Horizon | C.JH , K.YS | rewrite

{1}

In the dim light of the grocery store, Yeosang glanced down at his trembling hands, his eyes flickering shut in a desperate bid to ward off the encroaching exhaustion. A weary sigh slipped from his lips, a testament to the toll his fatigue had taken. Severely dehydrated and barely able to keep his eyes open, he knew he had just one more hour to endure until the end of his shift.

In the cramped confines of the neighbourhood grocery store, Yeosang felt the weight of his unravelling existence press down upon him. With a heavyhearted sigh, he glanced down at his bandaged forearm, the physical pain subsided but the emotional scars still raw and throbbing with each memory that surfaced, and then the resurfacing urge to do it again. Could he ever hope for a semblance of normalcy in his shattered life? The tragic loss of his parents in a fatal car crash at sixteen, leaving him bereft and destitute under his grandmother's care, marked the beginning of his downward spiral. Their absence left him with nothing—no financial security, no familial sanctuary. Now, to add to his turmoil, his 'boyfriend' subjected him to cruel punishment for the slightest transgressions.

In the genesis of their relationship, Minwoo appeared as an ordinary individual, yet the tides shifted irreversibly when unemployment and the allure of gambling seized him nearly two years prior. The descent into chaos accelerated when his frustrations found release in violence, his once tender demeanour now marred by aggression and verbal abuse aimed at Yeosang. Despite harbouring a deep-seated loathing for Minwoo, Yeosang found himself ensnared in a perilous web of dependency. The spectre of leaving loomed ominously, haunted by the grim certainty that severance would lead to dire consequences—perhaps even death at the hands of Minwoo's wrath. Resourceful in his resolve, Yeosang contemplated methods of escape, whether through self-initiated pursuit or the employment of aid, despite his dire financial straits. Yet, paradoxically, amidst the destitution, Minwoo always managed to procure funds for vices, further entrenching Yeosang in his oppressive grip.

With each passing moment, Yeosang's solitude weighed heavily upon him, his circle of companions restricted to the steadfast presence of Wooyoung, a constant fixture in his life since their days in middle school. Their bond transcended the ordinary, imbued with a depth of connection that Yeosang cherished with unwavering devotion. Despite the warmth of their friendship, doubts gnawed at Yeosang's heart, questioning his worthiness of such affection. Yet, in the quiet moments of reflection, he couldn't shake the profound love he held for Wooyoung, even as uncertainty lingered like a shadow over his soul.

"Hey, kid, mind cashing me out or are you just gonna daydream? Where's your manager?" The girl's sharp tone jolted Yeosang from his reverie, reminding him of his duties. As if he needed another lecture from his manager on top of everything else weighing him down.

"Oh, um, sorry," Yeosang stammered, hastily ringing up the girl's purchase. The longer he observed her, the more her appearance seemed weathered and artificial. Yet, her entitled demeanour hinted at a sheltered upbringing, no more than twenty years old at most.

"Yeah, you better be. Now I'm late to a party 'because of you,'' she huffed, her disdain evident. Yeosang clenched his fists, struggling to contain his frustration at her insolence.

"I apologise again. Your total comes to 32,870 won," he announced, bagging her alcohol as she flippantly tossed payment in his direction. Anger simmered within Yeosang as she departed without so much as a farewell.

With a resigned sigh, he stooped to retrieve the scattered bills, a silent testament to the indignities he endured in silence.

Once more, the bell above the door chimed, heralding the arrival of yet another customer, but Yeosang found himself devoid of the energy to offer even a perfunctory greeting. With a weary exhale, he shoved the girl's crumpled bills into the register, frustration simmering beneath his veneer of composure. That encounter had been the final straw, tarnishing what little remained of his already bleak day. She had managed to exacerbate his irritation, her presence a lingering reminder of the relentless challenges he faced.