Beneath the Mask - 16. Chapter 16

Mr. Henderson already has his hands full with the residents in his facility attending school. Now school is out and the residents pretty much have nothing to do all day, and he is pretty worried about that. In return, he asked his guards to come up with ideas for keeping the residents time occupied with different things to do.

What is occurring in the cafeteria at this very moment is proving Mr. Henderson right. A couple of the older residents are having problems with a new resident that just arrived. It is getting to the point that it might lead to being a fistfight.

The new resident that arrived just last night is a young African-American. He believes that he is the highest ranking African-American gang member in the Building. He believes that he should be the one running things.

Alex and Carlos walked in just as the new resident threw several trays of food to the floor. They walked over to their normal table and sat down. Alex looked around the table to see if anyone knows what’s going on.

“One of they rules that we follow here as inmates is if it does not concern you, don't pay any attention. I am just wondering if any of you guys know who that guy is over there making trouble.”

Everyone looked at each other and finally Bobby spoke up. “That guy over there thinks that he is the shit and should be running things in here. I don't know where he thinks he's at, but we Mexicans run things in all the facilities in El Paso.”

“Settle down Bobby, let him have his little fit, but we will take care of him. There is no need for us to go over there right now and end up either in lock down or in Building ‘B’. There is a right time and place for everything.”

Alex turned his attention to his breakfast and started eating. Within minutes several guards rushed in and pulled the new resident away. As they dragged him out of the cafeteria, Alex looked up at him. It looks like he recognizes Alex.

After breakfast, Alex, Carlos and Bobby left the others outside. Carlos found out what room the new guy got assigned. The boys headed straight over to the room to have a little talk with the new resident.

Carlos and Bobby walked into the room first, followed by Alex. Bobby stepped back and shut the door once they were all in. The new kid got up immediately from his bed and just stood there in the middle of the room looking at the three that just walked in.

Alex walked up to the new resident and pinned him against the wall with his arm at his throat. He stared straight into Alex's eyes and didn't flinch. That frustrated the hell out of Alex.

“I don't care where you came from or who you think you are. One thing I do want to make clear to you is this. You don’t run things in here. Just like in County and in the prisons. We run things.

This bullshit I saw this morning will not happen again. You don't have to worry about the guards; you do have to worry about me. Trust me; I will do worse than what the guards can do to you. So don’t test the limits with me.”

Alex removed his arm from the neck, but punched him several times in the gut. The new kid fell to the ground grasping for air. He tried to get back up, but Carlos kicked him several more times in the gut.

At this point, the new kid just laid there on the ground. He decided not to move an inch. He knows the three guys will leave the minute they see him not moving. Alex walked back up to the new kid, and grabbed onto his hair. Alex pulled him up by his hair and looked him in the eye.

“Things in this Building are calm and I want it to stay that way. Don’t destroy the peace and quiet that I have in this Building. If you do so, I will take you out without giving it a second thought.”

Alex slammed the new kid's head against the wall. He walked out, followed by Carlos and Bobby. The only reason Alex did what he did is to kill the rumors about him getting soft. He knows in order for him to keep his position, he cannot afford to look weak.

He waved Carlos up to him and spoke loud enough for Bobby to hear. “Reach out to the leader of the African American gang in Building ‘B’. Let him know about our little problem here. If he cannot get his guy under control, I will have no problem taking care of HIS business!”

Carlos promised Alex that he will reach out and take care of the problem. He looked at his friends and liked seeing the old Alex. He doesn't mind the new Alex but, from time to time he would like to see his best friend of the past.

They walked back out and re-joined the group. Matt knows exactly where Alex went and what he did. He isn't about to question Alex about it, because he has learned not to do that. He also understands that Alex has to do ugly things once and a while.

Just then, something caught the corner of Matt’s eye. He turned just in time to see the new resident running at Alex. His first reaction is to protect Alex and he did by pushing him out of the way.

The new kid stumbled to the ground and quickly recovered. He stood up and waited for Alex’s response. At first, Alex's looked at the new kid. Trying to figure out what is going through this kid's head.

It didn't take long for everyone in the yard to surround Alex and the new guy. Alex knows he doesn't have that much time to deal with this guy. Before the new guy even knew what hit him, Alex had him on the ground.

Punch after punch Alex landed on the new guys face, chest and stomach. The only thing he could do is raise his arms to protect his face. Just as quickly as Alex dropped the guy to the ground, the guards started pulling them apart.

They slammed Alex face first into the dirt and held him there until Officer Jackson arrived. At the same time they pulled the new guy up and started giving him first aid. Not willing to listen to any other witnesses, the guards handcuffed Alex. They pulled him up from the ground and dragged him into the Building.

At the same time, they babied the new guy. After giving him first aid, they let him go on his own back to his room. Just as he is walking into the Building, Officer Jackson requested one of the other guards to handcuff him as well.

“He wasn't the one that was fighting. Resident Alex was on top of him and beating the living daylights out of him. He needs to go see the nurse, and Alex needs to go to lock down for week or so.” One of the guards that are holding onto Alex yelled out.

“You all broke protocol when you decided to move the residents from the area of the fight. You know that you are not allowed to move residents around after a fight until I, Mr. Henderson or the officer on duty gives the order to do so.

Also I believe this is the young man we had an issue with this morning. He thinks he's some kind of gangster from the movies. Until I find out how all this started, no one will be going to the infirmary or lock down. Go and put both of these guys in separate interviewing rooms.”

The other guards reluctantly followed orders. They put Alex in one interview room and the new guy in another. They handcuffed Alex to the table, but didn't do the same thing to the new guy.

Once the guard left Alex alone in the interview room, he looked down at his hands and noticed that his knuckles are scratched and bleeding. He then looked around the room. He figured out that this is a room that he has not yet been in.

Alex sat in the interview room for several hours before anyone walked in. Finally, Officer Jackson walked in with several other officers. He sat down across from Alex and pulled out his notebook.

“Everyone that was around you stated that Berry came at you first and you reacted. I don’t understand after being here for several months, you did what you did. You have been keeping yourself clean and out of trouble. Now you go and do this.”

