Donghyuck POV

I clenched my fists without a word, and I heard gasps and whining behind me. My knees trembled heavily when I could hear the metal stick slamming harshly onto my bare back. The crying beside me got even louder, and I managed to hold onto my cries as Jeno watched amusingly from the side. I felt the stings aching onto my back, as Jisung's sniffs soon followed after my grunts.

Daylight has slipped away immediately at the sound of the metal stick slashing into my bruised skin. My stomach growled in hunger, but my back was not allowing myself to be hungered. My mouth dried up like a raisin, as I could taste blood forming through my teeth. It tasted like metal but it was the only thing that was stopping me from dehydration.

There were eyes all over me. Especially Jeno, who managed to have a good laugh watching me in horrid pain. I didn't even have tears to fall anymore, as they already came down secretly as I managed to not make any loud sounds. Jisung, on the other hand, was crying non-stop. He screamed whenever he saw the metal stick slamming onto my back with a snap. It had been overused, to the point where it broke.

My back turned numb, and I could feel the cuts opening up every time. I barely had the strength to maintain my position of having my head on the ground, with my hands clenched together behind my back. The authority threw the metal rod aside, where the maids quickly made their way to clean up the mess. The crying stopped from Jisung, but his sniffles was ringing through my ears.

I glanced through my sides to look at him, giving him a weak smile to signify that I was okay. But a hand grabbed onto my hair and pulled my head away from him painfully, making me turn away and stare back onto the ground.

The sweat fell down my face profusely, and I felt a presence stooping down to my level. I bit my lip angrily and quietly as a darker, powerful voice whispered dangerously, "What did I say about causing trouble when you enter into this household? What would people say when your image is tainted due to two of your kids?"

I tried to not let the tears fall, which are slowly attempting to do so. I'd rather not show my weak side, when Jeno was present in the room. I get slapped on the face, as my body gets tumbled towards Jisung, who was apologizing nonstop. I gently patted his knee before stumbling back to my position. "I apologize..I will remind Jisung once again."

"I'm sure he will learn his lesson. You are to be getting his punishment. What image would I have to beat a young boy like him? Shouldn't you get the punishment?"

I swallowed the last remaining bit of my saliva, as I heard the man unbutton his sleeves to reveal his muscles and toned arms. "Jeno leave the room with the others but leave Jisung here to see what would happen if he disobeys my command once again."

Jeno stood up slowly and yawned loudly, "It was getting boring anyways."

That bastard.

The doors closed loudly when everyone else had shuffled out of the dining room. I had to keep my head down to face the floor, as I heard Jisung panic even more in the background. He was choking on his own tears, and he let out a painful cry of regret. I saw the shadow, pick up a large wooden stick and hovered over me. I knew, that I had to leave and protect my little brother. But I didn't want to leave this forbidden kingdom because it gives me hope.

"This is what happens if one of you breaks my word again."

The next thing I vaguely remembered was having my eyes covered with a black necktie, with a cup of freezing, cold ice water poured all over my aching back. That was the time I actually screamed in pain, as the cold water was attacking my abused, bare back. It was a living hell of a punishment.

-
Ryujin POV

"How are we supposed to do our assignment?"

The afternoon has become groggy with the sudden change in the weather. The clouds in the sky were dark gray and gloomy, as if the whole world is in mourning. It didn't seem like it was going to rain anytime soon, but it wasn't bright at all since last night. The wind was blowing persistently, making the branches tap onto the glass anxiously. Of course, we were stuck inside with our project.

Jess grunted angrily as she crossed her arms and stared at Jeno. Jeno was looking away, scribbling all over his notebook as we were sitting altogether in class. Well, after class. We were serving our detention that Jeno has placed us under, but Donghyuck wasn't here today. I impatiently tapped my foot against the desk, which made Jeno glare angrily at me. I ignored his gaze and replied with a sigh, "Well we have to do this first diary without him then."

"Aren't you guys thinking of this way too easily? It's a freaking assignment, and we need all our members? Call him-"

Jeno's mechanical pencil lead snapped as Jeno's fingers were clutching angrily against his pencil. He shot his eyes up as if he was to warn Jess to shut up. "He is sick, and won't be here for a few days. Let's get the project done between us and we can use his input on the last few days."

His voice shifted from a gentle to an angry tone, which was not easily seen around others. Jess crossed her arms, clearly aware of the uncomfortable vibe that Jeno was profusely giving off. She leaned back against her chair and played with her chocolate curls. I watched quietly to this scene unfolding in front of me. Suddenly, it became two tigers wanting to catch the only deer left in the forest.

"Aren't you worried for your friend?"

"I am, but he's sick so what can I do about it?"

"I don't know, maybe move the project to another day? I mean you have the power to change the due date of the presentation, no?"

Jeno momentarily got flustered as he blinked a few times subtly in order to say the right things. Jess smirked softly, as she continued on while staring at the branches outside, "You and your little power as Class President. I would say it is as powerful as the teacher's, no? Is that little power something that you control your best friend with?"

His notebook closed.
We face the only male in the room, who was not like the person he was before.

Suddenly, Jeno's facial expression changed from a serious, expressionless face towards an over-friendly expression, a creepy smile, with his eye smile slowly being revealed again. He took a look at me first before turning back to Jess, as he started to pack his backpack. I stared quietly as I was pretty used to seeing him like this. He fixed the bangs falling down his hair, as he slowly started lean towards us, "Your pretty little neck will break if you keep trying to make things up sweetie. If the cats get curious-"

He swiftly grabbed his other mechanical pencil on his desk and snaps it in half instantly. He broke the pencil completely, making us watch him do so. "The cats get into danger."