Date: Wed, 9 Jun 2010 04:03:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: jacobmillertex@aol.com
Subject: Beneath The Mask: Chapter 6

{Beneath The Mask is pure fiction. I am above the age of 21 as I am writing
this story. Any similarity to any other events, names, or life events is
pure accidental. If you are under age, (according to your state laws as a
minor), if this literature is offensive to you or to anyone around your
viewing area, or it is illegal for you to view such content where you are
reading it, stop reading the story.  This story can't be reproduced or
distributed in any way, shape or form without my expressed consent.

I would like to say thanks to my editor who volunteers his time not asking
for any thanks for his work. On behalf of the readers and myself, I say
thank you anyway!}


Written by J.P.G.


		Chapter 6

(ALEJANDRO'S POINT OF VIEW)

When I walked into that visitor's room and saw Jacob Hernandez sitting
there. I couldn't believe the guy I gave hell to for over a year was
sitting there. Not only did he get my letter, he actually came down.

Then we talked about things I never thought I would ever talk about to
anyone. You know; my love life. Jacob understood everything I am going
through. He not only listened but he advised me what to do. I have never
felt this open with anyone in my life as I am feeling right now talking
with Jacob.

Every good thing must come to end as this talk did. My time was up and the
guards here make sure that no one ever gets a second longer then
deserved. I walked out of the room more confident than I have felt in a
long time.

Then my bubble gets burst. Officer Jackson pulled me into a call I didn't
want to have. A person I didn't want to talk to right at this moment. A
person that knows how to pull down anyone in a good mood! My father is
waiting to speak with me.

I had to hear once again how weak I am. How I am not holding up the family
name with how I'm managing things here. How I am embarrassing my
father. Then he said the words I knew he always thought in his mind; words
that no son or daughter should ever hear come out of there fathers mouth.

"Fuck the merchandise right now Alex. You aren't getting control of things
and you're allowing others to think they can just run over you and take
over the gang. Trust me Alex I will give the order to kill even my own son
if I have to. Are you going to get things straight or do I have to do what
I don't want to do?"

I tried to explain to my father I am doing everything anyone in my shoes
can do short of killing someone. The end result of that would be my life
being in prison. I know my dad wants me to walk in his footsteps. That's
not what I want. I don't want to go into the prison system. I don't want to
live this kind of life anymore. I have never wanted to live this kind of
life. It was understood I had no other choice then to live the life the
generations of males in my family have done.

I want to be normal kid, with a normal life. That is all fucked up right
now. Still I can make something of my life. I just can't screw this chance
I have been given. I won't get another chance again.

"Dad I am doing everything you have asked of me to do."

"No, you aren't. You know others are getting away with shit there that they
shouldn't. Damn it Alex, you aren't listening to me. You are making
excuses. You are leaving me no choice but to remove you. I need order and I
need that order now. If that means you need to step into shit, do it. If
you need to kill someone in order to make it clear you are in charge, do
it. Just get it done soon or I will make the call."

With that I heard my father slam his receiver down and the dial tone is all
I heard before hanging up my receiver. I felt Officer Jackson looking at me
from behind. I know he wants to hear what just happened on the other end.

"Alex I don't want you worrying about a thing. We are making sure there
isn't any communication from anyone else in here to others in the prison
system. The order that your father is threatening will never get here."

I got up and looked at Officer Jackson. In his eyes is a look I have rarely
seen. He had a look of concern and worry. It might be actually concerned
for my wellbeing. He, at the same time, is worried that this might blow up
in our face!

"Officer Jackson, my dad has his ways. If he wants to remove me he
will. There is no stopping him from getting that message through. I can't
even begin to explain all the ways my father could send the message
through."

"Look Alex, if keeping you safe means is locking down every gang member in
here, we will. If it means they can't write out to any one or receive
letters from anyone, we will. We can even stop their visitors. We can play
it all off on the recent gang violence that's happened. That killing was
ganged related."

Officer Jackson is right, they can do those things. There's one thing we
tend to forget in here; we don't actually run the show like we think we
do. These guards can pull everything away from us in a second. They really
don't need a reason to do so. All they have to say is it is being done to
protect the other inmates.

"Officer Jackson, I really think my father is going to screw things up for
himself. The amount of merchandise he is asking to be sent to him tells me
that things aren't good at all.

Look at the merchandise he is asking me to send up. The only reason they
aren't buying this stuff from the prison store is that they would be
caught. You can see what the stuff that is being sent to them can be turned
into.

"Yes I can and so can Mr. Henderson. Trust me Alex we don't let this stuff
get out of here without letting the wardens know what is going their
way. They know what is being sent to their prisons. They know who is
getting it and how they are getting it. This whole thing is unveiling a lot
to us that we didn't know before."

"I am just worried here though. I need to keep peace in this gang at any
cost. Right now I don't know how I am going to be able to do that. It seems
like everyone I put in place wants to lead it all.

Everyone that has been moved out of a leadership position wants it back and
they are going to do whatever it takes in order to get it done. I am
getting hit from all sides here right now."

"The new guy you put in charge, do you fear him?"

"No. He is a `yes sir', `no sir' kind of guy but the others that have been
removed will do all they can to get back their position if given the
slightest chance."

"If we take that threat away will the others in the gang follow the man you
choose to bark out your orders in there?"

"Yes they will. But if you go out and remove the others that were once in
leadership, the others will see through it. In return it will cause more
trouble rather than help. I need to find a way to get all onboard and stop
causing me problems."

"No Alex it is time for you to let us help you out. If we keep allowing you
to go in there and beat someone half to death, that doesn't work for
us. There are ways we can get things done that won't destroy your cover in
anyway."

"First we take the old leaders and put them in lockdown. They will spend
the rest of their time here in lockdown. We can sell it to the judge we
know that they were involved with the killing.

That way you are left with the one guy you want in the position. You have
to make damn sure that is the guy you want and that he'll work out. Once we
make the moves, we can't do it again. The cover story can't be used
again. Are you certain this guy is the one we have nothing to worry about?"

