2. THE UNEXPECTED

THE UNEXPECTED

TRIGGER WARNING ⚠️

****

Sung-hoon breathed heavily as he turned with so much strain. He groaned as he felt a dull pain fill his body from even the slightest movement. His hand formed a fist. The pain had become a bit bearable, unlike the previous two days. He groaned as the thirst and hunger finally caught up with him, making his stomach feel hallow.

He let out a strained breath as he looked up at the ceiling that was already falling apart.

He had hardly made it to the motel that night. He could remember it vividly. The night was colder than usual, and the night sky that was usually clear was rather cloudy. The one place he could go to in the deserted area filled with old buildings was closed for the night.

He had picked himself up through much strain and had made it to the run-down motel that was in foreclosure

Although reluctant at first, the motel owner finally agreed to let him stay, but he guessed he forgot to check up on him or forget about him altogether. Or maybe he just didn't care what happened. He was quite used to it already.

He had embraced the loneliness long ago, but he thought it was better than sleeping outside.

He could hardly sleep, let alone shut his eyes, not when the memories he had buried came flooding in. Not when the man's scared face filled his thoughts, filling him with disgust. He would have puked if it wasn't for the fact that he hadn't eaten anything.

His body was covered in wounds, and his clothes soiled in blood, and yet he didn't have the energy to move.

He looked around the room.

The room was barely a sight to behold.

The paint was peeling off the wall, and the scarce furniture had stains of blood and fluids he could not identify and would rather not know what it was. The sheets held stains that looked like they had been there for so long. The mattress was so thin that the bed springs were digging onto his back, making him uncomfortable. 

The carpet was so old and disgusting with stains everywhere. It had been so long since semi-public spaces used carpeting, which gave him an idea of how long the motel had been around. It must have been one of the hottest spots in its day, but over the years, new shiny things emerged, leaving it to the dust, forgotten.

He couldn't help but compare his situation. If he could, he would have wished not to be born. Not when all that life shoved at him was endless pain. When he tried to climb up, he was dragged further down into an abyss of darkness.

He had promised himself not to pity himself to close off his emotions. He had thought that would help conceal himself but it was in moments like this that forced him to choke on his tears and made his heart bleed bitterly that he cursed the world for being so cruel to him.

He had heard a few mice squeaking as they sneaked around, making him feel like they were laughing at his pathetic state.

The thought of dying like that, alone ,depressed, and tired in an old musty motel made him even more miserable. 

He had already gotten used to the rotten smell that filled the air as well as its mossy texture.

Even at that moment, he had wondered if anyone would care.

Just as he was stuck in his thoughts, loud, persistent knocks on the door rung through the door, making his heart beat race.

He wondered if it would be the same as the previous time restless knocks sounded. He looked at the door, unbelieving that there really was someone at the door.

Here to see him.

"are you sure he is here?" He heard a faint voice.

His eyes glimmered with hope at the question, giving him strength.  He slowly held the bed post and wobbled towards the door using the wet wall as his support. He had just held the door handle when the door suddenly  opened.

There wasn't much strength put into it, but to Sung-hoon, it felt like the force of a hundred men he lost his footing and fell onto the disgusting carpet.

He heard a faint gasp as his hands quickly grabbed onto him, trying to wake him, but his eyes and body finally gave into the exhaustion.

****

Sung-hoon looked outside the window as a feeling of dread filled his entire being. He had promised he wouldn't go back. Not back to the life dreaded so much. He felt like his chest was collapsing and his mind racing as ji-hwan walked to the side of the car, got into the car, and closed the door behind him.

He could feel ji-hwan's eyes on him, but he didn't say anything as he twisted the keys in the ignition starting the old car.

Sung-hoon felt like jumping out of the car at that moment and running, but his body was frozen as his hands slightly shook, but he hid his right hand in his pocket as he tried to mask it.

He was curious as to why the boss would want him. He had paid all his debt... Well, his mother's debt from all the drinking and gambling, he didn't think he owed the boss anything unless she was stupid enough to go back and ask for more.

He wouldn't put that past her, though she was quite a disappointment in most things, but she always made sure to let him down. If that was the reason, he would guess that's why she left.

He let out a sigh.

He didn't want to talk. At least he could savour the moments before his impending doom.  The car road passed the dirty streets of the abandoned section of the city. Old buildings near collapse hanging on by a thread.

He related to them.

If anyone heard his story, they would wonder how he survived for so long. How he didn't break down.

