breathe # minsung

56

As the sun cast its gentle rays on a fateful Sunday, Felix found himself ensnared in a nightmarish predicament. The day began like any other, with him venturing out to retrieve his mail, a seemingly mundane task that would soon unravel his sense of security. Amidst the stack of envelopes and flyers, an inconspicuous orange packet lay in wait.

Curiosity mingled with trepidation as Felix gingerly tore open the packet, unwittingly unleashing a torrent of turmoil. Photographs spilled into his trembling hands, freezing his heart in an icy grip. There, captured in haunting clarity, were stolen moments of intimacy—a kiss shared with Minho, a connection never meant for prying eyes, now laid bare through his own windows.

The pictures inflicted a visceral blow, a surge of worry and fear that threatened to consume Felix. But the visual assault was only the beginning, for the accompanying letter struck a more sinister chord. Its words, etched like poison, painted a grim reality before him.

"You'll stay away from Chan and keep Minho away from Jisung or these pictures will be posted publicly. If you fail to follow my orders, your house holds the same fate as Minho's, and your life will become Hell. I know everything about you, even the things you didn't think anyone knew, including how you had to work as a sex worker before your current job, Lee Yongbok Felix."

Dread settled in, a heavy fog that clouded his thoughts. The weight of the threat bore down on him, leaving him with a chilling awareness—he was ensnared in a malevolent web, his autonomy stripped away by an unknown puppeteer who reveled in their power.

In the face of this unrelenting danger, Felix's mind raced, weaving a tapestry of desperate strategies. Determination flared within him, a resolute promise to safeguard their shared image at any cost. He vowed to concoct elaborate excuses, to concoct a façade that would shield Minho and himself from 3Racha's orbit, no matter how fragile the charade might become.

Yet, the fear remained, a constant reminder that their tormentor was an omnipresent shadow, poised to strike at their vulnerabilities. It was a fear Felix could now empathize with, understanding the weight of secrets that Minho had carried in silence, a burden shared and amplified.

Turning to potential sources of aid, Felix wrestled with a torturous dilemma. He shrank from the thought of burdening the elder members, acutely aware of their already heavy responsibilities. A pang of guilt accompanied the idea of confiding in them, a conviction that their hardships should not be compounded by his own troubles.

Yet, the alternative held its own set of complexities. Sharing his ordeal with close friends seemed an insurmountable task, laden with embarrassment and apprehension. The compromising photographs were a source of shame, and Felix could not bear the thought of casting a shadow over the carefree lives of those he held dear.

Caught between the devil and the deep sea, Felix grappled with his final, precarious option—placing his faith in the hands of the authorities. The decision carried uncertainty, a gamble in which his safety and Minho's hung in the balance. Would the system provide the protection they so desperately needed, or would they be left to fend for themselves, abandoned to navigate the stormy waters of their own destiny?

As the day unfolded, Felix was thrust into an agonizing battle of choices, each one laden with consequence and heartache. The path ahead remained shrouded in darkness, a maze of uncertainty, and Felix could only hope that his resilience and determination would guide him through the tempest that raged before him.

Before embarking on his journey to the police station, Felix's heart was laden with a mix of determination and unease. His first priority was Minho's well-being, a steadfast commitment that led him to assist his friend in packing his meager belongings. Together, they navigated the emotional process, meticulously selecting the items that would accompany Minho on his new path. The weight of uncertainty hung in the air, a tangible reminder of the ordeal they were grappling with.