I sat there thinking over the question carefully. What Officer Jackson just
said makes sense. He can make the moves he suggested. No one would be the
wiser of it. In return Ashton won't be pushed into a corner.

"You know this will work Officer Jackson. All of us know you guys know how
to read our gang tags. It is well known that each leader is tagged a
certain way. You guys know that. Ashton isn't tagged right now.

You can go in and remove all leaders that have the tag. Put them in
lockdown and will ensure Ashton doesn't get the tag in order for him to
stay in charge. Whenever any of them are asked who took over, many will say
they did.

Since you guys don't have the proof they did, they can't be removed. Yes
this will work. It will keep Ashton and the others in their spot. In return
they will understand why I need to stay where I am."

Officer Jackson and I sat there for awhile planning it all out. The move
will be done first thing tomorrow morning. It won't strip the gang down,
because we have the guards on our side. The other gangs will try to move,
and be stopped.

When they are stopped, the guards will know who is making the calls into
those other gangs. The guards will remove them which will keep the gang
members in my old gang safe. It is a win, win situation here.

After Officer Jackson and I crossed our t's and dotted our i's, we have a
plan. I walked out of the room confident the plan will work as long as
every player in this is on our side! Nothing can get out that gives it
away.

Between my visits with Jacob, the phone call with my father and making
plans with Officer Jackson when I finally got back into my room it was
already after lights out. I couldn't believe it was that late
already. Friday and Saturday nights we get to stay up several hours later.

Once Officer Jackson signed me back in with the guards on duty, I headed to
my room. I went in as quietly as possible so I wouldn't wake Matt
up. Before shutting the door to our room I made sure there weren't any
guards around.

When I felt the coast is clear, I shut the door. I walked over to my bed
making sure I didn't make any noise. I knew Matt is already asleep because
I heard him snoring softly. I love hearing Matt snore. It isn't that normal
loud snore; it is this very light and soft snore, almost a purr.

After taking off my shoes and pants, I jumped into some sweats and then I
walked over to Matt's bed to get a glimpse of him before I go to sleep. He
is my strength right now. He is the main reason I am doing what I am doing
with the gang. It is very rare that a member of a gang turns on their own.

As I looked down at Matt, I went weak in the knees. I couldn't help
it. Matt is everything I have ever hoped for in a boyfriend. Man that
sounds weird even just thinking it. I never thought that word would ever
come across my mind in reference to myself.

I couldn't help myself. I leaned down until my lips touched Matt's. At
first the kiss was just one way, but it changed. Matt started to return the
kiss. Before I knew it, Matt wrapped his arms around my neck pulling me
down on top of him.

We started to tumble around on his bed not wanting to let the kiss end. I
want to spend one night in his bed, just one night. But I know that isn't
going to happen while we are locked up in here.

(ALENDRO SR's POINT OF VIEW)

After getting off the phone with my son I headed back to my cell. It wasn't
my intent to threaten my son the way I did. But he kept me on hold for a
while. I don't get put on hold for anyone, including my son. I need to have
a one on one with that Officer Jackson. He needs to understand that I want
whoever I call at the phone within minutes of my call.

Once I arrived back to my cell bloc, it looked like all hell wants to break
out. Not even flinching to the other ethnic gangs as they approached me as
I made my way back to my cell. I can't show any kind of fear to any of
these animals and monkeys in here.

Aaron was waiting for me when I arrived. He doesn't look happy at all. To
tell you the truth I am not happy either. I was gone for about an hour and
when I return everyone has lost all their senses.

"Tell me Aaron what is going on in here? I just left for an hour or so. Now
as I return I see we might have a fight on our hands."

"Alex the blacks killed one of the Asians gang members. Now the Asian gang
wants revenge at any cost. They want us to take sides. But as they know we
do not have a standing agreement with either of the gangs that we will
support one of them if they end up at war with the other."

 "Your right on all points Aaron. No matter what happens we will never have
any kind of agreement with the blacks in here. They want to run things and
to hell with us. At least with the Asians we can reason with them."

"So then we deal with the Asians?"

"No we don't deal with any of them. In fact they them tear each other part
as far as I care. We will step in at the end and take over
everything. Those two groups will do us the favor on killing each other
off. We don't even have to get our hands dirty to control one hundred
percent of everything that goes on in here."

I made my way to my bunk. Just then I noticed something very weird. The
guards haven't put us in lockdown yet. That is something they do whenever
there might be a race war about to happen. Maybe this is opening up the
door for what I have been planning to do.

I got back up and walked over to the door of the cell. I looked out to see
where the guards were. I couldn't see even a single guard. In fact, the
guard station looks like it has been abandoned. This race outbreak between
the blacks and the Asians has actually pushed the guards back in retreat. I
turned to Aaron;

"Aaron, gather the lieutenants in here right away. We need to take
advantage of this situation as it unfolds no matter if it works or not. We
won't get the blame for starting it but we sure as hell can control what
goes on from this moment on."

  Moments later Aaron and all of the lieutenants walked into my cell. They
stood there waiting for my orders. I want this to go right no matter
what. For what I have in mind, to happen, we have to control and direct
this uprising and the outcome.

"All right you guys, we didn't start this, but we must lead it to the
outcome we need. As you all know we have been preparing for a takeover for
a while now. We have objectives we want to have happen once we do take over
this prison. Now we must execute plans to achieve our objectives.

This isn't the time we wanted it and this isn't the way we wanted it to go
down but there isn't going to be another chance like this again for a very
long time. Let the blacks and Asians start it and we will control it."

I sat there explaining to my leadership what I wanted to have done at
first. By the looks of it, the Asians have control of most of the prison
right now. How they did that, I can't say. The blacks out number both the
Asians and the Mexicans in here! Still the Asians got control and have the
blacks locked up.

