Prison. A place of haunting pasts. Eyes stare from between the bars, dreaming of freedom. Lives have wasted away to nothing inside the steel cages. People have been lost from memory, wiped from existence as time passes outside the bars. Families tend to forget the members that are incarcerated, it's easier to forget than understand why. Existing in prison is a life in itself.

Jail has always held a certain mystique. To many people it's where the scum of society, the unfixable, end up. If you harbor a criminal record you're tainted. It takes a long time and a lot of hard work to make the world look past a simple word, ex-con. To many it's a career death sentence, to others its a challenge.

Two days since Glory. Two days since Shane was stuck in jail. Dane Creed arrived, shortly after Glory went off the air. Creed spent an hour talking to the St. Louis Police Commissioner before Sterling, Rudiger and Shane were released. No charges pressed.

Shane Jackson sits alone in a small, quiet, St. Louis cafe. Around him patrons are sipping their latte's, reading newspapers and chatting with friends. A typical Saturday afternoon by anyone's standards. Pressures of the week are off everyone's shoulders. They're free to enjoy the little bit of freedom they've earned themselves. Sun shines through the windows of the small shop, lightening the atmosphere and brightening the moods of everyone. As the sun illuminates the coffee shop it seems to shy away from one table, Shane's table.

Shane stares down into the cloudy abyss of his Orange Pekoe tea.

Shane: Sterling has it in for me. He's added a new name to his list of minions. Sterling stands in front of me and JP Klash and Matt Thornhill stand behind me. I can only see one at a time leaving the other two free to strike. They want to wear me down. Break down my resistance. They're like vultures circling a dying buffalo. If I stumble, just once, it will all be over.

With one hand Shane twists his mug a quarter turn clockwise.

Shane: Rudiger's already come after me. It was impossible for me to tell how the fight would have ended if Sterling and the Police hadn't intervened. Trent won't let the police stop him. He'll come back again, looking for another shot. He wants it as bad as Sterling, maybe worse. In the end I'd rather fight Trent. At least I know which side the attack will come from with him.

Shane lifts the mug to his lips and takes a slow sip of his tea before setting it back on the table.

Shane: I have to admire Paul. He's knows what he's doing. He builds a stable around himself. They do all the work, he collects the prize. When someone comes after him they make things difficult. Eventually they'll get me, bring me to my knees. When that happens Sterling will step in and deal the finishing blow. A quick flash and it will all be over.

At the table next to Shane two women are chatting about sex and how their men just aren't living up to their expectations. Shane gives a slight glance sideways before looking back to his tea.

Shane: Where are you Sonic? I need your help.

As Shane speaks these words the door to the coffee shop rattles open, signaling another customer. Shane looks up from his tea, half expecting to see Sonic standing in the doorway, as if having been summoned. Instead it's just a couple of teenagers, here for a quick coffee before joy riding to the nearest mall to hang out.

Shane: I can only fight the current for so long. Eventually my head will slip under the water and it'll all be over.

He takes another sip from his cup of tea. After a moment of decision, Shane stands from his his chair, tosses a handful of change on the table and leaves the cafe behind as he ventures out into the sunny St. Louis weather.