Chapter Text
Like a clock ticking he walks, each step slowed down by his breath. For a moment, shortening his breath, he felt peace crawling to the pitch of his brain. Dancing city lights momentarily gave him a weakness of nausea. Eyes faltered away, rifting towards the stores that lit up the most with signs that usually attracted a customer’s attention.
''i should call and meet up with jong-soo soon enough...'' he muttered, under his breath. For a moment looking away from the bright lights. ‘’waiting for a cab might take a while.’’ – ‘’Ah.. why did I take those double shifts.’’
The complaint running dry to the tip of his tongue. Feeling his arms and legs giving out Kyung Wu could only endure it. ''If only someone arrived. I would've gotten a free car ride''
The silent grunt, mid step made him more nauseous. Dazed haziness driving his mind insane. Yet the soft, murmured tone leaves his lips. It was a flash, kyung-gu covered his eyes with sleeves looking annoyed. The blur of it all was a shop that was brightly lit up. Fancy clothing everywhere. He saw a couple of people entering back and forth, shopping.
The large glassed windows, bright lights. He turned on his phone, checking the time. 9:30pm. Everything was going hazy... except, kyung-gu remained very still. Now expecting someone.
The reflecting glass windows of kyung wu oddly slowly shaped to another creature. Staring at him from the window. Only he could’ve saw the creatures glaring eyes. Yet, kyung wu yet to show any reaction at all.
''Hey man!'' the voice suddenly reached.
Nothing. Again. The world unblurred itself.
''Come on, hyung, don't stare at us like that.''
There were 3 shorter kids. Or rather adults. To kyung wu who was only 28. These 3 were just teenagers finishing college.
‘’what are you looking for anyways?’’
The one with the headphones, casual blue hoodie and black jeans, slightly taller than the rest questioned. The teenagers gaze went to the shop kyung wu had been looking at for a bit while. Cars passed by, and a gush of wind ruffled kyung wu's hair, slowly shrugging his shoulders.
‘’just..’’ with a moment of pause. Kyung wu’s lips remained half way through his words. ‘’looking at some clothes.. winter is coming in a few months.’’
They stayed silent, staring at kyung wu for a moment. Before one of them smiled. ‘’what? So you were looking for some clothes?’’ ‘’should’ve invited. We would’ve gotten to spend some of your money on food as well.’’
''haha! should we order chicken or mushrooms?'' ‘’or pineapple. Tuna?’’
''yuck! Mushroom.. you know I'm allergic.''
Kyung wu started to walk along these three, though he didn’t get a word on the sudden matter of grabbing food. He hadn’t mind at all. Distractions with food could use a little bit of work, when his mind is astray from reality, those visions of that creature appear in his eyes. He finally stopped again, making the other 3 stop in there tracks.
‘’there’s a pizza place.’’
Slightly pointing with his finger, their eyes suddenly drawn to the restaurant on the other side, suddenly started running towards that direction.
‘’Race you there losers!’’ they pushed one another, running. The others struggling to catch up to the taller boy, running insults while doing so. ‘’get back here bastard!’’ – ‘’no fair! Stop running so fast!’’ – ‘’oh yeah!? First to reach there gets to order for the rest’’
Any amount of ruckus caused by these 3 would put any parent to shame. They ran, as the traffic lights turned red making cars stop, yet their arguments have yet to stop. Kyung wu still standing very still for a moment, with a blank expression had sighed yet again. Just slowly walking behind watching the 3 teenagers push, run, and argue.
Once they were inside. The older one got to order, while kyung wu paid no mind. They were having bites of pizza along with chosen drinks. Surprisingly light conversation for the 3 that were arguing in the middle of the road earlier.
‘’I still can’t believe you won that.’’ The younger, 17-year-old had complained. He huffed, biting into a pizza himself. Yet the taste was quite delicious, still hot enough with the melted cheese.
The 18-year-old tilted his head, ‘’it wasn’t exactly fair either. He started to run before the challenge had begun.’’
While the oldest one ignored the other two, he looked at kyung wu, who remained out of it. suddenly asking a question in the moment of his silence.
‘’how’s the pizza?’’
''It's good.'' He answered. Yet, his stomach had told other things. Looking at this pizza now, the pizza, cheese itself was stretchy, his mind kept shifting back and forth, as if he was eating blood and meat instead.
‘’are you not ordering drinks hyung?’’
Kyung wu stayed silent for a minute before shaking his head. ‘’no, I’ll have the water.’’ He spoke with a silent tone. Not making much of a noise. Almost seemed bored.
‘’what?? No fun. At least have something better than this.’’ The younger one proceeded. The other two holding their drinks could let out a laugh. ‘’I mean, water is good enough source for hydration. Besides, Hyung doesn’t like sweet drinks.’’
Silently listen to their conversation and interact with them was the only thing he could do, his hand slowly reached for a glass of water beside. Yet only providing a glimpse of his reflection, he stared at the cup, not drinking.
Then those reminders, of those string cheese, stretchy cheese along with meat. he could hear the three of them talking about somethings but his ears weren’t listening for a moment. Dazed completely back into the other world..
''Hey hyung, do you want to order some fries? For extra's.''
Their eyes go to kyung wu, waiting for an answer. But he remained silent, mid drink. ''No, thank you..''
they all quickly nodded and went back to their own conversation. Not wanting to be all bothersome. The tension was still there, even with a nice atmosphere.