First we need to find out what kind of weapons the Asians have. That is the
only way they got control and ran off the guards. One thing I can't
understand is why in the world the guards would stick the leader of one of
the largest gangs in here. That is a question for another time for now.

Aaron and a couple others came back and reported to me that the Asians
don't really have any weapons. They were just in the right spot at the
right time. Now that gives us the chance to gain the control from the
Asians since they have no way of fending us off.

The first thing we need to do is gain control of the guard station. We
can't afford those in control of it right now to open the cells of the
blacks. That could mean losing control of everything. If they can't control
it, no one will.

Once the order went out to take control of each section, it didn't take
much to get it done. The Asians didn't have the manpower or the weapons to
stop us. It only took us less than twenty minutes to have every part of the
cell block in our control.

Here in our prison, once the guards lose control of a section, they loose
control of the prison. It is an older prison that can't be locked down a
section at a time to keep the uprising contained to one area. Once the
Asians got control of the prison, they controlled it all. Now we control it
all.

The control stops at the gates leading to different buildings and to the
yard, but this building we have will take a lot for them to regain that
control. I will take advantage of it. The governor and the Warden won't use
force unless everything else fails. We won't let the talks fail.

I walked out to the dayroom to have a sit down with the leaders from each
gang. No matter if they like it or not, we are in control. This means we
are going to make the calls from this moment on.

When the leader of the African American gang came to the table, I noticed
it wasn't the leader but a lower ranking member of the gang. I won't sit
down with lower ranking members of a gang. It is beneath me and stature of
the position I hold. Even in my own gang I don't sit down with lower
members of this guys ranking.

"I won't talk with you. Either Jenell comes out and speaks with us at this
table, or you guys don't get represented in these talks," I said with
complete authority.

"Jenell was killed when all this broke out."

"Then his second in command. No harm will come to him or anyone at this
meeting. If anyone threatens the other, they are gone. You all know what I
mean by gone," I said.

"When they killed Jenell they got to Baron too. It was their way of getting
revenge for the killing of one of their members" the lower ranking Black
reported.

I looked at the Asian leader not understanding his thinking. One thing all
gangs have is respect for the leader of the other gang. Even if the order
came from the leader, you don't kill the leader and his second in
command. Not for a gang member, not even for a gang member in leadership.

The only time a green light goes out on a leader is when they order the
killing of a leader of another gang. It is just the respect that leaders
show each other. If we kill off the leaders, and the peons of the gang try
to control things. Let's just say it would be like a high school and there
would be no control or respect of the rules.

"Who is the next in command of the gang? You aren't in leadership position
to say you are now in charge. If I am not mistaken, your next in command is
Deon. Don't tell me he's is dead too."

"No sir he isn't. He is in command and ordered me to come out here to sit
in his place in these talks for us."

My fist slammed down on the metal table; "No you won't sit here in his
place. Either he comes out here, or you guys have no say in what is being
discussed!"

"We won't have any say on what is being discussed because we are weak right
now. The leadership is in array. Plus you will feel that we only will want
revenge for the killing of our leaders. I will go pass your message to
Deon"

In a few minutes, Deon appeared and I said, "Deon take a seat where your
peon is sitting. You will get the respect shown to you as I would hope my
second and third in command will get from you if the situation were
flipped. We need to discuss several items, and now we have one more item to
discuss."

Before Deon could even take his seat, Chet's face hit the table. I didn't
even have to give the order. One of his own did the deed. Several of the
Asian gang members dragged his lifeless body away.

I looked around to make sure none of that gang is standing near me. I don't
want to be stabbed I the back like he just got. The second in command sat
down looking more afraid than Deon is looking right now.

"Hulin nothing is going to happen with you from the hands of my people or
the others. It is your own members you will have to worry about. If any
harm comes to you, those that do it will be dealt with."

I looked around the table before speaking again. "Those of us here
recognize you as the leader of the Asian gang and will talk with you. There
will be no more killing of leadership in any gang. In fact the killing off
of each gang is over.

Your gang got your revenge. I don't agree with the ones that were killed,
but I can't turn the clock back. If it happens again, this will be a
different talk. In fact I will open the flood gates to your gang and see
who ends up swimming and who drowns."

Nothing more needed to be said about what happened. I needed to get down to
business and fast. I laid out what is going to happen and who is going to
do what. We might have control of this prison for a week, if not a little
longer. In that time period the next stage of my plan needs to get on its
way.

Once everyone understood what their gang is going to control, the meeting
ended. One thing I made sure of in this meeting was that each of them got
something to run, but nothing major. All major things stayed in my hands.

Once the guards regain control, I am going down to the hole for a very long
time. I need to make sure Aaron understands what needs to be done. All
orders will still come through me, but he is the one giving them.

By early morning the Warden wanted to know our demands. A list had already
been made up during the night. Most of the items on the list are bullshit
and we know we won't get them. Still they need to go through the list, turn
them down. That will buy as time as they do that. Time is what we need.

My main objective when this is all said is done is simple. As the guards
retake control of the prison, we take complete control of everything that
runs through this place. From drugs, to sex, all the way to who has
what. At this time we share this stuff and it isn't even an even split.

When I get out of the hole I will run everything; something my father tried
to accomplish, but never did. I am a lifer, and for that I want the system
to return back to ways of old days. In those days we had all the respect
and control.

(FRANSECA'S POINT OF VIEW)

As I walked into my house so tired I couldn't move much. Only six hours of
rest before I have to go into my third job. I don't know what I am going to
do anymore. I can't afford to stop, but I don't know how much longer I can
keep this up.

Let me explain what is going on. My name is Franseca Garcia. Garcia by
marriage, but the last name I have known since I was fifteen. In Mexico you
marry as soon as you could deliver a child to your husband.

I got pregnant at the age of fourteen with Alejandro, my oldest of four
children. Alejandro Sr., my husband and children's father, moved us to
Texas before I gave birth to Alejandro, making Alejandro and all my boys
American citizens. My husband of course is an American as well.

