Note: Hello. I apologize for being slow to update the story. I'll try to pick it up once summer starts. Here is the next chapter.

Chapter 2

Francisco woke up in a dank, cold, dim prison cell in the outskirts of Cairo, Egypt. The temperature of the cell was the complete opposite to the weather outside of the walls since the prison was located in what looked like the middle of a desert. The only source of heat came from the small window that was inconveniently placed towards the ceiling. He was confused as to how he ended up there. The days before his imprisonment was all a blur to him.

"Fuck. What day is it?" Francisco groaned. Sitting on the bed, he was trying to make out his surroundings, allowing his vision to adjust to the dimness of the cell. He first noticed a small, yellowish puddle with drops of contaminated water coming down from an old pipe. He looked around a bit more and stopped once he saw a large shadowy figure sitting on a bed across from him.

"Looks like you're awake," said the large man in a deep voice. He was dark-skinned, bald and a few tattoos that etched the left side of his face. His tall and muscular appearance made him the kind who would be unforgiving if he were in a bad mood.

"Who the hell are you?" replied Francisco. He has seen a lot of horrid things throughout his life but the appearance of the other man was somewhat menacing.

"And who are you to be speaking to me like that?! Do you have any idea who I am?" yelled the other man while standing up.

"No I do not nor do I care," Francisco may or may not have some regret after saying that. He knew something was coming to him but would do his best to endure it.

"My name is Bones and I run this prison. I will make sure you never forget who I am."

The taller man walked over to Francisco and towered over him. He grabbed him by his prison garb and lifted him off the bed. Francisco seemed not to care about the situation he was in. Bones then threw him across the room and his back slammed against the frame of the bed.

Dammit that hurt! Francisco thought while groaning. He was rubbing his back as he was still on the floor. Now he knows that this guy does not mess around. Was he really this quick to violence? He was only rude. The slam caught the attention of the prisoners of the neighboring cells.

"Guys! He's going to kill another one! Come hear this!" yelled another prisoner from the cell right next to the one Francisco was in.

"Wait! Another one?" Francisco was surprised to quickly learn what murderous psychopath this man was.

"Shut it!" Bones replied as he grabbed him and tossed him towards the wall adjacent to the bed. He moved over to him and gave him several punches and then again tossed him one last time against the cell door. The sounds of the slams were followed by cheers from the other prisoners. Even though they couldn't see what was going on, they cheered as if they were watching it happen right in front of them. The miserable condition of the prison was temporarily alleviated whenever Bones had some fresh meat within arms reach.

"Damn. You're strong." Francisco said as he slowly stood up while laughing. He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his fist.

"Just what are you? Any other man would be on their knees begging me to stop. How are you still okay?" Bones was taken back at how the younger man stood up after the beating he got.

"I'm a soldier. I've been through a lot... I've seen a bunch of shit." Francisco sighed as he tried to think of what to say next. "Look. We got off on the wrong foot. Let's just start over."

"Sure…" replied the other man while still surprised. He sat down on the closest bed.

"You said you run this prison. Really? How so?"

"I am feared here. I can get others to do what I want. I am king."

"What about the guards?"

"They listen to me as well. Money does funny things to people. This small part of the world is messed up. Show some of these poorly-paid guards a wad of cash and they instantly obey. This prison is far from saving. It's hopeless," Bones let out a light chuckle. "I run a business right from this cell. That's how I got rich."

"Why haven't you escaped or something?"

"This is my home now. I built a life here. I can't picture being anywhere else. I have what I want here and in just a short amount of time too. People who obey me and I can run my business."

"'ey! What happen? Didja kill him?!" Yelled one prisoner from down the hall while shaking his cell door.

"Quiet! Or you will be in this cell very soon!" Bones threatened. His roaring voice caused the whole floor to be completely silent. Francisco was amazed. He wished he had that kind of authority.

"That was good," he commented. Bones only nodded in approval.

"American, huh? Or maybe you're from Latin America?" Bones replied looking at Francisco's features.

"I'm from the United States." Francisco replied and then Bones shook his head. Maybe he had a bad experience with them.

"I cannot forgive you Americans. You ruined my village. Experimenting on my people. You took everything from me," He took a good look at Francisco, particularly his glowing red irises, and thought, You too, huh? "Men, women, and children. A number of us got lucky to escape. Go to hell, MacArthur. If he was here in the cell right now, I swear," Bones did a choking gesture with his hands. He would quickly lunge at him the moment he ever saw him.

"Wait a minute. MacArthur?" Francisco said with a shocked expression. He knew the man too well. As a matter of fact, he used to work under him not too long ago.

"Fuck that man. My wife and children are dead because of him! He turned them into these zombified monsters and I had no choice but to kill them when they attacked. My beautiful children," Bones was in tears as he remembered the last time he saw their smiling faces.

"I need to know where the hell he is? I need to get out of this prison. I cannot let him continue ruining other people's lives. We both want him dead. There are a very few of us who know what kind of monster he is."

"What was your relationship to him? You seemed surprised when I mentioned his name."

"I used to work under him until recent. I had a realization after mindlessly following his orders almost got me killed."

"Glad you changed your ways. News spreads fast and I heard his next move is Japan. I don't know the exact reason as to why he's headed there but I'm sure he's going to create hell there."

"Dammit! You have to help me get out of here," Francisco said as he kicked the door. He was hoping that MacArthur hasn't gotten there yet.

"I will break you out but only if you promise to avenge my family and our village," Bones pleaded. He was very different from when Francisco first met him. Maybe his position in the prison is how he copes with the loss of his loved ones.

"I will. I can promise you that."

"It will take a few days of planning unfortunately. I know I said I run this prison but I can't just pay guards to easily release you. It's a whole complicated process involving paperwork and I'd rather not waste unnecessary time doing that."

"Damn. Alright then. Let's get planning."

"I'll tell you where to go once you get out of here."