''Haha, since hyung doesn't want any fries. I'll take it!''
They were amidst their own conversation while kyung wu suddenly felt like throwing up. He stood up abruptly, stopping their conversation. Their eyes glanced at him ''Hey, what's wrong—''
He left the table area towards the restaurant's bathrooms. The three remained confused. one of them had the concerned face. The pizza on kyung wu's plate was barely Aten. When he had reached the bathroom, entering one of the empty stalls, the surrounding area felt insufferable.
‘’stop.’’ With a clenched his stomach, the feelings in his throat, everything smelled like throw up. Even the smell of toilet water made his stomach churn, turn twisted, his nose flaring up. Teary eyes of holding back his sudden burps finally knelt down before the toilet.
With one hand, holding his stomach and puking it all out. Eyes start to swell up badly, so badly. His stomach hurts extra hard. He felt as if he was going to faint at any given moment right then and there.
Finally, when it stopped, silence falls. He flushed the toilet, with an emptied-out stomach.
With that 10 minute had gone past. In the meanwhile, outside, they had paid money instead of waiting for kyung wu.
''Are you sure he's alright?'' one of them spoke. ‘’it’s been a while. He should be fine right? Probably a bad stomach ache?’’
They were all outside waiting for the figure to walk out. The restaurant was about to close as well. Though they cant help worry, one had to make light of the situation.
''I still can’t believe you chose to pay for the food.'' The middle one chuckled at this.
''right? He was supposing to be the one that had the less money.'' The older retorted before the younger retorted back- ''just because I'm younger than you bitch doesn't mean shit alright??'
''woah there little guy.'' The two chuckled and teased, caressing his head. and the younger couldn't defend himself, though he felt every bit of anger and embarrassment. A good minute had gone by. ''we are supposed to check on Hyung right now. What if he collapsed or something.''
''he should be fine... I think.''
just then, their eyes went to the door that opened. The figure was kyung wu. They sighed out of relief. ''damn, how long were you in there for old man.''
His face remained unreadable. But, then with a soft sigh he decided to call a cab.''ill send you all off..''
They were definitely surprised by the sudden tone. He looked paler then before, as if someone punched his gut. ‘’wait Hyung are you alright??'' the younger questioned. His voice came in quick.
''yeah, tell us what happened.'' Demanding from the older ones.
They were bunch of teenagers who were stupid. Yes but they much cared for him, in their own ways. Since they had held some sort of dearness to him, kyung-gu was like a hero in their eyes. ''.......'' ''it's getting late.'' He didn't respond much.
They didn’t argue. But had concerned out faces. They waited for the cab to arrive by and kyung wu watched them leave before walking away himself.
Chapter Text
Bells rung in his ear. Being fully unconscious he was, in a dream. Sweat curled up his skin and fingers, tasting the lasting food from last night. With every bit of twist and turn, had he found himself unable to wake up.
Eyes staring at his back. He could sense them, each turn with Kyung wu reaching his head. his skin was warm and uncomfortable. Then, suddenly a jolt awakened him.''ugh... not again.''
His own gentle fingers rubbed against his eyes, as with the other hand had he taken the phone. It was a Friday, not like he had work. The apartment was silent except for the ringing alarm from the clock.
once had it been turned off did he finally sigh. though now getting up heading towards the bathroom. The white tiles touched his cold feet, for a moment’s hesitation saw his reflection again. If destroying mirrors was a common thing, every last one of them would be gone..
sweating like hell, first instinct crossed over to grab a towel. He went to shower. Then around in 30 minutes that went by.
Finishing up, wrapping a towel around his waist.
he took his toothbrush, thinking back to last night, from an obvious stand point, kyung wu had seen this creature before. A lot of times actually. It was surprising that it hadn’t left his side, at all. Even after all these years of misery.
Squeezing out toothpaste, placing it on and silently brushing his teeth. He heard a sound, a buzzing sound from outside the bathroom.
It was quite the worst time to have considered to brush his teeth. Now focused on it, he slowly exited the bathroom with the tooth brush in his mouth.
‘’….’’ with a tiring glance, on the bed there was the phone buzzing away silently. The morning had barely begun yet an unknown caller was contacting him. Kyung wu reached for his phone. Feeling those eerie eyes on his back.
However, not reacting to what was behind him but rather what was Infront of him. he had picked up.
‘’hello..?’’
The other line was silent. Right before an unfamiliar voice pitched in. ‘’hello.’’
he slowly raised an eyebrow, staring at the phone for a moment. ‘’and who is this..’’ the question came calm. Right the next second, Kyung wu received an answer back. ‘’why don’t we save the introductions for later?’’ vaguely enough, the strangers voice was also odd. He heard it somewhere before yet all of it felt a little unfamiliar.
‘’I don’t have time for this..’’
‘’eyes.’’
The single word made Kyung wu stop for half a second before continuing on with the phone call. ‘’please call your wife other than a stranger.’’ Finally, pressing the end call button. He lets out a sigh of relief. the unknown person called again. Yet he didn’t answer this time.
As his phone kept lighting up, buzzing, Kyung wu continued back on brushing his teeth. He turned around and went back to the bathroom with a halfhearted gaze. With a single moment, he spat in the sink, wash his mouth and face before heading to pick some new clothes.
