《Jamie The Road To Glory》


 Chapter 0 First Light

    ¡°Jamie, wake up! Wake up, goddammit!¡±


    ¡°Huh?¡± Jamie responded, blinking against the harsh light. ¡°Joe? What are you doing here?¡±


    ¡°Have you forgotten everything? Was the punch really that hard?¡± Joe exclaimed, his voice laced with concern.


    Jamie looked up, taking in the slums surrounding him. ¡°Oh right, I remember. We fought those street kids yesterday, right?¡±


    ¡°Yeah, we beat them up, but one of them landed a lucky punch on your pressure point, making you faint,¡± Joe replied, a hint of amusement in his eyes.


    Jamie sighed, shaking off the remnants of sleep. The sun shone brighter than most days, illuminating the packed streets of the slums. The city he came from was painfully poor, with the opulent rich quarter visible in the distance. Meanwhile, the governor of the city lived comfortably, surrounded by wealth, while the people in the slums struggled to survive. Cops roamed the alleys, ready to arrest anyone caught stealing or causing trouble¡ªa daily occurrence. Many hated the governor, but there was little they could do. Even if another rich person were elected, nothing would change for the poor community.


    ¡°So, Joe, what¡¯s the plan for today?¡± Jamie asked, glancing at his friend.


    ¡°We need some food and cash, right?¡± Joe said, determination in his voice.


    ¡°Yeah, that¡¯s right,¡± Jamie replied.


    The two friends ventured into the bustling streets, weaving through the crowd in search of food stands, but they found nothing. The slums were overcrowded, making movement difficult. Finally, they stumbled upon a side road that connected the town square to the rich quarter. They spotted a small hole in the fence¡ªjust large enough for their twelve-year-old bodies to squeeze through. With a quick glance around, they darted into the rich quarter, excitement bubbling within them.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Inside, they quickly spotted a convenience store. They slipped inside, swiftly filling their pockets with food before making a hasty exit.


    ¡°Hey! Stop!¡± the employee shouted after them, but their feet carried them away as fast as possible.


    As they wandered through the lavish streets, admiring the beauty of the quarter, they suddenly encountered the street kids from the previous day.


    ¡°What the hell are you doing here, bitches?¡± one of the street kids shouted.


    Joe met his gaze, unfazed. ¡°Looks like you¡¯re less today. This should be quick.¡±


    The tension escalated, and a brawl broke out¡ªfive against two. Jamie and Joe landed solid punches, while the other kids struggled to retaliate. In a matter of moments, they emerged victorious. But just as they celebrated, the police stormed the area, cutting off any escape routes.


    ¡°Oh shit, there are cops everywhere!¡± Joe exclaimed, panic rising in his voice. ¡°This must¡¯ve been a setup!¡±


    ¡°Jamie, split up! Run left, I¡¯ll run right!¡± Joe shouted.


    Without hesitation, they both bolted, each taking their own path into the chaos.


    Jamie sprinted through the winding streets until he finally found a secluded spot at the edge of the slums, a place where the police rarely ventured. There, he collapsed against a wall, breathless. Time passed¡ªdays, months, years¡ªyet there was no sign of Joe. Alone in the shadows, Jamie felt the weight of their choices pressing down on him.

 The Hopeless Child

    The sun had just risen, light shining through the sky, and a burning sensation could be felt on the arm of the so-called hopeless child¡ªJamie. At just 17 years old, he was an orphan, no parents, no guardian. Practically a free kid, roaming the streets, begging for cash, and usually sleeping in abandoned houses.


    Suddenly, Jamie woke up. He looked to the side, seeing his arm fully red, burned by the harsh light of the sun.


    "Ouch, goddammit, it hurts. What the hell? Why am I on the side of the road? I could¡¯ve sworn I found a perfect hideout," Jamie muttered to himself.


    He glanced back at the office building he had slept upon yesterday and saw an angry man standing by the window, glaring down at him.


    "Geez, talk about scary, huh? Anyway, goddamn, my arm is burning. How annoying. I should probably keep moving."


    Rumble.


    "My god, my stomach''s in pain. Talk about bad luck¡ªfirst my arm, now my stomach. I need some food, dang it."


    Jamie spotted a small food stand in the middle of the town square. He walked up to it, where two men sat nearby, visibly drunk. Jamie approached the vendor.


    "Uh, I¡¯ll be totally honest, food guy. I ain¡¯t got no money, but I¡¯m pretty hungry. Can you spare some food for me?" Jamie asked, trying to sound casual.


    The food vendor glared at him. "The hell? Free food? Are you serious? What the hell are you thinking? I¡¯m working my ass off for barely any profit, and you want free food? Scram, kid."


    "Geez, food guy, no need to be so rude."


    Rumble.


    Without hesitation, Jamie snatched two bags of packed bread and took off running. The vendor screamed after him, catching the attention of a nearby officer. The officer saw Jamie running and immediately gave chase, quickly catching up and cornering him in an alley near the food stand. The vendor stood by, watching the scene unfold, while the two drunk men observed from the sidelines.


    "What the hell is this? I¡¯m just trying to get some food, officer. Get outta here, I got no business with you," Jamie spat.


    The officer, speaking in a strict tone, said, "You just stole that bread. I¡¯m taking you to the station for that."


    Jamie glanced left and right, desperate for an escape. "The fuck you mean? You¡¯re all a bunch of rich schmucks! I know how much this corrupt government pays you pigs!"


    The officer didn¡¯t respond, but he moved closer, the gap shrinking to less than five meters.


    "Yo, officer, back off. I¡¯m warning you," Jamie said, his fists clenched.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.The officer stepped closer. Suddenly, smack! The officer took a hard left fist straight to the face, cutting through the air and hitting him directly. A small but noticeable bulge formed where the punch landed, blood trickling down his face.


    One of the drunk men piped up, "Did you see that, Denki? He hit him right in the face¡ªa left jab, right to the face!"


    Denki looked down at the ground, barely able to comprehend what his friend, Dakam, had said through his drunken haze.


    The food vendor stood there, shocked, frozen at the scene that had unfolded. Jamie took advantage of the confusion, sprinting at full speed toward the edge of town. As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Jamie found a quiet spot to rest and escape the chaos. But just as he settled down, a man¡ªsomeone Jamie had seen before¡ªapproached him.


    The man spoke up, "Boy, it¡¯s you, right? The boy that knocked out the officer with that left jab."


    Jamie looked up, annoyed. "Huh? You drunk? Scram, I¡¯m trying to relax."


    "No, no," the man said. "You don¡¯t understand. That jab of yours¡ªit¡¯s strong. Like, strong enough to kill a person."


    Jamie sighed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "That a problem, old man?"


    The man shook his head. "Look, kid, my name¡¯s Dekam. I¡¯m a retired boxer. I was one of the best once. I had everything until my brain got messed up. Won several titles, but the corrupt government screwed me over."


    "Yeah, yeah, what a struggle," Jamie replied, rolling his eyes. "Look, old man, I didn¡¯t ask for your life story. I¡¯m trying to sleep here."


    Dekam leaned in, undeterred. "Tell me your name, boy."


    "It¡¯s Jamie, old man."


    "Jamie," Dekam repeated, his eyes wide. "You¡¯re the chosen one. I can be your teacher. I¡¯ll make you a millionaire. I can get you anything. I¡¯ve got the experience, and you¡¯ve got the power. We¡¯d be the perfect match."


    Jamie, looking confused, scoffed. "Look, old man, I don¡¯t care what you¡¯re trying to sell me. I¡¯m not a boxer. I just fight for fun, I guess. I don¡¯t want to fight for fame."


    Dekam looked shocked. "No, no, but you can¡ª"


    Jamie cut him off, his voice cold. "Look, Dekam, or whatever your name is, I don¡¯t give a fuck. I¡¯m already outta this town by tomorrow. The stupid government¡¯s probably gonna hunt me down since I fucked up by hitting that cop. They¡¯ll send me to some shitty foster home where I¡¯ll get beaten for talking back."


    Dekam stared at Jamie, his voice softening. "Let me adopt you."

 The Offer

    "Huh? Adopt me?" Jamie scoffed. "Look, old man, it makes sense you¡¯ve got something wrong in your head because this isn¡¯t working. I¡¯m tired of your bullshit. Give it up¡ªI¡¯m not gonna become a boxer. I don¡¯t care about boxing."


    Dekam, undeterred, looked at Jamie earnestly. "Please, Jamie, at least let me adopt you."


