Rogues Gallery was first published in Thuglit Issue 6 (2013)

Legend has it the first man ever incarcerated in Sanchez Penitentiary was a preacher named Drake Church, prisoner number 00000-000. Since the first day the prison opened there has always been a Cell Zero, under a reinforced steel trapdoor in a sub- basement. Grainy black and whites show an iron cross mounted on the door, but no sign of a handle. The original writ of arrest was still on file in the warden’s office, dated over a hundred years ago. What records still exist state only that Church had been convicted of crimes against God and Humanity and was sentenced to prison for the duration of his life. The presiding judge had felt compelled to further stipulate that Prisoner Church only be released on the condition of his demise. Now, even a century later, the guards still superstitiously fear the boogeyman of Cell Zero. They avoid it on their rounds and deny it is there, as if they were surrounded by anything but monsters.
Let me tell you something—the natural state of the world is madness. Our delusions of order are merely the briefest interludes within the greater symphonies of chaos. Once you understand that, anything is possible. That’s why they locked me in here. I know the sick, maddening truth. I know it and they’re afraid if they let me out it will burn off society’s face like napalm. They think they can stop it, fix it or hide it. But it’s still there. It’s always there…

You can read more about the history of Sanchez Penitentiary for just a dollar!