“It’s me.” Dustin stepped forward. The well-dressed, portly man gave him a look over and asked, “Do you understand the rules in here yet?”
“What rules?” Dustin asked. “Everyone needs to get a beating when they first arrive. Naturally, I’m the one who determines how heavy the beating will be. Got it?” The well-dressed, portly man made a point to tap his baton. “So, you want money?” Dustin raised an eyebrow.
“Smart boy!” The other man nodded, pleased. “My men and I have to take care of trash like you every day. So we deserve that much, don’t we?” He rubbed his fingers greedily.
“Sorry. I don’t have any money.” Dustin shook his head. “You don’t have any money?” The well-dressed, portly man frowned and snapped, “Then write a letter to your family to ask for money! Your punishment will be lighter the more you pay.”
“I come from a poor family. We don’t have any money.” Dustin shrugged. “F**k, you’re just a hobo! What a waste of my time!” the well-dressed, portly man spat.
“Drag this f**ker out and give him 80 canes!”
“Hang on. Isn’t it supposed to be 50?” Dustin asked. “I’m in a bad mood, so I’m giving you another 30 lashes. Got something to say about it?” The well- dressed, portly man glared.
“Don’t you think that you’re taking things too far?” Dustin narrowed his eyes. “Are you telling me what to do?” The well-dressed, portly man sneered. “Fine, since 80 seems too little, make it 100! We won’t stop until you’re crippled.”
“Have you thought of the consequences of your actions?” Dustin asked calmly, “Pfft! Are you threatening me right now?” The well-dressed, portly man shot Dustin a scornful glare.
“It seems like you haven’t fully grasped the situation yet. I’m the king here, so I decide whether you get to live. If you pi ss me off, I’ll make your life a living h ell!”
He has seen countless people like Dustin, who arrived with ar rogant attitudes. However, with a few canes, they immediately submitted and became obedient.
“You’re just a prison officer. Where did you find the ba lls to make such bold claims?” Dustin.
sneered.
“Just a prison officer?” The portly man’s face hardened, and his blood boiled. “You don’t know
when to give up, eh? Men, drag him out and beat him up till he’s dead!”
“Wait!” Seeing the seriousness of the situation, the old man begged, “Sir, he’s new here and doesn’t know anything. Please spare him!”
He fished out a gold nugget from his pocket and offered it to the well-dressed, portly man.
“F**k off!” The well-dressed, portly man slapped the gold away and yelled, “That punk dared to challenge my authority. I must make an example out of him. If anyone tries to stop me, I’ll take it as an act of opposition! Grab him now!”
“Yes, sir!” The prison officers immediately opened the door to grab Dustin.
“You were too reckless! We’re no match for them!”
“He’s right. Everything would have been fine if you didn’t talk back to them. You’ll be ki lled if you defy their orders!”
Others expressed their sympathy, but there wasn’t much they could do.
Although the evillest of evils lived here, none of them dared to go against these guards. It wasn’t because they were no match for them.
Instead, they were too afraid to make a move as they were worried about getting caught by the skilled guards. If that happened, their lives would be utterly miserable.
“I’ll show you what life in h ell looks like!” The well-dressed, portly man seethed.
As soon as those words were spoken, bangs and crashes broke out as the prison officers who had barged into the cell flew out, and Dustin slowly walked out.
He went up to the well-dressed, portly man and fisted his collar. Frigidly, he asked, “What were you saying again?”