Officer Jackson looked at Alex for some kind response. Alex just sat there looking straight into Officer Jackson's eyes. Not saying a word in response to what he was just told from Officer Jackson.

“You could've walked away Alex! Because you didn't, you are leaving me with no other choice. You will be spending Christmas in solitary. After you get out of solitary, you will be moved to Building ‘B’.”

Alex responded as the guards that walked in with officer Jackson pulled him up from the table. “You are sending me to solitary for defending myself? Then you are going to send me into Building ‘B’ for one fight? What about the new kid, is he going to be sent to solitary and then to Building ‘B’ as well?”

“Never mind what is going to happen to the other guy. You need to worry about yourself and what you just did to your chances of getting out of here.”

Officer Jackson waved his hand to the other guards to pull Alex out of the room. Alex is stunned as he is walked down to his new cell in solitary. The guards made take off his clothes and only left him in his boxers as they shut the door to the eight-by-eight room.

Matt found out what happened to Alex and immediately headed to the phones. Alex told him that if he ever ends up in troubles to call his mother. After the second ring, a young man's voice answered the phone.
“Alex is that you, what is going on that you are calling on a week day?” Young kid on the other side of the line asked with enthusiasm in his voice.

“This isn't Alex, I am a friend of his here at the detention facility. I need to speak with his mother if that is possible.”

Without asking any questions, Alex’s brother lays down the phone and went and got his mom. Several minutes later, Alex’s mom got on the line with Matt. She knew that there is something wrong for someone else to be calling her instead of her son.

Matt explained everything to Alex's mom. She just stood there on the line listing to what Matt had to say. As soon as Matt told her about the punishment he received for his infractions, she hung up the phone.

Franseca quickly walked back to the main house. She headed straight to Jacob in the living room. Once she got his attention, she explained to Jacob what is going on. Before she finished telling Jacob everything, he started heading out the door.

Within an hour, Jacob is waiting to speak with Mr. Henderson at his office. Mr. Henderson’s secretary tried to explain to Jacob that he needs appointment in order to speak with him. Jacob refused to leave without speaking with him.

Mr. Henderson walked out and asked Jacob to join him in his office. As soon as Mr. Henderson walked around his desk, he started speaking.

“I know why you're here and there is nothing I can do about it. Alex broke the rules and he knew the consequences of that. There is no fighting, for any reason, while they are in this facility. That is a one-way ticket to solitary and then to Building ‘B’.”

“Let me get this right, you will allow him to fight at this facility if it moves your agenda along. But when he defends himself from an attacker, he is sent to solitary and more than likely going to be serving out the remainder of his sentence in prison.

Something here doesn't sound right at all. I have documentation of Alex doing things for you, by your request. He informed me of dates and times of conversations he had with you and Officer Jackson. For several of those conversations, he has witnesses.

Do I need to go any further than this? Because I'm willing to do that as well, if you want me to. If you don’t take Alex out of solitary and put him back into his dorm, I will have you and Officer Jackson on the unemployment line before Christmas. If you don't think I can, test me, and you will come to a rude awakening.”

Mr. Henderson just looked at Jacob. Trying to figure him out on why he's come to the aide of the guy that tried to kill him several times. He knows that Jacob not only has connections in the District Attorney’s office and it is rumored that he knows the Governor.

“The thing I don’t understand Mr. Henderson is why you're doing this. Yes, Alex broke a rule, but he was defending himself. He has done everything and then some for you. This is the way you guys treat those who help you out?

I will ask Alex to stop helping you out because when he needed you, you turned your back on him. Don't you want Alex on your side? Controlling the gang from inside means you have fewer worries! You know that if you don’t have Alex helping you, all the success you been having in here will be gone.”

“How can I explain to the other residents that Alex has a different set of rules that he follows. I will lose more control that way.”

“You don’t report to the resident. If you are that type of director, you shouldn't be in your position. If your guards ask why, tell them that you were threatened by me with a lawsuit. That would shut them up and you know that.”

“Fine, I will have Alex moved back to his dorm. I need you to talk with him and make sure that he will continue working with me and Officer Jackson. That will be the only way that I will move him back to his room.”

“It will be a tough sell, but I will get it done. I only have one request to add. You have shown how quickly you can turn your back on a person that is helping you out. In order to protect Alex from going to prison, you will need to allow him to record every meeting he has with you and the guards from here on out concerning the work he's doing for you.

Someone from his attorney’s office will come down and pick up the tapes every week. They will get the tapes directly from Alex and log them in. They will compare the amount of tapes they are getting to a list Alex will be keeping.

This is the only way Alex can protect himself from your backstabbing. I will not allow you to harm him in anyway. He screwed up once in his life, he is trying to make amends, and go home. Let him do his time and go home to his mom and brothers.”

Mr. Henderson didn't know how to respond to Jacob’s request. One thing is clear to Mr. Henderson; these two have stayed in complete contact since Alex got here. In return, Jacob must be talking with Alex’s attorneys about everything. They have to be instructing Jacob what to do if things go wrong.

“I have no problem with those requests. You provide the recorder and the tapes and we have a deal.”

Jacob got up and shook Mr. Henderson's hand as he walked out at his office. He got escorted down to the visitation room in order to talk with Alex. Jacob decided to make clear to Alex to no longer trust anyone in this place. They will do anything and that includes stepping on anybody they have to in order to get their next promotion.

Alex walked in and sat on the opposite side of the table from Jacob. Jacob explained to him what he agreed to do with Mr. Henderson. By the time Jacob finished, Alex had no objections to the plan. He wants to make sure that everything he does is documented.

“The thing I don't understand Jacob, is why he did this. I did everything and then some to help out Mr. Henderson and his guards. In return, he turns his back on me this quickly,” Alex said with total confusion in his voice.

Jacob responded with only a second’s hesitation; “I don't know, but I am pretty sure he has a personal motive for what he's doing. He has been successful here and trusts me this is not his last stop on the promotion train. I think he trying to get rid of loose ends before he comes up for promotion.”

Alex sat there stunned that he is considered a loose end. He comes to expect that treatment from his gang, but not from those who are sworn to protect him. He also knows that what started this today was him protecting his standing among his gang members.