    Jamie burst out laughing, his voice echoing down the empty street. "Adopt me? A drunk adopting me? Right. Look, old man, I¡¯m outta here."


    He walked off, leaving Dekam shouting after him. Jamie picked up the pace, finding another remote spot to rest. He sat down, trying to sleep, but was soon interrupted by the sound of loud sirens. Flashing lights illuminated the area as Jamie rubbed his tired eyes.


    He looked up¡ª10, no, 20 policemen, all armed, stood before him.


    "Huh. I guess the government¡¯s faster than I thought," Jamie muttered.


    One cop stepped forward, his voice booming, "Jamie, surrender this second, and you won¡¯t face any charges!"


    Jamie gritted his teeth and shot back, "Kiss my ass!"


    The standoff stretched for what felt like minutes, but then the cops charged, swarming Jamie, tackling him to the ground. He struggled, kicking and punching, but he couldn¡¯t land a solid hit¡ªuntil something flashed in his mind.


    The jab.


    He remembered Dekam¡¯s words about a jab punch. Just then, Jamie felt a sharp pain in his legs¡ªtwo cops sat on both his legs, pinning him down. His left arm was still free, and he swung it with all his might. The punch didn¡¯t connect perfectly due to the distance, but the force behind it was undeniable. The cop sitting on his leg collapsed with a groan, while the other jumped back in shock.


    Jamie grinned through the struggle. "How you like that, you pig?"


    "Take out the taser!" one officer shouted. "Tase this fucker!"


    Just as the officer aimed his taser, Dekam rushed onto the scene, holding up his hands. "Wait, wait, please!" Dekam pleaded. "Jamie¡¯s my son. He doesn¡¯t need to go with you¡ªhe¡¯s my son!"


    Jamie¡¯s eyes widened. "What the f¡ª" but before he could finish, Dekam grabbed Jamie¡¯s arm, squeezing it tight, silencing him.


    The cop eyed Dekam suspiciously. "That doesn¡¯t excuse his actions."


    "I know, I know," Dekam said, nodding. "He¡¯s a bad kid, but he¡¯s only 14. It¡¯s his first offense. Let me handle the punishment."


    The cop stared for a moment before holstering his taser. "Fine," he said, then turned to the other officers. "Let¡¯s head back to the station."


    One by one, the officers filed out, leaving Jamie and Dekam alone in the alley.


    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.Jamie, still panting, looked at Dekam. "What the hell are you trying to pull, old man? You trying to play me for a fool? I¡¯m no idiot. I ain¡¯t your fucking son, and I¡¯m leaving this town whether you like it or not."


    Dekam, calm as ever, spoke softly. "Jamie, just hear me out¡ª"


    "Hear you out? What, you gonna tell me that brain-damaged sob story again? It¡¯s clear¡ªyou¡¯re insane. Just leave me alone, old man. I¡¯m not worth your time."


    Dekam¡¯s face brightened as he said, "No, Jamie, that¡¯s not it. You did it¡ªthe jab. You overheard what I said. You must be interested."


    Jamie sighed, leaning back. "Yeah, it was a good punch, I can admit that. But I don¡¯t care about boxing. I really don¡¯t. Just let me be. My life¡¯s already shit. I don¡¯t need some crazy old guy trying to tell me what to do."


    Dekam¡¯s tone became passionate. "Just let me teach you something about boxing. If you don¡¯t enjoy it, I¡¯ll leave you alone."


    Jamie stared at the old man, thinking for a moment. "Alright, fine. I¡¯ll do your boxing thing. You got one week to convince me. One week, and I¡¯ll play by your rules. If you can¡¯t, you give me 100 bucks, and we never talk again. Got it?"


    Dekam¡¯s face lit up. "Deal."


    The next day, Dekam took Jamie to his old, rundown boxing gym¡ªa place that once held champions and titles. Now, it was a shadow of its former self. Jamie stepped inside, looking around at the dusty equipment. Three sandbags hung from the ceiling, six pairs of gloves¡ªonly three looked useable. A worn-out ring sat in the middle, surrounded by broken pads and gear.


    Jamie¡¯s face twisted in disbelief. "This gym sucks. You were a feared boxer? Seriously, old man?"


    Dekam walked over to a counter and pulled out a small, faded picture. It showed Dekam, younger and victorious, holding up a championship belt.


    Jamie glanced at the photo. "Huh. So you weren¡¯t lying, after all. Guess that says something." He looked back at Dekam. "Alright, so what now, old man?"


    Dekam scratched his head, embarrassed. "I¡¯m sorry the gym¡¯s like this now. There¡¯s not much left. I only have two people who work out here. That¡¯s you and another boy from the slums."


    "Huh? Another boy trains here?" Jamie raised an eyebrow.


    "Yeah," Dekam said with a sigh. "He¡¯s a boxer too. But because of his weight, he can¡¯t compete in the lower divisions. He¡¯s only had two matches¡ªone win, one loss. But I want both of you to become champions. One heavyweight, one Middleweight."


    Jamie smirked. "Yeah, right. Whatever, old man. Let¡¯s just get on with the training."

 The Jab Awakens

    Dekam walked over to a small box near the ring and pulled out two slightly less broken pads than the others. He also grabbed a pair of gloves¡ªworn and cheap, but just functional enough for hitting¡ªand handed them to Jamie. ¡°Here, use these.¡±


    Jamie inspected the gear with a raised eyebrow. ¡°Cheap as hell, but whatever.¡±


    Dekam then tied a rope between two poles, creating a makeshift jump rope. ¡°200 jumps on the rope. After that, pad work in the ring, and then a 5 km sprint. Got it, kid?¡±


    Jamie shrugged. ¡°Yeah, yeah, let¡¯s get it.¡±


    Jamie started the jump rope routine, breezing through the first few jumps. 25, 50, then 100¡ªhis legs were starting to burn, and by the time he hit 200, he was struggling. He stumbled toward Dekam and hit the pads with full force. Each punch sent shockwaves through Dekam, visibly pushing him back, the force of Jamie¡¯s punches making the old man grimace. But Jamie kept going, his intensity rising for a solid 30 minutes.


    Dripping in sweat, Jamie stumbled out of the gym to run the 5 km sprint. He made it about 100 meters before collapsing into a corner, groaning to himself. ¡°What the hell am I doing?¡±


    Meanwhile, Dekam was back at the gym, thinking Jamie was out running. He took the time to sew up the pads and clean up a bit. After 15 minutes, Jamie returned, wiping his face and faking exhaustion.


    ¡°There we go, old man. Did the 5 km, like you said.¡±


    Dekam smiled, beaming with pride. ¡°Wonderful!¡± He clapped Jamie on the back. ¡°The other kid just arrived. He¡¯s in the changing room. Get ready to spar with him¡ªyou might be surprised by his abilities.¡±


    Jamie rolled his eyes. ¡°Yeah, yeah, let¡¯s see what this ¡®other kid¡¯ is made of.¡±


    The changing room door swung open, and out stepped a tall, broad-shouldered boy around Jamie¡¯s age. He was noticeably heavier, weighing in at around 90 kg, compared to Jamie¡¯s lean 61 kg frame. The difference between the two was stark.


    Jamie smirked. "I like a challenge." He glanced closely at Yosuke and noticed a large scar on his face but quickly brushed it off.¡±


    The tall kid glanced at Dekam with disdain. ¡°Who the hell is this kid?¡±


    Dekam calmly responded, ¡°Yosuke, meet Jamie. He¡¯s the newest official member of the gym.¡±


    Jamie was about to snap back, but held his tongue. It wasn¡¯t worth it. The two of them stepped into the ring, and soon the sparring began.


    Yosuke was quick, landing a flying right hook that connected with Jamie¡¯s head. Jamie¡¯s cheap headgear did little to cushion the blow as Yosuke kept throwing punches, each one slamming into Jamie¡¯s skull like a hammer. After several heavy hits, Jamie¡¯s knees buckled, and he went down.


    If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.The count began¡ª1, 2, 3¡ªbut Jamie got up by the 5-second mark, shaking off the dizziness. Dekam restarted the match.


    In round two, Jamie took a different approach. He rushed in and began using his jab, quick and precise, keeping Yosuke at a distance. Every jab was sharp, driving Yosuke back. Jamie kept up the pressure, not letting Yosuke breathe.


    Then, Yosuke retaliated, throwing another hard right. Jamie, too exhausted to keep his guard up, ducked under and delivered a vicious body jab straight to Yosuke¡¯s gut. The punch landed with precision, causing Yosuke to gasp for air, his defense weakening.


