I shove my phone in my pocket, my hands trembling uncontrollably. Chief sent every single, one of his guards…just to take down Alex? Just the thought of losing him made my heart heavy. I couldn’t let this ending turn out how he wants…I just couldn’t. We’ve all worked too hard for our happy endings and Chief wasn’t going to mess that up now. After talking to Alex myself I did feel a little relieved. He was coming here…he wasn’t going to meet Chief. That’s what he said and I could only hope that he’d stick to his word.  I exhale and look around the corridor I stepped out into to call Alex. It was dark. Just like it’s always been. No windows…just emptiness and darkness. Since I was already on the floor, I figured I might as well have a look at my old room. The one Chief locked me in until I was about 15, when he decided to recruit for his stupid, gang-related services. I walk all the way to end of the corridor and turn the sharp corner. There was only one room…one crappy little room where I lived secluded from the others. While it pained me to open this door again after 7 years, I felt the need to do it anyway. I jiggle the doorknob, back then it would’ve been locked, but this time it wasn’t. I take a deep breath and push the door open. The first thing that caught my eye was the old barred window. It was late at night, but there was still a faint glow on the horizon. I flick the lights on and look around. To my surprise, everything was exactly how I left it. I scoff. What? Was he like secretly hoping I’d come back or something? After what he’s done to us? I walk over to the only form of amusement I had, which should’ve been hidden, the photo album with my mother. The closet door opened with a loud creak, but as soon as it was opened I could see that what I was looking for was already gone. The floorboard was already unearthed and he didn’t even think to put it back into its place. Disappointment flows all over my body though I kind of figured it wouldn’t be there. I should’ve brought it with me when I had the chance…but the night we escaped I didn’t even think about anything other than being free. That album was the only thing I had that connected me to my mother. I barely had time to experience how life with a mother was like, and most of the memories I can recall are the ones of us running away from Chief. That man that just couldn’t leave her alone, and therefore ruining our lives.

Just as I’m about to close the closet door, I notice something white under the floorboard. I reach in a pull it out, shaking the dust from it. It was one of the photos from the album. It must’ve fell out when Chief removed it. In the image both of my parents, and I as a child, are all smiling cheerfully. I had almost forgotten that a time like this ever even existed. I run my finger along my mother’s face, she was absolutely beautiful. My father who stood next to her held me in his arms while my mother wrapped her arms around his waist, all smiling directly at the camera. I try searching my brain, trying to recall the memory associated with this image, but I couldn’t. I could only remember the bad times. When my father took a turn for the worse.

{Flashback}

“I don’t want to live here anymore!” I shout, tears welling in my eyes. “I want to live with mom!”

“You don’t have a mother anymore! You’re MY son now. Only MY son! I’m your mother and your father now, so you better start acting like it!” My father shouts. What did he mean I didn’t have a mother anymore? “I want my mom!” I shout tears finally streaming down my face. “Iwantmymomiwantmymomiwantmymomiwant-“

“Shut the hell up!” he snaps covering his ears. When I don’t he slaps me hard across the face. I’m shocked because my father’s never hit me before. He kneels to my height and points his finger at my face. “Now you listen to me boy. Your mother is gone. She isn’t coming back. Don’t go looking for her either because you won’t find her. Try and I’ll have your head. You’re 7 years old, you don’t need a mother. If you bring her up again there’ll be consequences. Do you understand me?” he asks. I just glare at him holding my cheek. “DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?!!!” he screams, startling me.

“I hate you. You’re not my father.” I tell him. “My mother will comeback.”

This angers him more than I could’ve possibly imagined. He slaps me again, but this time he doesn’t stop. Even when I fall to the ground wailing. He just goes on and on and on, and it felt like forever.

{7 year old flashback ends, fast-forward 8 years.}

 I just sit on my bed, legs crossed, staring at the wall directly in front of me. There was nothing to do. It’s been this way for years now. I have nothing, and I have no one. I was alone. Just the thought of being alone for the rest of my life made my blood boil. I ball up my fists resting on my knees contemplating how I planned to bust out. Soon they’ll come to get me for dinner and then my lesson…that’s when I’ll take my chance. I glance over at my closet, under one of the floorboards was an album that I kept a kitchen knife in. I snuck it after dinner one night and I just never had the guts to use it, but tonight, I’m getting out of here. I look down at the watch on my wrist to get the time. 5 minutes. I tell myself. In about 5 minutes someone will come knocking. I get up from my spot on the bed and head over to the closet, opening the door and unearthing the floorboard. I run my hand across the album before opening the book and collecting the knife. I just stare at it for a while. How exactly did I plan to live after doing something like this? But I was desperate, and desperate times call for desperate measures. The plan was simple. I’d shove the knife right into whoever opens the door and take off. Not really well thought out…but it’s a plan.  I close the album and put the floorboard back in its place. Just as I’m sliding the knife into the sleeve of my sweater, the door flies open. I quickly shove both of my hands in my back pockets, still standing suspiciously in front of the closet. I wasn’t ready. A head peaks around the corner and to my horror, it was LeeJoon. How the heck was I supposed to kill him?? I mean he’s not the nicest fellow, but…he does help me from time to time. “What are you doing?” he asks, stepping into the room.