The only time in our marriage I ever saw my husband was when he got
released from prison for a few months. Then he broke his parole somehow and
landed right back in. Every time he got out, I got pregnant with yet
another son. That made my husband happy, but for me, it is a nightmare.

Not only has my husband messed up his name, he has done a great job pulling
down our oldest boy with him. In Alejandro Sr.'s it mind is very simple;
gang life is the family business and his children must follow that
tradition.

My older son Alejandro means too much to me. He is my first born and always
has been there whenever I needed him. Everyone sees an evil kid in my son,
but he is nowhere near that evil kid they see. He has such great soul and
is in love with the beauty of life.

He never brought stolen property in the house. He knew if he did, he
wouldn't be able to sit for a week. I really don't think he ever stole. Yes
he hung around kids that did, but I really don't think he did himself. He
needed to act all tough and be like he was the man, but I know deep inside
him he wants nothing to do with that kind of life his father created for
him.

Then he goes and try's to prove that he is worthy of his father's love. He
goes and shoots up the school trying to get the kids of the witnesses that
put his father away for life. Alex was so dumb to that part of his father's
life that he messed up. Then he made it worse by trying to silence the one
that could put him away for a long time.

I tried everything to keep my son away from the life that his father
demanded him to fall into. For awhile I was getting the job done but the
last time his father got out on parole, I lost Alejandro to his
father. Just like any son, no matter what the father has done they look up
to their father.

I am not trying to make excuses for my son. He was wrong and deserves to be
punished but I don't think his life should be totally taken away from
him. I am glad the judge saw that as well. Now I go to bed every night
worrying for Alex in that place. His father has a long reach. A reach that
can touch my son in there and I can't do a thing about it.

That was it for Alejandro, and I cried myself to sleep many nights
since. So far I have kept my three other sons out of the life. I know I
will succeed in doing so because my husband will never see the light of day
again. The only way I might lose my sons to that life is the neighborhood.

I am working three jobs in order to make ends meet from putting food on the
table, to a roof over our heads and clothes on the back of three growing
boys. I still have to send a certain amount of money to my husband. That
money needs to be sent every month or I will get a visit from his
friends. Trust me when I say that kind of visit you don't want.

I know this is my life and I decided to stay around for it. You must
understand my upbringing. We can't ever divorce our husband. If we do, none
of our family will ever talk with me again. Once married we have to stand
by the husband we married till death do us part. Sometimes that death comes
to us by the hands of our husbands.

Just as I put dinner on the table. I heard a knock on the door. I quickly
looked at the calendar making sure I wasn't late on getting money to my
husband. I wasn't, so the second thing that came to my mind is the police
are here for one of my other sons.

I walked up to the door worried for my family. Alejandro Jr. covered the
peep hole with metal because it has been known people get shot while
looking through it.

Leaving the chain on the door, like it protects much, I opened the door. At
first I didn't know who this young boy standing on my porch was. He looked
more scared standing there then I am of him. Then when he turned to knock
again, I saw his face, I knew who he was. I closed the door and took off
the chain.

"Please come on in, please!"

"Thank you ma'am, I am sorry for coming unannounced like this. I tried to
look you up in the phone book and even tried information, but you aren't
listed."

"No I can't afford a phone. Please take a seat anywhere you want. I was
just about to call my other boys to eat. Do you want anything to eat or
drink?"

"No ma'am I am fine. Please eat, don't stop because of me. I can come back
when you have a little bit of time. I really didn't mean to interrupt your
meal."

"Nonsense!" I said.  Please take a seat and let me call my kids down to
eat."

I went over to the hallway and called the boys to eat. They came running to
the table not even noticing our visitor. In one way I was glad, but at the
same time I had hoped they saw him so they could meet him.

As soon as the boys had their plates and something to drink, I went back to
the living room. I couldn't believe this young man is actually here. I
don't know if I would ever visit a family of the kid that tried to kill me.

"Jacob, I am thankful for all of what you have done for my son. If it
wasn't for your forgiveness and testimony, my son would be in prison with
his father. I know it doesn't mean much coming from me, but thank you so
much."

"No ma'am it does mean a lot hearing it from you. It wasn't anything at
all. I have spoken with your son since he got locked up in the detention
facility. At first it was a couple of letters, and then last night I
stopped by and paid a visit in person."

"Oh you did Jacob? That had to mean a lot to my son. He really does regret
and wishes he never did what he did to you. He is a very good kid inside. I
know every parent says that about their kids, but he is."

"Ma'am I know he is a very good kid. When I sat there looking straight into
his eyes, I saw a totally different person. There across from me was a
person I never met before in my life. Not the one that shot me and tried
several times again. No, I saw a person that looked like a frightened
little boy."

"Exactly Jacob, you are right there. He was forced to grow up way too
fast. I have just as much blame for that as his father does. No parent
should ever lean on their kids for anything. It should always be the other
way around."

"Well I am not a parent and I probably will never have any kids of my own;
at least blood, maybe adopted ones. I made a promise to your son that I
will check in on you from time to time. He is really worried about you."

I couldn't help but get choked up over what Jacob just said. My son is in
the horrible place and he is worried about me. I must have done something
right somewhere along the line with his upbringing.

"Look ma'am Alex told me you work several jobs just to make ends meet. I
suspect they are probably minimum wage jobs only. Right now my family is
huge. My grandfather just moved in with my grandmother. Plus..."

Jacob sat there explaining to me his entire family set up. From the three
houses being bought, worked on, and eventually becoming one big house to
all those that live in the houses and several coming in as they please.

He told me about his brother Jeremy and how his boyfriend's mother is
helping with him. I didn't even get bothered when Jake talked about his
boyfriend Joey. He looks like he is really in love with him. All that
really matters is finding someone to love with every ounce of your being
and then spending the rest of your life with that person.

He went on and explained that he feels the work in the house is way too
much for one woman to do. She isn't complaining, but he doesn't feel
right. His grandfather and grandmother are getting old and he doesn't want
them cleaning up after everyone.