It was simple he shoved all those feelings deep down and locked them up. He made sure not to get close to anyone even though his classmates avoided him, which was even better for him. If it wasn't for jae-wook trying to mess with him, he would have gone out of school without talking to anyone.

He had decided this the first time he walked through that entrance gate. He stood at the top of a small hill leading to the entrance of the main building. He had looked down. Students were running about laughing as  they walked in groups.

He watched the cars drop off more students who ran to their friends' embrace in happy vigour, and at that moment, he realised how far from reality he was.

His smile slowly fell as the grip on his backpack tightened, and his bright colours started to fade.

He didn't know why he had thought it would be a great idea to even dare dream.

The car finally stopped outside an abandoned factory.

Sung-hoon looked at the building, his heart racing as he gripped onto the door handle and opened the door. He stood beside the car for a while, contemplating his options.

He could run.... but he had been ignoring the calls for too long. The boss would lose patience besides  he only sent ji-hwan out of curtsey  and a warning. He was sure the next person would not be as subtle.

"Come on." Ji-hwan called out as he walked towards the large entrance.

Ji-hwan was about thirty. He had been in the gang for so long and was a part of the boss inner circle. But he wasn't the smartest brain in the bunch, probably why the boss had kept him around so long.

His stupidity could prove useful. Plus, he was the boss's brother, which helped his case. His brother being what was considered the top dog. No one touched him or even breathed  in his direction.

However, despite this, he had taken quite a liking  to Sung-hoon, and on occasion when Sung-hoon needed some help, he covered for him much to the boss disappointment.

But for some reason, on that particular day, his voice sounded a bit more uneasy than usual. Sung-hoon closed the car door and followed behind ji-hwan. He let out a sigh as Ji-hwan knocked on the door in a predetermined sequence before the door opened.

Sung-hoon tried looking around to distract himself.

The warehouse was in an open filled with vegetation already invading its territory. It had that rustic and old feeling, yet it brought on an eerie  feeling.

There was nowhere to escape.

He let out another sigh as he looked ahead and saw two men eying him. Ji-hwan turned to look at him and nudged his head, instructing Sung-hoon to follow his steps.

Sung-hoon reluctantly got in but stopped slightly to look behind as the man  at the door stood with his hand held in front. His tall, bulky frame made Sung-hoon nervous. He knew once he entered, it would not be an easy escape.

Sung-hoon shook off his nervous feelings and followed ji-hwan. They walked past a secluded place that had been set up to act as a seating area. About fifteen men sat around playing poker and cards while others were sharpening their knives and cleaning their guns.

Sung-hoon gulped as the grip on his bag tightened.

Ji-hwan finally stopped at a metal door. He grabbed the doorknob, twisted it, and stood to the side as it opened.

Sung-hoon looked at him in confusion.

When they came together, ji-hwan always took the lead and walked in first.

His eyes crunched in confusion, but when he tried to make eye contact with ji-hwan, he only looked away nervously.

Sung-hoon looked behind him to see the men stealing glances at him, and the room had become a bit more silent, adding to his uneasiness.

Over the years, he had become acquitted with them. Some even said they had cone close to friendship but of course out of convenience.

Sung-hoon sighted his hold further on his bag, his hand almost turning white with the pressure. He let out a breath as he fixed his bags position and took a step inside.

He didn't know that would be the moment he wished he had taken the risk of being beaten up by the brutes outside that door than being locked in that room with the monster he had never met. It was like he walked out of the frying pan into direct fire.

The door closed behind him as he walked into the dimly lit room. He looked around, trying to see if there was any sign of anyone as he nervously stopped.

He stood in silence for a few minutes before he finally heard someone clear their voice in the far right, making his heart jump a little.

He bit his inner cheek so hard he could taste the blood on his tongue. 

"Alors tu es Sung-hoon?" He heard a rusty voice ask. He heard a glass click as Sung-hoon's eyes finally saw the figure tucked away on a coach in the corner.

He instinctively took a step back as the figure suddenly stood up and started walking towards him. His eyes shimmer in the dim light with so much eagerness and a hidden promise of pain and agony.

Sung-hoon could hear his heartbeat in his eyes as the figure lurked towards him like a lion to its prey.

Sung-hoon hadn't even noticed he was retreating until his back hit the cold metal door. His hand grabbed onto the door knob as he tried to twist it in a bid to open it, but to his horror, the door was locked.

****

⚠️

*******

He turned back both his hands, grabbing onto the knob as he tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge.