Once clothed, once he had laid back down. starving. Yet, he hadn’t felt like leaving his room nor the apartment building. ‘’leave me alone.’’ Silently muttered to the buzzing phone. It kept ringing and ringing yet Kyung wu hadn’t found the energy yet.
For a second almost an entire minute went, the phone finally had stopped in a buzz. Though it was still oddly weird, he picked the phone back up. 25 missed calls from hyun-soo. ‘’…..’’ ‘’great.’’ And a bunch of other missed calls from that unknown number.
Almost a conclusion subtle in his head that these teenagers were the cause of it. however, the voice exactly didn’t match with any of ‘’one of these days they will not see the daylight and question why.’’ He half sarcastically spoke to himself before dialing back the number.
The phone rang, once or twice.
It didn’t pick up. A little conflicted, kyung wu dialed again. Same answer. The calls hadn’t gone through at all. Then looking back, how had this unknown number even called him. could it be some emergency? for a moment, lost in a thought he had stood up.
Exiting out of his apartment room and building, he dialed up the unknown number. Surprisingly it had picked up. ‘’did you notice something was wrong?’’ the voice had instantly spoke up. Yet to the person on the other side’s surprise, kyung wu’s voice remind the same. ‘’about what?’’
‘’about..’’ a little lost for words, the phone was silent but kyung wu was moving. He stepped into the city once exiting the apartment building, with no worries in his eyes. ‘’about?” kyung wu had questioned.
‘’are you so dense?’’ the aggressive tone hit.
‘’why exactly are you calling?’’
‘’you!’’ the person on the other end sounded more less composed and angry now. For a moment in silence before kyung wu heard some laugh. It was like a weird one rather then anything. ‘’if you want these kids safe then I suggest you bring some- ‘’
Mid-sentence he was cut off. ‘’forget it.’’
Yet again, kyung wu cut off the call. He stopped in his tracks and glanced at a mirror. His gaze never met others, gliding over his shoulder, that same creature was right there. ‘’you see them. Huh?.’’ Kyung wu spoke, with a silent rasp in his tone.. ‘’find them.’’
The command, or rather request was silent. Others who walked, held up umbrellas blocking the sun, heading towards their destinations hadn’t noticed anything at all. all the crowded places were full of whispers, and words he couldn’t be bothered to listen to.
In a flash, it was gone from the pane. Whenever he commanded this thing, it always drained his energy. Kyung wu started taking steps to wherever it leads. The creature had been the only resourceful one. He used to hate it long before he had turned the monster into a weapon of his own.
It reappeared, two storefronts down, a smudge of darkness in a jewelry stores mirror. It was leading silently.
He followed, a man seemingly looking like he was wandering without much of a thought or purpose to any of the vending crowd, the office workers, couples, or those who were hurrying home, kyung wu was just another human being. Some random person they didn’t know.
A silent guide through the concrete maze, the creature leads him away from the vibrant main throughfares, down streets where the streetlights only flickered in the broad daylight. It felt a little bit hallow like much himself.
The reflections became fewer. Finally reaching a destination he doesn’t visit at all. the creature only appeared in fragments of a puddle or discarded soda can. Finally, kyung wu’s footing stopped. This morning couldn’t be more troublesome.
He had spent less energy walking and following which he had liked. It was an abandoned place of the city. The creature had long left, its commanded task complete.
There, a van stays. And a fat old man in a suit with a gun and his men. And three of the known teenagers screaming. Their posture spoke of exhaustion yet determination. ‘’there you are..’’
‘’….’’
Suddenly all voices stopped. Their eyes widened, especially the man who had called kyung wu earlier to threaten him for money. He stumbled back a little surprised. Not too confident on how the hell someone could find them.
‘’Hyung!??’’ Hyun-soo looked surprised as the other two.
Kyung wu haven’t made a sound yet, he was still standing far away with a hand in his pocket. This early in the morning, he almost didn’t want to fight. However, the next thing they knew, he was among them.
A moment of blur, his fist shot into their faces like a piston, that snapped to the one on left. The leader amongst them, stumbled back, their faces itched in horror now. The man dropped as easily as a mosquito would on to the dirty puddle water. Yet, his body hadn’t really stopped to consider them a warning yet.
He spun, kicking the legs out from under the one on the right. The crack of bone on concrete echoed, the event lasted a single minute conducted with the detached precision of kyung wu who was swatting flies for a living.
The leader, a lanky man, with a snake tattoo coiling up to his neck was the only one left standing. Like he had seen a ghost appear. Now realizing he had messed with the wrong person.
He seized the man by the throat, with ease before slamming him hard against the van. The impact knocking the wind out of the man’s lungs. He gasped, eyes wide with a fear he never thought. This man was not one to mess with either.
‘’now.. who sent you?’’
The man shuttered, ‘’we.. cannot disclose that information.’’
Kyung wu increased his pressure, it was quite early for this. He thought. It wasn’t enough to choke the man, the enough to make the leaders breath quite desperate, with struggles.
‘’I don’t have time for this.. who sent you..’’
Tears of pain and panic welled to his eyes. Kyung wu almost looked surprised, this man was a real crybaby..
‘’a.. a man.’’ He finally choked out. ‘’paid us. 4500 each. Said to find the three of them.. and that’s all I swear!’’
‘’a description?’’
‘’I never saw his face!’’ the leader whined. ‘’met us in the parking garage, under the old building near the restaurant. he was in a car, wind tinted, gave us cash and an address. That’s only it.’’
