Benjamin had been granted access to the courtyard on account of his good behavior—a small mercy he wasn’t sure he deserved, but would take nonetheless. Hallelujah, he thought dryly as he stepped out. The air outside felt different, though not quite as freeing as he had hoped. Warm with a hint of humidity, the sun beat down on his skin, intensifying the heat around him. It wasn’t unbearable, but it wasn’t the kind of freedom he craved either. Still, a breeze swept past, and that was something, at least.

He glanced around. A few guys were already absorbed in their routines—some playing cards in the shade, others passing a basketball back and forth, grunting as they made their way across the cracked pavement. But Benjamin had no interest in either. Cards felt too slow, too pointless, and basketball? He couldn’t muster the energy for it. As much as the warmth and open sky above offered a break from the suffocating confines of his cell, there was an unmistakable hollowness to it all.

He sighed, his sharp gaze wandering aimlessly across the courtyard. What’s the difference, really? Whether he was sitting on his cot or standing in the courtyard, the bars never really left his mind. The world beyond remained just as unreachable.

But he knew better than to waste the opportunity entirely. Making the most of this fleeting freedom was a necessity if only to break the monotony. He cracked his neck and straightened his posture. Might as well meet people, he mused. He wasn’t exactly here to make friends, but connections? Connections were valuable. Maybe someone out here would be worth the effort. And if not—well, it’d still be more interesting than counting ceiling tiles back in his cell.

With a calculated calm, Benjamin took a few steps forward, his eyes scanning for faces that might be worth engaging. He wasn’t one to rush into things, but he also knew how to make an impression when the time was right. The game had already begun—it was just a matter of finding the right players.