    Dekam watched from the sidelines, intrigued. ¡°How is his punch that strong? For someone barely weighing 65 kg, to hit a heavyweight like that¡­¡±


    Jamie continued pressing Yosuke, each punch hurting Yosuke¡¯s guard more and more. But then Yosuke dodged one of Jamie¡¯s jabs and countered with a devastating right hook, throwing all his body weight into it. The punch connected directly with Jamie¡¯s cheek, and he went down hard, knocked out cold.


    Dekam rushed in and started the count. ¡°1... 2... 3...¡±


    By the count of 7, Jamie stirred, struggling to get up. Blood trickled down his face from his nose and the cut on his forehead.


    ¡°This headgear really fucking sucks,¡± Jamie muttered, wiping the blood from his eyes as he stood up before the 10-second count.


    Both Dekam and Yosuke were in shock. Jamie, barely able to stand, grinned through his pain. ¡°So, we gonna keep going or what?¡±


    Yosuke¡¯s face hardened in anger. He raised his fists and charged in, ready to deliver the finishing blow. But before his punch could connect, Dekam stepped in, blocking Yosuke¡¯s attack.


    ¡°Enough for today,¡± Dekam ordered, his voice firm. ¡°I¡¯ve seen enough. Jamie, you need gauze for those cuts.¡±


    Jamie, though battered, looked more intrigued by boxing than before. ¡°Huh, maybe there¡¯s something to this¡­¡±


    Round 2:


    Time: 2:48


    Result: Draw


    Later that night, Jamie followed Dekam home to sleep in his guest room. It was 3 a.m. when he was woken up by Dekam again for more training. Jamie, clearly unwilling, barely ran and skipped most of the late-night training, running roughly 1 km, doing light bag work, and a bit of pad hitting before heading back to bed.

 Training and Trouble

    Jamie shrugged as he glanced at the small watch on the desk in the guest room he was staying in. "Huh, it¡¯s only 6:30? I should go get some air."


    He walked out the door and made his way up a small hill toward the slums of the town. As he approached, he noticed three boys¡ªone aged 15 and the others around 5¡ªplaying nearby. Confused, he spoke up. "Eh, hello? I¡¯m Jamie. What are you guys doing here this early?"


    The oldest boy stepped forward. "I¡¯m Jackie, the oldest at 15. We¡¯re here to steal the morning buns the baker makes. We sell them at half price down the street in the slums. It helps us make a little income for now."


    "I see," Jamie replied, intrigued.


    The 5-year-old chimed in, "Yeah! We take all the buns and baked goods from the bakery so we can eat well and sell some too. You wanna help us, Jamie? By the way, I¡¯m Koko!"


    "Eh, I suppose I could help," Jamie said, smirking.


    The four boys snuck up to the baker¡¯s shop. Jackie approached the baker and innocently asked for three buns roasted in the oven. As the baker turned his back, Jackie and Koko stormed in, grabbing everything they could reach. Jamie joined in, snatching up as much as he could. Suddenly, the baker''s furious shouts echoed in the distance.


    Jackie turned to Jamie, laughing. "Hey, Jamie, you¡¯re not too bad at this! How about we do this more often?"


    Jamie shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Not like I have anything better to do."


    They continued their mischief, raiding more stores and taking small portions of food and other items to sell later on. Before long, they formed a small crime syndicate.


    As the clock struck 11:30, Jamie realized he should have been at the boxing gym by now. He shrugged it off and kept hanging out with the other slum kids. By 1:30 PM, they had sold all their stock to the residents of the slums. Finally, Jamie showed up at the gym.


    Dakam, waiting for him, grabbed Jamie by the arm and pointed to the clock, shouting, "THE HELL! DO YOU NOT KNOW THE TIME? YOU SHOULD HAVE BEEN TRAINING TWO HOURS AGO!"


    Jamie shrugged him off. "Shut up, old man! You¡¯re too controlling. I said I¡¯d do this on my own terms. Boxing really isn¡¯t all that interesting."


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.Defeated, Dekam sighed. "Just get in the ring and start hitting pads with me."


    Jamie followed the usual training routine, hitting pads and jumping rope. He struggled less than before, his physical shape improving significantly. Dekam couldn''t help but theorize that Jamie had the potential to be a world-class boxer.


    Suddenly, Jamie landed a jab directly into Dekam''s face, snapping him out of his thoughts and sending him to the ground.


    "THE HELL ARE YOU DOING, YOU IDIOT?" Dekam shouted.


    "Ain¡¯t my fault you were dozing off! Are you still drinking or what?" Jamie retorted.


    "I quit drinking because of my dedication," Dekam replied, rubbing his face.


    Jamie nodded, continuing with his training. He felt tired and annoyed but pushed through, hitting the pads again. Just before he was about to head out for his run, Dekam spoke up.


    "Kid, it¡¯s time you learn a cross punch," Dekam said, his tone serious yet calm.


    Not particularly intrigued, Jamie rolled his eyes but went along with it. He looked at Dekam, who demonstrated the punch.


    "Listen, kid, you want to jab first, then use your right hand to punch, creating a combination called ''jab-cross'' or ''one-two.'' You want to angle it perfectly¡ªnot too shallow. It should be powerful enough to land directly on your opponent''s face. Now, try it," Dekam instructed.


    Jamie hit the pads with a jab, then a cross.


    "TOO SHALLOW AGAIN!" Dekam shouted.


    "REPEAT!" he ordered.


    "NOT GOOD ENOUGH!"


    "AGAIN!"


    "Better."


    "THAT''S IT!"


    Jamie hit the pads again, delivering a solid jab followed by a cross, shifting his weight perfectly into the punch. It landed hard on the pad¡ªif it had been a real match, it would have hit an unguarded opponent squarely in the face.


    Anyway, I¡¯m off to run!" Jamie exclaimed.


    Before Dekam could respond, Jamie was already out the door. Once outside, he barely did any running again. Instead, he found a quiet alleyway, sat down, and wondered what the hell was going on in his life.

 Shifting Paths

    Jamie sat in the alleyway, looking down at the ground, dusty as always, filled with small holes. The cement was probably 100 years old. Suddenly, he spotted Jackie getting escorted by two officers. Jamie bolted over toward the scene, hiding at the edge of the alleyway.


    Jackie shouted, "Hey! What the hell is your problem? I''m just trying to buy some food!"


    Cop one responded, "We know that¡¯s dirty cash you got from selling stolen goods. Just cooperate, and you might end up with a less harsh punishment."


    Jackie yelled, "THE HELL YOU TALKIN'' ABOUT PUNISHMENT?! Let me go, dammit!"


    Cop two pulled out his baton and slammed it into Jackie¡¯s head. SLAM!


    "OUCH! Goddammit, that hurt!" Jackie groaned.


    Cop two smirked, "Huh, you want more or what, kid? We¡¯re the law¡ªobey us or learn to feel the pain."


    Jamie, watching the scene unfold, noticed the two five-year-olds standing nearby, visibly worried. Without a second thought, Jamie rushed toward the cop, sucker-punching him in the head with a hard jab. The cop, caught off guard, collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The second cop turned toward Jamie and swung, grazing Jamie¡¯s cheek with his punch.


    Jamie, undeterred, wiped his cheek and threw another jab, aiming for the cop¡¯s face. The cop quickly stepped back, dodging the punch. Suddenly, Jackie grabbed a rock and smashed it into the cop¡¯s leg.


    "FUCK, THAT HURTS, YOU LITTLE BITCH!" the cop yelled in pain.


    "Yeah, that¡¯s what you get, idiot," Jackie spat back.


    The cop collapsed, both knees buckling, and sat in front of Jamie, who looked down at him menacingly. Before the cop could even beg for mercy, Jamie delivered a full-power jab to his face, knocking him out cold.


    "Huh, that was interesting. You okay, Jackie?" Jamie asked, wiping his knuckles.


    Jackie quickly responded, "Yeah, I¡¯m good. Looks like we gotta keep a lower profile now."


    Suddenly, the two five-year-olds popped out from their hiding spot, thanking Jamie for helping. Jamie shrugged it off. "You know, that was a clever trick, Jackie. Hitting the cop with the rock was pretty smart, can¡¯t lie."


    Jackie grinned. "Thanks, Jamie."


    They dragged both unconscious cops into the alleyway, then parted ways, promising to meet the next day to steal more for some quick cash. Jamie headed back to the gym, where Dekam waited, arms crossed, tapping his foot impatiently.


