The Charismatic Charlie Wade

Dean had initially believed that Jagoan would continue to torment him, but to his surprise, Jagoan 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 Jagoan’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.”

Jagoan, 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 Jagoan, hoping to plead for mercy, but choked on his own tears. “Sir, I…”

Jagoan 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 Jagoan’s refusal to entertain his pleas. He couldn’t hide his grief any longer and wept uncontrollably. Jagoan, 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, Jagoan 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 Jagoan’s orders, they nodded in agreement, as if they were following the relentless rhythm of a machine extracting oil twenty times its normal speed.

Jagoan 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.

in his direction and commented with indifference, “No

man, sweating profusely, breathed a sigh of relief and

further attention. Instead, he barked at

young man who

remembered this youth. He had been cheering and shouting when he first arrived,

asked, “What’s your

expressing remorse. “I’m sorry, sir… I’ve had trouble with directions since

from right?” Jagoan smiled

swift movement, Jagoan grabbed the young man’s right hand and effortlessly snapped

cried out in pain, but Jagoan, maintaining his indifferent demeanor, remarked, “Remember, this is the right! I’m sure you won’t forget it for

left everyone in the room in

quickly, fearing making a mistake. The young man who had just suffered the injury had no trouble distinguishing left from

“You, start. Tell us your name, where you’re from, the crime you committed, how long you’ve been here, and how much of your sentence

been in prison for a year for robbery, and

Jagoan nodded. “Alright, next!”

Mills, an American,” the next person began. “I’ve been here for six months for fraud, and I have three years left

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 years to serve.”

toward the individuals flanking Haji and instructed, “Both of you,

abruptly, and he stammered, “Sir… why do you want to

an icy tone, “All sexual offenders

forceful slaps to Haji’s face. His cheeks quickly swelled from the impact, making him look like a pig’s head. Tears welled up in his eyes, and he seethed with anger and grievances, but he didn’t dare show it at

punishment was John Lawrence, who was particularly anxious. He knew that if Haji was subjected to this punishment,

introduce himself, his voice trembling with fear. “Sir… I… my name is John… John Lawrence… I’m here for sexual assault

Lawrence finished speaking, a young man nearby asked,

his hand

“One slap every day.

man, with a sense of duty, raised his hand and delivered the remaining slaps to John Lawrence without hesitation. The other inmate, equally fatigued, continued with swift blows until the hundred

too exhausted to lift their arms, and John Lawrence’s face was grotesquely swollen, resembling a corpse submerged in

Jagoan, asking, “Sir, we’ve completed the hundred slaps. What should we do now that

hand dismissively and replied, “Throw him in