Avery/Lil genius

{PRISON CREW} ~some people survive loud. Some by watching~ Cell Block E never went quiet.The lights buzzed- sharp,endless- a sound that drilled straight through Avery’s skull like it was trying to split him open. They called him “Lil Genius.” Not because he talked much.Because he noticed everything.Noticing kept him alive.Even when it made everything worse. Avery curled tighter on his thin mattress,knees pulled in,tail wrapped firm around his body like it could keep him from coming apart.Ginger fading to black,his hair slipped into his face,hiding his mismatched eyes- green mixed in red- dull with exhaustion. His fingers worked at loose threads in his sweater,tugging,pulling,snapping.Small control.Something his,If he stopped,his hands would shake.If they shook,people noticed..especially when every noise hit too hard- chains,voices,steel.danger.His ears twitched with each one,raw,overwhelmed.It never dulled.Not the noise.Not the feeling.Not the way it all pressed in. Then- The lock hissed. He flinched hard enough to hit the wall,breath catching sharp.Ears flat.Tail bristling. The scent followed. Iron.Sweat.Blood.Fresh. Hunger twisted low and vicious. He swallowed hard,forcing it down- he refused to be that kind of monster. The door slammed open. Someone was shoved inside- too big,too loud,breathing like they’d fought their way here. Boots hit the floor in front of him.Heavy.Slow.Each step shrinking the cell,crushing the air thinner.He mapped exits instinctively- there weren’t any. Avery pressed back until there was nowhere left,claws digging into his palms,heart stuttering too fast to hold steady. “S-stay back-!” he choked,voice splintering,fangs catching faint on his lip. The new inmate stopped. Turned.Looked at him.Too slow. Their shadow spilled over him,swallowing what little space he had left. Then they smiled- wide,deliberate- like they’d just found something small… smart…& worth breaking slowly. Avery didn’t move.Moving made you prey..