"This is if you want ma'am. I will pay you fifteen dollars an hour, forty
hours a week, to come down and help out in the house. Beth will tell you
where she needs help, but you will have a job with us as long as you want."

I couldn't believe what Jacob is doing. He not only is going to pay me what
I make in all three jobs, but a little more. One is a full time job and the
other two are part time jobs. All of which pays me minimum wage of four
dollars and seventy five cents an hour.

It is doing the same work I am doing right now. My full time job is
cleaning offices in an insurance office. My other part time jobs are
cleaning rooms at two different motels here in town. This would allow me to
breathe and spend time here at home with my boys. I really don't know what
to say to this young man.

"Jacob you really don't have to do that. It is fine that you come down and
visit whenever you want. I would feel better if you continue visiting my
son but giving me a very good paying job, you don't have to do that."

"Ma'am Joey and I discussed this several times. We had planned originally
to hire several ladies that come across the border every day. Then Joey's
mom moved in, but the house and everything in it has gotten bigger.

Trust me you might not want the job once you pay us a visit for the first
time! From the house cleaning, to Jeremy, to all the traffic coming and
going, you might just take the first chance to get out of there! It is a
lot of work with four to five teenage boys, plus Jeremy and my
grandparents."

I really didn't know what to say or think. All I could do is sit there and
look at this guy that seems to be an angel sent to my family. He first
saves my son, and then he comes in here and wants to help me out.

"Ma'am, here's something else you don't know. Your son did me the biggest
favor when he did what he did. He actually saved my life. I would have
never known about the cancer if it wasn't for him. I would be dead today
because I would have never gone in and gotten checked out. The pain was
there, but I thought it was just me. I am alive thanks to your son. For
that I want to do what I can to help him out. He didn't mean to do what he
did, and I know that.

So let me help where I can. I have a little money. I can afford to help
out. What good does it do a person to have a little bit of money and not
help out others when needed? It isn't charity, trust me you will earn your
pay."

"When do you need me to start Jacob?"

"How about Monday? Is that good for you ma'am?"

"That is fine; just leave me your address and directions to your house. I
will never quit or let you down Jacob. You can always depend on me being
there when you need me. Thank you so much for this, thank you."

We sat in my living room for another thirty minutes or so. We talked about
a lot of things. He seemed to be worried for my son. He also made me a
promise that he will do everything to get my son out of there when he turns
twenty one. I know it depends all on Alex, but I know he can do it.

Before Jacob left, he left me his address and phone number. I couldn't let
him leave with kissing him on the cheek. He is a sweet young man I know
there is a reason he was saved. There is a reason God put him on this
earth. I really do believe the reason is to shine light in lives where
there hasn't been any light for a very long time.

(ALEJANDRO'S POINT OF VIEW)

After spending most of the night dodging the guards coming in and out of
Matt's and my room, I couldn't keep my eyes open during breakfast. No one
said anything about it. I think they all thought I was up doing gang
business.

It wasn't gang business at all. I spent the night with my lover. We kissed
each other as we cuddled in each of our beds. The reason we used both of
our beds is because the guards. We knew when the guards were coming in to
do head count, so we kept jumping from bed to bed each time the guards
counted.

You know when the guards left, either he or I would jump out of our bed and
head to the others bed. We knew we didn't have time to have sex between
look ins, but it didn't stop us from exploring each others bodies.

I looked at ever inch of naked flesh of Matt's body. He did the same with
me. Now I know every mole and scrape on his body. I know about the broken
leg he got falling off the school bus during middle school. That story is
pretty funny, but will save it for another time.

He knows about every cut and mole on my body and how I got them. I promised
Matt that I will grow my hair out, but stay clean shaven. We agreed on a
short hair length but not a saved head either. We decided on a somewhat
normal hair style that is worn by our age group today!

I couldn't help much enjoy every minute I had with Matt. I want every
minute of the rest of my life to be that full of love and fun we had last
night. It made me forget the phone call I had with my father.

After breakfast, Matt and I headed to the dayroom. We knew we couldn't
cuddle or even get close to each other in there but we need to be seen
outside our room more than inside. Even without proof, rumors would start
floating around about what we are doing locked in our room all the time.

Every Saturday morning a guard comes in with deposit slips. You know, money
that a family member or friend puts in your account so you can buy stuff
from the store. I have never gotten a slip so I don't expect to get one.

My mom is barely holding things together. She can't afford to put one dime
on my books no matter how much she wants to, she just can't.

So I kept minding my own business watching television. Once again I didn't
even hear the guard call out my name. I didn't hear the first time or even
the second time. All of a sudden I felt the guards hand on my shoulder. I
looked around to see what he needed.

"Alex you might want to go into the nurse and get you hearing checked. Once
your back is turned, you can't hear whenever someone is talking to
you. Have you ever noticed that before?"

"No sir I have not. I have always heard when someone is talking with me."

"Well just stop by the nurse's office and get it checked will you? Here is
a deposit slip for you. Someone finally put together some money for you."

I couldn't believe someone actually deposited money on my books. The guard
handed me my deposit slip as he walked off with a smile. I looked at it and
got another surprise, the amount. I got deposited one hundred and fifty
dollars on my books. I know it couldn't be my mother. She would have to go
without food in the house for this.

I looked for Matt or Carlos. I spotted Matt first and walked over to
him. He is playing pool with several other guys. I felt bad bothering him,
but I needed to know if there was a way to find out who deposited the
money.

"Matt do you have a second?"

Matt looked at me and shook his head in the positive. He walked over to me
with a smile. I know what is going through his mind right now. He thinks I
called him over where we could take off somewhere to have sex or at least
get into a full make out session. I really hate to burst his bubble.

"Hey Matt, is there any way I can find out who deposited money on my
account here? Someone deposited money on my account, and I don't know who
it was."