Jacob’s manner changed and then he added, “Oh, before I go Alex! Do you remember what we spoke about last night? Well, just before I headed down here. I spoke with the school district and they agreed to donate the equipment to you and this program.” Jacob looked back at Alex and saw excitement across his face.

We lucked out on this Alex. The school district is donating it because they want to get rid of the equipment. They got to have the donation in by the end of the year and with me calling gives them that. So, by the end of the week, the equipment should be delivered.”

“Thank you so much for your help on this, Jacob and everything you keep doing for me. You seem to be there every time I get myself in trouble. I cannot thank you enough for everything. I will not let you or my mom down.”

Alex was still seated when Jacob got up to walk out the door, but stopped and turned around. He walked around the table to Alex and knelt down on the floor. Jacob leaned into Alex and started to whisper in his ear, “You’d better not Alex! We are fighting for you every inch of the way. You fucked up once. Don't let that mistake rule your life. Too many people fall into that trap. Just remember that we are here any time, night or day, if you need us.

I also understand why you need to do what you do, Alex. You have proven yourself today that you are not weak and still the leader. Let others do the dirty work and you keep your hands clean. I want to get to know the real Alex, the Alex that your mother talks to me about. Please stay clean and get out of here!”

Alex watched Jacob get up and leave. He couldn't believe that Jacob came down to save him once again. He has done so much to this poor guy, but Jacob will not stop fighting for him.

Alex is starting to wonder if he can trust Jacob enough to tell him about himself. He knows that Jacob will understand because he is gay just like him, but he has only one concern. That concern is if he tells Jacob about himself that Jacob will run to Alex's mom.

Just then, Officer Jackson walked into the visitation room. He looked at Alex and waved him out of the room. They didn't talk to each other as they walked to the entrance of Building ‘A’. As they walked up to the door, Officer Jackson turned and faced Alex.

“I know you and I know how you do things. You have to understand that we cannot show favoritism with you. If we would've done that, the gig is up with us. Every guard and every inmate in your gang will know that you are a snitch. We cannot put your life in that kind of danger.”

“Yeah, you cannot put my life in that kind of danger here, but you can sentence me to twenty-five years in prison. I may not be killed here, but I will be killed in the prison system. They will not allow me to live because I am a threat to the leadership.

What you and Mr. Henderson tried to do is sign my death warrant. I cannot trust or respect people like you! People that is willing to save their own butt at the cost of another! I understand what you were thinking, but you need understand where I'm coming from. I would not make it a week in prison.”

Officer Jackson didn't know how to respond to what Alex just said. He knows that Alex is right. He knows that if Alex would end up in the prison system, he will not make it out alive. He cannot have that on his conscience.

“I hope you continue to work with us and not turn your back. Ever since you came, the violence in this place has stopped. I am asking you to please continue trusting us. I know it's hard for you to say yes right now, but think about it.”

Alex walked in and went straight to his room. He found Matt on his hands and knees praying for him. He walked up behind him and leaned down to kiss the top of his head. Matt jumped up and almost threw Alex to the floor.

“Oh man Alex, oh man Alex, how, how did you get here? When I heard that they threw you in solitary, I thought I lost you for good!” Matt kept asking with enthusiasm.

“It was because of you calling my house and speaking with my mother. She went and got Jacob to help me. He came down here immediately and said something to Mr. Henderson that changed his mind.”

Matt didn't care anymore how he got back; just that he is back now. He quickly walked over to the door and shut it. He came back to Alex and grabbed a hold of him. Without a word spoken between them, Matt moved in and started kissing Alex.

Between going from one interview room to another, to solitary, and back to an interview room, Alex missed lunch and dinner. As Alex broke the kiss and walked over to his closet, the door opened. A guard stepped in trying to catch his breath.

“Alejandro, Officer Jackson has asked the kitchen to prepare you something for dinner. They were only able to prepare a cheeseburger and fries for you. So would you please come with me to the kitchen?”

It is as if Officer Jackson could hear Alex's stomach growling from hunger. He closed the door to his closet and walked out with a guard to the kitchen. As he sat down at the table, one of the cooks walked out with a tray of food. Alex quickly ate and headed back to the room where he is greeted by Matt, Carlos, Bobby, Steve and Robert.

As the rumors of Alex's misfortune reached Ashton in Building ‘B’, plans went into the works. There is no way on what had happened to Alex can go unanswered. So Ashton decided to reach out to the African American gang.

Unlike Building ‘A’, in Building ‘B’, the residents have to walk out of their dorm and get their tray of food and then take it back in to their dorm to eat. But today the procedure during meal time is going to change.

The doors open to each of the dorms and the residents walked out. They lined up in two single lines, one on each side of the room, to get their food. Ashton looked across the room, straight at the leader of the African American gang. The leader looks back at Ashton. Not knowing why Ashton is looking at him.

Ashton turned his head and nodded and turned his head the other direction and nodded again. Before the African American gang could react, Ashton and his gang are on top of them. Right there in the middle of the room, both of these gangs are going at it.

As Ashton jumped on top of the African American gang leader and started hitting him. He started to ask why he chose to break the peace deal. As Ashton got pulled off of the guy by a guard, he answered him, “We didn't break the peace between the two gangs, you guys did. One of your lieutenants tried to jump our leader in the court yard earlier this morning. That broke our peace deal and now we are at war again.”

“What the fuck? We don’t have ANYONE in Building ‘A’. You are fucking lying your asses off. If you don't want to have peace just say it, but don't lie.”

“Check it out and you will see that you have a lieutenant by the name of Barry that is now in Building ‘A’. He broke our peace agreement and because of that we are at war!”

Both gangs finally got separated and thrown back into their dorms. Immediately Building ‘B’ went into lock down. The African-American gang leader, Samuel called his lieutenants over to him at the table, “Find out if it is true that we have someone in the other Building that tried to attack Alex. If so, we need to reach out to that person…….”

One of the lieutenants, Marterrius, spoke up; “I know that Barry arrived here last night. He immediately tried to take control over there in the other Building. I thought I could deal with it, without a reaching you or an all out war with the Mexican gang.”

