The Fight

The apartment was dimly lit and smelled like mold and sweat. The man who had paid for the girl dragged her inside with a sick grin, locking the door behind him. She didn't speak. She didn't resist. Her body moved, but her eyes were hollow.

He tossed her onto the couch and whistled as he walked into the bathroom. "Don't go anywhere," he said with a disgusting laugh before the water began running.

Moments passed. Silence, except for the sound of the shower. Then, the bathroom door creaked open.

Steam poured out… and his smile froze.

Standing in front of the girl, side by side, were two boys. One with calm eyes and broad shoulders. The other with a faint smirk, hands in his pockets, radiating stillness and danger.

Daniel Park and Jalen.

The man blinked. "Who the hell are you? What are you doing in my house?!"

Daniel's voice was sharp, unshaken. "Piss off."

The man panicked and turned to run, but the front door burst open with a loud crack.

Riley Oh and five of his boys stormed in. The man stumbled into them and fell, groaning, but Riley ignored him. His eyes were fixed on Daniel and Jalen.

"You messed everything up," Riley growled. "You think you can come in here and play heroes? You don't know how this world works."

Daniel clenched his fists, stepping forward. "You sell people like they're nothing. You're scum."

One of Riley's boys threw a punch at Daniel, but Jalen moved faster he blocked the strike with ease, his arm unmoving. "You guys don't get it," Jalen said quietly. "You crossed the line."

Riley took a step forward. "You think this is over? That girl was ours. You think we're scared of a couple of pretty boys?"

Jalen's smile disappeared.

"You should be."