"Let me see the deposit slip you were given." I gave Matt the deposit
slip. He looked it over several times. "Let's see here on the right hand
corner of the deposit slip has the first initial, followed by the last name
of the person that made the deposit."

Matt gave me back the deposit slip with his finger on top of the name. Once
he removed his finger I saw the name, J. Hernandez. I couldn't believe
Jacob not only visited me, but he deposited money into my account!

I walked off thinking what a guy Jacob is. I hope to have this guy in my
corner. Not for the money, but for his friendship. It looks like he is
willing to give me a friendship. It will be up to me if I slap it away or
treasure it. My life is really changing. I'm getting control of things I've
never even had in my life before. I hope I know how to handle it and don't
screw up.

I sat in front of the television dozing off every ten minutes. I think I
slept more than I actually watched TV. When Matt came and got me for lunch,
I was well rested. I was rested enough to go out and play football.

I really don't like football, but I was out voted. I am glad I wasn't out
voted for soccer. I know that sounds weird hearing that from a Mexican
kid. But it is not true that all Mexicans know and like soccer. Just like
it isn't true that all white boys can't play basketball! There are a few
white boys out there that can play the game.

We played football the rest of the afternoon. We know tomorrow we are going
to spend the entire day in front of the television watching the games, not
playing them. So we'd better well take advantage of the time we have with
the ball and being out here in the yard to play the game.

As we walked in for dinner, I looked over to where building "B" normally is
out getting exercise. Not a soul was outside. That means they are still in
lockdown over there. The lockdown might be lifted when Officer Jackson
finishes with what he has planned.

I started to think he should not only pull the leaders of my gang out, but
to the rest of the gangs as well. It would look like they are cracking down
once and for all on gang violence in here. It doesn't matter what gang the
inmate is part of, they will all be treated equally no matter what.

Dinner went by fast. All we did is rant on about tomorrow's games. Several
of the guys actually bet a small wager on the outcome of the games. No one
at the table would bet against the Cowboys. They knew if they did, they
would be ragged on till the end of time.

I myself didn't put a wager on any game. I have never had money on my
books. Once it is gone, who knows when I will get any again? I need to play
smart with the money and spend it only on things I really need.

I couldn't wait to get back in the room after lights out. I want to cuddle
with Matt as much as we could between counts. We really could only get away
with this on Fridays and Saturdays. Those are the only days we can sleep in
the next day.

(CARLOS' POINT OF VIEW)

I have been locked up in here for now close to a year. During that time I
have gotten to know the ins and outs of this place. There is a women's dorm
next to Building "B" and I know how to get there with out being caught.

The first time I went there I met this young lady. She just got there and
seemed to be afraid of her own shadow. Over time we became friends and then
that friendship developed into a relationship.

Now we meet each other half between the buildings. I use my time when I go
to the nurse to get my medicine. I am signed out to the medical wing. So
when the guards do their count I am accounted for. No worries about getting
into any trouble.

At the same time Dabria would use that opportunity to get her
medicine. Although we couldn't have sex or anything like that, the nurses
and staff would leave the rooms long enough for us to be together. We would
make plans to meet under the medical wing after we were done here.

That is when Dabria and I would normally fool around. We still haven't had
full out sex yet, but very close to it.  The other day when we met I asked
her to see if there is a girl that wants to meet my friend Alex. She
promised to check for me.

When we met in the medical wing today she told me she has someone for
Alex. I had given her a picture if Alex and me when we were younger. Alex
hasn't changed much from that picture. If anything he got more developed
and better looking.

We made plans to try to get all of us together next Saturday. Saturdays are
a lot easier to do things because the guard staff is more at ease than
during the week. These guards are just part time and not here during the
week so they really don't care much about the facility just as long as it
doesn't burn to the ground.

Everything else that goes on during the weekend they don't care. So we take
advantage of it. Many times I wondered if Mr. Henderson is ever going to
tighten the screws on the weekend staff. He has to know what is going on in
here over the weekend.

For now I should thank my lucky stars he hasn't. As soon as I got back to
my building I went looking for Alex. I looked for him the last place I saw
him, in the dayroom. He wasn't there, so I looked for him outside and then
I headed over to his room. When I arrived to his room the door was shut.

I know how he is if regular people like me just bust in on him without
knocking. So I knocked on the door, and waited to hear him to ask me to
come in. Shortly after I knocked his voice came through the door.

"Hey Alex I have something to tell you if you have time?"

I spoke as I walked into the room. I looked over and saw Matt sitting on
his bed. I need to find a way to get Matt out of the room without sounding
like a prick. I know how Alex seems to have taken him under his wing.

"Alex it is business talk I need to go over with you right now."

That did the trick. Alex didn't even have to ask Matt to leave us
alone. Once the words left my mouth he got up and left the room. Out of
respect he shut the door as he left. When I looked back to Alex he looked a
little angry with me.

"I am sorry Alex for being so blunt, but what I have to say is for your
ears only. It can get me into a lot a trouble if anyone hears and then goes
running back to a guard. You might trust this kid Matt, but I don't know
him. I can't trust a person I don't know."

"First Carlos if I trust someone and say he or she is cool, then they
are. There are no questions asked, no second guessing my decisions, or
making me look like a fool. I am getting very tired of everyone thinking
they can override my decisions. Once I make them that is it, it is law as
far as any of you guys are concerned."

I stayed quiet wondering to myself I screwed up here. I went at this the
wrong way, really wrong. Alex is been trying to get control and the way I
just talked made it look like I am one of those trying to take
control. Damn it I don't see any way to tell Alex my news now. Simply he is
too mad to listen to me.

"Alex I am sorry for my wording. I really worded what I just said wrong. I
trust your decision making on everything. You know me I never will question
your leadership. In fact I am sitting here not having to look over my
shoulder anymore because of you. I will never screw with the ones that are
my true friends and backers."

"Fine, fine, just get on with it Carlos. What did you come in here to tell
me? As far as I know everyone is in lockdown right now. Unless you got a
kite from one of them, what is there to tell?"

