Open Doors

Chapter 3 - A new video

The room was filled with a heavy silence as Min-Ho, Tae-Sun, Ji-Hwan, and Void processed the news about the video. Anxiety hung thick in the air, each boy feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on them. They had faced challenges before, but this felt different—more sinister, more invasive.

When Mr. Lee entered, his expression was grave. "The hackers have sent a video to the company. It shows So-Moon at the airport during the incident."

Min-Ho's heart sank. "What do they want?" he asked, dread creeping into his voice.

"They're demanding more money and threatening to release the footage to the public if we don't comply," Mr. Lee explained. "It's an attempt to intimidate us and exploit your vulnerabilities."

As the words settled in, So-Moon, who had been quietly seated on the couch, paled. The memory of that chaotic day flooded back, vivid and haunting. He felt his breath quicken, anxiety tightening around his chest. The noise of the crowd, the camera flashes, and the sudden panic engulfed him once more.

"You okay, Moon?" Tae-Sun asked softly, concern etched across his features.

So-Moon nodded, but his hands trembled. "I... I just can't believe they'd do something like this."

Min-Ho moved closer, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're safe now. We're going to handle this together."

Suddenly, So-Moon's expression changed. He remembered the way the person had grabbed him, the chaos surrounding them, and the camera flashes that felt like a spotlight on his worst fears. The emotional weight began to manifest physically, and he struggled to steady his breath.

"I can't—" he stammered, his voice breaking as panic threatened to overwhelm him.

Without warning, he collapsed to the floor, shaking. The room erupted into chaos as his friends rushed to his side, trying to keep him grounded.

"Moon! Focus on us!" Ji-Hwan urged, his voice urgent yet calming.

Void knelt beside him, his usually stern demeanor softened with concern. "Breathe, So-Moon. In and out. You're not alone."

As they surrounded him, the boys shared knowing glances. They understood the trauma that So-Moon was enduring. Each of them had faced their own fears, but witnessing their friend in distress ignited a fierce protective instinct.

As the paramedics were called, they reminded So-Moon that he was safe and that they would face whatever came next together. "You're surrounded by people who care about you," Tae-Sun said firmly, holding his hand. "We won't let anything happen to you."

Minutes later, the ambulance arrived, the sirens fading as they parked outside. The paramedics quickly assessed So-Moon's condition, their professionalism providing a sense of reassurance. They checked his vitals and spoke to him in gentle tones, guiding him to breathe steadily.

"Can you tell us your name?" one of the paramedics asked.

"So-Moon," he whispered, still trembling but now aware of his surroundings.

"You're going to be okay, So-Moon. We're here to help," the paramedic assured him. "Just take it easy."

As he was assisted onto the stretcher, Tae-Sun squeezed his hand tightly. "We're with you, every step of the way."

As the paramedics prepared to transport him, the remaining boys stood close, their hearts heavy yet resolute. They watched as So-Moon was loaded into the ambulance, knowing that the battle against the hackers was just beginning. But in that moment, their focus was on their friend.

Inside the ambulance, So-Moon began to calm, soothed by the steady presence of his friends. The fear of the hackers and the video still loomed, but he felt an overwhelming sense of support enveloping him. He remembered the laughter they shared, the songs they created, and the bond that made them a family.

"Just breathe, Moon," Ji-Hwan said softly, sitting beside him. "We're not going anywhere."

So-Moon nodded, feeling the warmth of their solidarity seep into his bones. The ride to the hospital was a blur of lights and sounds, but he kept his focus on the comforting presence of his friends. They would confront whatever darkness lay ahead together.

Once they arrived at the hospital, the paramedics helped So-Moon inside while Tae-Sun, Min-Ho, Ji-Hwan, and Void followed closely. They knew the road to recovery would be long, but as long as they had each other, they felt invincible.

In the waiting room, the boys exchanged worried glances, each of them grappling with the emotions that swirled within. They had to stay strong for So-Moon, and yet the threat of the hackers loomed larger than life. The anxiety of what the video contained and the potential fallout weighed heavily on them all.

Hours later, they were finally allowed to see So-Moon, who was sitting up in bed, looking slightly better but still shaken. "Hey," he said weakly, forcing a smile. "Thanks for being here."

"Always," Min-Ho replied, pulling a chair closer. "You don't have to face any of this alone."

"We'll figure this out," Tae-Sun added, his voice steady. "We're a team."

As they sat together, sharing stories and memories, they began to forge a plan for confronting the hackers and safeguarding their future. With each passing moment, So-Moon felt the warmth of their camaraderie healing his spirit, filling the void left by fear.

In the heart of New York City, amidst the chaos and uncertainty, "Dreams of Five Souls" stood united. They were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, drawing strength from their bond and their unwavering commitment to each other.