Cell No. 9 | TaeKook

3 | A brief peace.

Taehyung entered the visiting room, his heart pounding in his chest. As soon as he saw his brother, he rushed forward.

"Seokjin Hyung!" Taehyung called out, embracing his brother tightly.

Seokjin patted his back gently, his own eyes misting over. "It's okay, Tae. It's okay. You didn't do anything wrong. It's going to be alright."

Taehyung pulled back slightly, his voice brittle and desperate. "Hyung, please get me out of this."

Seokjin placed his hands firmly on Taehyung's shoulders, looking him in the eye. "Don't worry, I will do my best. I promise."

As time passed, they sat at the table, their conversation a small comfort in the sterile room.

"When did you came back from your job trip?" Taehyung asked, trying to distract himself from his surroundings.

Seokjin licked his lips and leaned back in his chair. "Yesterday. I came back yesterday... Anyway, how about you? Why were you late that day? Didn't your work end at 8 PM?"

Taehyung looked down, guilt washing over him. "I just wanted to get some air. If I had come back earlier that day, then Mom and Dad wouldn't..."

Seokjin reached across the table, taking Taehyung's hand in his. "Taehyung-ah, don't blame yourself. It wasn't your fault."

Seokjin's eyes then fell on the bandage wrapped around Taehyung's wrist. He frowned. "What is this?"

Before Taehyung could respond, the police officer announced, "Your visiting time is over." He moved to take Taehyung away.

Seokjin stood up quickly, his voice urgent. "Hold on a little longer, Tae. I'll get you out of here soon!"

Taehyung was led away, his brother's words echoing in his mind. The brief visit had given him a glimmer of hope, but the uncertainty of his situation weighed heavily on his heart as he returned to his cell.

Taehyung entered the cell, his eyes sweeping over his cellmates. The old man, Daejung, was writing in his notebook. Chulsoo was arguing loudly with him, their bickering filling the small space. Jungkook, as usual, sat alone, engrossed in his book.

As Taehyung's gaze roamed the room, Jungkook suddenly looked up, their eyes meeting briefly before Taehyung looked away.

Trying to distract himself, Taehyung noticed a small cloth hanging on a bucket. He walked over, took the cloth, and began wiping the floor with it, his mind desperate for anything to focus on other than his current predicament.

Daejung and Chulsoo watched him curiously. "What's wrong with this freak?" Chulsoo muttered.

Daejung immediately swatted the back of Chulsoo's head. "I told you to watch your mouth."

Chulsoo rubbed his head, grimacing. "It hurts!"

As the day wore on and the moon's light shined through the cell's window, they began to prepare for sleep. Daejung and Chulsoo took out their sleeping mattresses and laid them on the floor.

Jungkook closed his book and said, "Get mine too."

Chulsoo, about to sit down, met Jungkook's sharp gaze and muttered under his breath, "Does he think he's a king or something? Bastard."