8:45 p.m.
Two black cars with tinted windows are parked near the diner.
Several men in black suits are waiting nearby. Everything seems calm.
The alley is dark. Only one streetlight at the end of the block illuminates the area.
Jin stops the van a few meters away from the cars. The guys don't dare get out. They watch the thugs through the windows.
Everyone is scared. Even Yoongi is scared, but he tries not to show it. He is the first to get out of the van and approach the thugs. Jimin and Jungkook hurry after him.
"Yoongi hyung, wait..." Jim stops him, grabbing his elbow. "I have a bad feeling about this. I'm not sure it will work out."
"There's no turning back."
"But they'll kill us."
"No, just me. You stay here."
"No, Hyung, I won't let you go alone. It's too dangerous."
"He's right, Hyung," said Jungkook, standing behind Jimin. "I'm coming too."
"No one is going anywhere. I'll take care of this myself. This is my business alone."
"Hyung, you know I won't listen to you anyway. You'd better take me with you."
"Ah, Minnie, I don't like your stubbornness. All right, let's go. And you..." Yoon turned to Jungkook. "You stay here. Keep an eye on the guys."
"But, Hyung..." the maknae protested.
"No buts. Stay here and wait for news from us. We'll be back soon with your sister, alive and unharmed." He patted the little one on the head. "See you later, guys..." He waved goodbye. They responded with dissatisfied looks and slight smiles. After all, the guys didn't like the idea of Yoongi going to the thugs alone.
Yoongi and Jimin were searched thoroughly before putting them in the car. The cars started moving, leaving a cloud of smoke behind as they drove onto the main road. Jungkook watched the cars go. Inside, he was torn apart; he wanted so badly to go with Yoongi and save his sister. As soon as the cars disappeared from sight, Jungkook stood silently for a moment. Then, it was as if a demon had possessed him. Jungkook began screaming in rage and running from one end of the narrow street to the other, kicking over all the trash cans.
"Jungkook, calm down." Taehyung approached his friend, daring to calm him down for at least a minute, but Jungkook continued to scream and smash everything in sight. "Jungkook..." he cried, hoping to bring him to his senses, but to no avail.
Finally, unable to bear it any longer, Tae ran up to Jungkook, grabbed him by the shoulders, and tried to hug him. Jungkook struggled for a long time, but after a few seconds, he grew tired because Taehyung was squeezing his shoulders harder and harder, hurting him. He fell to the ground, bursting into tears.
"It's okay, Jungkook. Calm down. Everything will be fine," Tae said, as Jung sat on the cold asphalt, choking back tears.
"I can't do this. I can't just wait. My sister is there. I have to save her. I'm supposed to look after her now, not the other way around. It's my duty."
"Jungkook, enough. You know Yoon-hyung. He said she'll be fine, and I believe him."
"But I should have gone with him, too. I should have been there," the boy continued, having somewhat regained his composure.
"Then don't just sit there. Do something."
"How can we do that when we don't even know where they went?"
"We do. Remember how Yoongi insisted that we install an app on our phones that shows our location?"
"Yes, so what? You said it doesn't work. Well, it works, but only within a one-kilometer radius."
"I thought about it and improved it a little." He took his phone out of his pocket. "Look..." He pointed to a small, moving dot on the city map displayed on the screen.
"Is that... Is that Yoongi?"
"Yes."
"Why didn't you say anything earlier?" Jungkook jumped up from his seat. "We have to hurry before we lose them."
"Don't worry. My program works throughout the city."
"Then we have to go before it's too late."
"What are you going to do?" Hoseok, who had overheard their conversation, approached the boys. "We don't have a plan yet. Namjoon isn't answering his phone."
"But there must be a way out," said Jin as he got out of the car.
"We can't just go there. We don't even know how to fight," Tae reminded his friends.
"Maybe we should call the police?"
"I think this is the only way to save the boys now," Hoseok said. "But they won't believe us. They'll either believe us or put us behind bars."
"They'll believe us if they see it for themselves," said Jungkook after a moment's thought. He stood up and picked up a large piece of pavement lying nearby. With all his might, he threw the stone at the diner's window. The window shattered into tiny pieces. An alarm sounded throughout the street, signaling a break-in.
