Chapter Text
A week behind bars was enough to mentally break any person.
For Gon, it was no different. He was shocked to learn it had only been a week; it had felt more like a month. All the days were blending together, and he wasn't able to accurately tell them apart.
His cell was small and surrounded by white walls. The bed was tiny and rickety and the sink was rusty and hardly worked. Aside from that there were two small shelves on the opposite side of the room and of course, the gray bars that enclosed him in.
He tried etching lines in the wall to tell the days like they did on TV, but he lost count quickly. The only way he knew it had been a week was from one of the guards.
The whole place was dark and cramped and so different from Gon’s room back at home. He didn't think he'd ever get used to it.
His shoulder had been properly treated before he was incarcerated, but it still really hurt. And it was a constant reminder of what landed him here in the first place.
Worse than that was the knowledge that Killua’s cell was only down the hall from his. If he peeked out through the bars, he could see the door to the cell. Gon tried not to look, however, as the idea always made him feel sick.
He tried not to pity himself, since it was entirely his own fault he was here. Every time Gon started to feel bad he just reminded himself, Everything is your fault. Don't you dare feel sorry for yourself, you monster.
At least the prison food wasn't too bad..
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He tried to mind his business as much as possible, though sometimes the other prison mates would speak to him directly. It was well known what he was in here for, and many people found it hard to believe. Which only served to make Gon feel worse.
The small window at the top of his cell let in a small bit of light as Gon laid on his uncomfortable mattress, staring at the ceiling. Outside his cell the other criminals were shouting and arguing with each other, as usual.
Gon covered his ears with his hands. What time even was it? It should be nearing lunchtime right about now.
The yelling outside quieted down, and it sounded like someone was walking down the hall. The guard was coming, good.
“Hey, who are you?” One of the prisoners called out in a gruff voice.
“It's not visiting hours, piss off!” Another shouted.
Interest peaked, Gon slid off his bed and quietly approached the bars. He tried to get a look at the mysterious stranger. There was someone walking his way, but they stopped a ways down the hallway.
“So it's true, huh?” The stranger's voice echoed down the hallway. It was silky sounding and was enough to give Gon goosebumps.
They continued, “I can't believe you actually got yourself locked up. I expected better from you, Kil.”
Gon froze.
Confirming his fears, Gon then heard Killua’s voice respond. “What can I say? It's all thanks to you I'm here.”
Gon hasn't expected himself to have such a reaction upon simply hearing Killua’s voice again. His hands were shaking, and he had to let go of the bars to not make them rattle.
“That isn't true. The first thing I'm going to do once we're home is knock some sense into you.” Following the stranger's reply, there was a sound of a door creaking open.
No way.. That's impossible.. Who is breaking him free? And why!? Gon took a few steps back from the bars.
The rest of the hall had gone silent. Gon guessed the prisoners were just as confused and shocked as he was.
The door shut again, and then came the sounds of footsteps. They were headed his way.
“Sure. Go ahead.” Killua responded. The sound of his voice was closer.
Petrified in fear, Gon stood and watched as the two of them passed by his cell.
Killua locked eyes with Gon and stopped. He pointed at him. “Hold on. Break him free too.”
What? What the hell is going on? Sweat rolling down his forehead, Gon managed to take his eyes off Killua in order to get a look at the person next to him.
He was tall, with long black hair and the same empty eyes as Killua. Gon nearly passed out when their eyes locked.
“Hm? Why? Dad said only to bring you home.” The man took a step closer to Gon’s cell.
“He helped me take out most of the police. I'm sure he could be of use.” Killua explained.
I could be of use? What does that mean? Killua.. what's wrong with you? Gon desperately wanted to hide from their predatory glares in the corner of his room, but he forced himself to stay put.
The tall man stared into his soul, “Really? Hm.. Perhaps. I'll have to see what he's truly capable of, but I can see the potential he possesses.”
He then swiftly picked the lock, and before Gon knew it his cell door had been opened.
He had no other choice, did he? Gon took a deep breath and stepped out.
The three of them then made their way down the hall. Gon couldn't believe what was happening. Is this real? What's even going on? Who is this guy? What does he have to do with Killua..?
“So, what's your name?” Gon froze as he was asked the question. He glanced up and met the stranger's eyes.
Stay calm.. Just breathe. “My name is Gon.” He answered, just barely stopping his voice from wavering.
“Gon, huh? I hope you will be worth the extra trouble.”
What kind of response is that? Gon let his eyes drop to the floor again. He could only wonder what the hell the two of them had in store for him.
They reached the exit soon enough, with no sign of any guards. Gon wondered for a moment if this guy had taken them all out on the way in, and the thought made his stomach sink.
“Oh, I almost forgot to introduce myself, didn't I?” The man stopped, one hand on the door. He turned to Gon, “My name is Illumi. I'm Kil’s older brother.”
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Outside the prison, the three of them now sat in a fancy black car. Gon was in the backseat, staring at the floorboard. The AC was so high it almost made him shiver.
In the front of the car, Illumi drove them out and onto the road. Killua sat in the passenger seat, silent. The whole car was silent.
And despite the cold, Gon was sweating. He was only now processing his situation: A strange man came and broke him out from prison, and was now taking him to what Gon assumed was his house. Why on Earth did he agree to this? What was going to happen to him? From the sounds of it, it seemed like Illumi was interested in his killing abilities, so what did that entail?
Killua’s situation was beginning to make sense now. If he had been put through some kind of murder training at home, it was clear how he could kill people so nonchalantly.
And still.. there was something very off about Killua’s behavior. He never acknowledged Gon or said anything about him after pointing him out to Illumi, and his entire demeanor was so.. lackluster. He was missing all the usual charm and friendliness Gon had grown to like. It was the same as when he had snapped and decided to stab Gon; he hadn't changed from that day. But at least he didn't seem crazy anymore. Or at least, crazy in that way.
At first Gon couldn't see how those two were related, since they hardly looked alike, but he was beginning to see it. They both gave off the same emotionless vibe, and the same murderous aura. There was no doubt that they both weren't afraid to kill.
Gon fumbled with the hem of his shirt anxiously and tried to look out the window to calm his nerves, but he couldn't shake the sensation of dread.
What in the hell had he just gotten himself into?