When Lazarus, the most-feared inmate of Eastbrook Prison, defies a kill order from his sadistic warden, he is thrown into solitary confinement and confronts his sinful past only to emerge reborn against the dark forces he was once beholden to. 

SYNOPSIS:

Lazarus is given a cryptic sketch by his cellmate, Reaper, moments before Reaper is escorted from their cell and executed by a Pancho Villas gang member. What does this sketch mean? What truth does it hold? Lazarus is only left to wonder.

A new cellmate arrives, Dark Side, ex-shot caller turned pacifist from the rival Vice Lords. Problems, however, arise as Dark Side’s former gang wants him dead and threatens an uprising.

Fearing to lose grip on the prison, Warden Stanley Paige orders Lazarus to "take out" Dark Side. Having found common ground with his new cellie, Lazarus defies the Warden's order. Desperate to hold onto his reign, the warden forces Lazarus to watch Dark Side’s murder and condemns Lazarus into solitary confinement in "The Chamber," where Lazarus fights for his soul while confronting past sins.

Emerging from The Chamber a new man, Lazarus finds prophetic meaning in Reaper's sketch after a fellow inmate shares his experience at a courthouse hearing witnessing a lotus flower finding the light through the dark, muddy water.

Inspired, Lazarus vows to unite former gang rivals to join him and take a stand of peace and unity against Warden Paige and his cronies. Witnessing Lazarus’ influence throughout the prison populace, Warden Paige meets with Lazarus’ once-affiliated gang, the Aryan Knights, and concocts a sinister plan to take out Lazarus and stop his influence from transforming the prison.

Seizing the opportunity to dominate the prison, the Aryan Knights murder Warden Paige and start a riot. In the turmoil, Lazarus is wounded but makes it to his cell where he is found by a group of inmates inspired by his message. Realizing his wounds are mortal, Lazarus tells them they must carry on in unity and leave him to face his fate.

Lazarus watches from his cell window as the group rescues the wounded throughout the yard from all gang affiliation. Behind him, two assassins rise as dark figures, bringing to life Reaper’s prophetic sketch that hangs on the wall nearby.

The prison riot is squelched, and order is restored.

Six months later, inmates once enemies now work together to put the finishing touches on a prison yard mural, vibrant in color that emulates Reaper’s sketch. The title below the mural reads "The Lotus."

THE LOTUS