Somewhere Deep Underground…
The room was cold — not because of the temperature, but because of the metal.
Steel walls, steel floor, steel cuffs around wrists and ankles.
Chains rattled softly each time they shifted, like ghosts whispering.
Aiden White sat slumped against the wall, his arms bruised and bound behind his back.
Beside him, his mother, Panny, was equally shackled. Her long black hair clung to her tear-streaked face, eyes red, heart aching.
In front of them, a small flickering monitor was the only window to the outside world.
The screen displayed the underground game — but not just any part.
Noah White.
Sprinting down the court.
Crossing defenders.
Pulling up from deep.
Bang.
A clean three-pointer ripped through the net.
Aiden lifted his head, eyes trembling.
He whispered.
"Noah… Brother…"
His voice cracked under the weight of emotion.
On screen, Noah smiled.
Not a smirk. Not forced.
