Horizon | C.JH , K.YS | rewrite

{3}

Another mundane day unfolded at work for Yeosang. With each passing moment, he found himself yearning for the end of his shift, eager to break free from the monotony that enveloped him. Assigned once again to the late shift, he found solace in the quiet of the store, nestled far from the bustling streets of the town. Who, after all, would venture into such isolation during the night? As he absentmindedly scrolled through his phone, he couldn't help but notice the absence of messages from Minwoo, a realisation that oddly brought him a sense of relief.

Yeosang let out a heavy sigh as he set his phone aside, his gaze drifting to the wound on his hand. Though the pain had dulled, the jagged scar left by the glass still throbbed faintly. It was a constant reminder of the danger that lurked in the shadows, a danger embodied by Minwoo.

With a shiver, Yeosang couldn't shake the fear that gripped him, the fear of Minwoo's unpredictable presence. He could materialise anywhere—at Wooyoung's doorstep, at the workplace, or even loitering on a dimly lit street corner. Each memory of Minwoo's cruel words and actions inflicted fresh wounds on Yeosang's already fragile sense of self-worth.

Why hadn't he left sooner? It was a question that haunted Yeosang as he replayed the moments when Minwoo's behaviour first took a dark turn. Once a seemingly decent man, Minwoo had succumbed to the grip of addiction, transforming into a monster that Yeosang scarcely recognized.

As night draped the city in shadows, Yeosang couldn't help but wonder about Minwoo's whereabouts. Perhaps he was lost in the haze of a casino, oblivious to Yeosang's absence. The thought brought a mixture of relief and trepidation—relief at being free from Minwoo's suffocating presence, yet apprehension at the unknown dangers that lay ahead.

As the final moments of his shift approached, Yeosang breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the respite it offered. For the past three days, he had sought refuge in Wooyoung's comforting presence, the only sanctuary he knew since escaping Minwoo's clutches. Wooyoung's protective instincts had kicked into overdrive, refusing to let Yeosang out of his sight—a gesture that, though suffocating at times, stemmed from a place of genuine concern and friendship.

With a quick text to Wooyoung signalling the end of his shift, Yeosang stepped out of the store, handing over the reins to his replacement. He pulled his jacket tighter around himself, the chill of the night air seeping through the fabric. As he waited for Wooyoung to arrive, his gaze wandered downward, lost in the pattern of the pavement beneath his feet.

Suddenly, his attention was drawn upward by the sight of polished black shoes, gleaming in the dim light. With a sense of trepidation, Yeosang raised his eyes, locking onto the familiar figure standing before him—the same man he had encountered the night before.

Yeosang's heart quickened as he instinctively retreated a step, his gaze fixated on the mysterious figure before him. Clad entirely in black, the man exuded an aura of enigmatic allure, his attire accentuated by a chain draped around his neck and a weathered leather jacket.

Dark, unruly locks framed his face, partially obscuring his piercing eyes—an arresting contrast to his otherwise stoic demeanour. Yeosang found himself captivated by the intensity of those eyes, which seemed to hold a depth of emotion veiled behind their inscrutable facade.

As the silence lingered between them, tension thickening the air, Yeosang's curiosity mingled with a hint of apprehension. Why had this enigmatic stranger sought him out, and what purpose did he serve in this late-night encounter?

Despite the uncertainty, Yeosang couldn't deny the undeniable allure of the man before him, a magnetic presence that left an indelible impression on his senses.

As Yeosang began to retreat, a flurry of conflicting emotions churned within him, spurred by the intensity of the man's gaze. With a self-conscious shake of his head, he offered a brief apology, hoping to extricate himself from the unnerving encounter.