He froze as he heard glass shatter so close to his that some of its shards cur through his skin, drawing blood.

He felt his body shake as he suddenly felt  a hand grab hold of him from his waist before shoving him roughly to the cold wet floor, his bag falling to the side in the process.

Sung-hoon looked up as he tried sitting up his breath heavy as he crawled away, but he didn't get far before he felt a hand grab hold of his hair, yanking it back roughly.

At that moment, he wished he had cut it.

He suddenly felt something sharp as a dull ache filled his body. He let out a whimper at the attack, but before he could recover, another dull ache filled his body as the large boots landed on his body. He curled into a ball as he tried to zone out the situation he was in.

Finally, it was only after some time that the kicking stopped. He heard a bottle open before something got poured inside another glass. Restless footsteps filled the room.

Taking it as his chance, he quickly crawled towards the door, his body battered by the beating.

"ji-hwan!! Open the door!" He shouted as he tried to pull against the doorknob relentlessly. You could feel and hear the desperation in his voice.

"Ji-hwan!!" He cried out as he felt his hair being yanked back and thrown back onto the wet cemented floor that was now stained with his blood.

He didn't even know why he was there receiving such treatment when he had paid off his mother's previous debt. He had worked day and night and toiled until the money and interest were paid off. He took odd jobs and worked even delayed going to school.

"He won't help you." The voice said once again, cold and hoarse. 

Sung-hoon didn't recognise the voice, but if he could order Ji-hwan to do this, he could only make one guess.

It was the tiger.

He was the Head of the entire gang but why would he sermon him, why would he even give a damn about him he was only but a small fish in the sea he didn't see any need of it.

"your shameless whore mother drugged me and took my money." He spat as he drowned another glass of the liquor.

Sung-hoon felt like a bucket of ice cold water had been poured on him.

Of course it had to involve his mother there was no one else who would cause his life to be miserable other than her.

He looked down his body was covered by what he had hopped and assumed was water. His body was covered up in wounds.

"Where is she?" He demanded his voice calm but unsettling.

"I...I don't....." Sung-hoon stuttered but before he could finish his sentence within a split second he felt his hair being grabbed once again before his head was slammed hard against the floor making his head ring.

The room was spinning.

He tried to regain consciousness as he heard the man muffled voice.

"I don't want to hear that excuse. " The man said his voice still calm but his actions spoke otherwise. He was trying to contain his anger otherwise Sung-hoon would be dead.

Tiger kneeled beside him his face so close as he whispered.

"Or should I make you her replacement. "

These words made Sung-hoon sink into a state of frozen fear. He knee there could be only one making behind his words. They were confirmed when he felt his zipper slow getting unzipped.

"No....!" He protested as he tried to move away but with his peaked and beaten up state he couldn't fight against the grip on his arm stopping him.

"Please!" He begged as tears shone in his eyes.

But his pleas went to deaf ears as hi felt his underpants and pants pulled down.

His breath became heavy as memories flooded in his head.

"please I beg you..!" He cried. It was only a few instances where he begged and he had promised himself never to do it again but the universe laughed at his sorry state putting him in a position he had to beg once again though involuntarily.

"This is not usually my taste but I guess I could make due. Give you a taste of what's to come."

Before Sung-hoon could do anything he was turned on his back and his hair yanked roughly forcing him to get up. His shaking body against the muscular form of the tiger.

Tears fell down his cheeks as he felt a finger graze his skin. His heartbeat raced as his eyes shut.

"Ji-hwan.....!!" He called out although he knew it was useless. He couldn't do anything for him.

"please...."He begged a strain of hope in his broken heart that this would stop.

And thankfully someone suddenly started pounding heavily against the door calling out the tigers name.

Sung-hoon was pushed against the floor. His state pitiful and miserable as he shook. His eyes in tears and filled with fear as he let out whimper after whimper.

*****

⚠️ ⚠️

**********

"WHAT!" the tiger demanded as he got up and angrily matched to the door. The door unlocked automatically as soon as he pressed a button that registered his finger print.

"Tiger...something is wrong with one of the warehouses." A voice said filled with worry.

Sung-hoon knew that voice. It was the boss. He could feel his eyes trail his pathetic form as he covered his face.

Tiger let out a huff before ramming past the boss, joon-oh.

"take him out of here," joon-oh whispered to ji-hwan as soon as the tiger was out of earshot.

Moments later before the passed out Sung-hoon felt a hand grab onto him and cover him up before another hand grabbed onto his shoulder helping him out.

