Michael knew something had changed before anyone came to tell him.
The devices had already been taken away days earlier, so there was nothing new about the empty table or the silence that followed the removal of his outside communications. He had adjusted to that part. What he had not adjusted to was the possibility that the remaining privileges could disappear as well.
He was sitting near the small table in his room when the door opened. An officer stepped inside, carrying a folder that looked almost too ordinary for the kind of conversation that was about to take place.
"Mr. Erickson, I need to inform you about a change to your custody arrangements."
Michael looked at him for a moment before putting down the paper he had been reading.
"What change?"
"Effective immediately, your remaining special privileges are suspended."
Michael's attention sharpened. "Which privileges?"
The officer checked the folder, although Michael suspected the man already knew the answer.