“I-I-uh…”

Joon laughs at my discomfort. “Whatever. It’s your life right?” he shrugs. I smile uneasily. “You’re early.” I tell him. “That a problem?” he asks, body fully inside of my room while holding onto the doorknob. I shake my head. “No…no, I was just…thrown off guard. That’s all.” I tell him. Joon just looks at me, eyes burning holes into my skull, then he notices my hands behind my back, which makes me uneasy. I begin to fidget uncontrollably, but Joon pays it no mind.

“Well! Your father wants me to come get you for dinner…and then you have a lesson.” He continues. “He’s not my father.” I tell him before following him out the door. Joon snickers. “Okay.” He says sarcastically. For a while we walk in silence, neither of us in a rush. My plan was ruined. I couldn’t kill him. I tried to come up with new ways out in my head, but I wasn’t a strategist. I had nothing. Just then Joon breaks my train of thought.

“You know…I know what you’re planning to do.” He says blankly, not even looking at me. I look at him in disbelief. “W-what…what do you mean?” I ask him, earning a chuckle.

“Yeah, kid, don’t play dumb. It doesn’t suit you. Just know that that knife you got hidden up your sleeve won’t do you any justice.” He continues. The entire time he just looks straight ahead. I swallow. Now what was he going to do? Tell?

“How’d you know?” I ask him quietly. “Instinct.” He replies blankly. I just look at him, so he wasn’t even sure??

“And I saw you sneak the knife after dinner a couple of nights ago…” he adds, to my disappointment.

“Just know that your time will come. You just have to be patient.” He concludes, finally looking at me, to deliver a small smile. Then it was silent again. I was confused. He wasn't going to tell? Instead he's giving me advice? I mean, he's always seemed to watch over me, but it seemed like he was doing it unwillingly. He's been in this place even longer than me and Cheif seemed to really enjoy his company which made me wonder....what was his connection to Cheif? More importantly, why was Cheif treating this 18 year old boy better than his own son?

“He’s not my father.” I remind him randomly. I didn’t want ANYONE referring to him as my father. I didn’t have a father.

“Yup.” Is all Joon says. “Keep telling yourself that kid.” He concludes before walking ahead.

The dining room is lit much brighter than the other rooms. It’s the brightest in the entire building. I’m greeted with Chief’s smiling face, if you’d call that a greeting. Joon gives me one look, lightly shaking his head before taking his seat one seat down from Chief. Alex’s seat was the first seat next to Chief, though he rarely showed up to dinner. I take my seat on the opposite side of them and next to Cheif, not looking at him once. “Don’t you have anything to say?” he asks. I place my hands on the table, not saying a word. What could I possibly have to say to him? I look up and find Joon giving me a look. I look at Chief and clear my throat. “Hello.” I say. Chief seems disappointed. “Is that all?” he asks, voice rising. I look down at my plate. What did this man want me to say?! “Hello who?” Chief continues. I look at Joon whose eyes darted towards Chief. “Hello Chief.” I conclude with a fake smile. Chief doesn’t look happy, but he takes it anyway. “I presume Kim Taegu won’t be joining us again.” He mumbles before standing to do his daily and repetitive toast to his gang empire…blah, blah, blah. “Today is a special day. It is the day that my son becomes part of the empire.” I look up in complete shock. What?? Become part of the empire on whose account? I never agreed to that. “Today he’ll be granted his freedom.” Is the only thing I heard next.

I look directly at Joon who mouths the word patience. My grip tightens around the cloth of my sweater which hid the knife. My freedom? It almost sounded too good to be true. When Chief sits back down and sees me burning holes into the table cloth, he chuckles. “What is it?” he asks me. For a while I don’t say anything. I wanted my freedom, yes. But I also wanted to know why? Why now? Why now after locking me away for so long?

“Why are you doing this?” I ask him finally, still looking at the table cloth and gripping my sweater. Chief looks confused. “What do you mean—“

“Chief why are you letting me go?” I ask him.

This makes him laugh, hard. “Letting you go? Who said anything about letting you go?” he continues. I feel my heart drop. “Isn't that what it means for me to be free?” I ask him. “Well...Yes of course, you’ll be granted freedom outside of that room... but you’re indebted to me.” He smiles. “In what way?” I ask him. “If anything, you’re indebted to me!”  I snap, my anger rising. Joon looks at me worriedly. “You’ll be free Jisoo, but it comes with a price. He wants you to work with him. It’s a step forward…isn’t it?” he asks.

What the hell did he mean a step FORWARD? It was like a leap BACKWARDS! I didn’t want to do their dirty work! “What you guys do is bad. It’s horrible and you want me to be a part of that?” I ask him. Joon looks disappointed. “If it’s your freedom you want, this is how you get it.” He says through gritted teeth. Somehow, though what he was saying directly was complete crap, I felt like he was sending me a message. “Take the offer, and be free.” He says slowly. I couldn’t exactly grasp what he was hinting at…but I’d figure it out.

I look directly at Chief. “Fine. I’ll do it.”

.