The next thing he knew he was on the roadside near a clinic his bag thrown beside him. It was already the middle of the night the clinic was closed and the harsh cold wind was blowing against his skin making him even colder, his clothes were already wet which didn't help his situation. He let out a breath and gathered himself enough to walk to the rusted motel where he lay for three days.

He had thought he was a goner. He had cried for himself despite his vow.

He had thought he was forgotten.

He had thought no one would come look for him.

No one would find him.

That was until the knock on his door and the unexpected face showed up in front of him.

He didn't know he felt happy that someone had cared enough to look for him or angry it was him.

The one person he didn't want to see his state.

******

Bip! Bip! Bip!

The sound from the monitor filled the room. Sung-hoon groaned as he moved a bit on the bed. He tried opening his eyes but the brightness of the room forced him to close them once again.

"Sung-hoon," a familiar voice called out to him. The voice held so much care and worry it felt unreal. No one had even once called him like that much less talked to him in that manner.

Se-hee held the side of the bed her eyes crunched in worry as she looked at Sung-hoon.  Her hand instinctively grabbed onto his in a warm grip. She tapped one of the buttons on the overhead to call the doctor but her eyes never left Sung-hoon.

"can you hear me?" she asked.

Sung-hoon tried to once again open his eyes and look at the owner of the voice. Despite the strain he finally managed to look at her.

His eyes looked at her in confusion and question.

"W..hat...." He couldn't finish his question before he started coughing vehemently. 

Se-hee quickly reached out to a bottle of water and quickly opened it. She helped him up before slowly helping him to drink the water.

After he finally calmed down the doors to the room opened and a man in white along with two nurses walked in.

Sung-hoon hadn't even noticed the room he was in. It was a vip room and was quite spacious and luxurious unlike anything he was used to.

The doctor did his examination and informed se-hee that Sung-hoon was in better shape but required more observation as well as some tests to make sure he didn't have anything wrong before they could take him home and was cleared.

Se-hee nodded and thanked the doctor as he left.

The room was filled with silence.

"what... what are you doing here?" Sung-hoon asked although through a lot of strain since he  felt like his chest was on fire but the doctor had informed him that would be the case since he had a broken rib.

"we found you. " she said looking at him. Sung-hoon knew the look in her eyes pity.

"We..." He started but the avid memory of the motel flooded in. The door had been opened and he could feel his body give way. He glanced at the door and there stood the one person whom he didn't want to see especially in his state rushing towards his limp body grabbing onto it before it hit the carpet.

He felt his body go cold and colour drain from his face.

"Why..?" He asked he couldn't understand why they went looking for him. He wasn't their friend in fact they didn't like him as far as their last encounter was concerned.

"I am a nosy person. " she said nervously as she rubbed the back of her head. "I wanted to apologise for what happened last time and hacked your phone." She gave him a bright big smile to distract him from her words.

"what!"  his eyebrows crunched up in shock at her statement.

"but it turned out okay....didn't it? We found you on time. Otherwise, you would be dead." She said her expression turned sad at that fact.

Sung-hoon gulped as he looked away both in shame and pain.

He knew her statement was true. If it wasn't for her being nosy, he would have long died and forgotten in that room until the demolishing crew found his bones.

"thank you."He muttered.

Her ears and eyes spiked at his words, but before she could say anything, the door opened.

"i brought some food. " a familiar voice filled the room.

Sung-hoon eyes looked at the doors direction until the familiar figure came in sight.

"You are awake." Jae-wook said as if it was completely normal. His voice though unreadable didn't hold much of an ulterior motive.

"You done with practice?" se-hee asked as she grabbed one of the bags of food.

"do you want anything?" jae-wook asked looking at Sung-hoon. 

Sung-hoon looked at him at jae-wook a bit bewildered by the warmth in his voice and the fact that he was actually talking to him.

"maybe later." Sung-hoon said a bit in a daze before scanning the food feeling a bit nauseous at the smell.

Se-hee took one of the containers of food from the bag and sat down before opening it.

Just then a wave of nausea filled Sung-hoon's body making him hurl.

Jae-wook sensing the  predicament quickly held a bag for him. Se-hee quickly grabbed some water and helped him drink after he was done before grabbing some disposable towels and handing them to Sung-hoon as Jae-wook threw the bag.

"Thank you," He muttered, his face turning red with embarrassment as he avoided their eyes.

Jae-wook and se-hee looked at each other as if holding a private conversation  before jae-wook spoke.

"I am sorry about last time."