The Hobby Room
Leo had a photography project due.
And because he insisted on being a perfectionist, he stayed late in the school's media lab, the one tucked away near the old art wing — isolated, quiet, practically forgotten after 5 p.m.
The perfect place to be alone.
The perfect place for a mistake.
He hummed to himself, scrolling through edited portraits on the computer, unaware of the figure that crept silently through the back door.
Black hoodie.
Black gloves.
Black ski mask.
No words.
Just the soft whisper of the door closing.
---
Silence and Rope
Leo's chair tipped back suddenly.
A gloved hand slammed over his mouth.
He kicked. Fought.
Another hand fastened rope tight around his wrists, binding him to the chair. Smooth. Practiced.
He tried to scream — the sound died in his throat when he saw the knife.
No — not a knife.
A box cutter.
Used. Scarred. Flicked open with a soft click.
The masked figure knelt in front of him.
Then finally — finally — it spoke.
"You hired amateurs."
---
The Voice Under the Mask
Leo's eyes widened.
He knew that voice.
Even distorted, it was him.
Keon.
"You thought this was funny?" Keon whispered. "That you'd scare me? Break me?"
He dragged the blade slowly along the desk beside Leo. Not cutting. Just close. Close enough to make Leo flinch with every move.
"I've spent years trying to avoid becoming the person I was raised by," Keon said, voice low, calm, frighteningly composed.
"But you keep pushing."
He leaned closer.
"Next time, I won't bring a box cutter. I'll bring someone like Nova. And she won't stop at words."
---
The Deal
Keon stood up. Walked behind Leo.
Leo flinched at every creak of the floorboards.
Then a phone was pressed against his ear. A distorted recording of Leo's voice played — the one from when he hired the thugs.
"I just want him scared. Corner him. Maybe rough him up a little."
Keon leaned in.
"That's insurance."
He cut the rope. Leo sagged in the chair, shaking.
Keon walked to the door.
But before leaving, he turned once more.
"You keep my name out of your mouth," he said quietly.
"Or next time, I won't wear a mask."
---