UNIFIED W

Chapter 50: Isolated

"Roll call."

The lights turned on, instantly brightening the prison cellblocks.

Kai quickly got out of bed and stood in front of his cell door.

Across from him, Inmate 013 was already doing his usual push-ups, sweat dripping from his face as if he had already finished a good workout.

After finishing, Inmate 013 grabbed the shirt from his bed and put it on.

As he stepped toward his cell door, he noticed Kai watching him from across the hallway and gave him a gentle nod.

The inmates were counted before being marched in a single line to the dining hall. Once breakfast was over, they returned to work.

He stepped back, tightened his grip on the axe, and swung with all his strength.

CRACK!

A large iron crystal finally broke loose, and a smile spread across Kai's face.

As Inmate 013 walked past, he glanced at the broken crystal and gave Kai an approving nod.

"Good one."

Before Kai knew it, the workday was over. The dinner bell rang, and the inmates made their way back inside.

Kai sat alone, quietly eating his meal when Inmate 013 suddenly stopped beside his table.

"Is this seat taken?"

Kai looked up.

"No, go right ahead."

Inmate 013 sat across from him and began eating without saying a word.

An awkward silence settled between them.

'Why is he sitting here if he doesn't want to talk?'

'Should I ask him something... or wait for him to speak first?'

Finally, Kai broke the silence.

"How was work today?"

Without looking up from his bowl, Inmate 013 answered.

"Same... same every day."

Silence returned, and Kai nervously looked around, gripping the edge of the table in search of something else to say.

"By the way... I never got to ask your name."

As Inmate 013 slowly lowered his bowl onto the table and lifted his eyes to meet Kai's, everything changed.

CRASH!

Before Kai could react, Inmate 013 suddenly threw his bowl, sending it hurtling past Kai's head before it smashed against the wall behind him.

As the entire dining hall fell silent and every inmate turned toward them, Inmate 013 remained silent.

He simply stood there with a serious look in his eyes before turning around and walking out of the dining hall.

Kai remained frozen in his seat.

He could feel every pair of eyes on him. Embarrassment washed over him, and for a moment, he wished the ground would swallow him whole.

RING!

The bell echoed throughout the prison, signaling the end of dinner.

Kai quickly returned to his cell, and the lights went out soon afterward.

For the first time since arriving at Black Water Prison, he was relieved to be back inside his cell.

No matter how hard he tried, Kai couldn't stop thinking about Inmate 013's reaction.