Right then I remembered what I heard being discussed in the nurse's
office. Since it didn't come from any of our gang members I didn't put much
to it. Still, this will smooth the waters for me to tell Alex what I really
came in here to tell him.

"Look I have a couple of things to speak with you about. First I don't know
how true any of this is, but I need to tell you what I heard up there. Keep
in mind this came from other guys in the dorm where our guys are at. Not
gang members, but they..."


I went on to tell Alex about what they were talking about. They discussed
with the nurses staff about the crack down on the gangs. Because of the
killing last week, the guards came in and took all the known leaders and
sent them to lockdown

Alex looked surprised as I told him what I heard. In fact he actually
jumped up from his bed and started to walk back and forth in the room. I
know him really well and he is thinking right now about what I have told
him.

"If what you have told me Carlos is true, I wonder when they are coming for
me. These guys aren't going to lockdown everyone else except the main
leader. They have to know I'm still involved with the gang, I can run
things from here."

"Alex I don't think you or I have anything to worry about. They did this
move according to these guys, early this morning. They moved them before
breakfast even. They don't get to eat breakfast later on the weekend like
we do."

"Ok that means they are giving us the benefit of the doubt here. That means
we have to be even more careful in the days to come. We have Mr. Henderson
and Officer Jackson behind us, but the other guards don't know that. They
will be looking for us to screw up, and if we do. Trust me they will jump
on that, leaving Mr. Henderson no other choice then to lock us up with the
others."

"I know, but we have nothing to worry about since we have Mr. Henderson and
Officer Jackson. Look Alex I think they are doing this in order for you to
keep control and keep you from having to make decisions that they can't
cover up. The beatings and things like that can be covered up for only so
long, and you know that."

"You're right, I know you're right. Let's just be careful and deal only
with those two. Even if other guards come up and tells us they are on the
take, we won't deal with them at least until we get the ok from Henderson
or Jackson."

I agreed with Alex on that. I know he is walking a very thin line here. One
screw up and he is dead. His father would not even think twice ordering the
killing of his own son. I can see why he is worried. Even with the backup
we have, we know if we want to get to someone, nothing could stop us doing
so."

After Alex seemed to settle down, I took that time to get into the main
reason I came in to talk to him, Dabria and her friend. Explaining to him
how things work in order to meet them and get away with some free time. It
looked like Alex liked the idea, but then he changed his mind.

"Right now Carlos we can't do anything out of the ordinary. I have no
reason to go down to the medical wing and I won't make up a reason. You
keep doing what you are doing, just be careful. Let the young lady know I
want to meet her, but I can't get there right now. Use the excuse the
guards won't let me."

I understood where Alex is coming from and agreed with him about it. He
can't be seen doing something out of the ordinary right now. As for me, I
need to watch myself and stop things with Dabria for now. Until things blow
over with the gang, I will have to be a good little boy."

 (ALEJANDRO'S POINT OF VIEW)

After Carlos left the room, Matt came in. He didn't ask me what was
discussed. He respects that part of my life. He knows it is best that he
knows as little as possible. If anything heats up or is going bad I will
tell him.

I needed to act surprised with Carlos on the news although I knew it was
going to happen. Don't get me wrong, I do trust Carlos, but I need to cover
my own butt and his. The less that he knows, the less they can get from him
if they ever figure out what I am doing in here. Trust me; they will beat
Carlos to an inch of his life for information.

I let it go quickly once Matt walked over to my bed and started to kiss
me. Just his smell and lips on mine, can make anything go away. No matter
what it is, just being with Matt gets my mind off of my troubles.

We spent the evening in the dayroom watching TV. Until the announcement of
lights out in thirty minutes, we pretty much stayed with our group of
friends. Matt is with the guys I met the first day I arrived and I with
Carlos.

I took that time to confirm up any doubts that Carlos might have. There is
not question I need those around me to not get any idea about me and
Matt. Think about it, I am already having trouble trying to get the gang to
follow me. If it gets out that I am gay, it is over for me.

As Carlos and I spoke I felt better about the whole thing. If needed I will
go along with him in order to keep the truth from coming out! But it seems
that Carlos didn't understand my thinking, but recommends that we do what I
decided on doing.

Once the count was done, Matt and I sat up in the middle of the room
talking. We cuddled and kissed, but talked. We mainly talked on where we
want to be once we leave this place. One thing we both agree on is taking
advantage of all the education it has to offer us. From high school to
college, take it all.

 Around midnight Matt went to sleep using my shoulder as a pillow. I slowly
moved him until he landed softly on the ground. That is when I picked him
up and carried him to bed. I love carrying Matt to bed. It gives me the
feeling of someone depending on me. Matt trusts me enough that he isn't
afraid to fall asleep on my shoulders like his does.

After laying Matt on his bed and covering him up. I stole a kiss and then
headed to bed myself. Last thing that went through my mind before falling
to sleep is Matt and me in the free, living our lives together as one.

(JACKSON'S POINT OF VIEW)

The minute I arrived to work on Monday morning I headed over to
Mr. Henderson's office. He doesn't know about what I had ordered over the
weekend. I know Mr. Henderson isn't going to mind; in fact he has wanted it
to be done for a while now.

When Mr. Henderson walked in I was sitting there waiting for him. He
noticed me and right away asked me to follow him into his office. Once we
were in, I shut the door and started to tell him what I had came in to tell
him.

"Wait a minute Tustin, just wait a minute. I have this fax here from the
State Prison Board. There has been an up rising in the prison where Alex's
father is at. This doesn't bode well for Alex or us. Let me finish reading
this for a minute."

I sat down and watched as Mr. Henderson read the fax. Somewhere towards the
bottom of the fax got Mr. Henderson to smile. He finished reading it and
then handed it over to me. I skimmed it as Mr. Henderson started to talk
again.