"What are you doing?" Tae shouted.
"We need help, don't we?" Jungkook smiled. A minute later, the sound of a police siren could be heard. "Here it comes," he said. "Jin, start the car. We need to show them the way."
"What are you up to?" Hoseok managed to say just as a patrol car appeared at the end of the street.
"Hurry up!" Jungkook shouted to the guys. They all jumped into the car, pressed the gas pedal with all their might, and began to flee from the police. They raced through the city and passed all the patrol posts along the way.
Another crazy night in Seoul had begun.
The car slowed down. A few seconds later, it stopped near some abandoned garages in a forgotten part of the city.
It was nighttime on the street. The lights of the capital could be seen in the distance. The damp, cold air seeped under their clothes, causing an unpleasant feeling. They must be near the bay. They could hear the sound of the sea and of a fishing boat crashing against the shore.
A couple of minutes later, the boys are led into one of the garages. They go through a door and descend a long staircase deep underground. Another door opens and they are led down an endless corridor. A dim green light barely illuminates their path. They can't see anything underfoot. All they can hear is the sound of small stones crunching beneath their feet with each step. Jimin bites his lip the whole time. Yoong notices this when a drop of blood appears on his lip. Jim licks it off and continues walking nervously.
Yoongi's nerves are also on edge. Although he takes confident steps toward death, he is not as brave as he seems inside. His heart pounds wildly. His legs buckle with every step. His pupils narrow with every rustle. Everyone knows Yoon as the fearless Suga who can kill at will. But today, that is just a legend invented by those who have seen what he is capable of. Today, he is weak. Today, he is afraid. Not for his own life, but for the lives of the little boy and the two girls, one of whom changed him beyond recognition. No one would believe that Yoon used to be cold and heartless.
As Yoongi approached the metal door, he clenched his fists, gathering the last of his courage. He took a deep breath. Jimin looked at Hyung with fear. Seeing uncertainty and fear in his senior's eyes, he began to get nervous. But there was no turning back. The door opened.
The bright light hurt their eyes, forcing the boys to cover their faces.
The first thing Yoongi noticed was the sharp smell of gasoline mixed with cigarette smoke.
Yoongi tried to get used to the lighting as he counted his steps and looked at the ground while he and Jimin were led forward.
After one more step, they stopped.
Yoongi slowly removed his hand from his eyes and looked around, scanning the room.
It was a large, abandoned textile factory. Everything here reminded him of the terrible fire that had occurred ten years ago: There were black walls, tall windows reaching the ceiling, a leaky roof, rotten wooden floors, and old, burnt typesets.
He was familiar with this place. Four years ago, it was here that he first met Do Hwan, who was beaten half to death by local thugs.
Memories of the past came flooding back, but Yoongi remained emotionless, remembering what they had been through together.
In four years, they had become almost like brothers. Everything changed in an instant, though, when Yoon decided to help Jimin with his sister. Do Hwan was against it. He didn't like that Yoon had dropped out of school and given up on himself over such a small thing. Min assured him it would be better this way because he didn't enjoy going to university or writing lectures.
Since then, their paths have diverged forever. Do Hwan became the leader of a large company that earns money illegally, while Yoon remained a failure. But money isn't the most important thing to him. He remained friends with Jim and became his hyung, always ready to help and save him if necessary.
"Do you remember this place?" Do Hwan asked Yoongi, forcing the boy to pay attention to him.
Without looking up, Yoon turned his head toward Do Hwan. Only then he notice the girls. They were kneeling and still wearing the same clothes as before: SeoWoo was wearing a T-shirt, and Yoona was wearing denim shorts and a tank top. Their hands were tied with wire that dug into their skin, leaving bloody marks and causing excruciating pain with every movement. Their mouths were bound with thick cloth, and collars with chains, which Do Hwan held in his hand, were around their necks. This was his way of showing his power and hurting Yoongi, knowing he would boil with rage.
"This place is impossible to forget," Yoongi growled, clenching his fists as he watched tears stream from SeoWoo's eyes. But she held on, only sobbing quietly.
