass out while the drones were just floating near me seemingly not sure about me. I picked up the bracelet and threw it out into the water and it sunk to the bottom. The BDs then moved away from me went after Finn.

Without the homing device on my arm I was free to run into the swamp and I yelled to Gil, “Hey, wait for me I removed the bracelet, wait”. When I caught up to him and showed him my bare wrist with my hand still intact. At first, I thought he was angry but then he smiled and unwrapped his blood-soaked shirt and tourniquet and his hand was still there.

“I faked it, I was able to get it off and back on weeks ago, but I did not think either of you would be able to do it. Never thought there would be two contortionists in our group. I schemed a way to convince both of you that I let the gator bite off my hand. I figured this was your only chance and with little time to think about it maybe you would be able to do it.”

“You bastard”.