“Damn it, you knew this was going on and you didn't come and tell me? That kid jumped the leader of the Mexican gang. How fucking stupid is he? Reach out and reel in that muthafucka. I want to talk with him before he makes any more trouble for us.”

The Samuel walked off leaving the standing orders. He knows if he doesn’t get a chance to get a sit down with Alex, the peace he has enjoyed these last couple of months is gone. He likes the way Alex leads his gang, and wants to keep up a good relationship with Alex. That is the only way he doesn’t have to keep looking over his shoulder all the time.

Mr. Henderson and Officer Jackson walked into the Building ‘B’ as the guards finished locking the Building down. They walked over to the dorm where Ashton and the Mexican gang is at and looked in. They could see them talking in the middle of the dayroom.

“They are not even hiding it anymore. We really fucked up this morning with Alex. He gave us peace between the gangs. Now that peace is gone, and there is no way we are going to able to stop an all out war if it comes. We are just simply out manned.” Mr. Henderson whispered to Officer Jackson.

“We can just keep these dorms in twenty four hour lockdown until they agree to the peace again. If they don’t, they will never get out of lockdown.”

“Officer Jackson, you know we can’t do that. It is against the law. I only can keep them locked down for a certain amount of time. Damn, we need Alex and we cannot go to him. There is no way he is going to step up after what we did.”

Both Officer Jackson and Mr. Henderson realized even before the uprising they burnt the bridge they built with Alex. Now it is going to be even harder to reach Alex than before. Alex has had so many people in his life back stab him.

Ashton saw Mr. Henderson and Officer Jackson look in as he is speaking with his leadership. He smiled at them and returned to the conversation.

“Right now we will act all nice and regretful for what we did. Then when the guards relax and stop looking at us. We will strike again, but we will make sure they don’t get a chance to walk away like they did today. No one gets away with trying to attack our leader. The entire gang must answer for what one did.”

Everyone surrounding Ashton agreed with him. They broke the meeting with the standing order to talk with their members. Make sure they don’t do anything else until the order comes down from Ashton or Alex.

In the mean time Alex is with Matt and the guys are unaware of what is happening in the other building. He is asking Carlos and Bobby to reach out to the other building on the very subject. He wants the order to be peace for now, but that can change.

The next morning after breakfast, Alex met up with Mr. Simonss in his classroom. Although it is the Christmas break, Mr. Simonss is still working at least up to Christmas because of the new program.

Alex found Mr. Simons at his desk when he walked into the classroom. He walked right up to the desk to you see Mr. Simons reading the proposal that he left for him to read. Mr. Simons looked up, closed the literature, and walked around the desk.

“It is good to see you Alex. I thought I might have lost a student after yesterday. I'm not going to ask what happened. The only thing I'm going to say on the subject is to ask you to keep your nose clean.

Enough about that, let's move on to the subject at hand. I have looked over your proposal. It can work, but the startup costs are going to be more than the grant we got. There is no way this facility will kick in the rest. It saddens me to say, you guys are going to need to go back to the drawing board.”

With a Cheshire Cat grin Alex responded, “Mr. Simons, we don’t have to go back to the drawing board. I have someone on the outside that was able to pull a few strings for us. Tech High is closing and my friend Jacob Hernandez was able to get the school district to donate all the equipment they have to us at no cost.

The equipment will be delivered at the end of the week. All we have to do is be ready to accept it. They will set it up and show us how to use it. All we need is Mr. Henderson to okay the delivery.”

Mr. Simons nearly in shock replied; “I will get right on that Alex. You really get going on something that you want to work. I knew I picked the right student to kick start this program. Now we need to figure out who we can get as employees.

At first we can use the residents here that need to do their community service hours, but those will run out fast. You guys listed another great idea about others in the free doing their community service here in the print shop. I just don't have the connections to get that done. I really don't even know where to start to tell you the truth” Mr. Simons concluded having regrouped from his surprise admirably.

Alex’s grin stayed as he, once again, answered a problem with a solution; “My same friend that got the equipment donated to us is going to work on that. He has a few connections in the district attorney’s office. He is going to try to get our print shop listed as a place to send those that are on probation to do the community service hours.”

Mr. Simons now equaling Alex’s grin said; “I am starting to love this guy. The next time you speak with him or see him, let him know how much I appreciate his help. Now let me go ahead and run to Mr. Henderson's office. I want to make sure I get him before he leaves for the Christmas four day weekend.”

With that, Mr. Simons and Alex walked out of the classroom. Alex went his way, as Mr. Simons headed to Mr. Henderson's office. Mr. Henderson's secretary told Mr. Simons that he was in a meeting and that he can wait if you wanted to. Mr. Simons walked over to the seats and sat down.

Mr. Henderson just started a meeting with Officer Jackson. After yesterday's events, they decided they needed to meet in private. They both realized they have dug themselves into a hole and have no good way out.

Henderson made is opening remarks; “I made a huge mistake by not backing Alex. I still believe we cannot show him favoritism, but we cannot turn our back on him either. I am up for this promotion because of the success the last couple months we have been having here.

If I get the warden job at the death row prison here in Texas, it will all be because of Alex and his help. Now after yesterday, I might actually fall couple notches. We need to pull that Building off of lockdown, but not have any more incidents.”

Officer Jackson scratched his head and looked down at his notes. Everything they have tried in the past has proven that nothing they do works controlling the gangs. They are out numbered and the only reason they have had success is because of Alex.

Officer Jackson says, “I really do believe that without Alex, we won't be able to stop the gang violence again. He is the one that has brokered the peace between the two main gangs in here. He also is the one that has successfully moved the gang out of the mode of dealing with things with violence.

I know he's doing this for his own reasons. We accepted his help for our own reasons. Now we slapped his hand away and we don't know how to fix that. I really do believe there is no chance going to him now and asking him to broker a peace deal again.”

“Officer Jackson, I truly believe he's the only one that can get it done. We're going to have to talk with him this morning and do it his way.