    Dekam shouted, "Jamie, you¡¯re back! I wanted to say something before you left earlier."


    Jamie, clearly annoyed, snapped back, "What do you want, old man?"


    Dekam¡¯s eyes locked onto the fresh scar on Jamie¡¯s face. He grabbed Jamie¡¯s chin, inspecting the cut.


    "WHAT THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN DOING, JAMIE?! YOU BEEN FIGHTING OUTSIDE THE GYM AGAIN?!"


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Jamie pulled away, nonchalant. "Yeah, so what? You don¡¯t need to protect me. I can handle myself, old man. Quit being so overprotective and annoying all the time. You¡¯re lucky I even agreed to this boxing crap for a week. Speaking of which, the week¡¯s almost up. You better have the cash ready."


    Dekam, devastated and exhausted, sighed. "I have the money, but I still believe in your potential. I¡¯m not giving up on you."


    "Whatever, old man," Jamie muttered.


    They resumed training¡ªjump rope, pad work, bag drills. Jamie half-assed it at first, but Dekam wasn¡¯t having it. He pushed Jamie to do serious work, correcting his form and shouting commands.


    "ONE-TWO! JAB-CROSS!" Dekam barked. "Good combinations, Jamie."


    "Yeah, alright, is that all for today? It¡¯s late. I need sleep for those night runs, right?"


    Dekam glanced at his watch and sighed again. "Yeah, head on home. I¡¯ll stay and train Yosuke for a bit."


    As Dekam stayed behind to train Yosuke, Jamie walked back to the guest room he was staying in. He tucked a small amount of cash¡ªabout $25, earned from selling stolen goods¡ªunder his pillow. Walking to the kitchen, he rummaged through the fridge. Most of the food was either too old or just unappetizing. Spotting a fresh apple, Jamie shrugged to himself. Eh, he won¡¯t be mad if I take this. I need food, after all.


    Jamie took the apple, heading back to his makeshift bed, which was barely held together, and sat down, eating it quietly.


    Later, he drifted to sleep, but the peace didn¡¯t last long. BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! His alarm blared. The clock read 3:00 AM. It was time for his morning run. Groaning in frustration, Jamie forced himself out of bed, dragging his feet onto the road for a short jog. He ran until he found a bench, where he sat for an hour before heading back to the house.


    As he arrived, he saw the kids outside, excited.


    "Hey, what are you guys doing here?" Jamie asked.


    Jackie grinned, "Yo, Jamie! We¡¯ve got a sick plan!"


    "Oh yeah? What¡¯s the plan?" Jamie replied, intrigued.


    Jackie explained, "We¡¯re gonna upscale our business by scamming the rich quarter of the city. We¡¯ll use the two five-year-olds as bait. They¡¯ll go up to a rich house, ask for some change, and get rejected. That¡¯s when we swoop in. We¡¯ll be the ''news crew'' filming the rejection, making the rich look heartless."


    Jamie laughed at the idea. "That¡¯s pretty slick, but the rich won¡¯t care if they¡¯re on the news."


    "True," Jackie said, nodding. "But we¡¯re not targeting just any rich house. It¡¯s the governor¡¯s son¡¯s place."


    Jamie looked at Jackie, surprised but intrigued. "You sure about this?"


    Jackie grinned wider, "11:00 AM tomorrow. That¡¯s when we hit it."

 The Scheme and Consequences

    Jamie waved goodbye to the kids and headed home. The clock read 4:10 PM as he lightly stepped into the kitchen, searching for anything edible. He pulled out a carrot and bit into it.


    "Hmm, I better get some sleep if I''m going to do this scheme with those kids," Jamie murmured to himself.


    After finishing his snack, Jamie went to bed. Suddenly, he awoke to the clock reading 10:00 AM. Dekam was standing by his bed, urging him to get to the gym.


    Reluctantly, Jamie got up, realizing he had no choice but to go, despite his desire to stay back. They headed to the gym, and Jamie began plotting his escape.


    "Yo, old man, I¡¯m going for a run!" he announced.


    Dekam looked at him and shouted, "WAIT¡ª"


    But at that moment, Jamie was already out the gym''s door, racing toward the other kids. They met up outside.


    "Yo, Jamie! Ready for our scheme?" Jackie asked, a grin spreading across his face.


    "Bring it on," Jamie replied, excitement brewing inside him.


    They made their way to the rich quarter, walking cautiously until they reached the gate. Memories flooded Jamie¡¯s mind as he recalled a hole in the gate from his past.


    "Yo, come over here and follow me! I think I know a way in," he shouted to the others.


    They followed him, but to their dismay, the hole had been patched up.


    "Shit, man, that sucks. I guess we gotta jump the fence then?" Jamie said.


    Without hesitation, he jumped the fence while Jackie helped the two five-year-olds over the tall barrier. They finally made it onto the other side, entering the rich quarter.


    Walking carefully to avoid detection, they marveled at the beautiful houses and well-dressed men and women. They passed convenience stores and sights that were a stark contrast to their lives in the slums.


    Eventually, they reached the governor''s son''s house. The kids approached the door uninvited and knocked.


    BANG BANG


    No answer.


    BANG BANG again.


    Still no response.


    They continued knocking until an irritated old butler opened the door, glaring at the kids with an angry grin.


    "So, children, what brings you here?" he asked in a formal tone.


    Koko, one of the younger kids, spoke up, "Me and my brother, sir, we need something to eat, some money. We want to be able to go to school."


    The butler studied them for a moment before responding, "Is that so? You need to scram off the property. The young man will come down any moment."


    The children looked defeated. "Please, si¡ª" Koko began, but was cut off as a handsome young man approached.


    "So, children, you want money? I see. Here, take a dollar and go buy some candy," he said with a condescending smile.


    Suddenly, Jackie pulled out two small disguises, handing one to Jamie while he took his camera and began recording. The young man saw the opportunity to benefit from the moment and called the "fake news crew" over, handing both Jamie and Jackie a large sum of $5,000 each.


    This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere."Look, we love the poor community! We stand up for you all!" he declared.


    Jamie and Jackie, playing along, stood still, absorbed in their roles. Koko and the other five-year-old kids left the scene as Jamie and Jackie asked the young man for comments on the situation.


    "Er, well, of course, we love homeless people. Us rich people want to help everyone, you see. I just paid for their school; therefore, the poor community should definitely vote for my father, the governor," he explained, oblivious to their scheme.


    The fake news crew thanked him and walked off the property, reuniting with Koko and his brother, Aki. They shared the cash, and excitement buzzed among them.


    "That¡¯s a good sum of $2,500 for each of us! You know what that means, guys? I can finally get out of this stupid town!" Jamie exclaimed.


    They laughed at their success, happily dividing the cash. Jamie headed back to the gym for the training Dekam had assigned him: sit-ups, jump rope, and pad hitting. Not long after, he ran back to his room, hiding the cash and thinking quietly to himself, Just one more day of training, and I can finally be done with this boxing nonsense.


    He lay down and relaxed, savoring a moment of peace. An hour passed, but his tranquility was short-lived. He decided to take a stroll outside, only to find an unusual sight: numerous police officers, more than usual¡ªaround thirty of them¡ªpatrolling the streets and checking alleyways.


    Concerned, Jamie quickly met up with Jackie in their usual alleyway to discuss the situation.


    "You haven¡¯t heard, Jamie? We¡¯re wanted for impersonation and fraud!" Jackie said, his voice tinged with panic.


    "What? How?" Jamie exclaimed, bewildered.


    "He figured it out at the last second, I guess," Jackie replied.


    "We gotta flee!" Jamie insisted, and Jackie agreed. They quickly made their way to an abandoned building to hide out for the night, staying close together, believing themselves untrackable.


    Suddenly, sirens and screams echoed outside.


    Jamie looked out the window, his heart sinking. He saw the entire police patrol, including the governor''s son and the old butler, Dekam.


    With a sigh, Jamie mumbled, "Shit."


    "GET OUT NOW, JAMIE!" Dekam shouted from below.


    Jamie, fueled by defiance, retorted, "KISS MY ASS, OLDMAN!"


    The cops rushed into the building, entering swiftly. Jamie and the kids tried to fight off the first wave of officers, but the sheer number of them was overwhelming. In a desperate bid to escape, Jamie jumped out of a window, only to be stopped by Dekam, who punched him directly in the head.


    Jamie fell to the ground, pain radiating through him. Fueled by anger, he threw a jab at Dekam, but it was easily dodged. Dekam retaliated with a hard punch that made Jamie faint.


