Rikers Island is exactly as bad as I expected.
They put me in the general population. Not protective custody. Not isolation. Gen pop with murderers, gang members, violent offenders.
It's deliberate. Someone wanted me vulnerable.
First day, three separate attacks. All random prison violence, according to the guards who showed up after.
The next morning, a guy tries to shank me in the shower. I broke his wrist and took his weapon.
In the afternoon, two guys jumped me in the yard. I drop one, and the other backs off when he realizes I actually knew how to fight.
In the evening, there was another attempt during dinner. This one I see coming because he was too obvious, an amateur.
I was using everything I learned. Years of training, street fighting, and dirty tactics. Whatever keeps me alive.
But I'm alone, outnumbered, and surrounded by people who either want me dead or don't care if I die.
And every fight takes something out of me. I'm good, but I'm not invincible.