I suggest that you go over to speak with him while I deal with my next meeting with Mr. Simons. Keep me informed, but get it done. I want to be able to leave today with that Building out of lockdown and no worries of violence breaking out over the weekend.”

Officer Jackson left out the side door as Mr. Simons walked in the main one. He went directly to speak with Alex. He knows that it is going to be a hard sell to get Alex on board with him again.

As he walked down the main hall, he spotted Alex walking into the dayroom. He called for him to stop, and Alex obeyed. Officer Jackson explained the situation that is going on in the next building and asked for Alex's help.

Alex didn't let Carlos leave his side because he wants to always have a witness whenever he speaks with Mr. Henderson and Officer Jackson about the gang. Alex laid down his ground rules and Officer Jackson accepted. The last thing they cleared up is the timing of when this meeting is going to occur.

Alex and Carlos only had about an hour to get ready for the meeting. So they left Officer Jackson at the door of the dayroom and walked in to find Bobby. Although Alex doesn't trust Bobby, he knows it's best to keep him close. That way if he is planning something, Carlos or Alex can catch it before Bobby can execute it.

About forty-five minutes later, Officer Jackson called for Alex, Carlos and Bobby. They walked down to the double doors that enter into a hall that leads to Building ‘B’. That is where Officer Jackson caught up with the boys.

He escorted the boys down the hall into Building ‘B’. As they walked in, the boys stopped right in the middle of the corridor. Alex looked around to see all the dorms in lockdown. Barry, the one that started this whole thing, is standing on the other side of the corridor.

Officer Jackson looked up at the guard station and yelled: “Open pod D and B!” Then walked over to each pod and pulled out the leaders. Everyone walked to the middle of the corridor and just stood there looking at each other.

Officer Jackson is the first to speak as he walked up. “I pulled each of you out of your dorms in order to speak with each other. Alex will be running this meeting, and I will be stepping back. I really hope that my guards and I don’t have to separate you.”

Alex stepped forward with Carlos at his side. “Before my time, the Mexican gang ran everything in this detention facility and every facility in this city and almost in this state. When I came here I brokered a peace deal between our two gangs. We all agreed we wanted to do our time and not worry about each other.”

Alex pointed to Barry as he continued to talk. “This guy claims to be a lieutenant in your gang. His very first day on Tuesday, he started to create mayhem in the cafeteria. I didn't deal with him there. I gave him respect and dealt with him in private. In return he didn't show me the same respect.

He alone destroyed the peace we had. I know he is aware of the deal we made because the same deal got struck at County and in the prison system. They follow our example of living in peace.”

The leader of the African American gang spoke up. “Alejandro I was unaware of this resident being in your Building. Not only he is part of our gang, but he is a lieutenant. I have reached out to him and he told me what you did. How is that not breaking our truce between our gangs?”

“You're lieutenant disrespected regular residents of this facility. You know that is one of the first points we agreed upon. We will no longer force, step in or pick a fight with another resident. He stood there in the cafeteria, tossing other resident’s trays of food to the floor for no reason at all.

When I approached him in his room, he disrespected me. So yes, I slapped him around a couple times. He needed to be shown who has the final say here is. You run your gang, but if I see an infraction, I will step in to fix it.”

“I didn't know that he had done that prior to your visit to his room. I would've done the same thing if I was there. Even before we made a peace agreement, none of my leadership or members was allowed to make a scene like that.

I want peace between our gangs. Let me deal with my lieutenant in-house. But as far as we are concerned I would like us to have peace.”

“I don't want any more killings, beatings or any other violence. When the violence ended in here, we got a lot more done. I will not going to detail, but you know what I'm talking about. Peace between our two gangs, works for both of us and our businesses.

I will speak with my leader in here and you speak with your leadership. From this point on, there will be no more violence of any kind between our gangs. Let's both keep our members in line and what occurred yesterday will not happen again”

Both leaders broke apart from the pack and spoke in private. They agreed to put back into effect the peace between the two gangs. At the same time Alex got a sworn promise from the African American gang leader not to hurt his lieutenant that caused all this. In Alex's mind he has already got his punishment.

They returned back to the pack and they separated into their own groups. Alex made it clear to Ashton that, for now, there has to be peace. Ashton didn't mind because his leader is the one that looks to be in charge.

Alex finished up with Ashton and his lieutenants before quickly. He walked over to Carlos and Bobby to leave. As Officer Jackson escorted them out of the building, he yelled out to the guard station the lockdown is over.

While Alex was gone, Matt couldn't help but worry about him. Matt loves Alex so much; he cannot stop worrying about him when ever he deals with the issues of his gang. He fears that one day Alex will not return from one of the meetings.

Robert and Steve kept Matt company. They tried to talk about several subjects in order to get Matt's mind off of Alex being gone, but nothing is working. Finally they just gave up and left. They headed down to Steve's room to be alone.

As soon as they walked in, Steve locked the door. He walked over to Robert and pulled him down to the floor. He put Robert on his stomach and crawled on top of him to give him a back massage.

“You are so tense right now Robert. What you have on your mind that's weighing you down so much?”

“Nothing really, just being here for the holidays has thrown me into a bummer mood. I know it will be worse at home, but at least I can go places. In here, we are limited places to go.”

“I know something to make you stop thinking about home. It will make you happy and me happy at the same time.” Steve said with a giggle at the end.

Steve moved his hands down to Robert's butt and started massaging it. “I would love to have my cock between these awesome butt cheeks. What do you think about that? Do you want my cock between your butt cheeks?”

Robert didn't say anything and that spoke more. Steve lay down on top of Robert, already hard as a rock. Robert could feel Steve's cock pressing against his butt as he lay down on him. Steve started to kiss the back side of Robert’s neck.

Robert slowly moved his body until he got on his back. Steve leaned in and started to kiss Robert on the lips. At the same time, he put his hand between Robert's pants and underwear. Grabbing hold of Robert’s cock, Steve started to jerk him off.

The minute Steve grabbed a hold of Robert's cock, he went hard. Robert started to moan as Steve played with his cock. They broke the kiss and immediately Steve went down on Robert to start undressing him.

