Day 1

"Pavanno, this here is your cell, get used to the sweet life of Prison..."

Charlie sighed, looking at his home or what could be described as a cubicle or better yet, the cage that he, the animal was confined to. He was nothing more than an item for them, he was here, inside and ready to become reformed as many people had wished they would become. Only he knew the life and he knew that he had done much for Joe Adonis that he would not remain unprotected, the Italians and possibly, Jewish men in the prison would recognize him and provide him with protection.

"Heh, how sad. I am Charles Pavanno, reduced to a cage when I was once sipping Iced Tea and watching the common men break their breaks working at the docks, working for chump change, yet, they are the ones that are doing better than me."

He laughed at how this turned out, The Life had provided him with everything and yet, he was the one made to suffer. He was the one that stood by and watched as each moment with his perceived family had been taken away from him. One by One, they had been taken away and he could nothing about it. 

He had finally found that family, still the child that he was before, and yet, he no longer wanted to be that child. He could no longer be that child, for if he was too survive, he would crush the boy that was inside and become the man that he allowed the outside world, but also the news believe him to be. 

"How many times have I pledged my life to someone in return for a family? How many times have I broken a bond or promise to another to allow that family to thrive? Too many times to count, too many lives lost and too many lives ruined, all for the sake of this business, of this life, of this honorable society."

Walking over to the prison-quality bed, he sat down with a sigh, for all his sins and deeds, he had been brought down on the charge on Voluntary Manslaughter. Not for the crime of running guns, drugs, or even his other more profitable businesses, but for the death of a rat and who sold him out? Gerold Whit, the man that was his Right Hand.

"I guess the old saying is correct, in the end, with all your achievements and dreams you achieve, it is your best friend that would end you, but it is stated that it would always be with a bullet. Instead, he did it with a statement and one that was thrown out nearly, but was proven by my faulty behavior of leaving the gun..."

He sighed once more, Charlie was lost, he knew that he had many things to look back on and yet, he did not want too. All the memories, all the hardship and broken people that he had left in those memories, should stay just that, memories.

"What now!? What do I do now in order to better myself, huh!? Do I succumb? Should I end my life in this very prison!? That is what they want, no I shall survive and I shall thrive if it goddamn kills me! No one is taking me from Midas or any of my other Family, because it is not allowed, like marriage, till death do us part is something I hold for Midas..."

Charlie looked towards the cell doors, the very thing that kept him in this cage, no matter what else they would call it. It was a cage to him, he wondered what tomorrow would hold. He wondered how the rest of this experience in prison would go, for he was not going to be the weak fool anymore, he was not a child anymore. It was now time he became something more, something worthy of the title, Honorable.

Day 2

Charlie sat down at a table, looking down at the prison food that made him want to blow chunks all over this grimy prison, but with enough strength, he ate the food, swallowing it down, he would have to get a message to the Boss, he was not going to be eating this food forever. He knew his friends could get him something, but for now, he had to survive, many of the Irish, Asians and Jewish gangsters looked at him with stars in their eyes, like he was Pandora's box itself. 

Many of the Italian Gangsters looked at him with respect, knowing who he was and we're going to protect him, due to the call from the top, Joe The Boss had ordered it himself, Charlie Pavanno was to be protected at all costs, even if he did not want the protection. He was going to get used to it, there were other Big Bosses in this prison and Charlie was going to be on their radar. 

Soon enough, two of the Italian Gangsters walked towards Charlie's table, they stood out, due to their prison uniform not being tucked it like the rest, instead they allowed it to flow. Not wanting to look like a couple of snobby assholes, like the rest of these jamokes in here. They sat down at his table, knowing that he would be wary of them. Only he would get used to their presence because they were the ones assigned to protect him.

"So, may I ask? am I to be beaten up? Keep my voice quiet? I understand the rules boys, I ain't-a rat."

The men laughed at Charlie, they knew he was not a rat, but he seemed quite the pessimist. Like he did not expect anything good to ever happen to him, something that gave the two guards pause, before sticking their hands out, in a sign of friendship.

"We're not here to keep you silent Charlie, you've been granted protection by Joe The Boss. He wants to make sure your time with us here, gets fewer visits to the hospital and more business. You'll understand soon, get ready, we're taking you to the courtyard to meet with Big Antony."

Charlie nodded, starting to finish his food and wondered what business could be done in prison...

Following the two henchmen, Charlie watched as the eyes that watched him like he was a small worm, backed away, or a better term looked away from him. They now knew he was under the protection of the Italian Mob, they walked the courtyard, wanting to meet their Prison Boss, Antony Sacereli. Former Member of the Los Vegas Mob, but got locked up on Murder Charges, spending the next 10 Years here, he has only spent four of ten. 

"So who is this? Does The Boss know him?"

The men turned back to face Charlie, wondering how he got around like he did asking this many questions, but considering they were only muscle, and not really that up there like Charles here. They knew that he must be doing something right to earn protection from a Don of South Philly. 

