Runaway

Chapter 8: Sacrifice

"No Taeyong! You must put the salt while it's boiling!"

And yes. This was a regular day in Johnny's mansion.
From the kidnapping till now, two weeks later Taeyong has been living there.
The media had spread his disappearance all around the world.
However, the police didn't get involved.
How did Johnny know?

He had his ways.
He was really stressed but at least for now they were all safe as long as there weren't any investigations about Taeyong.

In the meantime he had to think of a plan and of course gain the boys trust.

He noticed that he was all in all a quiet person. The first and last time he heard the boy's voice actually being loud was the night of the kidnapping.
He never spoke too much only allowing some words from time to time escape his mouth.

Johnny swore he seemed like another person.
Not that he knew Taeyong, but from his time on collecting information about him and while watching him on his daily life, he seemed quiet of course, but- he had confidence and he would spoke up about things that would annoy him.

This now, wasn't the case. And Johnny had tested it.
He spilled hot coffee on Taeyong's shirt one day when they were eating breakfast altogether and Taeyong-
he said he is sorry for being beside him and for spilling his coffee when Johnny was the one who did and on purpose.

Two days later, Taeyong was walking from the basement where his bed was placed to the living room to read one of the books he found in the library and Johnny pushed him 'by mistake' and he fell to the floor.

Taeyong got up quickly and apologized to him for pushing him.

Johnny was furious with Taeyong's behavior. How much patience did this kid have!?
How could he apologize so easily when it wasn't even his fault?

What made Johnny more mad was the fact that Taeyong, not only didn't he try to stand up for himself and apologized for stuff he was involved in, even when he was not at wrong, he said sorry about everything.

Doyoung would comment about the house being messy or dirty and Taeyong would randomly say he's sorry and that he'll clean up, and he did.

Once one of Jeno's video games were found destroyed and Jeno knew who was behind the vicious action, still Taeyong took the blame and promised him to buy him a new one. So when Jeno found two more thousand dollars in his bank account it was no surprise.

Johnny seemed to be so mad with the new boy yet deep inside he was questioning all of these actions and felt sad for the pink haired figure.

This morning though, Johnny have had enough.

They all ate breakfast and then Johnny with some of the others got out for business while others stayed behind and relaxed, either in one of their pools or by doing different activities they preferred. As much Taeyong wanted to join Ten,Yuta and Haechan in the pool he knew he couldn't, because of his scars, so he made his way to the living room on the second floor and watched cartoons till almost lunchtime as he heard the front door opening and Felix screaming.

Taeyong run towards the kitchen when he saw the furious figure of Felix scolding Doyoung while Johnny and Jaehyun watched.

"Hyung! I told you to clean up! How am I supposed to cook in there? I went out for a while and left you one job to do!"

Taeyong knew he had to merge in.

"Felix... it wasn’t Doyoung's fault. It was mine I promised him to wash the dishes and-"

"What-"

Doyoung seemed confused and tried to talk but Taeyong of course didn't let him do it.

"And tidy up but I forgot because I was watching tv.
I promise you, when you'll be out of the shower I'll be done. I'm really sorry. I'll make it work don't be mad and nervous-"

"Enough!"

Johnny's shout was heard and Taeyong right there flinched his legs almost giving up on him, his hands suddenly shaking.

"You two. It was a mistake, work it out and tidy up. We will order something for lunch. You, Lee come with me right now."

Johnny furiously said and grabbed Taeyong's arm dragging him in his office.

"J- Johnny- did I do something w-wrong? I'm sorry-"

"No! Stop it. Shut up. I keep watching you Taeyong. I've tested your patience so many times and each one of them you keep making me mad."

"I- I'm sorry I didn't-"

"No! You keep apologizing about everything when it's not even your fault! You take the blame for everything! You are just pretending to be such a nice sweet boy and- what the heck? I don't believe this! Okay? I don't. "

"Y-you don't believe what-"

"Your patience, your kindness, your whole personality. What's the catch Lee? What the fuck is wrong with you?"

"Th- there's no- no catch. I'm sorry-"

"Don't keep apologizing!"

Johnny shouted and Taeyong closed tight his eyes.
He felt so small. He didn't want to. No, this wasn't right.

"Don't play the sweet little boy! Who are you Lee? Why the fuck do you behave like this?"

Johnny with each phrase moved a step closer to Taeyong, till Taeyong's knees buckled up and his body fell to the floor while he shook like a leaf getting blown by winter air and his hands covered his ears as if the noises were poisoning his soul.

"P-please not again. I'm sorry, I won't speak up again. I'm sorry. Please don't hurt her. I'll take it too. Beat me please... don't- not- please- I'm sorry. It's my fault don't hurt her. I'll keep my mouth shut. I'll be a good boy."

Johnny was taken aback by Taeyong's breakdown and the incoherent words that seemed to fly out of his dry lips while tears created rivers on his cheeks.

"I- I'm sorry- i- I won't do it- I'm sorry- I'll be better- please don't hit them- please f-fath-"

Taeyong's eyes rolled to the back of his head.
Johnny only then noticed the state Taeyong was in, he had a panic attack and Johnny didn't even help him.
He picked up the said boy feeling guilty for pushing him off the edge and went towards his room ignoring the gasps from the others.
He noticed how thin the boy was and felt his bones poking his skin. He noticed the dark circles covering the half of his face.

He was sad. Sad and scared about Taeyong because if his gut was right- the last word would be father and his guilt was eating him up. Not only because of the way that Johnny imagined Taeyong was treated but also for his plan.

But it would only work this way... even if it meant for someone to be sacrificed