Wild West - Chapter 5 - Part 8 - 5 minute freewrite challenge

The three guards have returned with the tattoo artist and were likely discussing the numbers to be tattooed onto Tom and James. They descended the stairs and brought two extra chairs – one for the tattoo artist and one for the person being tattooed.
The guards followed the same procedure as before. The prisoners were obliged to hug the opposing wall, the keeper unlocked the jail cell, then only Tom was allowed to step outside. He was seated onto the chair and ordered to stay still while the tattooist did his job. He got the number 3425262 inked in black under his still fresh burn, and it was everything but well done - the writing was sloppy and the ink was distributed unevenly, but Tom was in no position to object.

With Tom's tattoo finished, it was James' turn to get one. The guards again pointed their guns toward the prisoners and made them face the distant wall, then asked James to step outside. They made a crucial mistake letting James leave with Tom still outside and all the guards pointing their guns at the rest of the prisoners – it was the perfect opportunity for them escape.

They were both ready to strike had the other one decided to do something, but they both decided not to. What then? Where do we go? What do we do? We don’t know anyone, or any place. We don’t even have a map, much less an atlas. Besides, we’re getting out in the morning anyway, so why bother? As father and son, they shared their thoughts.