The following content might be disturbing for some readers. Reader discretion is advised.
It had been a week since Suho ran away from the palace. A week of sufferings.
A week of hunger.
A week of hiding from the royal guards who seemed to be everywhere.
The first restaurant didn't even let him speak. A rough hand slammed on his shoulder shoving him back before he could step past the entrance. The warm scent of food coming from the small restaurant increased his hunger. The warm scent of grilled meat made his mouth watered.
"Please… someone… help me," Suho's voice cracked. He was desperate and weak.
"Out. Before I give you a good beating," the waiter barked, his words sharp enough to cut.
"P-please… I'm not asking for much. J-just bread… bread," Suho stammered, his lips trembling, the word clinging to him like the last thread of dignity.
The waiter let out a sharp tch, eyes curling in disdain. "We don't serve just anyone who stumbles up to our doorstep. Pathetic brat."
Thud. The door slammed shut on his face as Suho was left standing alone at the entrance. His throat burned from holding back sobs. He was so hungry, and his stomach twisted and cramped making it harder for him. His chest ached from with the weight of missing his mother.
M-mom… it's hard.
He left the place, disappointment lingering around him.
He stumbled into a dark alley that reeked of rot. The smell was crazy. He slid down, back pressed against the wall until he hit the ground. He pulled his knees closer to his knees, his fingers clutching his stomach. His body trembled from cold and pain.
It's cold.
It was quiet, the alley. A faint rustle broke the stillness. Suho panicked.
From one of the dented trash cans, a black cat jumped out, its yellow eyes flashing in the darkness before it ran away and disappeared. Suho sighed in relief.
Suho's dry throat bobbed as he swallowed. He pushed himself up slowly, and staggered towards the trash can. The smell was filthy and disgusting, but hunger took over his mind. His hand dug through the filth, searching for anything edible. His fingers brushed against the crushed bag. It was still warm. He smiled, finally something to fill his stomach.
He was about to take it out, but sudden chill ran down his spine. He froze.
From the mouth of the alley, spilling dim light from the main road, stood three men in uniforms, blue and silver suits, a silver badge pinned to their chests, a sword engraved in the centre with a blood-red stone gleaming under the street lamps .
Elite Officers. Second Division.
Suho's breath hitched. His eyes locked with one of them. The officer's stare sharpened, and his hand twitched to signal the others.
"N-no…" Suho took a step back. "No… this can't be-" Suho's whisper cracked into panic as he bolted deeper into the alley.
"After him!" The officer raised his arm, signalling sharply to the others. Boots thundered after him.
Suho's breath came out in ragged burst. His legs ran into deeper part of dark alley, lungs burning from lack of oxygen. Tears blurred his vision. His small hands clutched at his side, pain lancing through his ribs.
His heart slamming against his ribs.
He turned left, then right, running through narrow passages, trying to lose them. But his legs felt heavy. His steps were unsteady and out of balance. Every turn he took, their footsteps followed, closer and closer. His body screaming in exhaustion.
Starvation was dragging him down. His head swam. The world tilted dangerously.
As his legs dragged him, the alley seemed to get narrow as the walls were closing in. He turned sharply, nearly slipping in a puddle, but he couldn't stop.
He needed to escape, .but the walls felt like they were closing in.
He was starving. Weak. He knew if they caught him… it would be over.
He needed to do something. He had to be smart about whatever he was going to do.
___
The sounds of boots pounding echoed through the narrow alley.
Shadows moved quickly as the squad stopped at a junction leading to two dark alleys opening.
The head officer of the Second Division, Kwon Taekwon, raised a clenched fist, his breath hissing between his teeth. "Split!" he barked, voice sharp enough to cut the air. "Half left, with me, half right! Move!"
The men scattered, running into their respective alleys. Taekwon led his half forward, his jaw tight, irritation simmering beneath the surface.
"That brat…" he growled under his breath, legs burning as they pushed deeper into the narrowing alley. "He's really making us work for it."
Lee Jayoung, his second-in-command, kept pace beside him. "If only we were allowed to use magic freely, sir, this would've been over in seconds.
Taekwon shot him a side glance, sweat trickling down his temple. "And light up the mana detectors across the city? You want this mess going public?"
Jayoung smirked. "Of course not. But after we catch him, we'll have plenty of time to… mess with the brat."
Magic in public was restricted to avoid cases of terrorism and genocide. Using magic is only allowed for defence personnel, and that in emergencies. Even then, it was strictly under supervision of government. Slight usage of magic would trigger mana detectors, alerting the entire city. And alerting the public, that wasn't an option.
As they searched for Suho, Taekwon's group reached the end of alley. The others were already there.
"Damn it…" One of the officers threw a kick in the air, frustrated. "He slipped us again."
"This was our only chance," another panted, eyes darting nervously to Taekwon.
"If we don't bring him in, we're finished, sir."
Taekwon dragged a hand down his face, frustration darkening his expression. His thoughts churned with the weight of failure.
Jayoung straightened, his voice calm but carrying a dangerous undercurrent. "There is… another way."
The squad's eyes snapped to him.
"…"
Taekwon's jaw worked in silence, his eyes narrowing. Finally, he nodded once, curt and final.
"All right. But it's risky. One wrong move, and we're all dead men."
Jayoung's smirk returned, razor-sharp. "Then we make no wrong moves."
___
Creak. The stench clung to him as Suho slowly but surely pushed open the lid of the trash can. He looked around himself making sure they really left.
No sign of anyone. He carefully climbed out of the trash can, landing softly on the damp ground. He scanned the alley one last time before slipping away, a soft bun in his hand that he had picked up earlier.
He smiled and walked away, happy.