2026-11-10 02:58:17His cell was located near the end of Block C.
The guard unlocked the door. "You're here." Luke stepped inside. The cell was small but clean. Two metal beds stood against opposite walls, with a narrow table between them and a toilet separated by a low partition. An elderly man sat on the lower bed, he had grey hair, a lean frame, and a worn face. His prison uniform looked older than Luke's, and a thick book rested on his lap. The man didn't look up. "New roommate?" he asked. "Apparently." "Name?" "Luke Callas." The old man turned a page. "Ezekiel Graves." Luke placed his mattress on the empty upper bed. "How long have you been here?" "Long enough." Luke glanced at him. "That's not an answer." Ezekiel chuckled. "You're right. But it is the only one you're getting." Luke examined the room. "Are you alone in this cell?" "Not anymore." There was something unusual about the old man. He spoke calmly, almost lazily, but his eyes were constantly moving. Even while reading, he seemed aware of every sound outside the cell. Luke noticed because of his years around military commanders and intelligence officers. He recognized the habit. Awareness. The old man was paying attention to everything. "First time in prison?" Ezekiel asked. "Yes." "Then allow me to offer you some advice." Luke waited. "Don't make friends too quickly. Don't borrow anything you cannot repay. Don't promise what you cannot deliver." He closed his book. "And whatever you do, don't try to become somebody important." Luke raised an eyebrow. "Why?" Ezekiel sighed like he was already annoyed. "Because important people have enemies." "Everyone has enemies." "Not like the ones in here, well you will learn soon enough." Ezekiel returned to his book, while Luke sat on the edge of his bed. "Can you tell me how this place work?" "You just arrived, what's the hurry?" "I have to leave soon." "Hmm. I understand." Ezekiel let out a sharp yawn. "Listen well, young man. The guards control the gates, the administration controls the cells, and the prisoners control everything in between." Luke remained silent. "There are people in this prison who command entire criminal organizations from behind these walls, some have enough money to buy a small country, others can tear a man apart with their bare hands." Luke noticed an old but creatively painted picture hanging on the wall. "And the guards allow it?" "Sometimes they encourage it." --- An announcement suddenly rang through the block. "All second-layer prisoners are to report to the courtyard for evening assembly. Repeat. All second-layer prisoners are to report to the courtyard." Ezekiel closed his book. "Go ahead." Luke stood. "You're not coming?" "I've already attended enough assemblies to last several lifetimes." Luke walked towards the door. Before stepping outside, he turned. "One more question." Ezekiel looked at him, his facial expression already tells that he is tired of Luke's questions. "Who controls this layer?" The old man's expression quickly changed, he studied Luke for several seconds, he thought of keeping silent and allowing the young lad to figure things out, on the other hand, he isn't fond of allowing people die, simply because they lack knowledge. "Several people." "Names?" "Victor Salvage controls a large part of the human criminal network. Raven Darius commands the werewolves. There are others, but those two are among the most influential." Luke nodded. "And you?" Ezekiel stared at him, little laughter escaping his mouth. "Me?" He shook his head. "I'm just an old man waiting for his time to run out." Luke didn't believe him, but he didn't press further, even he knew better than that. He stepped outside and joined the other prisoners. --- The courtyard was already crowded. Several hundred prisoners stood in loosely organized groups. Some wore ordinary expressions, while others openly displayed their hostility. Luke moved towards an empty section. A tall man in a dark uniform stepped onto the raised platform. "Second layer!" His voice carried across the courtyard. "Listen carefully. We have a new administration order, prisoner transfers will begin tomorrow and any prisoner who interferes with the process will face disciplinary action." Murmurs spread through the crowd. The man continued. "Also, all unauthorized trading activities are prohibited. Any individual caught participating will be punished." A few prisoners laughed, Luke studied