The evening air was cool but heavy, and Ren walked along the quiet street, exhaustion weighing him down. Over the past few days, his powers had been flickering unpredictably, leaving him drained, almost fragile.
He paused in front of a small barista shop and stepped inside, hoping a simple cup of coffee could recharge his body and mind.
The barista smiled warmly. "Long day?"
Ren nodded, forcing a weak smile. "Yeah… just need a coffee."
He took the cup, his hands trembling slightly. The familiar hum of his powers beneath the skin was absent. He had no energy left. Not even a flicker.
*I shouldn't have pushed myself so hard…*
As he stepped out onto the road, coffee in hand, a shadow fell over him.
A hand clamped over his mouth before he could react.
"Miss me, Ren?"
Ren froze. The voice—cold, familiar, and dangerous—made his stomach drop.
Jun.
Before Ren could even attempt to summon his powers, the world spun violently. He was shoved into a dark van. He tried to flare even a small spark of energy—nothing. His strength had abandoned him completely.
"J-Jun… stop…!" he whispered, weak and trembling.
Jun's fist collided with Ren's cheek. Pain flared, and stars danced across his vision.
"You think you can ignore me and get away with it?" Jun snarled. "You think I won't find out everything you've done?"
Ren stumbled against the van floor, unable to defend himself. He could barely breathe, let alone summon the power that usually protected him. Another fist landed across his ribs.
*I can't… I can't even move…*
Ren's vision blurred as he collapsed onto the van floor, body limp.
---
The Panic at Home
At Ren's home, the family was growing frantic.
"Where is he?!" Ren's mother cried, pacing the living room.
"His phone… it's off," Runa said sharply, worry etched across her face.
"Runa, check the streets and CCTV near the barista!" Ren's father commanded, voice tight with fear.
Minutes later, Harit arrived, storming through the front door. His face was pale, jaw tight.
"Ren's missing?" Harit demanded, eyes scanning the room.
"Yes!" Runa exclaimed, hands trembling. "We don't know where he went… or if something happened to him!"
Harit's fists clenched. "I'll find him," he said, voice low and dangerous. "I swear, I will find him."
---
The Investigation Begins
Harit immediately took charge. He checked nearby street cameras, scouring every frame.
"There!" Henry pointed to a blurry figure forcing Ren into a van. The license plate was falsified.
Harit's eyes narrowed. He recognized the figure immediately. Jun.
*Jun… how dare you…*
Harit's chest burned with anger, but his mind focused. He had to find Ren before it was too late.
---
The Video Call
Suddenly, Harit's phone rang. Unknown number.
He snatched it up.
The screen flickered—then Jun's face appeared. Behind him, Ren's limp body slumped, barely conscious. Blood smeared his face, trickling down his lips and hands.
"REN!" Harit's voice cracked.
Jun smirked cruelly. "Harit… so glad you picked up. Thought I'd give you a closer look at what happens when you cross me."
Ren didn't move. He didn't even blink. His powers were gone; his energy completely drained.
"Jun… what did you do to him?!" Harit shouted, rage boiling over.
Jun laughed, dark and vicious. "Do? I merely reminded him… reminded him what happens when he ignores me. You see, Harit… he's yours, and yet, he thinks he can protect others while ignoring my warnings."
Harit's fingers tightened on his phone until his knuckles whitened. "Let him go. Now. Or I swear… I'll make you regret this for the rest of your life."
Jun chuckled, dragging Ren's face closer to the camera. "Oh, but look at him… so weak… so helpless. You want him, don't you? And yet, here he is, bleeding, powerless…"
Ren's lips trembled as he tried to speak, but only a weak groan escaped. His entire body was exhausted, almost completely drained.
Harit's heart ached at the sight. "I am coming for you, Jun. I swear… you'll pay for every mark, every bruise, every drop of blood you spill on him."
Jun's smile faltered slightly at the intensity in Harit's voice. He had underestimated how far Harit would go.
"Don't… think you can save him," Jun hissed, attempting to regain control.
"I don't think. I will," Harit said through gritted teeth.
---
Ren's Condition
Ren's eyes fluttered weakly. He tried to summon even a small spark of his power, but his body refused. The hum beneath his skin, his second heartbeat, the force that had always protected him—gone.
His consciousness teetered on the edge. Blood trickled from his temple, his cheek bruised from the blows, his arms trembling violently.
*Harit… come…*
Even in his despair, even in his weakness, a small part of him clung to hope.
---
Harit's Resolve
Harit paced the room, gripping his phone, face pale with fear and fury.
"You touch him again, Jun…" he whispered, voice trembling but deadly serious. "If Ren loses one more drop of blood… I will make you regret it more than you can imagine."
Jun's smirk vanished as he sensed the unwavering determination in Harit's tone.
"Harit… you don't understand—" Jun began, but Harit cut him off.
"I understand enough. You think you can threaten him? You think you can break him? You're wrong. Dead wrong."
Jun's face hardened, but even he felt a flicker of fear. Harit wasn't just angry—he was relentless.
Ren's limp form on the screen was all the motivation Harit needed. He would save him.
"Ren…" Harit whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "Hold on. I'm coming to you. I will get you back. I promise."
Jun ended the call with a cold laugh, but Harit's determination didn't waver.
*I'm coming to you, Ren. Hold on. I won't let him touch you again.*
---
The van lurched down the road. Ren's breathing was shallow, his body weak, powerless, and fading fast. But deep inside, he clung to the thought of Harit, of being saved.
Bloodied, exhausted, and nearly unconscious, Ren whispered in a faint voice:
"Harit… I'm waiting… come to me…"
Harit's eyes burned with fury. Every muscle in his body screamed. Every thought was consumed by one goal: **get Ren back, no matter the cost.**
The night outside was quiet, but inside Harit's mind, a storm raged.
*Jun… you made one mistake. One mistake too many.*
---