"Joe The Boss does not know him, but, Sacereli went down a couple of years back. He's connected, he was a Made Guy, was going to be made Capo, but he fell through and here we are. Considering his connections and that he is a Made Guy, he's in charge of the Italian Gangs in this prison. The Jewish and Irish know not to pick a fight, but it's the Asians that fucking test our patience."

Charlie and The Henchmen make it towards the Italian Populated area of the prison, clearly, there was some unspoken rule of who hung out where. The Italians, by the workout area, for the most part, Charlie did not pay attention to the others. He looked at a burly guy, who was being attended to by a rather small guy, holding a cup of coffee and the newspaper.

"Big Tony, this is him, Charlie Pavanno..."

The man looked up, his eyes searched the kid before him, as a smile crawled onto his face and he offered the Associate a seat..."

"Lee Pavanno, Associate of Joe The Boss. Importer of Irish Booze, an Alliance with the O'Bannion crew does you good, doesn't it? You might want to know, the deal might be off soon enough. I'm hearing news from the outside, some other bastards are looking to move up in The Irish Hierarchy, it could be a war between the Italians and The Irish, plus those Colombians you're mixed up with. You're a resourceful guy Charlie, I could use someone like you..."

Charlie leaned back in his seat, hearing the news of his Alliance was a shock, but to hear that it could fall through was a fucking shock, something was not right. He would make a call to Al, he needed to know what the fuck was going on. Only now, he had to pay attention to the guy in front of him.

"And what do you need me for, Antony? I am but an Associate, people like you, don't ask for favors for free, especially in here..."

Laughter was all that he got in response, but soon enough, all he saw was a straight face.

"You're right, we need your assistance in a boxing situation. I hear the Godfather of South Philly, runs an operation like that..."

Charlie wondered where this was going and wanted to ask, but before he could, he was handed an envelope of cash.

"Get that to Quin O'Reilly. He hangs out by the stands, tell him, 'It's time' He'll know what it means."

Charlie stood up, he was a bagman and yet, he didn't mind. He had some other business to worry about, especially about his deal with the Irish, possibly falling through. He walked over to the Irish, not knowing that this was the beginning of his life in Prison...

After Charlie had delivered the envelope to O'Reilly, he was grabbed by an Officer, informing him of the appointment that he had to do with the doctor. To help him with his so-called problems, while he knew that part of this was not true, he was not ill and he knew it. He was as normal as anyone else, but he did find himself becoming more nervous with time, he could not help but notice that he was getting nervous due to meeting the doctor. 

Currently, he sat opposite the woman, who was a Doctor and he supposed that she expected him to flee from the room, like he would be raging at the thought a woman doctor would be caring for him. Only in this sense, he had worked with Ilaria Santoro, someone he respected as a friend and family. He would not degrade this woman's accomplishments, as someone else before her, had done so with the world against her. 

"Doc, I do believe we are here to discuss, instead of staring at one another blankly for hours on end, so, please. Go on with the questions or conversation that we are to have."

For the next thirty minutes, Doctor Hoover had moved on with the questions, doing her best to break the shell of the impossible man opposite her, he did not want to open up and that was going to prove a problem if he did not smarten up, something that he needed to do, otherwise she would not be able to help him as was stated. 

"I am here to help you Mr. Pavanno, but I cannot do that if you do not allow me to see what it is you need help with. Are you even ill at all? Do you need help? Or was this all a ploy by your lawyer?"

A Snicker, that was all she got in return, he was laughing at her attempts to get him to open up, he looked her in the eyes, not once looking at the room around him. He was handcuffed, of course, but it was not like he was going to hurt her anyway, he was not his father. 

"Doctor, could I pose you a question?"

With a tilted head, with childlike curiosity adorning on his face, his eyes shone with such innocence that Melinda was wondering how he could kill someone. Soon, she nodded, consenting to the question and wondered what he was going to ask...

"If I was the Angel, could I deceive you? Would my Kind words lull you into a lesser sense of security? Not everyone is how they portray themselves. Sometimes the Devil or Something more broken underneath lays there, I could look like an Angel with Wings, but Perhaps I am as broken as Lucifer himself..."

Melinda looked at the man with a newfound sense of understanding and sadness, it was clear that the man underneath was something else entirely and it would be a long journey of ups and downs trying to get him to talk. She nodded, noticing that their time was up and Charlie was soon escorted out as she thought to herself on his predicament...

'Charlie Pavanno, just who are you? And what have you been through?'

Over the next few weeks, Charlie noticed that things in the prison were getting tense leading up to the big Boxing Fight between the Irish and Italians, apparently, the envelope that he delivered was a buy-off, wanting the Irish to take the fall. To which, many people would lose money as they bet on Rick Galliano to lose. Only now, things had changed. The Irish were starting fights, trying to rile up the Italians, apparently, a big war had started outside. 

