Part 3
The yard was crowded after the meal, a low hum of tense conversation filling the air. Hyunjin held court at his usual outdoor table, surrounded by his crew. After a moment, he stood and casually strolled over to one of the guards on patrol
"Hey, I want a cigarette" Hyunjin stated, his tone devoid of request
The guard looked at him, incredulous "What did you just say?"
"I'd hate to repeat myself" Hyunjin said, his hands sliding into his pockets as he stared the man down
The guard glanced at a colleague who after a tense pause gave a subtle, reluctant nod. With a scowl the first guard pulled a cigarette from his pack and handed it over
"Ah, one more thing" Hyunjin smirked "Can you light it for me?"
The guard let out an exasperated sigh but flicked his lighter, holding the flame out. Hyunjin leaned in inhaled until the tip glowed then blew a cloud of smoke directly into the guard's face
"Good boy" he purred
The guard's face flushed with fury but a sharp gesture from his partner forced him to stand down
Hyunjin sauntered back to his bench his predatory gaze scanning the yard until it landed on Felix. Isolated on a lone bench the young boy was running his fingers slowly through his vibrant blond hair, his attention seemingly absorbed by a book
A dark smirk played on Hyunjin's lips, he stood up and his men began to rise too but he told them to stay put. He walked over until his frame cast a long shadow over Felix and his book
The light vanished. Felix looked up and flinched the blood draining from his face
"Why are you trembling?" Hyunjin sneered "See a ghost?"
Felix's hands shook as he closed his book. He said nothing standing up immediately to retreat
"Hey, where do you think you're going ?" Hyunjin said, stepping smoothly into his path. He took a final drag from his cigarette before dropping it and crushing the butt under his heel
Felix remained silent, trying to sidestep him but Hyunjin's hand shot out, gripping his arm like a vice "Ahh!"
"When I ask you a question, you answer, you piece of shit" Hyunjin growled, his eyes widening with manic intensity
"Please .... l....let me go" Felix whispered, his eyes glistening with unshed tears
"Ah, so you can talk" Hyunjin mocked, his smirk widening "Remember a few days ago? You were crying like a child begging for me to help you"
The memory struck Felix like a physical blow. A tear finally escaped and traced a path down his cheek with a surge of desperate strength, he yanked his arm free and hurried away, nearly running back toward the cellblock
A low appreciative "Ohh" escaped Hyunjin. He turned to his watching crew, smirking as he ran a hand through his hair, his eyes fixed on Felix's retreating form with possessive interest
Felix retreated to his cell, his heart hammering against his ribs. He placed a trembling hand over his chest, trying to steady his breath as he wiped the lingering tears from his cheeks. The mere thought of Hyunjin sent a primal fear coursing through him. He dropped his book onto his bunk and turned only to startle upon seeing his cellmate already inside
He swallowed hard, his gaze fixed on the cold floor. Despite having been incarcerated for several weeks the man across from him remained a stranger, he hadn't even learned his name
"You're pale, What happened ?" his cellmate asked, his voice low and even
"N...Nothing! You just... startled me, that's all" Felix stammered, the lie transparent
The man studied him for a long moment "Do you want to talk?"
Felix looked up, his eyes wide with shock "W...What?"
"Come on Sit, Let's talk" the man said, gesturing to his own bunk as he sat down
Hesitantly Felix lowered himself onto the edge of his own mattress, facing the man. He sat rigidly, his shoulders tense
"You look like you're waiting for a firing squad. Relax" the man said, his tone not unkind.
Felix took a slow breath and allowed his posture to soften slightly
"What's your name? And how old are you? You look too young for this place"
"Fi... Lee Felix, I'm 18"
"As I thought, Just a kid" the man replied, a hint of pity in his voice "And you? What's your name?" Felix ventured hesitantly
"Kim Jae-bum, I'm 28" For the first time, Jae-bum offered a small, fleeting smile . It was a stark contrast to his usual stoicism and it made Felix feel a fraction safer
"What are you in for?" Jae-bum asked
Felix's eyes dropped to his hands, his fingers twisting together "I was... accused of killing my father, my stepmother and my stepsister"
"You didn't do it, did you?" Jae-bum said not as a question but as a statement of fact
Felix's head snapped up, his eyes meeting Jae-bum's with stunned gratitude "I didn't"
"Do you know who did?"
"No" Felix whispered "And... why are you here?"
"A large quantity of narcotics was found in my apartment. I have no idea how it got there. The evidence was overwhelming and I had no way to prove otherwise" Jae-bum explained, his voice laced with a resignation that came from years of defeat
"How long have you been here?"
"Seven years"
The number hit Felix like a physical blow "That's a very, very long time for an innocent person" In that moment, a terrifying vision of his own future unfolded decades trapped within these walls or worse a death sentence for a crime he didn't commit
"Sorry I didn't warn you sooner about how things work here" Jae-bum said, his tone turning gravely serious
"Warn me about what?"
"Listen carefully, Don't trust anyone here. Keep your distance from everyone especially stay away from Hwang Hyunjin and his men"
Felix's hands trembled. He understood that Jae-bum had known all along what had happened to him
"Is... Hwang Hyunjin... that man everyone is afraid of?"
"Yes, He's not just a man, he's a predator. He won't leave you alone until he's destroyed you" Jae-bum said, his voice dropping to a near-whisper
"Do you have a problem with him?" Felix asked
"No" Jae-bum stood up abruptly as if ending the heavy conversation "Let's stop here for now, Get some air. Walk with me"
Felix nodded, offering a small, genuine smile for the first time in weeks. He stood and together they walked out of the cell