Chapter 35: Chapter 35: Walking the Line
The days after Helen's visit were some of the hardest Cole had ever faced. The underground fights continued, but he kept his distance, refusing to get involved. Jayden had tried to pull him back in, offering him bigger fights, better deals, but Cole turned him down every time.
"You're making a mistake," Jayden had said, his voice laced with frustration. "This is your ticket out."
But Cole knew better now. The real ticket out wasn't in the fights—it was in staying clean, keeping his head down, and playing by the rules, just long enough to get released.
It wasn't easy. The urge to fight, to let out the pent-up energy and frustration that had built up over the weeks, gnawed at him. But every time he felt the pull, he thought of Lina, of Ty and Zack, of the life waiting for him outside these walls. And that was enough to keep him grounded.
One afternoon, as Cole sat in the yard, watching the other detainees play basketball, Jayden approached him again.
"You really think you're going to get out of here?" Jayden asked, his voice low and challenging.
Cole didn't look at him. "I know I am."
Jayden chuckled, shaking his head. "You're living in a fantasy, Matthews. They don't let people like us walk out of here."
Cole turned to face him, his eyes hard. "Watch me."
Jayden stared at him for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Cole alone with his thoughts.
Cole clenched his fists, his resolve stronger than ever. He wasn't going to let Jayden, or anyone else, drag him down. He had made his choice, and now, all he had to do was see it through.
The countdown to freedom had begun.
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