The rest of Charlie's week was relatively uneventful; Zack visited him in his cell several times and listened to Charlie babble about math. After Zack's basketball skills improved overnight, two of Zack's close friends came to visit Charlie as well; one went with Zack and the other went by himself. The one who went with Zack happily sat and listened to Charlie and Zack talk, the other friend wanted to talk to Charlie about his own ball skills. Charlie was glad that Zack had roughly the same understanding of math as Don, so he could have relatively easy conversations about whatever topic came up.
Charlie's perception of prison was beginning to change for the better, though little did he know that had just been the calm before the storm. The day was rolling along like previous few; it wasn't until outdoor time that the pattern began to show variation.
Charlie was joined in his usual spot on the bleachers nearest the basketball area, by a man who appeared to be in his late 30's. He was bald, and had a thin line of black facial hair along his jawline, connected to a small goatee.
The man took a seat next to Charlie, who looked at him curiously and greeted him with a voice that reflected as much, "Can I help you?"
"I sure hope so. See boy, I happened to notice you receiving a few visitors these past few days and… Well… I was wondering… You look like a young, handsome lad. Surely the price is a steep one, but I'm sure some arrangement can be made don't you think?"
Charlie had no idea what the man was going on about, "Sorry, I don't know what you're talking about."
"No need to be shy with me boy, we are a lot alike, you and me." Charlie finally realized what the man was on about, as soon as he felt the man's hand gently squeeze his thigh.
Charlie jumped up so fast he lost his balance and tumbled to the ground next to the bleachers. He held up his hand in a stop/stay back motion and spoke before even getting up off the ground, "I'm sorry, you've got the wrong idea I don't-"
"Charlie! Everything alright?" Zack had come running over after seeing Charlie fall and helped him to his feet. Without waiting for an answer Zack turned to the older man who had stood up when Charlie fell; "I think you should get going old man."
"Now now, it was just a simple misunderstanding." The man began to back away from Zack and Charlie, though he kept his gaze honed on Charlie with a look of hunger.
"What's going on here?" Charlie was so focused on the man's chilling gaze that he hadn't noticed that the rest of the basketball players were now standing behind him and Zack, forming a menacing wall.
"I was just leaving" The man finally turned around and walked away, leaving Charlie in the midst of the formidable group of athletic men.
"You alright Charlie?" Zack brought Charlie's focus back to him.
"Yea… Thanks."
"Hey yo, can Charlie chill with us from now on?" Zack asked the group, as if they together formed one being.
There were several moments' hesitation before a unanimous agreement consisting of nods and "yea"'s.
With that Charlie spent the rest of outdoor time standing on the sidelines of the court, watching the two teams play, before returning to his cell and waiting aimlessly for lunch.