CHAPTER 1 — THE PRISON WHERE SENTENCES NEVER END
The prison had no official name.
On government maps, it didn't exist.
No visitors.
No lawyers.
No appeals.
Only one rule was carved into the rusted steel gate:
"Nobody escapes. Nobody survives."
When former decorated Marine Ethan Kane woke up inside a freezing concrete cell, his wrists were chained to the wall. The last thing he remembered was exposing corruption involving powerful politicians and military contractors.
He had expected prison.
He had never expected this.
A masked guard unlocked the chains without saying a word.
Outside, dozens of prisoners stood silently in identical gray uniforms.
No one spoke.
No one even looked at each other.
Suddenly, loudspeakers crackled across the prison yard.
"Welcome to Black Hollow."
"Here... your sentence is earned every single day."
A giant iron gate slowly opened.
On the other side stood dozens of armed guards surrounding what looked like an ancient underground arena.
The prisoners immediately lowered their heads.
Some even started shaking.
Ethan frowned.
"What is this place?"
An old prisoner whispered without moving his lips.
"Don't ask."
"If they hear you... they'll make you fight tonight."
Before Ethan could ask another question, a young inmate beside him was dragged forward.
He couldn't have been older than twenty.
"I didn't do anything!" the young man screamed.
"I've only been here one day!"
Nobody moved.
Nobody helped.
The guards chained him and threw him into the center of the arena.
Massive steel doors slammed shut.
Then...
Another gate opened.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the darkness.
Out walked a gigantic inmate covered in scars.
His prison number wasn't written on his uniform.
Instead...
It simply read:
EXECUTIONER.
Without warning—
The fight began.
No referee.
No weapons.
No mercy.
The terrified newcomer never landed a single punch.
Thirty seconds later...
Silence.
The arena floor was stained with blood.
The loudspeaker announced coldly:
"One less mouth to feed."
The prisoners turned away as if nothing had happened.
Ethan's fists clenched so tightly they bled.
"What kind of prison is this?"
The old inmate finally answered.
"It's not a prison."
"It's entertainment."
Then he looked Ethan directly in the eyes.
May you like
"And tomorrow..."
"They're betting on you."
