ch11 shadows and secrets

The prison yard hums with activity. Inmates drift between groups, some laughing over a card game, others sharing whispers of rumors. A few stand alone, eyes scanning the yard as if searching for their next prey.

And, on a worn bench near the fence, Owen sits, staring at the cracked ground beneath his feet. His face is calm, but inside, his thoughts are churning. His fingers tap a restless rhythm on the bench.

I messed up. Big time.

He exhales sharply, dragging a hand through his hair.

His identity is no longer a secret. Valeria knows, and worse, she's using that knowledge against him.

It's all his fault. He could've taken care of her, erased the problem the moment she found out. Instead, he let his desires lead him astray, indulging in her before dealing with her— he thought.

Now she's merged his gang with hers using his identity, and together, they rule the whole prison, in name.

She is the true leader, cause she knows his identity, and has the real power, while Owen has just his powers, that got exposed.

But unbeknownst to even him, there's one more person in the prison who knows his identity. Someone who is also special, but is quiet about it.

"Hello there."

The voice pulls Owen from his thoughts. He glances up and sees a man standing in front of him, Vince, a neutral expression on his face. Officer Jake looms behind him like an enforcer.

"…Hello," Owen says cautiously.

"So, you're Owen," Vince begins, flipping open a small notebook. "Prisoner number 095. A pickpocketer who graduated to armed robbery. Killed a woman during a bank heist."

Owen leans back slightly, his face impassive. "Yeah. That's me."

Vince shuts the notebook with a quiet snap. "Interesting. You've been quite busy here, haven't you?"

"What do you mean?" Owen asks, keeping his voice neutral.

"Oh, just some chatter I've heard, and seen." Vince's eyes narrow slightly. "Tell me, what do you know about the Phantom gang?"

Owen tenses, "why do you care?" He says, keeping his face normal.

"Answer what you are asked." Jake barks from behind.

Owen looks at Jake. "It's... just a new group. I guess, some ghost or something is running it. That's what I have heard."

"And what do you think of this… Ghost?" Vince's tone is light, but there's an edge beneath it, sharp and probing.

"I don't think anything," Owen replies quickly. "Ghosts aren't real, and neither is some spooky gang leader."

Vince's lips twitch into a thin smile. "Of course. Ghosts aren't real. But maybe it's not a ghost. Maybe it's someone who can... vanish."

Owen's heartbeat quickens. His face remains a careful mask, but his mind races.

"Invisible? That's ridiculous," he says, scoffing. "You've been watching too many movies."

"Maybe." Vince tilts his head slightly. "But things that seem ridiculous often turn out to be true. Don't you agree?"

Owen holds his gaze. "No idea what you're talking about."

For a moment, Vince doesn't move, his eyes studying Owen like a hawk watching prey. Then he turns away abruptly, motioning for Jake to follow him.

"That's all for now," Vince says over his shoulder. "Enjoy the sunshine."

Owen watches him go, his jaw tightening. Who the hell is this guy? He shakes his head, shoving the thought aside. Vince is a problem for another day. Right now, there's someone else who needs all his attention— Valeria.

Owen needs her to disappear— not from the prison, but the world.

If she lives, she will come after me for sure. I need to take care of her somehow, someway.

Later, in the female section, Owen moves around, unseen. He moves silently between groups of female inmates, his eyes scanning for Valeria. His invisibility keeps him safe, but his patience wears thin.

Valeria is nowhere to be found.

He needs to find some weakness he can use to get rid of her.

Then he listens, catching snippets of conversation. A guard's voice reaches his ears: something about Valeria heading to the warden's office.

Inside the warden's office, Valeria casually walks in, leaning against the desk, a smirk playing on her lips.

Katherine, the warden, sits behind the desk, her expression tight. She immediately stands up.

"Val, I told you not to come here unless I called for you."

"Oh, Kath. Don't be like that." Valeria saunters closer. "For old times' sake."

"Old times don't matter here," Katherine replies, though her voice wavers slightly. "You shouldn't be here— alone with me."

Valeria slowly steps behind Katherine, her hands sliding under Katherine's arms, grabbing her chest.

"You're always so tense. Relax, Kath."

Katherine stiffens but doesn't pull away. "Val… don't. I can't hold myself back... when alone."

Valeria leans closer, her breasts touching katherine's back, her breath warm against Katherine's neck. "I know you can't resist me, and i would do anything for you. I always have."

Katherine's breathing quickens as Valeria's hand wander lower, brushing the waistband of katherine's pants.

"Don't... don't do this," katherine whispers, though her body betrays her.

Valeria leans, her lips grazing katherine's ear. "You don't have to hold back. You know I've always been yours."

Back in the present

Katherine pulls away from Valeria's touch, her cheeks flushed. "You need to leave."

Valeria smirks, stepping back. "Whatever you say, Kath. Just remember, I'm always here for you."

Katherine straightens her cloths, and sit back down on her chair. "So why are you here?"

"Ahh, I just wanted to see you." Valeria's eyes gets softer.

Katherine gets a bit shy. "Why? What's the occasion?"

"I just really wanted to see you today. You are looking as beautiful as always, you know that."

"Stop it! Go away if you are here just for that." She says, hitting the table.

"Hahaha, okay. okay." Valeria says, standing up and walking away, and mumbles to herself.

"This might be the last chance I get to see you, kath. Byee."