From Bullets To Billions novel Chapter 154

Chapter 154: The Man Named Hugo

Dipter hadn’t done any real research into the long-haired student. The guy had already been in juvie when Dipter arrived, and since no one talked about him like he was important, Dipter figured he wasn’t.

From what he remembered, no major names had been thrown into juvie over the past couple of years, at least, none that mattered to him. So he’d never given it much thought.

Yeah, the special treatment was odd. But when you’re serving five years, you learn to pick your battles. If someone got to skip class, let them. Dipter didn’t have the energy to care.

But now?

Now he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Why did Popper say that one person could sway the entire facility?

Why him?

Dipter sat on his bed, staring at the ceiling, thoughts swirling.

Have I not done enough? he wondered. Haven’t I fought enough to prove I’m capable?

He clenched his fists.

Maybe it’s not about strength. There’s no shortage of strong guys in here.

But something still didn’t add up.

*Is this a trap? Why does everyone, *including the guards, leave him alone?

Is this another “Max” situation? Maybe it’s not just power. Maybe it’s something else.

Across the room, one of his roommates was fidgeting with a piece of paper, folding and refolding it without looking up.

Dipter sat up. “Hey. The kid with the long hair, what’s his deal?”

The other boy didn’t even pause. “You mean Hugo?”

Dipter nodded. “Yeah.”

“I don’t know everything,” the roommate said, still folding. “I joined about a year ago. He was already here. And even back then, things were already like this. Nobody messed with him. Ever.”

He shrugged.

“He’s allowed to do whatever he wants. Doesn’t show up to class, skips routines, doesn’t talk to anyone, and no one stops him. Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if they let him walk straight out the front door someday.”

Dipter didn’t answer. But now the name Hugo was locked in his brain. And so were the questions.

“I used to ask the same questions you’re asking now,” Lith said, finally setting the folded paper down. “From what I could figure out, he’s been here longer than anyone.”

That immediately struck Dipter as odd.

Longer than anyone? Hugo was the same age as most of the older kids, seventeen at most. If he’d been here before everyone, then when exactly had he gotten locked up?

“And the rumor is,” Lith continued, lowering his voice a little, “he’s stronger than anyone in this place. But the real kicker? The ones who’ve actually seen him fight? They never talk about it. Like, ever. They act like it never happened.”

Dipter narrowed his eyes. “So that’s it? He’s just… strong?”

It didn’t sit right. There had to be more. Was Popper serious? Just get Hugo on board, and the rest of juvie would follow? That couldn’t be all there was to it.

If it’s really that simple, Dipter thought, then beating him should be enough. Prove I’m stronger, make him submit, and he follows me. Simple hierarchy stuff. But… something still doesn’t feel right. I’m not convinced. And I don’t like it.

He looked over at Lith.

Follow new episodes on the "N0vel1st.c0m".

“Do me a favor,” Dipter said. “Start a fight with him.”

The paper slipped from Lith’s hands and landed on the floor with a soft flutter.

“…What did you just say?” Lith blinked. “You want me to start a fight with Hugo?”

“Yeah. Or, ask him first if he wants to join the group I’m building. Maybe he’ll surprise you and say yes.” Dipter leaned forward slightly. “But if he doesn’t, then you’ll have to fight him.”

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify