Although Yang Yi didn't want to explain himself, he couldn't refuse to defend himself and let others decide his fate just like that.
"Sir, I just want to serve my sentence here peacefully. I had no intention of causing trouble. I was just lucky this time round. The fact is I was just defending myself."
Yang Yi was rather calm when he explained himself. His back was still burning from the hit he'd received previously. The pain also reminded him of something. It was best not to yell when he stated his point of view in prison because the end result wouldn't be an argument but a smack with the baton instead.
The senior guard asked in a curious tone, "You're claiming it was actually self-defense?"
"Yes!"
"Okay, show me the evidence then. There are no surveillance cameras in the bathroom and locker room. I will acknowledge that your claim has evidence if you can find more than three inmates who are willing to testify."
Yang Yi was stunned for a moment before he shook his head slowly, "Sir, you should be well aware no one will testify for me. Isn't that a bit unfair?"
The senior guard laughed, "Not fair? Is there an innocent party when it comes to fighting? Those Black men's medical bills will be paid for by the taxpayers while you'll get sent to the small dark room. Your extra punishment will be determined after you're released from the small dark room. I hope you will still have the strength to withstand the punishment."
The senior guard stopped laughing abruptly and turned serious the moment he was done talking. He issued an instruction to the two guards standing behind Yang Yi. "Lock him up for a week."
Yang Yi had no idea what the implications of being locked up for seven days were. After the senior guard left, a guard uncuffed Yang Yi from the chair and said, "You shouldn't have said anything just now. Chief Owen doesn't like it when others talk back to him. It will only make things worse when you do. Otherwise, he would've only given you three days instead of a week. You should remember this in the future."
The guard who was speaking to Yang Yi was rather young. Unlike the other guards who were in their forties, this young guard was in his twenties.
Yang Yi softly said, "Thank you. Does the small dark room mean solitary confinement?"
There was only a number not a name tag on the guard's chest. The young guard was rather tense. He gave Yang Yi a sympathetic look when he replied, "You're new here. Newcomers don't usually last more than three days. You must be really great to be sent here for a week. It's best you find something to occupy yourself. So, hang in there."
The young guard shook his head again and continued, "You should stop talking. I will bring you to the confinement cell."
*****
Yang Yi started to worry when he was brought to an area which was isolated from others. The young guard stopped in front of the iron door and bit his lip before he spoke to the guard guarding the door, "He will be here for seven days."
The guard asked in surprise, "A week? Are you sure?"
"Yes, it's a direct order from Chief Owen."
The guard let out a sigh as he opened the door. The guard was shaking his head when he looked at Yang Yi as if he was a dead man. "Bring him in here."
Yang Yi heard a dull scream when he stepped into the area. It was a scream filled with despair instead of misery and it went on for quite some time.
It also caused Yang Yi to stop walking. The young guard tensed and said, "Don't stop. Keep walking."
Yang Yi continued walking until he reached another iron door. There was actually a police officer standing in the hallway. The police officer took a glance at Yang Yi before looking at the guard and asking, "Is this the man who defeated the Boxing King and his four men?"
"It's him. He's to be locked up for seven days."
"Seven days? Ha! Seven days!"
His laughter seemed to be a mixture of approval and gloating at the same time. The police officer said, "There's no rush. Wait for a little while. One of the fellas is being released today."
Just when the officer finished talking, another two guards entered. He then opened the small slit on one of the iron doors and shouted inside, "Time for you to get out! Lie on the ground!"
The officer then gave Yang Yi a slightly suppressed smile and opened the iron door. The two guards entered and soon after came out dragging an inmate.
The inmate looked dazed and his body gave off a foul smell. He was groaning as the guards dragged him away.
"How revolting. Another inmate who can't control his bowels and bladder."
The guard was holding his breath in disgust. He then looked at Yang Yi and laughed, "Did you see it? Do you know how long he was locked inside?"
The guard continued laughing while he unlocked the iron door, "Get in. Hope your mental fortitude is as strong as your fist."
The iron door was slammed shut after Yang Yi had entered his cell. He remained standing in front of the iron door because his hands had yet to be uncuffed.
"Extend your hands out."
The young guard uncuffed Yang Yi after he extended his hands out of the door opening. He then said, "Good luck."
Another slam was heard later as the outer iron door was closed as well. Yang Yi let out a breath of relief as he massaged his wrists.
Although the seven days of solitary confinement wouldn't be easy to get through, it would still be worth it if it meant his ass would remain safe.
That was why Yang Yi didn't try too hard to talk his way out of being sent into solitary confinement. In fact, he was even looking forward to experiencing solitary confinement.
It was fortunate that the solitary confinement cell wasn't exactly dark. A man could really die if he was locked up for seven days without a single glimpse of light. Although the cell was only a three meter square, there was at least a toilet in a corner of the cell and a tiny window near the ceiling.
Besides the toilet, there was no bed, chair or anything else in the cell. Of course there wasn't any blanket provided to him either. Yang Yi leaned against the wall to calm himself and kept his mind blank.
Once he had calmed down, Yang Yi started to evaluate the consequences and the severity of his actions.
It was very likely he wouldn't be able to avoid getting his sentence extended. The sentence might get extended by more than two years if it wasn't handled well. Beyond that, there shouldn't be any other major problems. It would be great if the only punishment for violent behavior was solitary confinement.
Logically speaking, he was most likely going to be sent to the felony section after causing serious injury to five inmates. Yang Yi was rather smug when he thought about this point.
He couldn't help but to be smug because the one who should have been screwed was him based on his current strength. It was enough to make Yang Yi proud of himself since he emerged victorious in the end. Although he didn't think it was fair being confined for seven days after emerging victorious in a fight, it was still an acceptable outcome.
Yang Yi couldn't help but wonder how he would be able to survive in the cell for seven days. The next seven days were definitely going to be miserable.