A civil war with the Irish, some of them started fighting, a few deaths had occurred, not one of the big Shotcallers, but enough that numbers were dwindling. Charlie could care less, knowing that he was backed by his own block of men. Some of them had respect for him and Joe The Boss, it was soon that some of the Italians had started coming to him, trying to see what they could for Midas. He had nothing in mind, but he kept the few that made an impression in mind. 

"Bobby! Anything from the outside that I should know?"

Charlie asked his close personal bodyguard, the guy was okay, didn't talk much and often grunted a yes or no. To which Charlie found amusing, knowing that the guy was something of a bruiser, not a talker. He was about to walk out of the Laundry Room where he had been assigned, but he was cornered by a couple of the Irish. They looked at him like he was a piece of meat, he was looking at them with such coldness that they almost froze to their spots. 

"Heh, Gentlemen, I never knew that we had some business to discuss today. What is it you need?"

One of the Irish stepped, apparently not finding his quip funny. This made him lose his childish smile, knowing that they were here for something and he had a feeling that it was not for a friendly business chat.

"Ya lil shites have stepped on us since you negotiated that deal with O'Bannion, now he is missing and the O'Shays are dead! The O'Connell Faction have no idea where he is and neither do we, that only leaves one party. You guys, so where the fuck is O'Bannion!?"

Charlie laughed, enjoying the fact that these stupid little fools had an inkling suspicion that he had something to do with the Kidnapped O'Bannion. With a refreshed breath of air that he sucked in, Charlie looked at the Irish with his happy-go-lucky smile. 

"Heh, you have a suspicion that I know? I've been inside you idiots! Now leave and don't come back, unless you wanna end up a lot worse than a kidnapped Boss..."

Charlie made to turn around, only to get sucker-punched, falling to the ground, clutching his jaw and looking up at the Irish who looked down at him with a sneer, before spouting in anger.

"Well, if you don't know where he is, let's give ya some motivation to find him ya fucks!"

With this, The Irish proceeded to punch, kick, scratch, and spit on Charlie. His body was soon riddled with bruises and his face bloodied, his guard, Bobby, died at the hands of the Irish. This was a message to the Italians, they better find O'Bannion or else, there is more to come than a bloodied Charlie and a dead associate...

Loud booming voices were heard all over the prison, as grunts of pain and dying screams are heard, the faint smell of smoke spread over the prison, like death itself had come to reap. Only this seemed different and many people are seen running to the Prison Hospital, with a doctor, held hostage in tow. All of them seem to be ordering him, trying their best to get him to hurry up, as he was a little beat up. 

"Is he in there!? Are you sure!?"

The Doctor nodded frantically, fearing for his life, knowing that this was something that could cost him it soon enough. Finally, they reached the doors and the doctor unlocked it as the body of Charlie Pavanno is seen laying on a bed, resting most likely. All of the men go to grab him, knowing that they would need to get him out because they knew what would happen to him if they didn't.

"Men! You cannot take him, he's not stable and he's in a coma. This...it's not safe! He could very well die out there!"

The men turned back to face the doctor with anger clouding their eyes, but they all shook their heads and knew that there were other important things they could be doing. They all walked out the doors, heading down the left corridor, they had planned this before, already knowing that this was going to a bloodbath with the death of so many figures.

They all walked past a couple of the Philly guys, knowing that they would not attack, but would go help other people with the enemy that was no doubt killing some of their own with Guns they most likely acquired from the Corrupt Officers maintaining this prison. Just like it was outside, there was a war inside, many of them had died, and many had run, trying to find shelter as best as they could. 

"Up ahead! We can get him out, all he needs to do is wake up!"

As if the answer to their problems, one of the men punch Charlie in the face, specifically, his cheek, as he wakes up with an angry groan and a promise of hurt later. He looks up and finds himself in front of the Philly mobsters, he sighs and shakes his head, knowing that he was going to ask some questions, they cut him off.

"Where-"

They place a hand over his mouth, getting him through the doors and near a sewer grate that was placed in the rather abandoned hallway. With this, they removed the grate and looked at Charlie, who looked back at them with a raised eyebrow, still wondering what in the fuck was going on.

"What about the Irish? What about...what in the fuck happened?"

They all shared a meaningful look that Charlie caught but waited for them to explain, knowing that shit hit the fan or something else had happened that caused them to help him, in what he believed to be an escape.

"Well...you've been out of commission for two weeks since your beatdown courtesy of the Irish. They were taken care of and The Irish are no more, inside, that is. Outside, I hear there is a war going on between all of the Irish Factions. Right now though, you are needed out there, there will be someone waiting for you..good luck Charlie."

The Cat nodded, making his way down the sewer hole, but he nodded to all the men before shouts were heard and he rushed down the hole, knowing that this was his only chance. He walked and made his way through for the fucking dirty shit...literally. Only he knew that it was a small price to pay in terms of getting out

He was going to be free...

To be Continued