    When Jamie finally regained consciousness, he found himself in a police station, locked in a holding cell. The interior was grim, with a hard bed and stark surroundings. He looked down, pondering his next move to escape.

 Six Months

    Jamie slammed his fists against the door, his anger boiling over. "Damn old man, playing me like a fool. Now I''m stuck in here with no way out. What the hell am I supposed to do?" His voice echoed in the small cell, rage filling every word.


    He kept pounding the door, faster and harder, until blood dripped from his knuckles. His hands throbbed with pain, but a small dent in the door showed his determination. Exhausted, Jamie slumped to the ground, his breath ragged as he tried to relax.


    Less than 30 minutes later, a guard appeared and dragged him to the warden¡¯s office. The warden, sitting behind a pristine desk, looked down at Jamie.


    ¡°So, Jamie, right? What led you to make such a decision?¡± the warden asked, his voice calm but probing.


    Jamie stared at the polished desk, his mind boiling with anger. Without a word, he spat in the warden¡¯s face. The shock on the warden''s face quickly morphed into fury. ¡°Take him back to the cell,¡± he ordered.


    They threw Jamie back into his cell, locking the door behind him. Later, a court hearing was scheduled. Jamie glanced at the official government paper that was slid under his door. It read:


    Jamie Yuki,


    You are hereby ordered to attend a court hearing on Thursday, March 11th, at 3 o''clock. You may not bring weapons. Family is allowed on the premises. Failure to attend will result in an extension of your sentence.


    Signed ¨C The Governor


    ¡°Bullshit,¡± Jamie muttered, ripping the paper to shreds. He tossed the pieces onto the floor and collapsed onto his bed. Days passed in a monotonous routine¡ªsleep, eat, stare at the ceiling, barely work out.


    A week later, another letter arrived. It was from Dekam. Jamie sneered and read it:


    "Jamie, here¡¯s your boxing lesson number 3. Start by practicing your right hook..."


    Jamie ripped the letter apart, cursing under his breath. "That old man is stalking me. I don¡¯t need this shit." But boredom crept in, and eventually, Jamie picked up the pieces and pieced them back together.


    "Start by practicing your right hook. Angle your shoulder and twist your waist with full power to land a clean hit."


    Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.Reluctantly, Jamie followed the instructions. He failed miserably, again and again, until he gave up. ¡°What a load of crap. I don¡¯t need boxing. I hate that old man.¡±


    Time passed until, finally, the day of the hearing arrived. Jamie was escorted in cuffs, thrown into the back of a van, and driven to the courthouse. They waited for an hour before he was called into the courtroom. Dekam, Jackie, Koko, and Aki sat among the spectators. Jamie scoffed when he saw them.


    ¡°DO YOU GUYS REALLY HAVE NOTHING BETTER TO DO?¡± he shouted.


    Dekam sighed, trying to reason with him. ¡°Jamie, we¡¯re just¡ª¡±


    ¡°ORDER! ORDER! ORDER!¡± the judge interrupted, slamming his gavel.


    The judge looked sternly at Jamie. ¡°We are here today for the hearing of Jamie Yuki. You may now speak in your defense.¡±


    Jamie rolled his eyes. ¡°Yeah, yeah, let¡¯s get this over with.¡±


    The judge, taken aback by Jamie¡¯s nonchalance, responded, ¡°Are you sure you want to be so hasty? You¡¯re looking at a maximum sentence of six months.¡±


    Jamie grinned. ¡°Six months, huh? Doesn¡¯t matter. I don¡¯t have a defense, you corrupt bitch. I bet you feel real powerful up there on that podium. Bet you¡¯ve got loads of money too, huh?¡±


    ¡°JAMIE, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?¡± Dekam shouted from the back.


    Jackie whispered, ¡°Jamie¡­ why?¡±


    Before Jamie could respond, the judge''s face flushed with anger. ¡°I HEREBY SENTENCE JAMIE YUKI TO SIX MONTHS IN MAXIMUM SECURITY JUVENILE DETENTION!¡± He slammed the gavel with a furious crack.


    Jamie grinned as two officers grabbed him. Dekam tried to say something, but Jamie flipped him off as he was shoved into the van.


    After a long, bumpy drive, they arrived at the maximum security prison. Jamie was processed, given an orange uniform, and assigned his cell¡ªnumber 376, cell 157.


    He entered the cell and was greeted by a towering figure, his new roommate. The guy just stared down at Jamie, a grin spreading across his face. Unfazed, Jamie unrolled his futon, laid it on the bed, and turned away to sleep. His roommate just kept grinning, sizing him up, ready for whatever was next.

 Yard Fight

    "New guy, eh?" Kenjo, Jamie¡¯s cellmate, glared menacingly at him.


    Jamie lay still, not responding.


    "HEY! NEW GUY! RESPOND WHEN I¡¯M TALKING TO YOU, BITCH!" Kenjo shouted, growing angrier by the second.


    Jamie didn¡¯t move a muscle, remaining silent, which only fueled Kenjo¡¯s rage. Clenching his fist, Kenjo swung at Jamie¡¯s back with full force, but his punch froze mid-air. Shocked, Kenjo looked down to see Jamie had caught his hand, his expression filled with irritation.


    Jamie¡¯s grip tightened around Kenjo¡¯s hand, and the pressure felt like it was about to crush his bones. The pain shot through Kenjo¡¯s arm, and he began crying, begging for mercy.


    Eventually, Jamie let go. Kenjo''s hand dropped, swollen and a litte twisted in an unnatural way. He sobbed in pain.


    "Tsk. Can you shut up, wannabe gangster? I¡¯m trying to sleep. Don¡¯t make me destroy your other hand, too," Jamie said coldly, turning away.


    Kenjo sat frozen, too scared to move. The tears kept flowing, and after an hour, he finally passed out.


    The next morning, Jamie woke up early. He glanced around the cell to see Kenjo still sleeping, his arm swollen and twisted. "Looks like I really messed him up. Must hurt like hell," Jamie thought with a smirk.


    Jamie inspected their small, dingy cell: two bunk beds, a small toilet, a rusty sink, and trays of old, uneaten food. The walls were marked with bloodstains and peeling paint.


    "This hotel sucks," Jamie muttered to himself.


    Kenjo stirred awake and saw Jamie looking at him. Fear washed over his face, and he quickly tried to hide under his blanket.


    "Yo. What¡¯s your name?" Jamie asked, his tone neutral.


    Kenjo stayed silent, hoping Jamie would leave him alone.


    "I KNOW YOU¡¯RE AWAKE! JUST GIVE ME YOUR NAME!" Jamie shouted, frustration boiling in his voice.


    Kenjo, terrified, peeked out from under the blanket and stammered, "I-I¡¯m K-Kenjo, s-sir."


    Jamie raised an eyebrow. "Kenjo, huh? I¡¯m Jamie. Figured we should exchange names since we¡¯re gonna be stuck here together for a while."


    Kenjo nodded, too scared to speak further.


    Jamie sighed. "Let me see your arm."


    Kenjo hesitated, thinking Jamie was going to hurt him again. "S-sure, s-sir," he stuttered, holding out his injured arm.


    Jamie grabbed Kenjo¡¯s arm and inspected it. "Eh, this should be easy to fix," Jamie muttered before gripping it tightly. With a quick motion, he twisted it back into place.


    SNAP!


    Kenjo screamed in agony as his arm snapped back.


    "Shut up. The pain¡¯ll be gone soon," Jamie said bluntly.


    Suddenly, the intercom crackled to life. "ALL PRISONERS TO THE CAFETERIA!" a guard announced.


    Jamie and Kenjo joined the mass of prisoners heading toward the cafeteria. They arrived to find trays of mushy, unappetizing potatoes slopped onto plates. Jamie stared at the tray in disgust, forcing down two spoonfuls before tossing the rest into the trash.


    Kenjo leaned in and whispered, "I know where you can get some better food. Follow me."


    They snuck out toward the second cell block but were stopped by a guard. The guard scowled at them. "Where do you think you¡¯re going? Cafeteria¡¯s that way."


    Jamie clenched his fists, ready to snap, but Kenjo jumped in. "W-we¡¯re going to see the prison therapist, sir."


    The guard eyed them suspiciously, then nodded. "Alright, but don¡¯t be too long. Yard time starts soon."


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.Kenjo led Jamie to a vending machine tucked away in the block.


    "You got money or what?" Jamie asked.


