|Philophobia| N.C.T 2020

1 . 1

Wang Jiyeong is not a hero. No matter what people say, and no matter what her name means, she is not a hero. She sees herself as the exact opposite of a hero.

The girl has made some decisions in her life, that most people would say are bad, but she has deemed them necessary to her survival.

The biggest one being that she was a member of a gang.

I know, cliché, right?

Jiyeong never wanted to be cliché, and given her life story, she decided she was going to take charge of her life, needing to protect herself and make a name for herself, she joined the gang.

Maybe I am cliché

"Stop scowling, noona."

Jiyeong glanced over her shoulder, to the tall boy with dark brown hair watching her with a mischievous smirk.

"Make me, Sungchan." She said, scowling at him.

The boy's face screwed up in a look of contemplation, then he shook his head. "No thanks. I'm good."

"You do know where we're going, right noona?" Jiyeong looked to the other side, where another boy, this one with black hair, was watching her with a curious expression.

Jiyeong's scowl faded into a soft smile, and the girl nodded. "We're almost there, Shotaro. Minjun scouted and said this place was safe. No police activity in a while."

"Are we going to cause some?" Sungchan asked, the mischievous look returning to his face.

Jiyeong scoffed. "Chanie, the whole point of finding this new location, is that we don't want to be caught."

"Is that a yes or a no?"

Shotaro laughed, and Jiyeong looked between the two boys with fond eyes, they were like little brothers to her, and she would do anything to protect them. She had brought them into the gang, hoping that they could be protected if they were all together.

Jiyeong's gaze went from the boys to her surroundings, the dark, dirty streets, and the flickering street lights that cast shadows over the ground, only increasing Jiyeong's anxiety and paranoia. What if someone was hiding behind that trash can, waiting to attack? What if they were waiting in that window, or on the roof, with a sniper rifle, just itching to take a shot?

Thankfully, the shadows were empty as they passed the garbage can, and no bullets whizzed down to meet them.

Her eyes scanned the walls of the buildings, seeing the spray-painted graffiti, marked by fools, practically begging to be caught.

I will never be that stupid. Jiyeong thought, scoffing. To just leave a signature, is like asking for the police to find you.

"Are we there yet?" Shotaro asked, in a mockingly whiny voice. Sungchan glared over at him, and the Japanese boy gave a sheepish smile. "Sorry."

"Never say that again, Taro." Sungchan said sternly. "You are not a child."

"Says the one younger than him." Jiyeong teased.

Jiyeong turned down an ally, the boys following her. She stopped before a locked door, crowded on either side by pallets, boxes, and other trash, and knocked on the door.

"Password." A male voice said dramatically.

Jiyeong rolled her eyes. "Open the fucking door." She snapped.

There was a pause, during which, Sungchan coughed something that sounded like, "Nerd." and then, there was a clang, and the heavy metal door opened, revealing a smirking boy.

"Jiyeong! Nice of you to join us!" The boy said. "Welcome to my humble abode." He threw an arm out towards the inside of the building, gesturing for them to come inside.

At least, that's what Jiyeong took it as.

She and the boys went inside the building, and almost instantly, Jiyeong's top lip curled in an expression of disgust.

"Minjun, what the fuck." She said, eyes taking in the room.

The walls were brick, with paint barely clinging to the surface, and there was plaster, metal and wiring hanging from the ceiling in a way that could not be safe. The stench was another thing to behold. The room smelled like mold, mildew, rot, and urine.

"I think I'm gonna throw up." Sungchan remarked.

"Oh no," Shotaro said sadly. "Then I'm next."

Jiyeong took a breath, and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Please, please do not throw up."

"Just because you said that," Sungchan deadpanned. "Challenge accepted."

Give me strength. Jiyeong begged, looking at the ceiling, then she turned and glared at Sungchan, who was innocently smiling back at her. "If you throw up, I will make you clean this entire building. By yourself."

The boy's smile fell into a frown, and Minjun began laughing. After a few seconds of the boy laughing, Jiyeong smiled at Sungchan. "Let's go upstairs and meet the others."