It was easier to make these criminals wince and cry hard. Shockingly enough. Kyung wu sighed, holding the leader for a moment and letting go. The man ran away crying to himself.
In a sudden moment, before kyung wu could turn, the three of them came running to him.
‘’that was so cool!’’ – ‘’how did you do that!?’’ their questions were filled to the brim. Hyun-soo, won-ho, do-hun. With their surprised faces. ‘’and why didn’t you pick up my call..’’
‘’are any of you hurt?’’
He didn’t answer their questions Which made them pause in their tracks. Right before the three nodded. ‘’yeah.. we are fine, how did you find us though? That was so quick?? I swear he has some sort of super powers or something. Always knowing where we were.’’
As do-hun went off on about a rant with the other two, Kyung wu still didn’t answer them. He followed along and looked back. It wasn’t so much as an ordinary either. Someone was behind it.
Chapter 3: daybreak
Chapter Text
The ball bounced fast on the ground before slowing down. it rolled over near the bench of someone's foot. In a public basketball court, there was a few people playing. And those were hyun-soo, won-ho and do Hun along with kyung wu.
‘’and then, his speed just zooms in front of the enemies.’’ Won-ho exclaimed like replaying a moment from a super heroes’ movie. ‘’I thought we were done for.’’
‘’he didn’t even shout.’’ Hyun-soo added, mimicking a slow deliberate movement. ‘’just that single glance. The guy with the gun was frozen like he had seen a ghost.’’
Do-hun laughed, a nervous relief, ‘’we owe him big time huh? Yet again, he saves us. He’s always saving us from some kind of trouble. I don’t get how he does it, he’s like a secret agent or something.’’
On the bench, kyung wu listened. The man was 28, almost 30. Always holding a tired calm demeanor in his eyes. He offered a small nod, yet his eyes were distant. The boy’s laughter drowned out the echo of the lead kidnapper’s words. ‘’I never saw his face!’’ ‘’ ‘’met us in the parking garage, under the old building near the restaurant. he was in a car, wind tinted, gave us cash and an address. That’s only it’’
The words coiled in his mind, the cold and sinister men were always luring around the world. Yet coming across one didn’t surprise him either. It wasn’t a random act either. It was clearly targeted. Who? Was the question bugging his mind.
Why these three ordinary students? His gaze swept over to them. Won-ho, the younger one, hyun-soo the observant, do-hun the quiet one. what connected them exactly?
‘’hey, hyung!’’ won-ho’s voice cut through his thoughts. The boy was wiping his brows, grinning. ‘’we’re parched. Can we run to the convenience store across the park? Get some drinks?’’
He silently glanced over the quiet park path, leading to the brightly lid store. ‘’alright’’ kyung wu said. His voice silent. ‘’stay together, and don’t get in trouble like today..’’
He fell into step, following them around until they reached.
The lights of the convenience store hummed a low, steady note. It casted a sterile glow over the rows of sacks and instant meals. Kyung wu lingered a few paces behind the three.
They jostled eachoother by the refrigerated drinks aisle, their laughter loud. And unselfconscious in the quiet space.
‘’kyung-wu-ya, you want anything?’’ hyun-soo called over his shoulder, already pulling a cold can from the shelf.
Kyung-wu shook his head, eyes merely just scanning over the store with a tired gaze. ‘’im alright. Just need cigarettes…’’ the weight of today was a little too much to bear.
As the other three clustered by the coolers, laughing about something on hyun-soo’s phone, kyung wu turned towards the counter. That’s when he briefly paused.
A man, standing perfectly still in the narrow aisles leading to the restrooms. He was dressed entirely black. He wasn’t looking at the shelves, he was simply standing there, facing front. His hands clearly buried in his pockets, yet that stillness made him a void in the bustling place.
Kyung wu stopped. A prickle, not out fear, but he observed him, the intense focus travelling up his spine. Always having that instinct, they steered him in which ways to avoid trouble. He searched for unusual markers, seeing if the man was aggressive, or someone with bad malice but found none.
The mans head turned, in a slow, deliberate motion. His eyes met kyung wu’s. slightly tilting. In that motion, kyung wu almost froze before regaining his composure.
The man’s face was unremarkable, almost mid-thirties, clean-shaven, features arranged in a placid neutrality. but his eyes held a flat, observational quality, yet kyung wu didn’t feel enhanced by the man.
As the man got closer, he felt like a familiar figure was next to him, yet he couldn’t place it with words. ‘’cigarettes?’’
‘’..yes.’’ he muttered. Not know why, it felt like he could take anything he had offered him. The man merely passed a free cigarette to Kyung wu’s hand. What an odd feeling.
‘’looks like they are waiting for you.’’ The whisper came and went.
Kyung wu turned back to see the three waiting for him. yet all with confused faces. ‘’Hyung?’’ won-ho said, Kyung wu turned back to the man. But the man wasn’t there, as if he had just spoken with a ghost. The given cigarette still in his hand.
‘’Hyung!’’ the voice called back again.
Kyung wu stared at the empty space for a moment before turning back around and walking back to them. ‘’…..’’ he silently walked back. An odd meeting he just had with someone he knew.. yet at the same time didn’t.
‘’why were you talking to air??’’ won-ho had question.
