The Prison Project Novel

Chapter 132 Margot's POV The room was bursting at the seams .. Every inch of the hall was filled with bodies inmates , volunteers , guards lining the walls like soldiers waiting for something to explode . The air itself seemed to sizzle with tension , thick enough to taste ... The suited men stood on the small raised stage at the front , sharp dark jackets , their polished shoes clicking smugly across the wooden floor . They carried themselves like kings looking down on their subjects - confident , arrogant , and far too comfortable with the power they held in this room .

" Now we know most of you aren't going to like this ... " one began , voice smooth and commanding , " but it was , of course , expected that this would be a difficult project to pass . " Their smirks didn't fade as they scanned the crowd , feeding off the discomfort that rippled through it . I shifted in my seat , nerves crawling up my spine , inching just a little closer to Coban . His thigh brushed against mine , and though he didn't move to take my hand , his steady presence beside me was enough to keep me from breakdown .

" The purpose of this challenge , " the second suit continued , " is to push you all to your limits . After week one , bonds have been built already and we presume most of you are comfortable by now ? Settled into your routines ? " A low murmur spread through the hall with agreement from some , distrust from others . Comfortable ? It didn't seem like the right word to use ... " So , " the man went on , his grin widening just slightly , " we have to switch things up a little . At least for a week or two . " I frowned , my stomach knotting as I waited for the rest , but Coban got there first .

" Fucking spit it out , " he muttered under his breath , loud enough that a few heads turned . " Coban , " I whispered sharply , nudging his arm , trying to quiet him before he drew the wrong kind of attention . He shot me a look that made my chest tighten it was sharp , frustrated , protective . But he didn't say anything else . - The shorter suit leaned forward into the microphone , his tone falsely sweet . " This challenge will be known as The Mix - Up . Everyone will be reassigned to someone else for this week , before returning to their partners at some point next week .

" For a moment , there was nothing . Just silence . Before suddenly - chaos . Chairs screeched back . Voices rose . " Fuck that ! " " Not a chance ! " " That won't be fucking happening ! " " Bunch of pigs ! " The room erupted . My heart slammed in to my chest as men stood up , some shouting , some pacing , all angry . I could feel the energy shift from disbelief to pure fury within seconds . I shrank back in my seat , gripping the edge of it as the guards along the walls straightened , hands hovering near their batons . I searched prison uniforms and flailing arms .

the crowd desperately for Cara , but all I saw were flashes of color - The noise was deafening a storm of outrage and disbelief that rattled the entire hall . Up front , the suits remained still . Calm . Like they'd wanted this reaction from them . Expected it . " Now , now ... " the tall one called out , his voice ting clean through the chaos thanks to the microphone . " This challenge was designed to cause some upset . It's meant to test you all . Only the strongest of minds will remain in the project by the end of it . " His words only fueled the shouting further .

Coban's voice joined the noise , deep and furious beside me . " This is a fucking joke ! " " Coban , what will we do ? " I pulled at his nearest arm in a panic . " I'll sort it out , " he hissed down at me , his tone sharp but not aimed at me . His jaw was locked , hands clenched tight at his sides . I could see the fury rippling off him in waves not fear , not frustration , but something darker . Something territorial . even for only a week - had his entire body wound like a spring . Because the thought of me being assigned to someone else Truth be told , the thought terrified me too...

I'd grown used to Coban's moods , his quiet and his rage . I'd learned the rules - what to say , what not to . I'd learned to trust him , maybe even depend on him . The idea of being paired with someone else , someone unpredictable , dangerous , unfamiliar ... made my throat dry up completely . " Do we at least get to decide who they go to ? " someone shouted from the front , his voice dripping with hope . - inmates nodding , calling out , some even whistling in agreement . At least that would make A ripple of approval spread across the room sense .

At least then , Coban could send me to Leo , and he could take Cara? But that hope died the moment the sult spoke again . " No , " he said natly . " Unfortunately not . " The mood shifted again , darker this time . " Listen up ! " he barked over the rising noise . " On the outside world , you won't be able to control everything that happens to you . Sometimes things will happen that you don't like or enjoy but you need to learn that violence will only land you back here . " So that was their reasoning . Their excuse .

- They wanted to see how far they could push them how far they could push Coban . The words barely left his mouth before the booing started . The guards immediately surged forward , shouting for calm , their weapons visible now . " This challenge will begin tonight , " the taller suit continued , raising his voice to compete with the chaos . " You will each be escorted to your new cells . Ladies , if you have any issues at all , please report to the nearest guard . " That was it . That was the moment they officially lit the fuse .

Because by the time the men turned for the back door , the entire room was on its feet - yelling , swearing , throwing anything they could grab . Coban rose beside me , his face carved from stone , every line of his jaw tight with barely contained rage . I grabbed his arm instinctively , terrified he'd launch himself at the guards . " Coban , please don't ... " He didn't answer , his glare fixed on the stage as the suits disappeared through the side exit like cowards . All I could hear were shouts . Chairs clattering . The sound of boots as guards began to shove people back toward the doors .

" Back to your blocks ! " one bellowed , swinging his baton against the wall for attention . " Everyone back ! Now ! " It took a minute for the crowd to start breaking apart , for the wave of bodies to begin shifting toward the exits . Coban's hand found mine again , rough and certain . " We're not playing their fucking game , " he growled under his breath , tugging me closer as the crowd swelled around us . " No one's taking you away from me , Bella . Not a fucking chance . " From the look in his eyes as he said it , I believed him ...

But deep down , I couldn't help the tremor that crawled through me . Because no matter what he promised , this place didn't care about promises . When night fell , I had the horrible feeling that they would separate us . Whether Coban liked it or not ...