    "No, but watch this," Kenjo said with a smirk before ramming the machine with his shoulder, causing a bunch of snacks to fall to the bottom.


    Chips, chocolate, and wraps spilled out, and they grabbed their food before heading to the yard.


    Back at the yard, they were approached by a group of prisoners. One of the bigger guys, Shika, led the way.


    "You the new guy?" Shika sneered. "Word is you¡¯ve been stealing snacks."


    Jamie scoffed. "I don¡¯t owe you or anyone else anything."


    Shika¡¯s gang looked pissed. One of the larger members stepped up, towering over Kenjo.


    "Kenjo, what the hell are you doing with this guy?" he growled.


    Kenjo trembled. "Shika, don¡¯t fight him! Jamie¡¯s strong!"


    Jamie grinned. "HELL YEAH, I AM!" he shouted.


    Shika smirked, signaling for his gang to handle Jamie. Ten of them rushed toward him.


    Jamie cracked his knuckles, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Don¡¯t overestimate yourselves, guys."


    Before Kenjo could stop him, Jamie launched into action. Jabs and crosses flew with incredible speed. "ONE, TWO!" he shouted as he remembered Dekam¡¯s training.


    "JAB! JAB! JAB! CROSS! CROSS! CROSS!" Jamie moved with precision, landing blows on each of the gang members. They fell one after the other, unable to keep up with his speed or strength.


    The last remaining thug, desperate, charged at Jamie. He threw a heavy punch, but Jamie dodged effortlessly and countered with a sharp jab that connected with his nose.


    CRACK! The thug¡¯s nose broke instantly, blood pouring down his face as he crumpled to the ground.


    Shika watched from afar, muttering to himself, "Useless fuckers."


    Before Jamie could relish in his victory, police swarmed the yard, dragging him away toward solitary confinement.


    The yard time ended early, and the prisoners were served dinner. The 10 prisoners who got KO''d were moved to intensive care under the prison hospital. Kenjo sneaked out during dinner, carefully avoiding the guards, making his way down to a small window connected to Jamie¡¯s solitary cell.


    Jamie sat alone, staring at the walls when suddenly, Kenjo''s head popped up through the small window.


    Jamie turned toward him, annoyed. "What do you want, Kenjo?"


    Kenjo looked at Jamie and whispered, "You wanna know who that Shika guy is?"


    Jamie sighed. "Couldn''t care less, but since I¡¯m stuck here, might as well tell me."


    Kenjo leaned in closer, his voice a little shaky. "Well, from what I¡¯ve heard, he¡¯s an old boxing champ, middleweight. Got suspended for¡­ killing people in matches on purpose. His most famous match? The national title bout. Supposedly, he took the padding out of his gloves and hit with full force. Knocked his opponent out cold in the third round, and that guy¡­ never woke up. Dead. His final punch is called the ''Death Scythe.'' Three people died from it¡ªtwo in the ring and one right here in this prison."


    Kenjo paused, eyes wide as he continued. "A guy just like you once challenged Shika. Five minutes later, he was dead, his face smashed in. Jamie, you¡¯ve gotta be careful¡ª"


    Jamie cut him off. "Shut up. Deadly boxer, Death Scythe, whatever. I don¡¯t care about any of that. I¡¯ll beat him, no matter what. I''ll put an end to that stupid child¡¯s play."


    Kenjo looked at Jamie, trembling. "You... you''re insane..."

 Rising Tension

    Jamie looks up at Kenjo, his cold, blunt gaze piercing through the silence. He doesn''t flinch or lose eye contact, making Kenjo gradually start to shake. Kenjo tries to speak up, but the silence eats at him, and he doesn''t dare utter a word.


    Jamie finally opens his mouth and says, "I''ll beat Shika."


    Kenjo, trembling from the intense atmosphere, slowly backs off. "B-be careful, Jamie¡­"


    Jamie scoffs and turns his attention to the small room he''s confined in. He grabs the flimsy pillow and starts practicing his jabs and crosses, throwing them sharply against the pillow. He focuses on both raw power and speed, each punch cutting through the thick air as if piercing the atmosphere itself. Jamie stays up all night perfecting his strikes, his intense training wearing down the pillow and the small mattress.


    The next morning, Kenjo sneaks back to Jamie''s cell and peers inside. He spots Jamie standing in the middle of the cell, drenched in sweat, clutching the remnants of a broken pillow and a crushed mattress. Both had been used as punching bags throughout the night.


    Kenjo shouts, "Jamie! I''ve brought you some food. I snuck out during lunch and grabbed a few snacks from the vending machine. I got the ones you like."


    Jamie says nothing, simply looking at Kenjo.


    Feeling the weight of Jamie''s presence, Kenjo quickly places down the snacks and stammers, "If you need anything¡­ I''ll come back later, Jamie."


    Jamie sighs quietly. "I''m good, Kenjo. I''m getting out of here today anyway."


    He sits on the shredded remains of the pillow and mattress, waiting patiently for the guards to retrieve him. Minutes turn into hours before, late at night, the guards come strolling down the hallway, laughing.


    "I bet he''s fast asleep by now. We forgot about him," one of them chuckles.


    They laugh even louder as they unlock the cell, only to find Jamie wide awake, sitting calmly on the wrecked mattress.


    "You took long enough," Jamie mutters.


    The guards, taken aback, look at each other. One of them finally speaks up, "Uh, Jamie, it''s 3 a.m. Why are you still awake?"


    Jamie shrugs. "Why wouldn''t I be? I''m finally getting out of here."


    The guards lead him back to his regular cell, where Kenjo is still fast asleep. Jamie lays down and soon drifts off as well. He wakes up at 8 a.m., nudging Kenjo awake.


    Kenjo looks at Jamie, smiling. "You''re back!"A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Yeah, yeah, I''m back," Jamie responds, sounding annoyed. "Big surprise, I didn''t die."


    Suddenly, the intercom crackles to life. "Breakfast is now being served in the cafeteria. Make your way there now," a guard''s voice echoes through the hall.


    Jamie and Kenjo walk out of their cell, joining the line of prisoners heading toward the cafeteria. As they arrive, Jamie notices Shika and his crew glaring at him from across the room. Kenjo, feeling the weight of their stares, quickly shifts his focus to the food.


    "So, Jamie, they''ve got hotdogs today. Looks like we got lucky," Kenjo says nervously.


    Jamie picks up a hotdog from his tray, but before he can take a bite, a member of Shika''s gang shoves him, causing the tray to fall and the food to splatter onto the dirty ground. Furious, Jamie readies a punch, but the guards quickly intervene. Jamie tries to grab another tray, but the guard serving food coldly tells him, "Only one tray per person."


    Annoyed and angry, Jamie slams his fist against the glass separating him from the food. The glass cracks, and shards fall into the remaining hotdogs. The guards shout at him, threatening to throw him back into solitary confinement. Jamie, seething with rage, clenches his fists but stays quiet as the other prisoners shout at him for ruining their breakfast.


    He sits down beside Kenjo and mutters, "I''m going to murder that gang."


    Kenjo notices Jamie''s hand bleeding, shards of glass embedded in his skin. He offers to help, but Jamie refuses. In a menacing tone, Jamie asks, "Who was the guy that pushed me?"


    Hesitant, Kenjo answers, "He''s one of Shika''s higher-ups. I think he''s ranked top five. He''s also an ex-boxer, not as good as Shika, but still skilled."


    "That''s all I needed to know," Jamie replies coldly.


    The intercom buzzes again. "It''s time for yard time."


    The prisoners head out to the yard, gathering in their usual groups. Shika''s crew occupies the far end, asserting their dominance. Jamie walks straight toward their hangout, attracting stares from both prisoners and gang members. Without a word, he marches up to the guy who had pushed him earlier and delivers an explosive jab to his face.


    Caught off guard, the man stumbles back before throwing a punch at Jamie''s right cheek. It isn''t powerful, but it''s enough to sting. Jamie glares at the gang member, then throws a devastating cross with his bloodied, glass-filled hand. His punch smashes into the man''s face, dropping him instantly, his features contorting from the force.


    The gang stands up, and Shika himself rises, ready to intervene. Before an all-out brawl breaks out, the guards rush the scene. Shika, enraged, doesn''t back down and begins pummeling the guards as well. Jamie watches as Shika throws a punch he recognizes¡ªa devastating right hook that connects with an officer''s chin.


    A police officer shouts, "CALL IN THE SPECIAL FORCES!"