It was abrupt, for a moment, he fully paused. He was talking to air.. Kyung wu stayed silent, clutching that cigarette in hand and started walking again. The three teenagers looked at one another, with question marks above their heads. Obviously confused.
The cigarette felt unnaturally heavy in Kyung Wu’s hand, a cold, dense cylinder of contradiction. He had just paid for their drinks and exited out of the convenience store.
He hadn’t been able to explain. How do you describe the solid, calloused grip of a hand that wasn’t there? The rasp of that mans voice echoed in his head like a game.
They hadn’t seen the man either. How could they? Kyung Wu had been talking to air, to the crisp, empty space beside the convenience store’s flickering neon sign. Yet the cigarette was here, real, its paper slightly crumpled from his own tense grip.
He called a cab for them and waved them off.
Finally, alone. The sun moved slowly down. He was still dazed. Mindlessly walking around the city. He couldn't stay home and be curled up on the bed. Something had been bothering him.
Something uncomfortable. As if this half-hearted day would be ruined. But, he had faced it quite many times that he had forgotten how to be human at all.
''haa.. pick up.'' His friend hadn't picked up any of the calls. Jong-soo was probably busy with whatever. He just wanted someone to talk to. The phone went to dial yet again. Unavailable. Again and again, the phone beeped. Finally, with a groan, he stopped. The one person he wanted to talk with was never taking his calls.
Again, then paused. felt the chilling presence of that creature, it felt not in control. Or rather, going in that zone that he hated. The cold slowly turned hellish. He felt sweat drip.The sounds of heartbeat were going out of his chest..
The pale skin. Black pitch eyes bore on his head and skull. He just stood there. ‘’control.. yourself.’’ His energy was draining to a pitch. The sun went fully down. there was barely any light from the sun. he has to run home but, whenever this creature went unstable. He wasn’t sure what would happen.
He slowly took deep breaths. something was breathing down his neck. And a sharp fingernail gently touched his cheek.His head turned to his left, but he found nothing there again. He held out his heart. Closing his eyes, thinking about that pizza from a few days ago. He imagined it as a bloody one.
‘’oh.. dear. What timing is this..’’
He murmured. The weird distortion and blackness over his vision as if blinding him. he wasn't in the right mind.
Kyung-gu shook his head, trying to go back to reality.
''mph..''Slowly, he was slowly stumbling over his foot. He leaned against a poll. Everything was so hazy.''Stop..''He murmured. More sweat drips down from his hands. They were shaking bad. His fingertips felt weak.
''help me..''
Chapter 4: cigarettes after death
Chapter Text
He smelled thick scent of beer, nauseating his mind like a bee hive. Kyung wu leaned against the lamp post, barely containing himself. He looked at the cigarette at hand, remembering back to the figure that gave it, with each breath coming ragged gasps.
It was there again. It was beyond out of control, the creature he could only see. It hovered just behind his shoulder, draining kyung wu’s energy. His nightmares were being fed to this demon every time it had lost its control.
Its formed remained plunged into his back. A deep chill spread from the point of contact for the first time. he could feel itself presence right behind him, his strength was loosed. ‘’go.. back to normal.. please.’’ He could only whisper with a ragged tone in his voice.
Suddenly, kyung wu jolted. A burst of raucous laughter shattered the relative quiet as a group of drunkards spilled out of a nearby bar. Their voices were loud. Slurred, to their own grievance. Strong form of hateful words to their respective work, bosses or ex-wives.
The unfairness of the world.
Just then, one of them pointed their fingers.
‘’hey look! Look at this guy, think he’s part of the streetlight.’’
Their muttered words of their lives stopped. Their gazes turning sharply towards where kyung wu was trying to breath for air. Now, swaggering over, a loose pack of them. Their eyes suddenly glint with a malice intent.
Hurt.
That was it.
Something that they needed to take their frustrations on.
Kyung wu, sensing their hateful glares tried to straighten up, to muster up dignity. After all, he couldn’t just lose a fight to some drunkards.. yet every part of his limb felt sore. Worse then before. His fists curled.
‘’what’s your problem, huh? Too good to talk?’’ a man with a broken nose shoved him, a casual push that sent kyung wu stumbling against the poll.
Another snatched the cigarette off from kyung wu’s hand. ‘’want some change? Here!’’ he flung a handful of coins towards kyung wu’s feet. A smirk appeared on the mans face, lighting up the cigarette.
‘’NO!’’ he almost yelled, trying to take it back. That was not theirs. His hand reached for it, but another shoved him making him stumble back.
The world became a blur of jeering faces and shoving hands. Each push was a seismic ecent for his weakened state.
But something else noticed. That creature, he had noticed, detaching from him. it now hung in air, a few feet away, observing. Its form suddenly gleaming with an anticipation.
A foot hooked behind his ankle, the ground rushed up to meet kyung wu. The hard pavement knocking the last of the wind from his lungs. He lay there, slowly curling up.. coughing. As the kicks began, someone’s feet met with his ribs. Another heel ground to his thigh.
In the corner of his eyes during this torture, there, he saw it. the creature moved from its spot. It now, was walking across the pavement. Sliding silently across the ringleader..
‘’no… don’t. do it.’’ he knew this creature by heart. But, they all felt a little like demons themselves. ‘’get… get away from him..’’ he warned, raising a trembling hand. ‘’its.. behind you.’’ His warning was met with a fresh peal of laughter.
