Our Secret (A MingPha Story)

29. The Protector

An injured figure stumbled against the door, and his bloodied hand clutching a wound on his stomach. He had underestimated that traitor and his cunningness. Thankfully he is able to protect the person that matters most to him. 

He hopes the rest are alerted and searching for him. After a minute, he struggles to get up. He still has another mission: to free Tommy. He pushes all his might and opens the door to the hallway. Blood trickles down his leg. His vision blurs. Yet he will not give up. 

He pauses in front of the entrance and looks back, noticing the trail of blood he left. He knows that Korn will eventually find him and the others. He knows how strong the team is to protect and defend. He will be their messenger. 

Entering the room, he sees the looks of astonishment from everyone before their stares turn to his wound. He grimaces in pain and staggers to the side, putting his thumbprint in the device. Immediately, the glass walls slide open for everyone to gather together. He pulls out a penknife and frees Tommy from the ropes. Succumbing to his pain, he collapses onto the ground; breathing heavily. 

Tommy breaks free from the chair and dashes towards the injured man. He sees the crimson-soaked shirt and lifts it, examining the wound. He looks to the rest for help. 

"Beam? Help? He got shot in his stomach." 

Hearing Tommy, Beam goes closer to the breathing man and leans down. He presses down on the stomach and hears groans. He glances back at the group. 

"Phana, a bleeding haemorrhage. Is there something we can do without surgery?" 

Phana blinks and goes towards Beam. Ming frowns and follows Phana, not wanting to be separated from him. 

"We need to stop the bleeding. Jay... How much blood have you lost? Can you give an estimation?" Phana asks. 

"Doesn't matter. My mission is done. Just let me rest," Jay shrugs. He does not need help. 

"I have thread and needle. Can you manage or do you need me to sew it up?" Earth walks over and offers. 

Phana nods at Earth and accepts the items. "Don't be stupid, Jay. You're not done with your life." Beam works on stopping the leakage while Phana moves his delicate fingers with the needle and thread. Earth tears off his sleeve and rolls it up before pushing it between Jay's teeth. 

"It's gonna sting. Bite on this," Earth says. Jay obediently follows and grits his teeth when Phana stitches him up. Despite wanting to help, Wayo turns away to avoid hurling out his guts at the sight of skin sewing. Everyone else looks on nonchalantly, listening to Earth's advice as the expert. 

Amidst a heart-pounding gut-flinching moment, the door abruptly opens just as Jay faints due to extreme pain. Everyone startles at the sight of an intruder barging in. 

Korn is here. 

His sharp beady eyes light up in delight as he notices Phana crouching on the ground. His smirk widens the moment Phana casts a fearful look. His hateful gesture results in Phana dropping the needle. That is quickly observed by Beam and Ming. 

Ming ignores his pain and pushes his way in front of Phana, shielding him from Korn while casting a hateful gaze. Beam nudges Forth who notices the change of atmosphere with Park. They are both ready to attack. Lam is beside Phana, ready to defend. 

"Well well well, seems like I'm late for the party," Korn snorts at the protective gang shooting daggers at him. "Such a shame I didn't get to taste Phana's delicious hole like the rest." 

Ming growls and steps forward, Phana catches his arm and pulls him back. "Don't." Phana pleads. Ming stops but Kaownah does not. He fidgets with a coin in his pocket. Aiming for the best pain, he pulls back on a self-made sling with his belt. Releasing the coin, the spiral object smacks hard on Korn's middle crotch.