    Minutes later, the special forces arrive, quickly de-escalating the situation. Shika, furious, watches as Jamie is dragged away and his top lieutenant is taken to the infirmary on a stretcher. Shika shouts after him, "JAMIE, YOU WILL PAY!"


    Jamie is taken back to solitary confinement, where he starts analyzing Shika''s punch in his mind. He thinks back to the match with Yosuke and Dekam''s letter. Whispering to himself, he wonders, "Maybe I should learn that punch too."


    He mimics the motion but fails a few times. After several tries, he finally lands a punch that resembles Shika''s deadly hook. He repeats the motion with his left hand and says, "Right hook and left hook¡­ This could be useful."


    Jamie continues practicing on the broken pillows and mattress, both quickly falling apart from the strength of his blows. His stomach rumbles.


    "Oh right¡­ I didn''t get any food¡­" he mutters.


    About ten minutes later, Kenjo sneaks up to the small window of the solitary cell, panting heavily. "I-I brought you some rice, Jamie. I''m sorry, this is all I could get. I have to go back before lights out. Be careful, Shika''s furious."


    Jamie grins, looking up at the ceiling before sighing. "I see," he mumbles.

 The Dark Hour

    Jamie stared around at the broken-down solitary cell. He sighed, grabbing the shredded pillows and spreading them out on the hard floor to create a makeshift bed. He glanced at the small bowl of rice Kenjo had brought him and hurriedly gulped it down, but it barely filled him; his stomach rumbled in protest.


    Lying back on the battered pillow, Jamie forced himself to sleep through the cold, harsh night. When he woke, a sharp, gnawing pain twisted his stomach. He lay still, nearly paralyzed, and fought through the agony as his body weakened from days without proper food. Hours passed in the same position, the pain only growing.


    Suddenly, he heard Kenjo shout, "Jamie! Are you a-awake?"


    Jamie summoned his last bit of energy to respond. "I''m awake¡­"


    Kenjo''s face popped up in the tiny window, concern etched in his eyes. "I brought you food, Jamie."


    Jamie leaped up from where he lay, snatching the bowl of rice from Kenjo, devouring it in seconds. Kenjo stared, hesitating before he spoke, "A-are you¡­ hungry, Jamie?"


    Realizing he had shown weakness, Jamie scoffed, feigning indifference. "I''m good. I don''t need any more food."


    Kenjo, clearly worried, offered, "Jamie, I can go get mor¡ª"


    "Anyway, Kenjo," Jamie cut him off, his voice stern, "how''s the situation with Shika?"


    Kenjo, glancing at Jamie''s fragile frame, sighed before sharing what he knew. "Shika''s furious. You''re on their hit list. A couple of new guys came to the prison a few days ago; they''re working with Shika. Tough guys¡ªbeat up a cop because Shika told them to. They''re not here for fun, Jamie. These guys are trouble."


    Jamie chuckled coldly, showing no sign of fear. "Interesting."


    Kenjo tried again, desperate, "Jamie, are you sure you don''t need more food?"If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Shut up, Kenjo. I don''t need anything," Jamie snapped, eyes hard. "I''m good, damn it."


    With a defeated sigh, Kenjo stepped away and returned to his cell. Jamie listened to the silence after he left, the faint growling of his stomach filling the void. "Damn¡­ I''m starving," he muttered to himself, clenching his fists to ignore the hunger pangs.


    Time passed, and Jamie''s focus wavered as his stomach cramped. Suddenly, a heavy knock echoed through the cell, and then another. He stood, moving to the door''s tiny window, peering out to see two officers standing outside. They opened the door, stepped inside, and without a word, grabbed him by the arms and dragged him down the corridor.


    "Where are you taking me?" Jamie struggled, trying to break free, but his body was too weak from hunger.


    They pulled him along until they reached the warden''s office, forcing him to stand before the stern-looking warden.


    "Jamie," the warden warned, "you''re on thin ice. One more incident, and you''re looking at another trial."


    Jamie clenched his fists, swallowing his frustration. The fatigue in his body left him no choice but to nod and agree.


    The warden leaned back in his chair, nodding in approval. "Very well. You''re released from solitary confinement. Back to your cell, with Kenjo."


    Escorted back, Jamie trudged into his cell, collapsed onto his bed, and drifted off into a restless sleep.


    But elsewhere, in the darkness, new arrivals slipped a note toward Shika, informing him that Jamie was free.


    The silence in the cell block was unnerving, every prisoner on edge. Suddenly, the lights shut off, plunging the block into complete darkness.


    Kenjo jumped, panicked. "Wh-what''s going on, Jamie?"


    Jamie remained calm. "Probably just some issue. They''ll fix¡ª"


    Jamie jumped up to investigate.


    The sound of footsteps broke through the silence, and suddenly, all the cells unlocked with a heavy, metallic click. Jamie heard the faint echoes of feet closing in on his cell. He felt something cold press against his neck a sharp Knife. His body froze, his mind racing.


    A voice, barely a whisper, spoke against his ear. "This is where you perish, Jamie."


    Jamie''s muscles tensed, mind racing as he searched for an escape, but his arms and legs were firmly held in place. He struggled against the grip, but pain shot through his body as the knife pressed harder, digging deeper into his neck.


    The voice chuckled darkly. "Oh man, you really messed up¡­haha."


    The block was pitch-black, guards nowhere in sight, leaving Jamie cornered and helpless. His breaths came in shallow gasps, his mind going blank as the blade sliced deeper.


    "Jamie¡­" the voice taunted, almost relishing the tension, "you''re done."


    Jamie opened his mouth to shout, but another assailant''s hand clamped over his mouth, silencing him, stifling any hope of calling for help.

 The Light in the Dark

    Jamie''s head spun with memories as the blade pressed against his skin, his mind filling with images from his life¡ªthe scrounging, the fights, his struggles for a scrap of food. He gazed upward, eyes tracing the faint lines in the ceiling as time itself seemed to freeze. He imagined the life he wished he''d had, filled with dreams that had once been so bright, so possible. Tears stung his eyes as thoughts flooded in: What if I''d had a different beginning? What if I''d been luckier or listened to the people who wanted to help me?


    He let out a shaky sigh, feeling his body grow heavier. So, this is it, he thought, and as his vision blurred, a soft light began to shine in the distance. Images filled his mind¡ªpeople laughing, children playing, everyone full and happy in a world without hunger or pain. The vision grew clearer, brighter, so vivid he almost reached out for it.


    SMASH!


    A loud crash snapped Jamie back into reality, and suddenly the blade at his throat was gone. His body felt light again as he staggered backward, bumping into something solid. Turning, he saw Kenjo towering beside him, clutching a foldable chair with clenched fists. Kenjo''s eyes darted to Jamie''s, worry etched in his face. "A-are you alright, Jamie?"


    Jamie stammered, "Th-thank you, Kenj¡ª"


    Suddenly, three men charged at them, cutting off Jamie''s words. Kenjo swung the chair, smashing it into one''s face and sending him reeling back. Jamie clenched his fists, covering his wound with one hand while wiping away his tears with the other, preparing to fight. Another guy lunged toward Kenjo, only to be met by the brutal impact of the chair crashing down on his head. Kenjo''s strikes were relentless, taking down the attackers with devastating precision. Jamie stayed close, listening, tracking the footsteps in the darkness. His fists flew with a sharp jab, a cross, and then a brutal hook, each punch landing cleanly despite the blackout.


    All around them, chaos reigned¡ªpained shouts echoed, and bodies collided in the darkness. Amidst the melee, Jamie''s fists connected, his punches slicing through the air with deadly accuracy. Kenjo swung his chair in wild, sweeping arcs, hitting anyone within reach.


    Not far away, Shika sat calmly in his cell, spinning a pencil between his fingers as he watched four of his high-ranking men with icy detachment. A battered gang member staggered into the cell, blood trickling down his face. "I-I Shika, Jamie and some big guy are¡­they''re beating us to a pulp."You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Shika''s fingers stilled as he broke the pencil with a sudden snap. He turned his gaze to the gang member, and without a word, grabbed the man''s head, slamming it into the wall, leaving him crumpled in a heap on the floor. One of Shika''s men stepped forward hesitantly. "Shika¡­shouldn''t we do something?"


    Shika ignored him, walking past the bleeding gang member, his eyes narrowed as he strode toward the cells that housed the new recruits. Bursting in, he glared at two trembling men. "Where are the others I sent?" he demanded, his voice a deadly whisper.


    The two men, shaking, managed to stammer out, "They¡­they already went after Jamie¡­but they haven''t come back."