‘’the fuck is he on about?’’ – the one with the broken nose laughed. He delivered yet another kick to the blow. ‘’hes seeing things now’’ --‘’do you think he Is higher then us?’’
They didn’t see. They couldn’t see. How could they? The creature.. or.. rather, demon looking being was standing tall behind him. then.. blank.
---
He woken up, with a migraine that hit. The softness to his body, and the feeling of something wrapped around his arms. The scent of his own apartment, suddenly realizing he was in his own bed. The clock beside the table glowed, 4:15AM.
It felt like a bad dream.. a very bad dream. The air conditioning of his apartment room was turned on.. wearing a clean shirt and sweatpants.. not the clothes he wore earlier. When he sat up quickly, a sharp pain shot through his ribs and face.
He grunted, hands immediately touching where the pain was shotting up through. he blinked finding bandages wrapped around. He touched back his chest, finding more and more bandages around his body. Some places covering around some small rashes.
Feeling tended and cleaned off, surprisingly. His memory was like scattered glass that were yet to Glue back together.
The lamp post, the drunkards, the creature. Or demon.. the broken nose man, and a perfect blank.
‘’how did I end back up here..’’ was the question he muttered out silently.. quickly getting out bed, he headed back to the bathroom, looking at his reflection. There, the man in the mirror was strange. A familiar face he couldn’t remember. Then, his own reflection set back in.
‘’did you.. put me to bed.’’
The question hung in air. Waiting for the creature to appear back. It didn’t. it was the first time since… forever since that same demonic creature and Kyung wu ever had an interaction physically. Even if he were unconscious..
It was something he never understood gradually growing up. This creature tore everything apart. And now was taking care of him. he didn’t feel thankful. At least not yet.. but he was.. surprisingly glad yet.. something felt odd.
He couldn’t place what it was. The silence in the bathroom was absolute, broken by only the soft voice, of kyung wu silently muttering to himself on how this could happen. It didn’t make sense. How can a demonic creature that was only suppose to be in his head even touch him physically?
Something fell out of place. He wasn’t sure what it was.
Then, something paused. He turned his head, upon hearing the doorbell rang. He counted. Once. Twice. It didn’t seem rushed. No not at all.
A single bell that broke his muttering. He walked out from the bathroom, glancing at the clock. 4:20AM now.. 5 minutes passed since then. Time didn’t just slow down for mark. It felt like everything was going too quickly. He couldn’t seem to catch a break.
No one should be here, no one knew he was here. He hadn’t ordered anything either. He moved with deliberate, almost mechanical slowness. Silently padding barefoot across the cold floor, the peepholes showed a distorted, fish eyed view of an empty hallway.
Nobody was around. He slowly unlocked the door, opening it to meet with the hallway. It was deserted. No retreating footsteps, no shadow darting around the corner.. just the oppressive, watching silence that was left there.
A silent shiver ran down his spine. It had nothing to do with the cold. He leaned, looking left and right before closing the door, withdrawing.
That’s when, the lights flashed out.
Not a flicker, not a dimming, one moment the weak light from the small kitchen fixture painted the room in dim light. It was a slight relief, before swallowing the whole apartment in darkness.
‘’hello..?’’ he called silently.
His eyes slowly adjusted, as he kept moving around. Pulling shapes from the void. The faint greyish glow from the city just beyond the curtainless window. He stopped.
A figure right by his bed side.
A perfectly still figure. He recalls that that same stance from before. It was a man. Kyung wu’s bandaged hands hung loose by his sides. He should run, grab something and hit them. Fight, but he couldn’t move. A clarity settled over him.
‘’who..’’
Slowly moving closer. It was that familiar stance he saw. He took step by step, moving forward. The floorboard barely creaked. Just when kyung wu was close enough to his face, he couldn’t see it clearly.. it was like his vision blocked his face.
‘’I know you’’ he whispered. The figure tilted his head slightly, confirming his suspicions. The figures hand touched his shoulder, bringing him a little closer. Now face to face, their breaths merged.
With a blank canvas, he was pushed back against the bed. But suddenly, the world went from dark to light. There was light, sun was already up. The clock strikes 8am.. he hadn’t known what just happened. But it felt like he was still at 4am..
And something small was on his chest. He reached for it..
a cigarette..
Chapter 5: News of the dead
Chapter Text
The morning sun was a pale, watery thing, spilling through the window Kyung Wu had just forced open. Eight o’clock.. with the cigarette in hand. He lit the cigarette, the first sharp drag a familiar anchor in the strange, quiet room. ‘’….’’
His eyes, heavy and unfocused, drifted downward. White bandages. He remembers it well. Or rather half of it. The haze of the bar. The slurred insults that had curdled into shoves. The flash of dozens of foot slamming to his body.
Then, hours ago, that figure in human form was so close. That breath almost touched his face before he was pushed to bed. How it turned 4am to 8am was something he couldn’t explain. Or rather did not want to.
The cigarette burned close to his fingers. He flinched, stubbing it out in a chipped saucer on the windowsill. Breathing silently. He hadn’t found the words to say either. A moment after,
The doorbell rung, a cheerful sound that felt obscene in the heavy silence.
He froze, the cigarette hovering halfway to his lips. The memories of the moments earlier past through his mind. ‘’it couldn’t have..’’ he murmured under his breath. He slowly got closer again, with the cigarette between his fingers.
Muffled voices seeped through the door.