He slid Robert start off easily and the unbuttoned his pants. Steve slowly and gently lowered Robert's pants to his ankles. He went back up to the waist band and slowly removed Robert’s underwear. As he slid the underwear off, Robert's cock slapped Steve on the chin.

Steve pulls Robert up in order to pull off his shirt. Robert started to tease Steve by not letting him suck on his nipples. After a few minutes of teasing, Robert laid back down where Steve could start to suck on his nipples.

Steve spent equal time on both of Robert's nipples, before he made his way down to his stomach. He finally reached Robert’s cock and placed it in his mouth. Steve gently licked the tip of Robert’s cock. That drove Robert up the wall.

Steve licked down the shaft till he reached Robert’s balls. He picked up one ball and sucked on it, let it go, and picked up the other one and sucked on it. Steve started to hear Robert moaning quietly.

He moved back up Robert’s cock, and completely swallowed it. He slowly started to go up and down on his cock. Slowly picking up speed and getting Robert close to cumming, then slowing down. Steve kept edging Robert over and over again on bringing Robert to the brink of his climax, and then not allowing him to cum. Steve wants this to make love with Robert, not just a quick fuck.

Steve moved on top of Robert’s chest, allowing Robert to unbutton his jeans and pull out his cock. Immediately Robert pulled Steve’s cock out and placed it in his mouth. At the same time pulled Steve’s pants down from his waist in order to get access to Steve’s hole.

With Steve’s pants and underwear barely past his butt cheeks, Robert started to play with Steve’s ass. Sliding in one finger, then another and finally a third finger, each time going as slow as possible to not hurt Steve.

Robert would go down on Steve’s cock as he pushed his fingers all the way in till his fingers hit the prostate. That made Steve jump every time. Unlike Robert, Steve didn’t moan as Robert sucked and finger fucked his ass.

Steve pulled his cock out of Robert’s mouth and got off of him. He slid off his pants and underwear. At the same time Robert finished undressing. Now in the middle of Steve’s room, Robert and Steve are naked as the day they were born.

Robert got up and he pulled Steve into him and started to kiss him. Robert wrapped his arms around Steve’s back, playing with his butt by going up and down the crack. Every so often, he would leave Steve’s butt and went up and down his spine.

With their kissing, Steve started to moan. That made Robert gets even harder hearing that. By the moaning Steve is doing is telling Robert that he is actually hitting the right spots. He wants his boyfriend to enjoy every minute of their time together.

Steve slowly walked Robert over to the bed. Not breaking the kiss, they fell onto the bed with Steve on top and Robert landing on the bottom. Steve reached down and grabbed a hold of Robert’s hard, leaking cock.

Without warning, Steve broke the kiss and went down on his knees. He threw Robert’s legs over his shoulders in order to get access to his butt. He spit some of his salvia on Robert’s butt. With the pre-cum he is leaking, he spread it around his cock in order to lubricate it.

He pulled Robert to the edge of the bed and pressed his cock at the entrance of his ass. Slowly Steve entered into Steve, giving Robert a chance to adjust every few minutes. Once Steve sunk his dick completely into Robert’s ass, he rested.

“I love the way your dick feels in my ass. I cannot get enough of you being inside of me Steve. Please be gentle, but go for it!” Robert spoke in a whisper.

Steve leaned in to kiss Robert. Slowly he started to pull his cock out, then right as his dick reached the rim, he pushed it right back in. Little by little, Steve gained speed until he got into his rhythm.

“I love your tight ass man, I just love the way it surrounds my cock. I can’t hold on much longer Robert! Your ass is so damn tight; man it is tight!”

Steve grabbed a hold of Robert’s cock and started to jerk him off. As he sunk his cock into Robert, he would go down on Robert’s cock with his hand. Robert started to moan as Steve fucked him in the ass and jerked him off at the same time.

Steve knows that it isn’t going to be long before he starts to cum. “Do you want me to cum in your ass or do you want to have it.”

“Don’t cum in my ass! I want to drink your cum Steve, please don’t cum in my ass. I love the way your cum tastes!” Robert looked up at Steve with puppy dog look on his face.

Steve pulled his dick out of Robert’s ass. They positioned themselves in the sixty nine positions on the bed. Both of them at the same time went down on each other. Within minutes, they both reached their climax. As if they timed it, they both started to cum into each other’s mouth, neither guy wanting to lose a drop of the others cum!

After sucking each other dry, they fell onto their backs trying to catch their breath. Both of the guys licking the cum from their lips and smiling. They just love being with each other in this way.

Steve got up with his half hard cock swinging between his legs as he gets towels. He threw one over to Robert in order for him to clean himself up. They got dressed just in time for dinner call.

“We need to find more time to be with each other like this. I just cannot get enough of you. I will die happy if I could spend every waking moment having sex with you.” Steve whispered in Robert’s ear as he leaned in to kiss him.

They kissed for a few seconds and headed to dinner. Both of them smelling of sex, but that didn’t give them away that they just had sex. They both have these big old grins across their faces. THAT’S what give’s them away!

Alex saw them first as they walked towards the cafeteria. “If you guys don’t want to give yourselves away that you just had sex, I recommend that you take those smiles off of your faces. I know it is great having sex, but you don’t want others to know.”

Robert and Steve looked at each other when Alex mentioned the smiles. They laughed and looked back at Alex without the smiles. Alex couldn’t help but laugh and hit them on the shoulders as they walked in to grab dinner.

About halfway into dinner, several new guys walked into the cafeteria. Alex and the gang just looked at them as they made their way to the empty table. The only thing that is going through Alex's mind at this point is that he hopes that these guys are not going to cause trouble.

They all look Mexican except one, which looks Asian. Alex tried to see if they had any tattoos that would give them away if they are in a gang. But all four of the new residents are wearing long sleeve sweaters.

Alex turned to Carlos and spoke. “I need you to find out about those new guys. I don’t want a repeat of earlier. If they belong to our gang or another we must have a sit down with them before they settle in.”

Carl shook his head and got up grabbing his tray. The others around the table just looked at Carlos as he walked over to the new residents. They looked back at Alex and couldn't believe their eyes. Things change so quickly to the good and it looks like is going to go right back to the old ways.

