Crimson Shadows

Chapter 1

Namjoon clutched his backpack straps tighter, his heart pounding as he navigated the maze of unfamiliar streets. The sun had long set, and the city's shadowy alleys seemed to close in on him. He had only meant to take a short cut, but now he was hopelessly lost.

The distant sounds of the city were muffled here, replaced by the ominous echo of his own footsteps. Namjoon glanced around nervously, the dim streetlights casting eerie shadows on the graffiti-stained walls. His innocent mind couldn't help but imagine the worst, but he pushed those thoughts aside, focusing instead on finding his way out.

He turned a corner sharply, hoping it would lead him back to a main road, but instead, he stumbled upon a scene that made his blood run cold. There, in the dimly lit alley, a group of men were gathered, their expressions stern and unyielding. At their center stood a figure exuding an air of authority and danger-Seokjin, the infamous mob boss.

Seokjin's men were in the midst of cleaning up evidence of a dead body, their movements methodical and efficient. The sight was both surreal and terrifying, and Namjoon felt his legs go weak. His presence hadn't gone unnoticed; Seokjin's sharp eyes locked onto him immediately.

"Who the hell are you?" one of the men barked, stepping forward threateningly.

Namjoon froze, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find his voice. "I-I didn't see anything!" he stammered, taking a step back.

Seokjin raised a hand, and his men halted. With a calm yet authoritative stride, he approached Namjoon, his eyes never leaving the terrified boy. "What's your name?" he asked, his voice smooth but carrying an edge that sent shivers down Namjoon's spine.

"Namjoon..." he managed to whisper, his eyes wide with fear.

"Namjoon," Seokjin repeated, as if testing the name on his tongue. "Hmm... I'm Seokjin. Why are you here?"

"I-I got lost..." Namjoon admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I was just trying to find my way home."

Seokjin's gaze softened ever so slightly, and he motioned for his men to stand down. "Lost, huh?" He looked Namjoon over, noting his innocent demeanor and the genuine fear in his eyes. "You're not from around here, are you?"

Namjoon shook his head, swallowing hard. "No, sir. I just moved here."

Seokjin studied him for a moment longer before nodding. "Alright, Namjoon. Consider yourself lucky that you stumbled into the wrong alley tonight. My men will take you home."

Namjoon blinked in surprise. "You're not going to...?" He couldn't bring himself to finish the sentence.

Seokjin chuckled softly, a sound that was both comforting and unsettling. "No, I'm not going to hurt you. But remember this...you didn't see anything here tonight. Understand?"

Namjoon nodded vigorously, relief flooding his body. "I understand. Thank you."

With a final, assessing look, Seokjin turned to his men. "Take him home. Make sure he gets there safely."

As two of the men stepped forward to escort him, Namjoon couldn't help but glance back at Seokjin. The mob boss's presence was commanding, yet there was something in his eyes that suggested he was more than just a ruthless leader. For a moment, their eyes met, and Namjoon felt a strange connection, a sense that their paths were destined to cross again.

And as he was led away from the alley, Namjoon couldn't shake the feeling that his life had just irrevocably changed.