Don't run away from me

ch. 37

// Joshua;

The flight felt like an eternity, each passing minute stretching out into an agonizing eternity. Joshua's thoughts were a jumble of regret, fear, and determination. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was walking into a trap, but he had no choice. He had to face his past, confront the debts left behind by his father, and protect Seokmin at all costs.

As the plane touched down in a foreign land, Joshua's heart raced with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. He had received an address from Aunt Isabelle, a rundown building in a dilapidated part of town. It seemed like the perfect setting for a clandestine meeting, a place where secrets festered and darkness thrived.

Joshua hailed a taxi and gave the driver the address. The journey through the city was a blur of unfamiliar sights and sounds. The buildings grew taller and more imposing, the streets narrower and more crowded. The air was heavy with the scent of desperation and decay.

When the taxi finally came to a stop in front of the designated building, Joshua's heart sank. It was even more dilapidated than he had imagined, a crumbling relic of a forgotten era. Graffiti covered the walls, and broken windows stared back at him like empty eye sockets. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the taxi, his resolve strengthening with each passing moment.

As Joshua approached the entrance, he noticed a figure lurking in the shadows. It was Aunt Isabelle, her features obscured by darkness. She stepped forward, revealing a face that bore a striking resemblance to his father's. The sight sent a shiver down Joshua's spine, but he refused to let fear consume him.

"Joshua," Aunt Isabelle's voice was cold and devoid of emotion. "I see you've made it."

"What do you want from me?" Joshua's voice trembled, a mixture of anger and desperation. "Why did you bring me here?"

Aunt Isabelle's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Your father left behind a mountain of debt, Joshua. And now, it's time for you to pay."

Joshua's heart sank. He had suspected as much, but hearing it confirmed sent a wave of despair crashing over him. He had hoped that his father's past would remain buried, that he could escape the darkness that had plagued his family. But it seemed that fate had other plans.

"I don't have the money," Joshua's voice was barely a whisper, but his words carried the weight of his desperation. "I can't pay off his debts."

Aunt Isabelle's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Oh, I know you can't. That's why I have another proposition for you."

Joshua's heart pounded in his chest as he listened to Aunt Isabelle's words. She offered him a way out, a chance to erase his father's debts and protect Seokmin. But it came at a price. A dangerous mission that would put his life on the line.

As Joshua weighed his options, he couldn't help but think of Seokmin. The thought of leaving him behind, of subjecting him to the pain and uncertainty that awaited him, tore at Joshua's soul. But he knew that if he didn't accept Aunt Isabelle's proposition, Seokmin would be in even greater danger.

With a heavy heart and a determination born out of love, Joshua made his decision. He would embark on this treacherous mission, face the demons of his past, and protect Seokmin at all costs. The road ahead would be filled with danger and uncertainty, but Joshua was willing to sacrifice everything for the person he loved.

As he stepped into the darkness, Joshua's resolve hardened. He would confront his past, unravel the secrets that had haunted him for so long, and emerge stronger than ever. And with each step he took, he whispered a silent promise to Seokmin, vowing to return to him, no matter the cost.