A new Member

The city air was getting thicker with every step Adam Kim took. The narrow path Daniel led him through was hidden behind old warehouses and rusted fences, overgrown with weeds and scattered trash. Broken glass crunched beneath their feet, and graffiti-covered walls stood tall on both sides like a maze built for ghosts. The sun was no longer shining overhead; instead, the sky was a dull gray, and a cool wind whispered through the back alleys.

Adam followed Daniel closely. His legs were getting tired. His breath was growing heavy. Sweat ran down the back of his neck, and the ache in his body reminded him of the beating he had taken just the night before.

"H-How much longer?" Adam asked, panting. His face had gone pale.

Daniel didn't stop walking. He looked back with a small smile. "We're close."

Adam groaned but pushed forward.

After another five minutes of walking through what felt like the longest path in the world, Daniel finally stopped. They stood before a large, rusted metal door set into the side of an old factory wall. It looked abandoned — like no one had stepped foot near it in years. But Daniel stepped up and knocked.

The sound echoed down the alley: *Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap... tap-tap... SLAM.*

A few seconds passed. Then, with a creaking groan, the metal door opened.

Standing in the doorway was a boy around Adam's age — maybe a bit older. His most noticeable feature was his messy, bright blue hair, which stuck out in every direction. His face was sharp, his skin pale, and his eyes had a sleepy kind of sharpness to them, like he was always half-annoyed with everything around him.

First, he looked at Daniel.

Then his eyes moved to Adam.

He blinked once. Then again.

"Again?" the blue-haired boy said, tilting his head and making a face like a spoiled kid. "What is this? A stray dog shelter? Are you collecting idiots now?"

Adam frowned.

The boy stared at Adam with exaggerated squinting eyes, his lips poking out as he looked him up and down in a cartoon-like way. "Hmm... looks like he'll break with a single slap."

Daniel sighed and stepped inside. "Relax, Hoobin. He was injured. I helped him. He's only staying for two days."

Hoobin — the blue-haired boy — raised an eyebrow. "Two days? Right. That's what you said last time."

Daniel ignored the comment and walked further inside. Adam followed him cautiously.

The inside of the flat was very different from the broken look outside. It was old, yes, and the wallpaper was peeling in some places. The wooden floor creaked, and the ceiling fan made a constant clicking sound. But it was warm. A faint smell of food and something like incense hung in the air. The living room had a couch patched with tape, a small table, and a thick blanket thrown over a chair.

Adam felt a strange wave of comfort.

"Where are the others?" Daniel asked, taking off his jacket.

"Out," Hoobin replied, leaning against the wall. "Some are working. Some are collecting info. Same stuff."

Daniel nodded. Then he turned to Adam.

"You can rest here for now. I have something to take care of."

"What? You're leaving me here?" Adam asked, confused.

Daniel smirked. "You'll be fine. Hoobin can help you if you need anything. He's just one year older than you. Maybe you two can be friends."

Adam blinked. He slowly turned to look at Hoobin.

Hoobin stared back.

Both boys immediately turned to Daniel and said at the same time, "No."

Daniel raised an eyebrow, shrugged, and walked out the door without saying another word.

Adam stared at the door. "He really just left..."

Hoobin groaned and walked to the kitchen area. "Tch. Great. Another random kid in the house."

Adam followed slowly, unsure of what to say. He was still tired, and his body ached. But something about Hoobin rubbed him the wrong way.

Maybe it was the confident posture.

Maybe it was the cool voice.

Or maybe it was just... his looks.

Adam caught a glance of himself in a mirror — bruised, messy hair, torn clothes.

Then he looked at Hoobin again — clean skin, sharp jawline, stylish despite the old clothes.

Adam looked away.

"So," Hoobin said, pulling a bottle of water from a mini fridge, "What's your story? You another tragic soul running from a broken home?"

Adam's eyes narrowed. "You don't need to know."

Hoobin shrugged. "Fine by me. Just don't touch my snacks."

The silence grew.

Then Hoobin sighed. "Look, I don't care why you're here. Just don't be annoying. Daniel has this weird habit of picking up strays."

Adam snapped. "I'm not a stray!"

Hoobin raised an eyebrow. "Sure, you're not. You just showed up bruised, bleeding, and clinging to Daniel like a lost puppy."

Adam gritted his teeth. "And you look like an anime character!"

Hoobin chuckled. "Thank you. I'll take that as a compliment."

Adam groaned and sat down on the couch. "Why are you even here?"

"Why are *you* here?" Hoobin shot back.

Neither spoke for a while.

The fan above clicked softly. Somewhere outside, a dog barked. The sun had started to set now, casting an orange glow through the dusty windows.

Finally, Adam muttered, "I stabbed someone."

Hoobin paused. His usual smugness faded a little. "Huh?"

Adam stared at the floor. "He was bullying me... for months. I lost control."

There was silence.

Then Hoobin said quietly, "...Yeah. I know how that feels."

Adam looked up.

Hoobin was leaning against the counter, looking out the window now. "People think we just snap for no reason. But sometimes... the pressure just builds. And when no one helps you, when no one even sees you... it explodes."

Adam was surprised. "You too?"

Hoobin gave a crooked smile. "Worse. But I'm not here to cry about it."

Adam gave a small nod. "Same."

That was the first real moment they shared.

After that, the tension between them started to fade. They began talking — a little at first, then more. Hoobin showed him the small kitchen, the storage room, and where the spare blankets were kept.

They sat on the couch for a while, talking about random stuff — food, music, school. Adam learned Hoobin was 17, had been living here for about a year, and used to be a top student. Something happened, but Hoobin didn't explain what.

Adam didn't push.

When night finally came, the door burst open, and three more people entered.

"Yo! What's for dinner?" one of them shouted.

Another one noticed Adam. "Who's this?"

Hoobin stood up. "This is Adam. Daniel brought him in."

The group eyed Adam for a moment.

Then someone grinned. "He doesn't look like a fighter."

"Neither did you when you first showed up," Hoobin shot back.

Everyone laughed.

The mood changed quickly. Someone started cooking instant noodles while others set up the table. It was chaotic but warm. They shared stories, jokes, and laughter. Even Adam found himself smiling.

He ate with them. He laughed with them. For a moment, he forgot the pain. Forgot the past.

When everyone settled down to sleep, Adam took a blanket and stepped out onto the balcony.

The sky was dark, and stars peeked through the clouds. A soft breeze brushed his face.

He lay down, wrapped the blanket around himself, and looked up at the sky.

Maybe... just maybe... his luck wasn't that bad after all.

He closed his eyes and let the night take him.