“...no way, man, the news said it was impossible. Like, surgically impossible.”
“Shh! He might be sleeping.”
“…completely flayed, man. Like, completely. The article said the forensic team couldn’t even…”
“Don’t say it, Won-ho. It’s eight in the morning.”
“But that’s just it! They found them at outside of the bar.”
Hyun-soo’s voice, lower, more urgent. “Do-hun’s right. It’s not just some gang thing. The news said the skin was removed with… with precision. Surgical, but not. They said it was like something peeled them open just to see what was inside.”
Kyung Wu recognized them. He stubbed the cigarette out, the action final. With a steadying breath that did nothing to calm the storm inside, he turned the lock and pulled the door open.
“Hey, hyung” Won-ho said, his voice a bit too bright. “We, uh… we saw the news. About those guys. The ones from the other night, down by the bar and we wanted to see if you heard about it too”
Kyung Wu said nothing. He just stood in the doorway, a silent monument wrapped in bandages. What was this? He blinked a couple of times. God only knows what had happened after he lost his consciousness.
“It’s bad,” Hyun-soo whispered. “Really bad. They’re saying it’s the work of a psycho. But the details… they don’t make sense.”
Do-hun jumped in, the words came out silent. “Yeah, it’s messed up. The report this morning… they said the men were found. But not like, found found. They said…” he lowered his voice to a theatrical whisper, “they were flayed. Like, all of it. Skin. Gone. The cops are saying it’s some kind of… of ritual thing. Or a wild animal, but what animal does that?”
‘’.…’’
Hyun-soo finally looked up, his gaze sharp and intelligent, landing not on Kyung Wu’s face, but on the edge of a bandage peeking out from his shirt cuff. “They were asking around the city,” Hyun-soo said quietly. “Asking if anyone saw anything. Heard anything. Those men… and, what happened with you?’’
The question hung in the air, charged and dangerous. The casual, nervous discussion wasn’t casual at all. It was an interrogation wrapped in anxiety. They weren’t just sharing gossip. they were connecting dots.
Won-ho’s eyes widened further. “Did you… happen to be there? After we… you know, after we left home?”
‘’no.’’ he shook his head. the question initially denied at first. He had thought the creature.. or rather demon was his secret, his alone. But the demon had left a calling card, a masterpiece of carnage for the entire city to see. And now, these three boys were standing there, by his apartment door. “I didn’t see a thing. I must have passed out. Woke up sore, that’s all.”
But as the boys nodded, half-convinced, half-disappointed, and began to murmur about police and theories, Kyung Wu knew.. now it has left its mark in the physical world.
Kyung Wu looked past them, down the empty hallway. For a fleeting second, he thought he saw a deeper patch of darkness ripple in the corner by the fire extinguisher—a shape that was almost human. There he was, again.
The demon wasn’t just a memory. It was a promise. And its work, it seemed, had attracted attention.
He needed to distract them a little. It would be unusal of him to speak so more than a few sentences. "Forget the news. It’ll just ruin your appetite. Weren’t you complaining about that group project for Professor Kim’s class? The one on urban economic decay?"
Do-hun blinked, thrown by the sudden academic pivot. "Uh, yeah. The data sets are a nightmare."
"And you," Kyung Wu said, pointing a bandaged finger at Hyun-soo. "Didn’t you have that calculus exam today you were sweating about?"
‘’wait, how did you-‘’
‘’I pay attention," Kyung Wu interrupted. "Look, if you need a lift to campus or to your cram school, I can call for a cab..’’
The offer hung in the air, a lifeline of mundane normalcy. The horrific image of flayed men receded, momentarily replaced by the practical concerns of student life. They nodded, murmuring thanks, the tension in their shoulders easing slightly.
As they began chatting about their schedules, Kyung Wu listened with half an ear. His other senses were stretched, tuned to the quiet of his apartment behind him. The morning sun streamed through the window, illuminating dancing motes of dust.
Yet, in the corner of his vision, where the sunlight didn’t quite reach the gap between his wardrobe and the wall, the darkness seemed deeper, thicker. It didn’t move. It just was.
He had changed the topic. He had provided a lift. He had performed the role of the reliable hyung. But as he closed the door on their departing backs. He sighed, finally.
The demon had cleaned up the loose ends outside tbe bar. It had a human form only he could see.. The bandages around his body felt less like protection. He didn’t know why..
The hunt in the shadows was over. Now, something far more patient had begun. It was just waiting for him to be alone. Yet, something tugged him, he didn’t feel afraid, And in a city of ten million, Kyung Wu had never felt more utterly, terribly alone.
Chapter 6: stranger
Chapter Text
The air in the park at 3am was a different substance. Cool and silent. The only lights came from the distant street lights that casted long, shadows of the three and their skateboards onto the pavement.
‘’I cant believe him..’’ he groaned. Finding discomfort, ‘’my father is such an.. asshole.’’ Do-hun looked merely annoyed.
Hyun-soo cracked open yet another small soda can, the hiss unnaturally loud in the silence. do-Hun took a long sip, the sweetness wasn’t refreshing their minds. None of it was. ‘’my old man is the same..’’ he would say with bitterness.
‘’he came home last night, reeking of soju and regret. Absolute regret. Again. It’s always again.’’ ‘’hah.. can you believe it, he tried to give me, ‘’life lessons’’ as if I’m some sort of idiot. The only thing he’s an expert is emptying bottles.’’
