CRY FOR HELP

Walking out of the room, Jake headed to meet Alejandro. This time, he wasn't alone. His godfather, Mr. Zak Franco had given him some people to go with. These people were his family inside here. With lots of money and connections, Franco formed his own group that was feared by everyone. They never looked for trouble though. They were very mature and minded their own business without causing trouble. Why was Franco in jail?

“ Alejandro. Someone is looking for you." One of the prisoners said as he entered the room.

Alejandro. A 6’6 tall muscled man who didn't care a sh** about the world. He had gotten into prison for killing his wife's entire family in one sitting. The news had said he had held all of them hostage and had tortured them for days before setting them on fire in a car. This was how evil he was. When the police tried to ask him why he did it, he gave no response. Some said he was a psychopath. Others said he was invisible because they knew he couldn't be held inside for long.

“ What brings Franco's crew to my room? Last time I checked, I didn't have any beef with any of you. Jake. Il figlio del leone. Do we have a problem?” Alejandro asked watching as Jake brought out the prisoner that had come to meet him for help.

“You're the one that did this.” Jake said. It wasn't a question. He knew very well what Alejandro was capable of.

“ Oh. Andrew, isn't it? Is he under your protection?" Jake heard Alejandro ask making him scoff.

He was just as dangerous as Alejandro in this big wide prison. The only difference was, he had no idea to harm people. He had sided with Franco because he wanted to protect himself. In this place without protection, you could end up dead without an explanation.

“ Hold him." Jake said watching as the men that he had come with held Alejandro down.

None of Alejandro's men had dared to step forward. In this place, there was a hierarchy system. And on that system, Franco was number 1.

“ Make sure he isn't moving. I want to give him something that he'll remember me by. You. Show me your body." Jake said as he looked at the prisoner.

Taking a cigarette out of his pocket, Jake lit it moving it away from his face. He had a nicotine allergy and didn't want it coming near him.

“ Spare me! I didn't know he was under Franco's protection! Please!” Alejandro said begging for his life as if he was crazy. He was shouting for someone to come and help him but Jake knew none of the warders would come here. They must have already gotten word about what was about to happen.

Placing the burning side on his skin, Jake watched him scream as loud as he could before passing out. This is exactly how this young prisoner must have felt before. He wanted to do more to him however, one burn was enough.

“ Take this as a lesson." Jake said before handing over the cigarette to the person behind him and walking away.

Sighing as he came out, he went back to meet Franco while the others left. He was already mortified at what he had done. With his own two hands, he had made a long mark across Alejandro's back the same way he had done to others.

“ Figlio. Your face tells me that you are not happy with what you have done. Whenever you are proud at yourself, your smile is infectious. Don't blame yourself though. Alejandro is a monster." Franco said as he patted Jake's back before turning away.

“I'll be leaving this place soon. Finally, I'll be able to reunite with my girlfriend. It's been a long time.” Jake said as he scoffed looking through the window.

Unlike the other prison cells had their window high up, Franco's window was at a normal level so he could see outside. This was the power of money.

“ Girlfriend. She is the one that has not sent you any letters since you got here? Let me give you an advice, go home somewhere else. I know that you have been enduring this place because of her. It was a wrong thing to do but, it had gotten you through. You have a new opportunity to start again. Go and rebuild your life, Figlio.” Jake heard Franco say making him go to his side.

“ You are powerful. You have the money and connections. Why don't you want to leave this place? With your connections, I am sure you can pull some strings to get yourself out of here." Jake said.

" Connections? Power? You are right. I have all of that. I just like this place. It's better than being in the middle of my children's fight for money and their inheritance. As long as they don't have my will, they have to come see me everyday. They all take care of me. Isn't that nice?” Franco asked laughing.

Even behind his bright laughter, Jake could see it all. His soul was broken. After he had pushed his son by mistake, he had been regretting it all his life. He pleased guilty and had gotten a life sentence. Till the day he dies, he wasn't coming out.

“ Take good care of yourself, godfather. This place can be very lonely. Don't be too calm. And take your medication. Don't try to kill yourself. I will be coming as often as I can to see you." Jake said smiling along with him.

They were not related at all. Yet they had formed one of the strongest bonds that had never been seen. After he had saved Franco's life one morning, he had helped him slowly recover his health while the two of them bonded together.

“ Don't worry about Mr. Franco. We will take good care of him, won't we boys?” Jake heard one the group members, Terrence ask as he looked around making all of them laugh.

“ I know you will. Now, let's all dig in. It's been a tiring day." Jake said as he looked at the food he had spotted on the table earlier.

“ You hungry monster. This man can eat a whole cow if you are not careful. Make sure that you don't leave any of the food alone with him.” Franco said as he watched all of them gather together to eat.