something. The announcement had barely ended when several groups began whispering among themselves. Nobody appeared concerned. The man on the platform continued speaking, but Luke's attention shifted to the far end of the courtyard. A large group of prisoners had entered, at their centre walked a broad-shouldered man with a thick beard and a cold expression. People moved aside as he approached, even the guards watched him carefully. "Who's that?" Luke asked the prisoner beside him. The man followed his gaze. "Victor Salvage." Luke studied the Italian, the man walked like someone who had never needed to ask for permission. "Why is everyone moving out of his way?" "Because he owns half the people in this prison." Luke looked back at the platform. "And the other half?" The prisoner gave a nervous smile. "You'll find out soon." Before Luke could ask another question, another group entered from the opposite side, this time, the reaction was different, several prisoners immediately stepped back. Garrett stood among them, but the man leading the group was far more intimidating. He was enormous, with dark hair, a thick neck, and eyes that glowed faintly amber beneath the courtyard lights. The prisoner beside Luke swallowed. "That's Raven Darius." Luke watched as the werewolf leader crossed the courtyard. Victor Salvage stopped walking, for a brief moment, the two men stared at each other. Neither spoke, neither moved aside, the tension was so thick that even the prisoners around them fell silent. Then Victor smiled. "Hmm. Still walking around like you own the place, Raven?" Raven revealed his teeth. "One day, old man, you'll learn to respect your betters." Victor chuckled. "That sounds like a promise." The two groups continued walking in opposite directions. The assembly resumed, Luke slowly looked around, he has been inside Blackgate for less than a day. And already, he has identified two major powers, witnessed the difference between humans and supernatural prisoners, and learned that the prison's official rules meant very little. He has also discovered something else, the inmates weren't simply serving their sentences, they were running businesses, commanding armies, settling disputes, and fighting for territory. Blackgate was a world of its own, and he had just entered it with nothing. --- That evening, Luke returned to his cell, Ezekiel was still reading when he stepped in. "How was the assembly?" the old man asked. "Interesting." "Did you see Victor?" "Yes." "Raven?" "Yes." Ezekiel nodded. "Then you've met the people who make this layer dangerous." Luke sat down. "Are they the only ones?" "That would be a big no." "Who else?" Ezekiel closed his book and placed it beside him. "That depends on what you're looking for." Luke leaned back against the wall. "I'm looking for a way to survive." "Then you should start by understanding where you are." Ezekiel pointed towards the door. "See those men outside?" Luke listened. Several footsteps passed their cell. "One of them works for Victor. Another sells information to Raven. The third belongs to neither of them." "How do you know?" "Because I've been watching them for years." Luke looked at the old man. "You're not as ordinary as you pretend to be." Ezekiel smiled. "Neither are you, young man." Luke's expression hardened. "What does that mean?" "Oh, nothing." The old man picked up his book again. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow, you'll begin learning how things really work around here." Luke climbed onto his bed, fr several minutes, he watched the ceiling, he thought about his father, General Hayes, Daniel, and even Victoria. He remembered the courtroom, the false testimony, and the smile on his wife's face. His hands slowly tightened. He has no money, no influence, no friends, and no way to contact the outside world. But he was alive, at least that was enough for now. Below, Ezekiel turned another page, then, without looking up, he spoke. "One last piece of advice, Luke." "I'm listening old man." "Whatever happens tomorrow, don't let them see how much you want to survive." Luke turned his head, but he didn't say anything. Ezekiel's eyes lifted from the book. "In Blackgate, desperation is the first thing predators smell." The lights went out as it normally did, and somewhere beyond their cell, a prisoner began screaming. Luke's heart skipped immediately, Ezekiel didn't pay it mind, it wasn't a new thing in here. 