Carlos rejoined Alex and the guys outside on the basketball court. He pulled Alex out of the game. They walked alongside the fence that separated the two court yards of Building ‘A’ and ‘B’.

“The Asian kid isn't part of any gang and one of the Hispanics isn't either. The other two joined in to our gang while they were waiting for chain to come up here. They are nothing but bullets right now.”

“I really don’t like the idea of having so many of our gang members in this building. It makes it harder to do what we are doing with more of them in our building. Why are we getting so many new residents right now?”

“I knew that several of the residents didn't have roommates. This is the time of year that the County jail tries to empty their cells for the drunks. I think that is why the beds are getting filled right now with County inmates.”

They continued to walk alongside the fence discussing what to do with the two new guys. Alex is going to take Jacob's suggestion and step back. He decided to put Carlos in charge of any new residents that come in.

“What would you like me to do? They are already part of the gang and we cannot change that fact. Unless they screw up, they will be in this building. We have got to be very careful with them.”

“No we don't have to do that. This will work in our favor Carlos. We both step back and let them do the dirty work. Look, you and I want to get out of here soon, so let's let them earn their stripes.”

Carlos finally caught on to what Alex is saying. As of now, Carlos will hold any needed meetings with new gang members of any gang. As of now in this facility, Alex doesn't want any more residents being jumped into the gang. That is the only way he can keep control of the members.

Just then, Carlos and Alex heard Ashton calling for them. They walked over to him to see what he wants to discuss. As Alex looked at Ashton, he got a weird feeling that Ashton isn't happy about something.

“I understand that you want to keep the peace between the gangs, but we can’t let what that Lieutenant did stand. If we would do that, we will lose all respect and control in this place. Then we will never get it back,” Ashton said explaining his concerns.

“Ashton, we look stronger and are stronger by controlling the peace in here. The guards will come to us to deal with the infractions instead of them doing it. We will also be able to run our business without the worry of the other gang trying to steal a piece of the pie from us,” Alex said not swayed by Ashton’s reasoning.

“I don't agree, and because of that. I called Mr. Flores before we came out here and…..”

Alex interrupted; “Let me complete that sentence. Mr. Flores did not appreciate your call. Number one, the calls are recorded on your pay phones in your dorm. Secondly, you did not have my permission or go ahead to call him.

If you choose to undermine me every chance you got, I will remove you from your position. I will break the rule that I set and remove you with a beating of a lifetime. DON’T YOU EVER GO OVER MY HEAD IF YOU VALUE YOUR LIFE!”

Ashton knew he was wrong, but didn't expect this response from Alex. Ever since Alex put him in charge of the dorm, he has been mellow with him. This is the first time he has seen the Alex that everyone talks about.

“Mr. Flores gave me the same response and I will never do it again. From now on, if I have any differences with your decisions, I will go only to you. I still feel what you have done by agreeing with that -----, you have lost standing in here.”

Alex moved closer to the fence and without warning. He grabbed Ashton’s fingers completely through the fence. With the full force of his body weight, Alex bent Ashton's fingers upward. Causing Ashton to fall against the fence in pain!

“You don’t have the right to ever question my decisions. Once I make a decision it stands. This is no fucking democracy, it's a dictatorship and I'm the head dictator. I don't know who you've been talking to, but they are leading you down the wrong path.”

Still bending Ashton’s fingers all the way up, Alex continued to talk. “I will not speak with you about this again. Do not make me regret choosing you the new leader of that dorm. The next time we will not be having a conversation. Look over at Bobby, and think to yourself, do you want the same or worse to happen to you?

Don’t ever question or test me again. I want to know who in the hell are you talking with. If you don’t give up names, I will force them out of you. So give me the fucking names of who you are talking to that are questioning my authority.”

Through clinched teeth and watering eyes, Ashton gave up the name. Alex let go of Ashton’s fingers and he fell to ground. Ashton got the up quickly, holding onto his hand. He looked at Alex and didn't move an inch.

“I will never again question your decisions. Please don’t remove me from my position. I will do anything that you ask me to do.” Ashton spoke up with tears rolling down his cheeks caused by the pain in his fingers.

“Take care of the guy that's whispering into your ear. You will need to do it right and make it look like he fell. Go to the infirmary and have a nurse look at those fingers. More than likely, a couple of them are broken.”

Ashton walked towards the building not looking back. Alex and Carlos rejoined the others on the basketball court. They stayed out there and played basketball for couple more hours before heading back in. The cool winter air felt good.

The others saw what was going on, but didn't ask about it. Now Matt is even scared that the old Alex has returned and completely taken over. He fears it is going to be a matter of time that the old Alex will walk away from him because the old Alex cares about his image. Being in love with a guy can destroy his image quicker than anything else.

Alex went looking for Matt but didn't find him in the dayroom. He walked over to the room and found him sitting on the bed staring into the dark. Alex walked in and shut the door before saying anything.

“I know you are scared of me right now. I have been giving you reasons to be scared of me for the last couple days. My authority in this gang was being questioned. They felt I am getting weak and unable to lead them anymore.

I had to show that I am not weak and I am able to run this gang still. But no matter what I do out there dealing with the gang, I will never bring it in here with you. You are my sun light in here and the reason I get out of bed every day so happy.

I couldn’t take being in here day after day if it isn’t with you. I am doing everything I can to get out of here on my twenty first birthday; for you, my mom, brothers and a new friend I made through all this.”

Matt looked towards Alex with tears rolling down his cheeks. Alex walked over and sat down next to him on the bed. He pulled Matt into him, and held him tight. Neither of them spoke for a few minutes. They just sat there holding onto to each other.

“I love you too much to lose you, Matt. I am stepping back from the gang and letting the others do the dirty work from now on. I just want to spend all my time with you. You have saved me from myself in here, and you know that.”

“I love you too, Alex, so much that I am scared that the old Alex is going to return and push me to the side. I couldn’t stand not having you in my life now. I want you at my side in here and when we get out of here.”

Alex promised Matt that he will never push their love away. Alex knows that without Matt on his side, he will lose. He will end up doing the full twenty five years in the prison system if he lives that long.