Won-ho had heard it all from these two. ‘’my dad just ghosts.. a ghost who leaves IOUs from load sharks as housewarming gifts. Moms hiding another in her recipe book. Thinking I don’t see through it.’’
Hyun-soo didn’t speak first. At first, he just stared at the can in his hands, now slowly denting from his grip with a slight frustration. ‘’gambling..’’ he finally said. The word was out flat. ‘’the house is so quiet when he’s wining. Like knowing a stupid storm would come when he loses..’’
This was their way of venting out frustrations. Talking in parks at late hours and looking at the sky, where stars were. Their only solidarity, however, was built on hatred. An execption being, kyung wu.
The man, they knew. He was always at the verge of something. Worked in a office with his tired-out life. They knew him as someone that had his own personal battles he shared with almost no one. always saved them, always fed them, always offered a lift when they had nothing.
The conversation always 360’d back to that man.
‘’Hyung has texted.’’ Do-hun said breaking their silence. ‘’he asked if we eaten anything. Sent me a link to that coding tutorial I mentioned.’’
‘’oh yeah. And that time when he saved us.. from those criminals. I am still not sure how he managed to find us. But I’m glad he did.’’ Won-ho spoke. They never questioned it. since their superman was always him.
In their little bubble that was heated, now calmed. Whenever he was mentioned, it was like their worlds always manage to stay still.
‘’still.. I wonder what those people wanted from us.’’ Hyun-soo said pondering.
Do-hun waved it off, merely not thinking about that. ‘’it’s just nothing. Probably just some broke people that wanted money. Still, he has cooler moves then my parents ever did. Did you see that awesome ass kick.’’
A small abrupt laughter reached their voices.
"Someday, I might lose my mind like hyung."
Do-hun nodded with agreement, Soo-hyun was right. They were definitely going to lose it as well. He was bandaging his fingers. Sitting on the small painted ground.
Won-ho saw a small rock, picking it up, he threw it. The rock bounced on the ground a few times before it stopped. Not near a object.
But a figure.
A low, grunt echoed.
All three of them froze. a man was standing there, half hidden away in the deep shadows. His focus away from them. He was dressed in dark black clothing. Someone they had barely recognized, and in the dead of 3am.. this was quite unsafe.
‘’move.. now.’’ Won-ho quickly spoke. He acted on pure instinct, he grabbed both of their wrists and yanked them towards some azalea bushes around the park. They all crouched down. slightly scared but curious. Why was there a man here?
Was it perhaps he was too wandering around or was he some weird guy who seemed to be walking around with malice intent?
The man didn’t seem all that offended however. He didn’t run after them or approached. He had a simple glance at them, noticing their hidden figures. Yet the three of them thought they were well hidden.
He hummed, walking away.
Finally, once the man was out of sight. Won-ho stood up first.. ‘’what the.. hell was that?’’ he questioned. ‘’and who was it?’’
The other two stayed silent for a minute, still with a wary glance checking if the man came back with a weapon or not. Once he didn’t. they slightly relaxed and glance back, Hyun-soo spoke, ‘’I don’t know.. why do we always run into some form off trouble without Hyung monitoring us for a second.’’
''should we follow him?''
''No way! Are you a crazy person? What if we died huh??''
Soo-hyun was logical while... do-hun wanted to explore a mystery. And won-ho definitely didn't want to be a part of it either..
''that's a bad idea..'' Won-ho stared at do-hun.
Hyun-soo checked his phone, the time struck around 4am, crickets were a bit louder around this while. He sighed and rubbed his head. ‘’maybe we should go back home?’’
It was tense minute of silence, just as they were about to turn and grab their boards, a sound echoed from the alley beside the parks maintenance shed.
All three of them suddenly jumped, won-ho the scariest of them all went behind do-hun and hyun-soo. They both stood in a protective stance when a beam of light crossed.
It swept over the cracked pavement before settling on their faces. Facing this, they saw the figure holding the flashlight, all squeezing their eyes and raising them to block it.
The voice was warm and familiar, surprising them.
‘’jong-Soo seonsaegnim!’’ won-ho exhaled. The tension drained out like water. ‘’you scared us half to death!’’
Jong-soo, surprised yet chuckled seeing that it was just these teenagers. ‘’what should scare you? And why are you three here four in the morning?’’ ‘’the cities curfew for minors isn’t a suggestion you know?’’ his tone gentle.
‘’well..’’ none of them could give an answer..
Won-ho looked back, the actual stranger was gone out of sight. It did bother him. Jong-soo raised an eyebrow. ''sneaking out at 3 am here?. Ill have to call your parents to pick you up—''
''NO!!!''
The yelled in unison, jong-soo almost backed up surprised. Won-ho, soo-hyun and do-hun all had a defiance in their eyes. Almost like the 3 of them were going to jump him. ''alright, alright... I won't call them.'' He placed his hands up in defeat.
‘’just.. send us to kyung wu.’’ Won-ho spoke.
‘’kyung wu? At this hour?’’ almost questioning this request. ‘’I guess I can try to reach him. but if I can’t, you will all go home and ill let you all off the hook just this once.’’ It was a gentle warning for them.
Yet he couldn’t help but worry. Typically, teenagers like this act quite grown since they were almost reaching to adulthood. Not a surprise by the defiance to not return home.