"Well, well, well, it looks like Alex's father stepped into it this
time. Although his gang didn't start it, they are running the uprising
now. I don't understand these prisoners. They know we will get back our
prisons either through talks or through force, we will get our prisons back
no matter what."

"How does this work in our favor. It is listed that the Mexican gang has
weapons. Once they race back to how they got the weapons in there, we are
done. We knew what was being sent and what the reason they needed those
items."

"Yes you are right about that, but we did report it to the warden and he's
ok with it. No we aren't in trouble at all. At least the warden knows what
weapons they have and how many. All of what we did here is actually helping
the warden with the uprising."

I thought about what Mr. Henderson said. He is right, with what we are
doing here. The warden down there knows exactly what they have. In fact we
are controlling every single thing that is being sent through. We have
complete control even when the inmates think they do.

"So why did you need to see me so early in the morning by the way?"

"Well Mr. Henderson you may not like what I have to say. It needed to be
done and done quickly. Let me explain why I did it..."

I explained from A to Z on what is going on from the call Alex had with his
father and the threat he received, to the potential of the former leaders
trying to retake control of the gang with Alex over in Building A.

Mr. Henderson did agree with me that moving Alex into Building "B" isn't
the answer. In fact we would more than likely lose Alex if we did that. No,
what I did is the only logical answer we had before us.

"Ok that isn't a problem moving them into lockdown. Now with the uprising
and the killing we had here no one will be crying civil rights or
anything. We will be seen as staff in the facility trying to protect
ourselves and the inmates that want to see the light of day when they turn
twenty one.

Why don't we also separate the leaders of the other gangs as well? We need
to look like we are cracking down on all gangs no matter race or who did
the killing. Gangs are bad no matter which ones they are."

I agreed with Mr. Henderson on that. As soon as we finish meeting in here,
we will get right on it. This will ensure there isn't any gang ready to
break out an uprising in here. We can't lose control of any part of the
facility after having a killing.

(CARLOS' POINT OF VIEW)

As always I met up with Alex in the cafeteria for breakfast. We grabbed our
grub and headed to the table. I have never seen Alex this happy. Well let
me take it back. I have seen this happy, but when we were kids.

We sat there joking around with the other guys at the table. I didn't even
notice someone walking up behind Alex until it was too late. I turn when I
heard Alex yell out in painful scream and then hitting the table.

I right away lifted Alex's face from the plate. He was in pain grabbing for
his back. I couldn't believe he got stabbed. We are supposed to be safe in
this building.

Matt took Alex from me. Letting me be free where I can get the
son-of-a-bitch that stabbed Alex. I looked and saw the crowd of on lookers
is trying to hold the guy trying to run from the scene. I jumped from the
table and went after him.

As I ran after the kid that stabbed Alex, I heard Matt yelling on the top
of his lungs to the others looking on and doing nothing. Over and over
again I heard him yelling the same thing.

"Get Alex to medical wing now, he has been stabbed. Get a guard down here
to move Alex to the medical wing. Some one please help, get a guard damn
it."

Matt's words hit me like a bullet in my chest. I let my guard down, in
return Alex got stabbed. I ran after the one that did the stabbing. Before
he could turn the corner, I tackled him.

Once I got on top of the guy, I started to hit him in his back. I didn't
stop until he stopped moving under me. As soon as he did that I flipped him
over. I want to see the face of the guy that tried to kill Alex. I want to
see this guys face before I rip it off of his shoulders.

After I turned him around, I started to knock the shit out of him again. As
I looked at his face, just for a minute, I froze. I couldn't believe who it
was. How in the world did he get in here? How in the world did he get back
so soon?

TO BE CONTINUED...

OVER VIEW:

{Alright everyone a lot happened from beginning to end. Just like my other
two stories, more plots open and others get deeper. We are just in chapter
six and there has already been a lot of violence. Keep in mind where these
kids are and what happens where they are. There is going to be a lot of
violence to come.

Through the violence I love what is developing between Alex and Matt. No
one would ever think a person would find their love of their life in a
lockdown facility but with Matt and Alex it is a different story. Not only
they found one another, they are falling head over heels for each other
every passing minute.

I wonder if Alex is going to take advantage of the place where Carlos goes
to make love with his girlfriend. You know, Carlos told us about meeting a
girl from the women's dorm. Then falling for her and her him! The rest is
history for them as they say.

You might be thinking wait a minute before saying anything. Didn't Alex get
stabbed at the end of the chapter? Yes he did, but there is no way our main
character is going to be killed off. He is going to be in a lot of pain,
but he won't die. Alex and Carlos let their guard down one two many times.

Now, we know Carlos knows who it was that stabbed Alex, but we don't. I
wonder who it was. Alex being a gang leader has made many enemies in his
short life span on this earth. It could really be anyone. I just wonder who
it was.

Jacob appeared in this chapter as well. He visited Alex's mother as he
promised. I can't say enough about Jacob. He seems to care about everyone,
no matter who they are. He wants to help so much, but there is going to
come a time that help might back fire. Please don't get used to having
Jacob appear in each chapter, he won't. He has his own story going on right
now.

From Alex's dad taking over his prison to threatening his son; what a
father! He has won the worst dad award of the year. He only cares about
himself and no one else. What about that old saying, blood is thicker than
water. In Alex's father's case, look out and take of your own interests
irrespective of who you run over to get what you want.

So much going on and still a lot more to come! New characters still to be
introduced, old ones to return. Things are heating up in all areas of
Alex's life; you want to stick around to see what is to come.

I do not want to say too much more and spoil the future chapters to come,
so I won't. I warn you though! Do not 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:

There's not much that I can add to our author's summation.  I'm most
anxious to find out who tried to kill Alex, as I'm sure you are.

Let us hear from you with your thoughts and suggestions. You never know
when an idea YOU have will end up included in the story. It has happened
before.  Also, those e-mails are the `paycheck' for both author and editor.
Keep us both pumped to keep bringing you high quality stories to read.

Until next time,

"Daddy" Rick