"Yes, you're right. It holds a lot of memories," he said, smiling. "I can't believe you traded me for that little brat. He's a nobody. Because of him, you deprived yourself of a better future. Remember the future we dreamed of? We wanted the whole world at our feet. As you can see, I'm already halfway there."
"You're wrong. I never wanted that. I just wanted to live in abundance. I wanted to improve my family's life. But you craved power, and even now, you still want it. You're not afraid to kill; you imagine yourself to be God. That's why our paths diverged."
"No, that's not true at all!" Do Hwan exploded, pulling at his chains. "Do you even know what path I had to take to achieve what I have now?You have no idea how hard it was for me," he muttered through clenched teeth. "I never wanted to kill. But that's the way the world is. Here, you have to survive by any means necessary. Sometimes you even have to spill blood," he said, taking out his gun and putting it to Yoona's temple. Jimin shuddered when he saw the girl trembling. He took a step forward, but Yoon stopped him by grabbing his arm.
"Stop. Don't," whispered Yoongi, looking at the him whose eyes were filled with tears. "I'll take care of everything..."
"Hyung," he sobbed, taking a step back.
"Do Hwan, please put the gun down. Let's talk," Min began. "What happened between us has nothing to do with the girls or Jimin. It's all my fault. Yes, I was a bad friend and a bad brother. So take me away, but let them go. You can even kill me; I don't care anymore."
"Yoongi..." Jimin called out in a trembling voice.
"But I won't let you kill them. I know you can and want to do it, but then their blood will be on my hands, too. After all, it's all my fault. Let me save them. Min said. Do Hwan listened attentively, keeping the gun pointed at Yoona's head. "Let me do something meaningful in my life. "Just look how low you've fallen," Do Hwan said, stepping away from the girls. He stood in front of Min and looked into his eyes. "Min Yoongi himself is asking me to spare their lives. I would never have believed it. I can imagine how humiliating it is for you to begging me in exchange for their salvation after humiliating yourself in front of me. Do Hwan smiled. "Beg on your knees," he said, pointing the gun at Yoongi. "Beg like a dog begs its master for food," he mocked Yoon.
"Hyung, don't do it..." Jimin shouted. For this, he received a blow to the stomach from one of the thugs. "Don't do it," his friend moaned.
But Yoongi was ready for anything. He was almost ready to kneel before Do Hwan and beg for as long as necessary when he suddenly heard the creak of an old door and a familiar, rough voice behind him.
"Enough of this circus, Do Hwan," Namjoon said. "I brought the money..." He walked up to Do Hwan, followed by several guys.
"Namjoon?" Jimin was surprised to see him.
"Here's everything, plus interest..." Nam handed Do Hwan a bag stuffed with large bills.
"I've been waiting a long time for you, Joon," Do Hwan said, taking the bag.
"Joon, what are you..." Yoongi blinked.
"I told you I'd take care of everything. But you didn't listen to me."
"But you left without explaining anything."
"I told you not to mess around. That's all you needed to know."
"You should see your face, Yoongi..." Do Hwan began to laugh. "He was ready to get down on his knees..." He began to laugh loudly talking to Namjoon.
"Stop it..." You got your money. Now, do as we agreed."
"Oh, right. About that..." Do Hwan continued. "I've been thinking..."
"Do Hwan, enough joking around. Joon growled, preparing for the worst. "A deal is a deal."
*************
The city streets are noisy.
A dozen patrol cars are racing through the city after a small black van. The sound of sirens echoes throughout Seoul. Red and blue lights illuminate the road. Five cars are not enough to catch the petty hooligans who have stirred up the entire police force and made their lives difficult, so the police are calling for backup. New cars arrive every minute, but to no avail. The van races through the city as if possessed. It performs dangerous stunts that only professional street racers can do.
The sides are dented, the windshield is cracked, and the rear is completely smashed when Jin accidentally hits a corner of a building with the trunk. But that doesn't stop the van from flying down the road at lightning speed.
While the chase continues, other passions rage inside the van.
