Frozen Rose (Langa x reader)

Chapter 24

(Y/n)'s POV

Tension hung high in the air. Minuscule beads of sweat dotted my brow. A stoic expression crossed my face. With my skateboard in hand, I stalked towards the group of gangsters with Jun barely conscious.

I stopped a few metres away, eyeing the leader. A smirk overtook his features once setting his gaze on my figure. The air was cold and clammy, only fuelling the shivers in my blood. My lips curved into a sickening sweet smile as an older man growled at me.

The abandoned factory was nothing short of horror-inducing material. Rustic hooks and broken cords tangled in an unhappy couple's embrace, boxes and crates left in hazardous areas and randomised orders.

"Let him go."
"Your uncle sure gave my son a run for his money. It's only fair I do the same to his niece. I hope he'll have fun watching," exclaimed the leader.
"Listen, I couldn't care less about your son. He probably did something to ignite my uncle's wrath. I came here to take my friend back, that's all."
"Oh yeah? He's not leaving till we have some fun with you. Get at it, boys."

Jun's eyes fluttered open, his gaze frantic and his voice struggling to project through the rough gag once he noticed me standing alone. A cheeky grin graced my face as I leant down, ready to beat the life out of these ruffians for hurting my friend.

They came charging in with bats and knives, all of which I swiftly avoided. Sliding along on my skateboard, dealing counterattacks and quick jabs became easier and much more fun.

The doors of the factory suddenly opened with a loud, rusty creak. Joe and Cherry stood just outside, with the former cocking a smirk. Just beyond them were skaters practicing moves and challenging one another to a simple race.

"What is the meaning of this?!" the leader yelled.
"Oh, Rose! Fancy seeing you here. I thought you weren't coming to S tonight," Joe exclaimed.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"Are you having a showdown with these gangsters? Mind if we kick them out? The crowds are getting restless. Tonight's S is a special event after all," added Cherry.

Shouts rose all around. People noticed us. They were flooding the area like a tsunami drenching a city.

"Oi guys! It's Rose! Cherry was right! This event is awesome!"
"All we have to do is beat those guys threatening Rose, right? Bring it on!"
"No way am I letting you beat me! I'm getting that reward!"

The leader's face bloated with anger, hot and seething. His body trembled in ferocity, his teeth gnashing as he took in the chaos. His eyes slid towards Jun, the knife in his hand inching to his throat.

I hurriedly kicked a dagger out of his subordinate's hand and threw it at his own. The short blade sliced skin and dug into flesh, an ear-piercing scream reverberating across the building.

"(Y/n), go!" Joe yelled.

Without wasting another second, I was sprinting down the hall. My foot came into contact with his jaw as I did a roundhouse kick. He immediately attacked back with swift punches, some I dodged whilst others I blocked.

He suddenly pulled out a gun. My body trembled as he pointed it towards Jun. I dove in front of him, hugging my friend and squeezing my eyes shut. All I heard was the thump of a body.

"He's out. So much for being a so-called leader," said Cherry.
"Yo Rose, we got it. He'll be patched right up," exclaimed a fellow skater.
"Oh, yeah. Thanks."

I let go of Jun, allowing them to treat him. A bullet pierced the ground right in between my feet. My body froze. My breathing quickened. Cherry hurriedly pushed me out of harm's way as another one grazed the area I had just been standing.

"(Y/n), we need to take out that sniper. Can you shoot?" Cherry questioned.
"No- I mean, yes- no, I can't. I..."
"Your uncle must've taught you. (Y/n)."

I shakily picked up the rifle strapped to the unconscious leader's back. Memories, nightmares, from that time drowned my mind as I took aim, catching the glint of their sniper rifle on one of the high ledges.

Jun was by my side within seconds, smoothing out my shivers as he placed his hands over mine. He pulled the trigger, the bullet hitting its target in the leg. People were there to catch the falling gang member before I dropped the gun as if it were made of fire.

"Langa! Get to (Y/n)!" Reki yelled as he brawled with a short man.

Langa knelt down in front of me, taking in my traumatised state. I was soon in the safe cocoon of his strong arms as he made his way towards the exit. My fingers were shaking, I still had trouble breathing.

Once we were outside with me tucked safely against his chest, he took a seat against the wall of the building. He made no move to let me go, and neither did I bother to leave his arms.

"You're scared of guns," he stated.

I simply nodded as a reply.

"I um don't know how to comfort you like Reki does."
"...I fired that gun, Langa," I whispered.
"You had to."
"Then was my brother's death inevitable? Was he meant to die then?"

Hot, angry tears brimmed my eyes. I had said too much. I hadn't wanted to bother him with my past. I hadn't wanted him to know. Why was I so weak? Why couldn't I be strong like everyone else?...

"You can cry," he said softly.
"I won't."

He pulled me in tighter, the warmth from his embrace setting off the tears. Subconsciously burying my face against his neck, I let a few fall, clenching my fists in anger and sorrow. How could he do this? How could he make my weakness seem as nothing more than a bare scratch?

His body stiffened as if he didn't know how to react. I felt his arms loosen as he grew accustomed to holding me but that did not last long. The doors burst open before I was up with not a single ounce of sorrow on my face.

"Yo Rose, better prepare yourself," warned Shadow.
"For what?"
"The reward Cherry mentioned for beating up those gangsters using skateboarding tricks..."
"He only brought in people who'd be interested because he didn't want a lot of people to get hurt...but the reward...it's a kiss from you," Miya exclaimed.