    In the background, the sounds of battle still raged¡ªscreams, crashes, and relentless chaos. Shika''s glare deepened, and with venomous calm, he hissed, "Jamie was supposed to die tonight. I suppose no one here can do their damn job."


    Before he could make good on his threat, the lights flickered back on. Shika and his followers returned to their cells, fury etched across Shika''s face as he glared into the chaotic mess around them.


    Exhausted, his body battered and weak from hunger, Jamie fought until Kenjo dragged him back into their cell, hoping to avoid further suspicion. They collapsed on their bunks as police flooded the cell block, shocked at the destruction. Injured prisoners were rushed to the infirmary, while others were dragged away to solitary confinement. The warden arrived soon after, frowning as he scanned the cell block. By the time he checked on Jamie, he found him fast asleep, his breathing deep and even, as if he''d been resting all night.


    The night passed, and though Jamie''s body screamed in pain, he endured the hunger and exhaustion. Morning came, and when the cells finally opened, few prisoners rushed toward breakfast. Jamie and Kenjo walked in silence, surveying the nearly empty cafeteria. They ate quietly, savoring the meager meal before returning to their cell, only to find it had been ransacked. A note lay on Kenjo''s bed: You chose the wrong side, Kenjo.


    In the yard later, they spotted Shika''s gang, standing far off, watching them. Jamie and Kenjo took seats, feeling the heavy, menacing stares directed their way. Kenjo''s mind raced, thoughts churning as he tried to think of a way to resolve this nightmare.


    Later that night, as the prison prepared to shut down for lights-out, Kenjo snuck to Shika''s cell. Shika''s men stiffened, but Shika waved them off, eyes narrowing as Kenjo approached.


    Kenjo''s voice trembled as he pleaded, "Shika¡­please, let Jamie live."


    Shika sneered, his eyes cold and mocking. "Are you an idiot? I''ll kill that bastard myself. And if you keep standing in my way, I''ll put you down, too. Your only chance to stay alive, Kenjo, is to join me."


    Kenjo hesitated, looking down, then nodded. "Fine," he said, his voice barely a whisper.


    The plan was set: Kenjo would lure Jamie into the yard at night, using a small gap in the ventilation as an route. Hours later, under cover of darkness, Kenjo led Jamie to the yard.


    As they neared the edge, five shadows emerged¡ªShika and his men. Kenjo''s footsteps slowed, his gaze averted as Shika''s cold, cruel smile gleamed in the moonlight, eyes fixed on Jamie, ready for the trap to be sprung.

 Fake Debut

    Jamie glared defiantly at Shika, a smirk on his lips. "Huh, so you''re that much of a coward, huh? Gang up on me and Kenjo? I guess you were never on my side." His heart raced with adrenaline, and the tension in the air crackled like a live wire.


    Shika''s face contorted with rage. "Enough! End Jamie''s life!" he barked, his voice cold and commanding.


    Kenjo, ever the strategist, discreetly signaled Jamie to get close. As the four men advanced, their intentions clear, Kenjo acted swiftly. He charged toward one of them, delivering a fierce sucker punch to the back of the man''s head. The thug crumpled to the ground, stunned. The other three men turned in shock, fury igniting in their eyes. "Kill Kenjo! He''s a traitor!" they roared.


    Shika''s gaze narrowed, a predatory glint flashing in his eyes. "That''s it, Kenjo!"


    Before Shika could unleash his fury, Jamie surged forward, launching a rapid, explosive jab aimed directly at Shika''s face. The punch missed by mere inches, the air crackling with energy. Shika spat on the ground, his disdain palpable. "It''s about time I deal with you myself."


    "Shut up!" Jamie''s shout echoed through the cell block, jolting the prisoners awake. The weight of their eyes bore down on him, the anticipation thick in the air as they became unwilling spectators to the brutal clash.


    Jamie launched himself at Shika, a flurry of punches flying in an attempt to land a hit. But Shika was a seasoned fighter, countering each strike with brutal precision. Jamie felt the sting of Shika''s punches, a brutal cross smashing into his cheek, sending him staggering back. Blood dripped from his lips as he struggled to regain his footing, the humiliation burning hotter than the pain.


    In that moment of despair, Jamie''s eyes ignited with determination. He recalled Dekam''s lessons, focusing on technique, settling his breathing, letting clarity wash over him. As Shika charged again, Jamie calmly assessed his opponent. Shika''s movements were predictable, fueled by arrogance. Jamie ducked under Shika''s powerful one-two combo aimed at his head, slipping just out of reach. He countered with a precise left hook to Shika''s body, the impact echoing like a thunderclap in the confined space.


    Shika staggered back, surprise flickering across his features. "I guess I underestimated you," he admitted, grudgingly impressed.


    But Shika quickly regained composure, tapping into his old boxing tactics. Jamie threw another punch, but this time Shika was ready, delivering a devastating right hook that sent Jamie crashing to the ground. Laughter erupted from Shika, a cruel, mocking sound that reverberated through the cell block. Jamie lay on the cold, hard ground, struggling to stand, his vision blurring as pain coursed through his body.The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The pressure mounted as Jamie fought to maintain his guard, but Shika''s relentless aggression pushed him into a corner. Each punch landed like a knife stabbing through his defenses, his arms aching under the barrage. Jamie''s blocks weakened, red spots blossoming on his skin, a testament to Shika''s ruthless assault.


    Suddenly, with Jamie''s guard dropped, Shika unleashed a powerful, deadly punch aimed directly at Jamie''s skull. Time seemed to slow as the punch flew toward him. Jamie ducked at the last possible moment, adrenaline sharpening his reflexes. With a surge of determination, he countered with a hard punch to Shika''s liver. The hit landed with a sickening thud, forcing the air from Shika''s lungs. Jamie didn''t hesitate; he followed up with a brutal right hook to Shika''s head, the force of the blow snapping Shika''s head back.


    Yet Shika wasn''t finished. Roaring with rage, he retaliated, smashing a right cross into Jamie''s face. The impact felt like a hammer striking iron, and Jamie fell to the ground, disoriented, stars dancing in his vision. But even as he lay there, struggling to gather his strength, he refused to surrender.


    As he pushed himself up, Jamie''s legs twitched, a burst of energy flooding his body. He switched stances, moving fluidly between southpaw and orthodox, his footwork a blur. "That''s switch hitting!" a prisoner in the crowd whispered, shock evident in his voice.


    With newfound confidence, Jamie unleashed a flurry of punches, each jab landing with precision. Shika, momentarily confused, struggled to read Jamie''s rhythm. Jamie''s fists danced, striking Shika''s face repeatedly, each connection drawing gasps from the onlookers. A perfectly timed uppercut sent Shika reeling back, shock etched on his features.


    But the fight wasn''t over. In a desperate bid to regain control, Shika unleashed his special move, the "Death Scythe"¡ªa brutal combination of an uppercut and hook. Jamie anticipated it, ducking just in time with the grace of a seasoned fighter. He countered with another powerful uppercut to Shika''s jaw, the impact sending him crashing to the ground, completely still.


    Many prisoners were shocked by the outcome and cheered for Jamie.


    Kenjo glanced over at Jamie and shouted, "Hell yeah!" But before he could celebrate, he was caught off guard by a punch. He quickly retaliated with his own blows.


    The prison block erupted into chaos, with shouts and screams of Jamie''s name echoing through the air. Most of the inmates who had never been close to Shika rejoiced at the prospect of freedom from his reign,


    while those who had lived in fear hid trembling in their cells.


    Round 3:


    Time: 1:38


    Result: Jamie WIN by KO.


    While Jamie fought for survival, Kenjo was engaged in his own battle against the remaining three gang members. He swung heavy punches that landed with devastating impact but struggled to find his rhythm amidst the chaos. One jab caught a thug square in the skull, dropping him instantly. The remaining two exchanged nervous glances, slowly realizing they were outmatched, and began to back away.


    Round 3:


    Time: 1:45


    Result: Kenjo WIN by TKO


    "GET THE GUARDS NOW!" Kenjo shouted, urgency in his voice as he rushed over to Jamie, who lay unresponsive, bloodied and battered.


    A spectator in the cell block caught the guards'' attention, and they rushed to the scene, quickly moving Jamie and Shika to the hospital.


    Later, Kenjo met with the warden, spinning a convincing tale of self-defense due to the escalating tensions. With his good reputation at stake, the warden believed Kenjo''s story, allowing both him and Jamie to walk away from the chaos,