Glow Beneath The Ruins

🖤 Episode Eleven – Shackles Beneath the Skin

[Scene One – Gang Headquarters – Dark Room – Midnight – Continuation from the previous episode]

The Boss watches the latest footage in silence—images of Elyar standing on the rooftop with Rei reflected on the screen before him.

Boss (quietly):

"Well done… When his heart shatters in front of her, he'll be more obedient than ever."

[He turns off the screen, types a short message, and sends it.]

Message to Elyar:

"Tomorrow… the second phase begins. Be ready. Or dig her grave yourself."

[Scene Two – Gang Headquarters – Boss's Office – The next morning]

Elyar storms into the office, his face tense, eyes gleaming with anger.

Elyar (furious):

"I really want to understand… what do you want from me? Do you think I'm just a machine in your hands? Rei… she's just a girl! How do you expect her to join you under threat?! Stop playing with us!"

Boss (coldly):

"And who said I'm the only one playing games? Isn't she the one who trusts you… while you deceive her?"

Elyar (exploding):

"You've been manipulating everyone since the beginning… even my mother! She was kind, honest… so why? Why did you humiliate her? Why treat her like a servant?"

Boss (without emotion):

"I don't love anyone. I never have. Everything in this world… is about gain. Her father was dying, and she was poor. I offered to save him in exchange for marriage. She agreed. Obedience was the price. And when she defied me, she paid the price… just like you. If I had known the son would turn out this weak… I'd never have had you."

[Elyar yells obscenities and insults the boss in front of the guards. The Boss snaps, raising his cane.]

Boss (shouting):

"Restrain him! Show no mercy!"

[Scene Three – Torture Room – Dim lights, choking smell of blood]

Elyar stands, one hand shackled to a steel pillar. The boss's men line up behind him, whips in hand.

Boss (grabbing Elyar's chin):

"I told you not to break the rules… but you think you have a choice."

[The whips fall. Suppressed screams. Blood flows.]

Boss (in a deadly calm tone):

"Rebellion isn't bravery… it's stupidity."

[Just before passing out, Elyar whispers:]

Elyar (broken):

"I just… wanted you to be proud of me, Mom…"

[Scene Four – Elyar's Room – Evening – Faint light and a pale face]

Elyar lies on the bed, body trembling in pain. The door creaks open—Rita enters with a fake smile.

Rita:

"I came to check on you. You look… shattered."

Elyar (weak, but sharp):

"Leave. Before I break what's left of my patience."

Rita (mockingly):

"Don't worry, I'm not Rei… so you don't care, right?"

[She sits beside him, places her hand near his wound, then suddenly presses down hard.]

[His body freezes, face flushes with pain, breath becomes ragged, but he doesn't scream. His veins pulse, muscles twitch, and eyes blaze with fury.]

Rita (in a sinister whisper):

"You better give up and stay silent… your condition isn't fit for rebellion."

[The door opens. The Boss enters, smiling.]

Boss:

"You're going to that restaurant tonight. The girl invited you, didn't she? Don't even think of playing games… or she'll be the one in your place next time."

[Elyar's pale face and heavy silence say more than a thousand screams.]

[Scene Five – After Rita Leaves – Elyar's phone rings]

Rei (on the phone):

"I didn't see you at school today… are you okay? Don't forget, I'm waiting for you tonight as we agreed."

Elyar (in a broken voice):

"Okay… I'll be there."

[He puts the phone down, closes his eyes. A single tear rolls down onto the pillow.]

[Scene Six – Rei's Grandmother's Restaurant – Evening]

Elyar sits across from Rei, watching her laugh with such ease—he can't believe people live like this.

Rei (joking):

"Don't worry, I'm not the one who cooked!"

[He chuckles—despite himself. He likes the food. After dinner, she takes him outside, buys him ice cream, shows him her cat. They play together.

They walk down the street. Rei helps an elderly woman, smiles at people, assists kids.]

[Elyar watches everything. Something inside him breaks… and something else is born.]

[Scene Seven – Rooftop Surveillance – Himura holding a camera]

Himura (to himself):

"Hmm… looks like things are slipping out of their hands."

[He sends the video to the Boss.]

[Scene Eight – The Next Day – Gang Headquarters – Inner Hallway]

Rita approaches Elyar, tries to invite him out. He flatly refuses.

Rita (angrily):

"You've changed… Fine, the Boss will convince you."

[She goes straight to the Boss. Minutes later, Elyar is summoned and forced to go out with her.]

[Final Scene – Fancy Restaurant – Night]

Rita is dressed extravagantly, sitting across from Elyar.

Rita (with a fake smile):

"I chose this place because it suits your status… or maybe mine."

[An old man falls to the ground. Rita doesn't move. Elyar recalls Rei helping a woman.]

Inner Monologue (Elyar):

"Some people shine only on the outside… while extinguishing everyone around them."

[Camera zooms in on Elyar's pale face. His eyes are cold. His heart burns.]

End of Episode – To be continued…