Dean had initially believed that Charlie would continue to torment him, but to his surprise, Charlie offered him a chance at redemption. It was like a ray of hope in Dean’s bleak existence.

Overwhelmed by this sudden opportunity for a fresh start, Dean nodded vigorously without hesitation. He earnestly said, “Sir, you have my word. I’ll take the best care of him and ensure his satisfaction.”

Meanwhile, John Lawrence sensed his world darkening, almost to the point of unconsciousness. The thought of falling into Dean’s hands, even in exchange for Charlie’s favor, filled him with terror. He quickly knelt and begged, “Please, sir, forgive me this time. I’m old and ill-equipped to handle any more trouble.”

Charlie, however, waved away his concerns and reassured him, saying, “No need to worry. I’m not going anywhere.”

Fixing his gaze on Dean, he added seriously, “Listen carefully, Mr. Lawrence’s safety is your top priority, no matter how hard you work. Do you understand?”

Dean hesitated for just a moment before nodding resolutely and declaring, “Crystal clear, sir!”

He then turned his attention to John Lawrence, whose tearful face pleaded for mercy. “Lawrence,” Dean promised, “you can rest assured. I’ll take care of you.”

But as John Lawrence heard those words, he couldn’t find comfort, instead, he saw a grim future ahead. He glanced at Charlie, hoping to plead for mercy, but choked on his own tears. “Sir, I…”

Charlie interrupted him with an outstretched hand, his tone cold and menacing. “This is the best I can offer you,” he stated. “If you decline, I can always bring in someone else under these conditions.”

With a sly smile, he gestured toward Dean on the ground and continued, “I believe there are like-minded individuals in this cell. Dean can’t be the only one with such inclinations, right? Maybe the man with the injured leg shares his interests.”

John Lawrence was shocked by Charlie’s refusal to entertain his pleas. He couldn’t hide his grief any longer and wept uncontrollably. Charlie, still wearing the same dispassionate smile, taunted him, “Crying? You’ll have to get used to it.”

John Lawrence realized that accepting the current conditions might be his best option. Stubborn resistance would only make his situation worse. It was like Japan in 1945—surrendering honestly might avoid the devastation of two atomic bombs.

Seeing that no one dared to defy him, Charlie stopped paying attention to John Lawrence. Clearing his throat, he declared in a chilling tone, “Listen to me now. I am the sole authority in this place from this moment forward. Each one of you must obey my commands around the clock, without question. Disobedience is not an option, for I cannot guarantee a better fate than what you’ve seen today.”

The lesson John Lawrence had learned resonated with the others. None of them dared to defy Charlie’s orders, they nodded in agreement, as if they were following the relentless rhythm of a machine extracting oil twenty times its normal speed.

Charlie was satisfied with their clear submission. He cleared his throat and commanded, “Everyone, stand at attention!”

They all struggled to stand upright, even Dean managed to stumble to the back of the line.

The young man with a broken leg tried to rise but promptly fell to the ground again, writhing in pain.

Jagoan glanced in his direction and commented with indifference, “No need to join the queue.”

The man, sweating profusely, breathed a sigh of relief and thanked Jagoan, saying, “Thank you, sir!”

Jagoan paid him no further attention. Instead, he barked at the others, “Everyone, right face!”

promptly complied, except for one young man who turned ninety

He had been cheering and shouting when he first

pointed at him and asked, “What’s your deal?

head frantically, expressing remorse. “I’m sorry, sir…

smiled

effortlessly snapped his wrist, as

but Jagoan, maintaining his indifferent demeanor, remarked, “Remember, this is the right! I’m sure you won’t forget

the room in shock. Jagoan continued,

mistake. The young man who had just suffered the injury had no trouble distinguishing left from right this

your name, where you’re from, the crime

complied swiftly, saying, “Sir, my name is Ruan Ming, I’m Vietnamese. I’ve been in prison for a year for robbery, and

Charlie nodded. “Alright, next!”

an American,” the next person began. “I’ve been here

so it went on, with each person introducing themselves in turn. Eventually, it was the turn of the man with a deep tan to step forward and make his introduction. He addressed the room with respect, saying, “Greetings, sir. My name is Haji. I am of Indian-American descent, and I’ve been here for two and a half years due to a conviction for sexual assault. I have another twelve

gestured toward the individuals flanking Haji and

he stammered, “Sir… why do you

tone, “All sexual offenders will be

making him look like a pig’s head. Tears welled up in his eyes,

that if Haji was subjected to this punishment, he wouldn’t be

my name is John… John Lawrence… I’m here for sexual assault and

speaking, a young man nearby asked, “Sir,

his hand and declared, “One

slap every day. A

hand and delivered the remaining slaps to John Lawrence without hesitation. The other inmate, equally fatigued, continued with swift blows until the hundred slaps were

both participants were too exhausted to lift their arms, and

Lawrence lay unconscious, one of the participants respectfully addressed Jagoan, asking, “Sir,

his hand dismissively and replied, “Throw

sir!” The man acknowledged, and he and his partner carried the unconscious Lawrence to

of the remaining inmates revealing that they were incarcerated for murder and assault, and some had ties

backgrounds, Jagoan turned his attention to the young man who

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

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