He is trying every day for his family and those that are helping him on not blowing his second chance. But it is Matt he sees everyday and gives him the reminder on how things in his life can be; great and filled with love.

TO BE CONTINUED……………

WRITER’S CORNER:

{I know the story slowed down in the last chapter and at some points it actually got really boring. I am glad you all stuck around and continued reading. This chapter is back to the old and very exciting for you all the readers.

When you think things are going to go right for Alex and he is going to be able to guide through, a wrench gets thrown into the mix. It looks like the old Alex is back and taking the reins completely of the gang.

He walked in for breakfast and saw a new resident trying to give orders in the cafeteria. He didn’t do anything there, but soon after he dealt with the new guy. Just like he is needs to do, he not only verbally sent a message; he also did it physically to fully impress his point on the new guy. He needed to send a message that he is still in charge.

Now I threw in a wrench with Mr. Henderson and Officer Jackson. Everyone is playing all nice and lovely. No one trying to step on then other to get where they want to go in life! We all know that isn’t how real life is. There is always a bad person, as there is a good person as well.

Mr. Henderson is up to get his own prison, but the only reason that happened. Is because the success he has had in the facility he is running right now. The only reason he has had success is because of Alex. They can try to control the gangs, but like was said in the story, they are outnumbered and they just cannot shut off all the ways the inmates get things done. Mr. Henderson has tried, but has failed.

Now he painted himself in the corner with Alex, and now he has to figure out a way to get himself out of it. No matter what Mr. Henderson thinks, he needs Alex on his side. I understand his thinking, but there are many ways he could have gone about it to send the same message.

Mr. Henderson could have pulled Alex out of Building ‘A’, and placed him in lock down for a couple of days. After all Alex did break a rule and he should get punished for it. But not send Alex to lock down for weeks and then to Building ‘B’. That ensures Alex a one way ticket to the prison system, but waits a minute. Does Mr. Henderson want that?

Now we also have the issue with Ashton. Alex knows who is whispering in his ear, but we don't. Alex gave the order to Ashton to take care of that person but make it look like an accident. At the same time he more than likely broke several of Ashton’s fingers. Is the old Alex back and will we lose that true Alex that has come out since he's been locked up? Only time will give us the answer.

Steve and Robert seemed to be getting closer. They seem to be having the luck finding times and places to have sex and not getting caught. I really hope that they don’t get as sloppy as they did a couple chapters ago. They almost got caught in the laundry room, and the way they just go at it, they might get caught having sex in Steve's room.

I don't blame Matt for worring like he is. He has falling in love with a different Alex. In the last several days he has been seeing the old Alex back and that is scaring him. I hope what Alex said at the end of this chapter to Matt stays true. They make the greatest couple. Just like Alex said, he needs Matt.

Jacob appeared in this story and helped out Alex in several ways. Jacob is not going to be a main character in this story, but he will be appearing here and there. Remember this story is a spinoff of Jacob and will return to Jacob in his college years.

Okay, I'm going to give away one of the plots in this story. The only reason I'm doing this is so you guys don't get mad and write me. In my other two stories the main characters broke up. Jacob and Joey are true and Josh and Chris are fictional just like this story. But, I will not break Alex and Matt up. They will survive the test of time.

So many plots in this story your head is spinning on what is going on. As the chapters finish, you cannot wait for the next posting of the new chapter. I really thank you guys for coming back week after week, and reading my postings. I hope I will never let you guys down as far as the drama in the storylines is concerned.

I don’t want to say too much more and spoil the future chapters to come, so I won’t. I warn you though! Don’t skip a chapter, or you will be lost. There is a so much to answer in the chapters to come. Keep reading the future chapters, and enjoy! Please email me and let me know how I am doing at jacobmillertex@aol.com, Thanks!}
EDITOR’S CORNER:

Well, some action on several fronts! I agree, things were getting a bit mundane and too routine. Of course, that’s how life anywhere can be. Just as one thinks they have it all working smoothly something screws up the balance and causes stress and strife. They boys in the facility aren’t immune from that, obviously.

Alex is incredibly intelligent. For someone so young, he has incredible insight into the convoluted workings of human beings. He realizes that his own personality has many facets; he recognizes those facets and keeps them managed so they don’t cause conflict for him within himself. He can separate the different rolls he must play in his life and does so without.

Alex’s sharp perception allowed him to see Matt’s angst over the “old Alex” persona emerging. Alex saw it and instinctively moved in close to address the situation. Matt is never going to have a true comfort with Alex’s work with the gang. It is so foreign to every fiber of Matt’s being. Alex is doing all he can to assuage Matt’s concerns. I expect that their private time will be enough emotional nourishment for Matt to come out the other end with the relationship intact.

I sense more excitement coming with the as yet unknown identity of the person that has been undermining Alex’s authority in Ashton’s mind. Again, Alex’s quick insight caught onto the problem before it became a huge issue. Alex had to revert to some old ways to get Ashton’s thinking back on track. It seems Ashton is going to have a reminder to keep him focused for a few weeks if, in fact, Alex broke some fingers.

Mr. Henderson and Officer Jackson had a knee jerk reaction to the fight and unfairly held Alex accountable. It was clearly self defense. Yes, there’s zero tolerance for fighting, but there were less extreme ways to meet out consequences. Alex would have taken “his licks” without complaint had there been a shred of fairness.

I suspect that Jacob’s intervention kept the situation from going totally wrong, screwing up every single person’s life that has anything to do with the facility. I just find it incredible that Mr. Henderson’s head got up his butt. He has too much to lose to be making snap decisions.

Not only is Alex helping keep the peace, but his association with Jacob has netted a great windfall to the facility and its residents. I suspect the print shop is going to be a wonderful asset when the micro-biz gets up and running. It’s great to have a trade to teach the inmates; giving them a talent that can actually make them an honest, lawful living in the free.

Like Jacob, I could go on and on, but I’ll let you all up from the mat. Keep those e-mails coming to both of us! Keep on top of all the stories seeing as they are interrelated.

Until next time,
“Daddy” Rick