"Hyung, are we going in the right direction?" Jungkoouk asks, trying to hold on to his seat during another sharp turn.
"Yes, I'm sure." My navigator has never been wrong before," Jin assures him while looking in the rearview mirror.
"But there's nothing there. It's an abandoned factory." Jungkook looked at the small red dot on his phone screen indicating the location of Yoongi and Jimin.
"I'm sure Yoongi is there. The rest doesn't matter," he said as he shifted gears.
"Guys, how much longer are we going to drive around the city?" Hoseok shouted from the backseat.
"We're almost there. Hang in there," Jin warned, pressing the gas pedal with all his might.
"It's going to shake now," Jungkook said, bracing his feet against the glove compartment.
"Oh, I think I'm going to get sick..." V covered his mouth with his palm to hold it back.
"Hang in there a little longer, Taehyung," Hoseok said, tucking his legs under him so Taehyung wouldn't throw up on his shoes.
"I can't..." The boy turned pale.
The car flew into the factory grounds.
It was dark, and there was no one around. The large building was shrouded in darkness. Only broken windows and scattered rusty parts from old cars were visible.
Dirt was caked under the wheels, and a wooden wall loomed ahead.
"Hyung, there's a wall!" Jungkook shouted, pointing ahead.
"I'm not blind..." Jin shouted, keeping his foot on the pedal. "Hold on!"
The car crashed into the wall, smashing it to pieces. Dozens of patrol cars followed the van into the building.
************
"Do Hwan, enough joking around," Joon growled, preparing for the worst. "A deal is a deal."
"I always break the terms of the contract," he said, smiling as he put the barrel of the gun to SeoWoo's temple.
From the author:
Now, let's imagine how all this happens in slow motion.
Here we go!
Yoongi starts running while Do Hwan points his gun at the girl.
Seeing this, Jimin rushes after Hyung.
Meanwhile, Joon looks around as the thugs prepare to shoot.
He orders his men to do the same.
At that moment, sirens are heard, and lights flash through the cracks in the old wooden walls.
Suddenly, there is a loud bang, and a black van drives into the room. The wild screams of the boys can be heard inside.
Police cars fly into the factory behind them through the broken wall, braking sharply.
Do Hwan is distracted by this, and Yoongi grabs SeoWoo, pressing her tightly against himself and exposing himself to the bullets.
From the author:
Did you imagine that?
Well done! Let's continue at a normal pace.
"Everyone, stand still! Don't move!" the police shout, aiming their guns at the car.
The van is standing in the middle of a wall of dust. The screams have stopped. The room is quiet. Everyone freezes in anticipation.
"Get out of the car with your hands up!" the police officers ordered again.
The door slowly opens. Jungkook is the first to exit, followed by a pale Taehyung, who is supported by Hoseok. Jin climbs out last, smiling and waving as if to say, "Hello, everyone." Only then the police officers notice the men in black suits holding guns.
"Drop your weapons!" the officer shouts, pointing his gun at the men.
"Namjoon?!" a voice calls from the crowd of police officers. "What are you doing here?" an officer steps forward.
"We're here to take care of some business," Joon replies confidently in a calm voice. "You little shit! So that's the kind of job you've found for yourself?" He slapped the boy on the back of the head.
"Dad, not in front of everyone, please." Joon scratched the back of his head and averted his gaze.
"And who are we arresting here?" The man looked around at everyone present.
"The ones with guns in their hands. They're the bad guys, and I'm on duty." He showed his badge to his father.
"I see..." The man exhaled. "All right, guys," he said to his subordinates. "Arrest the ones in black suits. We'll talk at home." "Is that all?" asked Jin, approaching Namjoon. "Are we not going to be arrested?"
"Is that what you want?" the man croaked in response.
"No, officer." He smiled in response.
"Then keep quiet..."
"Okay." You know, I'm joining the army soon," he shouted after the man.
"Snot nose," he said, giving Jin a sour look.
"Aigoo... The son is just like his father," the boy said, looking at Joon.
It seems like the beginning of a strong friendship.
"Taehyung, how are you?" Jungkook asked.