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The Old Man's Secret
By midday, Luke had learned more about Blackgate than he had during the previous evening.There were no official shops, but almost everything could be purchased.Some prisoners controlled food distribution, others handled medicine and restricted items, a few operated information networks, collecting details about inmates, guards, and outside events.Money was useful, but it wasn't everything.A prisoner could have millions waiting outside and still be powerless if nobody inside respected him, Luke found that particularly interesting.Influence was not always connected to physical strength, sometimes it came from controlling what other people needed.He was examining a group exchanging cigarettes when someone blocked his path."You're the new guy."Luke looked up.A large prisoner stood before him, he was bald, heavily built, and wore a sleeveless shirt that revealed thick arms covered in scars."Yes.""Name's Briggs."Luke waited. Briggs pointed
The Rules Of Survival
The screaming continued for several minutes.Luke sat upright on his bed, listening, It wasn't the first time he's heard someone scream in pain. During his military service, he had witnessed men suffer injuries that would haunt them for the rest of their lives.But this was different.There was something unsettling about hearing it inside a prison where nobody seemed willing to intervene."Go back to sleep, young lad."Ezekiel's voice came from the lower bed.Luke looked down."Do you know what's happening, old man?""Probably.""Probably?"The old man turned over."People get hurt here every night. You'll get used to it."Luke remained seated."Shouldn't someone call the guards?"Ezekiel laughed quietly."Call them for what? These is Blackgate, lad.""But someone is being attacked.""And?"Luke stared at him.Ezekiel opened one eye."Listen carefully. There are three kinds of people in Blackgate. Those who hurt others, tho
The King's Of Blackgate
His cell was located near the end of Block C.The guard unlocked the door."You're here."Luke stepped inside.The cell was small but clean. Two metal beds stood against opposite walls, with a narrow table between them and a toilet separated by a low partition.An elderly man sat on the lower bed, he had grey hair, a lean frame, and a worn face. His prison uniform looked older than Luke's, and a thick book rested on his lap.The man didn't look up."New roommate?" he asked."Apparently.""Name?""Luke Callas."The old man turned a page."Ezekiel Graves."Luke placed his mattress on the empty upper bed."How long have you been here?""Long enough."Luke glanced at him."That's not an answer."Ezekiel chuckled."You're right. But it is the only one you're getting."Luke examined the room."Are you alone in this cell?""Not anymore."There was something unusual about the old man.He spoke calmly, almost lazily, but
Welcome To Blackgate
The transport vehicle came to a stop, Luke raised his head.For the past four hours, he has been sitting inside a cramped compartment with six other prisoners. His hands were cuffed, his ankles chained, and a thick metal barrier separated them from the armed guards.Nobody had the strength to speak much during the journey, as each carried his own burden with him.But now, something had changed, he could hear the heavy rumbling of machinery outside, a moment later, the rear doors opened."Everybody out!"A guard stepped inside, holding a rifle.Luke stood with the others and stepped down, the first thing he noticed was the wall, It was enormous.Thick concrete stretched across the landscape, rising so high that he had to tilt his head to see the watchtowers above it. Electric fences ran along the upper sections, while armed guards watched from behind reinforced windows.There were no ordinary prison buildings in sight, only concrete, steel, surveillance equi
The Road To Blackgate
She placed the document on the table."This is a copy of the financial records from his company. I believe they're connected to what happened."Luke looked at the document carefully, It was one of the reports Daniel had been investigating. He slowly raised his head."Where did you get these?"Victoria said nothing, Luke's expression changed, He understood something then, this wasn't a misunderstanding, it wasn't a mistake either—Victoria has been involved from the very beginning.The woman standing before him had helped destroy his life, and she knew exactly what she was doing, and still he had no clue as to the reason behind it all.---Three Weeks Later.The courtroom was filled with journalists, legal representatives, military officials, and members of the public.Luke stood inside the defendant's enclosure, he had lost weight, his beard had grown slightly longer, and the expensive suits he once wore had been replaced by prison-issued clothing.His lawyer had spent weeks challengin
The Face Of Betrayal
Luke slowly turned."Dead?""Yes, sir. He was found in his residence this morning."For a moment, everything around Luke seemed to become distant, first his father, and now General Hayes. Two people he knew personally, both dead within hours."Daniel, what's happening?" Tears welled up in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall, by his side his knuckle was already turning white."I don't know, sir. But there's something else."Luke closed his eyes briefly, wishing all these was nothing but a nightmare, unfortunately it wasn't."Go ahead.""The police have issued an internal notice connecting you to the general's murder."Luke's mouth fell, the shock in his eyes could not be hidden."What?""They're looking for you, Sir."Luke looked towards the police officers standing outside his father's residence, suddenly, several of them began moving in his direction."Daniel, listen carefully, all these is the handwork of someone. Someone is setting me up.""Sir—""I don't know who it is yet,
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