PITYING THE PRISONER | p.jm

o n e - c o r a

Sighing, I use my key to open the door to his cell, and I watch him shrink back as he hears the door open.

"Good morning, 400," I greet him. Of course, he stays silent.

"What, not talking today?" I ask. "Hey, 400. Look at me. I mean it, I won't hurt you. Look at me."

I watch with satisfaction as 400 raises his head to look at me ever so slightly. His eyes meet mine, and I walk over to him. "This is my last day with you, 400," I say, looking him right in the eyes. "I don't know what they're going to do with you now that I'm not looking after you anymore, but I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun, right?" 400 nods. He can't disagree, after all. He isn't allowed to disagree.

"Right. Okay, 400, this is goodbye. I know I only stopped in for a little while today, I'm sorry about that. I've got a busy schedule. But hey, you're going to miss me, right? Let me leave you with a little something to remember me by." I smile devilishly, leaning down and grabbing the collar of 400's shirt, pulling him closer to me.

"Don't ever look at me. Don't ever look up."

I knock him out and leave the room.

Leaving the cell block, I walk to the office of one of my superior officers, Taewoo. Taewoo is the second-in-command of The Company. He was close with my father before his death, and so he takes a liking to me. I knock on Taewoo's door, as I've been allowed to do so.

"Who is it?" Taewoo asks from the other side of the door.

"Lee Cora, sir," I say.

"Ah, come in, Cora." He speaks to me in a welcoming way, which is rather special to me, given that Taewoo has essentially taken responsibility for me. Because of that, I'm allowed to call him Taewoo. To everyone else, he's Rike, the powerful second-in-command who feels no remorse and is never to be messed with. To me, however, he's the closest thing I've ever known to a father.

I open the door and Taewoo is sitting in his padded armchair, feet up on his desk. He gives me a welcoming smile, which I do not return. I stand at attention and speak.

"Good morning, sir," I greet, saluting.

"Hello, Cora. At ease, take a seat." I sit across from Taewoo's desk, wanting to slump back into the endlessly comfortable leather armchair. However, I know better, and I sit straight up with immaculate posture, never even getting to truly experience the undoubtedly expensive piece of furniture to its fullest. Groaning internally, I watch as Taewoo carefully eyes me, doing his best to decipher my purpose for coming here. After failing to figure it out, he asks me.

"What do you need?" He questions.

"I need my next assignment, sir," I say. "Today was my last day with 400, and I am awaiting another client."

"I see," Taewoo says, pulling his feet off his desk and scooting his chair in a bit. He clicks a few times on his computer, typing a few words before he speaks.

"Well, 401 came in two days ago, and they're assigned to Ha Il-Woong. 402 hasn't come in yet, but when they do, they'll be your next client. You see them four times a day, at eight in the morning with breakfast, half an hour of alone time starting at noon, seven at night with dinner, and eleven at night to go to the sanitation block. You'll most likely be the only ones in the sanitation block at that time, the morning slots are all booked. If 402 causes trouble, you can teach him a few things during your time in that block. I'll register 402 to you now."

He taps away at the keys before turning the desktop screen to face me. On it is a small profile containing information about me. "Is all of this correct?"

I scan the page, noting all of the displayed information.

Name: Lee Cora
Age (International): 20 (18)
Date of Birth: September 10, 1996
Race: Korean-American
Rank/Position: Platinum/Breaker
Current Assignment: Prisoner #402

I nod at him, verifying that the information on my profile is correct. "Yes, sir."

"Great. Take the rest of the day off, train if you'd like. If you do well with 402, I'm going to consider letting you into the field agency. You've got to surpass your parents, after all."

"Thank you, sir."

"Of course. It's only natural that you'll become a field agent even better than your parents, given that you were born into The Company. This is your whole life, after all. And, from what I've heard, you graduated top of your class, correct?"

"No, sir," I say nervously. "I graduated third in my class, but I was the top student that was involved with The Company."

"That's top of the class to me, Cora. You're a smart kid. I know you love what you're currently doing, you're the best Breaker we have, but I think you'd be better suited for the field agency. You're bound to be one of the best field agents The Company has ever seen."

"So long as I don't get caught like my mother," I say, primarily to myself. Realizing I spoke out loud, I apologize. "My apologies, sir. I spoke out of turn."

"It happens every once in a while, I forgive you." If I had been anyone but Lee Cora, I'd be walking out of here with a bruise forming on my cheek. I suppose it does pay to have Taewoo standing in as my dad.

"Anyway, you're correct," Taewoo continues. "So long as you don't get arrested like Abernathy or killed like Kwangmin, you'll be one of the best. I look forward to seeing what kind of good you'll do for The Company. Dismissed."

"Thank you, sir," I say, standing and saluting. From there, I exit the office and return to my quarters.

I absentmindedly sit down in front of my keyboard. It's an electric keyboard that originally belonged to my mother. She loved music, so she managed to convince Taewoo to let her get it after a few months of persuasion. After she got caught, it became mine. Taewoo will find me sheet music sometimes, and I'll always learn it. I love music, but the only songs I ever get to hear are the ones Taewoo brings me. I'd kill for an iPod.

I perch myself on the bench, pulling out a new piece I haven't learned yet. I spend the whole day learning and perfecting it, and wondering what it really sounds like. It's a song by a group called TVXQ! called Something. It has a jazzy feeling to it that I really like, but I can't help but wonder how the actual vocals sound. I haven't heard anyone sing since school ended, and though that wasn't that long ago, it feels like an eternity.

Before I know it, I've missed lunch and dinner and it's 11:30 at night. Pissed at myself, I change into my pajamas and lay down, trying to let sleep take me.

If I do well, I'm going to be a field agent. I think to myself. This is my big break. All I've got to do is break 402 quickly.

"Well, 402," I say to myself. "This is going to be a lot of fun."

With that I close my eyes and drift off.

• ♔ •
hello!

so, big news, i've started a yoongi fanfic! it's called arrogance and the first chapter is up on my profile. if you liked this, please check it out! that would mean the world to me. thanks!

please leave your feedback!! votes, comments and shares are -- of course -- always welcome, and i thank you for them!! they are much appreciated. ^^

much love,

sam
• ♔ •