"I'm better now, thanks," he muttered while lying on the ground. "I'm sorry, Hoseok. I didn't mean to."
"It's okay, Tae. You'll buy me new shoes."
"Yeah, okay..."
While everyone else came to their senses, Yoongi and SeoWoo remained on their knees, hugging each other tightly. Yoongi was afraid to let her go and held her tightly to his chest.
He couldn't hear anything except her calm breathing and steady heartbeat. Finally, he dared to look at the girl.
Her mascara was smeared on her cheeks, her eyes were red from crying, and her lips were swollen.
"Are you hurt?" he asked first. She shook her head in response. The boy carefully removed the bandage from her lips.
"I love you," SeoWoo whispered, not breaking eye contact with Yoon.
"I love you, too," he whispered back, pressing his lips to hers.
"Thank you for coming."
"I promised..." He removed the collar from the girl. He finally came to his senses when he saw a crowd of police officers and gangsters in handcuffs around him. Looking over at Jimin, he saw him kissing Yoona and holding her tightly. "What's going on?"
"SeoWoo, are you okay?" Jungkook ran up to his sister. "Are you hurt? Does anything hurt? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
"Jungkook, I'm fine. Don't worry."
"Ah, what a relief," the boy said, exhaling. "I was so afraid that something would happen to you. Thank you, hyung. Thank you..." He began to hug Yoongi.
"Yaah, stop... I don't hug boys."
"Oh, sorry. Thank you for saving my sister."
"Yeah, it's nothing."
"Yaah, Yoongi," the girl nudged him.
"Sorry."
3:00 a.m.
The factory is crowded. Police officers were taking the gangsters to the station one by one.
Namjoon, Hoseok, Jin, Taehyung, and Jimin have been standing in front of the senior officer for over an hour, recounting the entire story. The officer is writing everything down, occasionally scratching his gray head. This seems to be the first interesting case he has encountered. His face clearly shows it.
The doctors provide first aid to the girls and treat the wounds on their hands. Yoona flinches when it hurts too much and scolds the nurse for being inexperienced. Jimin calms Yoona down by kissing her on the forehead.
Meanwhile, Yoongi sits next to SeoWoo, warming her by draping his leather jacket over her shoulders. Everything seems calm until a black Ford SUV appears at the factory.
"Dad!" Yoona shouts, running to her father.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" he asks, taking off his glasses.
"Yes, Dad, I'm fine."
"Who did this? Where are those bastards? Was it you?" He points at the boys.
"No, no, no. Dad, it wasn't them."
"I saw them on the supermarket video."
"Oh, you saw that?" Yoona averted her gaze.
"You'll go to jail, you little thieves."
"Dad, calm down. They didn't steal anything."
"I don't care. Who's in charge here? Why weren't they taken to the police station?" the man continued.
"Dad, they saved us."
"Oh, is that so? Well, then everything's fine." He finally calmed down. "But you'll still have to answer for the broken windows."
"Yes, we are sorry!" the boys said in unison.
"What now?" asked Jungkook while Yoona's father shouted at the top of his lungs. "What are we going to do?"
"I don't know. I don't want to go home."
"Then what do you want?"
"I want to see the sunrise on the seashore."
"Who mentioned the sea?" Tae interrupted their conversation. "I want to go to the sea, too."
"Me too..." Hoseok echoed.
"I won't let my sister go with you alone," Jungkook grumbled.
"And me... I want to see the sunrise, too," Jin said, approaching them. "Yoona, we're going home," her father exclaimed.
"Dad... I'm with them," the girl said, biting her lip.
"Sweety..."
"Dad, everything will be fine. I promise. Namjoon will come with us, too, right Joon?"
"It would be a big mistake to let you go without supervision. Yes, I'll come with you."
"That's great," Yoona said happily, clapping her hands.
"But we don't have a car." Jin glanced at their wreck, which was only good for scrap metal.
"Dad..." the girl said, smiling sweetly at her father.
A deserted road outside the city.
A dense forest covered in thick fog.
The red sky was illuminated by the rising sun.
A sleepy beach and the sound of the sea. The cries of seagulls near the pier.
5:30 a.m.
Dawn...