"Beep! Cell doors opening!"
The harsh electronic announcement echoed through the concrete corridors, serving as an alarm clock that nobody in the prison had ever asked for.
Ethan's eyes snapped open instantly.
There was no groggy stretch, yawn, or lingering in bed.
The young man shot upright on instinct, his body already tense before his mind had fully caught up.
His breathing was calm, but his eyes definitely weren't.
Dark circles hung beneath his sharp blue gaze, making him appear older than he really was. Weeks of poor sleep had left them permanently bloodshot, forever scanning, forever expecting someone to attack.
He climbed from the narrow steel bed bolted to the wall, standing in his tiny cell that barely had enough room to take three steps.
Concrete, toilet, and sink.
Nothing else.
He turned on the tap and splashed freezing water across his face. It stung the fresh cuts scattered over his cheekbones, but he barely reacted.
