Hell & Back

2:This Is Hell

It was late at night, and Minho's mind was still reeling from the earlier encounter. The café incident with Hell's Strays had left him unsettled, and he needed a distraction. With a determined resolve to get some normalcy back into his life, he decided to take a walk to a nearby convenience store.

The streets of Sydney were quiet, the city's usual hustle and bustle replaced by a serene calm. Minho walked briskly, the cool night air helping to clear his mind. He arrived at the convenience store, the warm glow of its neon sign a welcoming sight.

Inside, Minho wandered through the aisles, picking up a few snacks and some instant noodles. The rhythmic hum of the store's refrigeration units was oddly soothing. As he reached for a bottle of water, he heard the sound of the store's door opening.

Minho turned to see who had entered and froze. Standing in the doorway was Chan, the leader of Hell's Strays, looking out of place in the small convenience store. His intense gaze scanned the aisles before settling on Minho.

Minho's heart raced. He tried to act nonchalant, but the sight of Chan filled him with a mix of fear and anxiety. Chan strode over, his expression unreadable.

"Minho," Chan said, his voice calm but carrying an edge.

Minho swallowed hard, trying to steady his nerves. "Chan," he replied, forcing a polite tone. "What are you doing here?"

Chan shrugged casually. "Just getting some late-night supplies. Seems like you're here for the same reason."

Minho nodded, trying to keep his composure. "Yeah, just grabbing a few things."

Chan's eyes lingered on Minho for a moment, then he glanced at the items in Minho's basket. "You must be adjusting to life here. Must be tough after what happened tonight."

Minho's grip tightened on his basket. "Yeah, it's been... overwhelming."

Chan's gaze softened slightly, though his expression remained guarded. "You don't have to worry about Hell's Strays all the time. We're not always out to get you. Sometimes we're just... trying to make our way."

Minho was taken aback by the hint of vulnerability in Chan's voice. "I don't understand. Why act like that if you don't want to be seen as a threat?"

Chan's eyes met Minho's with a mix of frustration and sadness. "Sometimes, it's not about wanting to be a threat. It's about surviving in a world that expects us to be one."

Minho was silent for a moment, trying to process Chan's words. The intensity of the earlier confrontation seemed to melt away, leaving room for an unexpected sense of empathy.

Minho and Chan's brief, yet profound exchange was abruptly interrupted by a loud bang that shattered the convenience store's windows. The sound of glass breaking echoed through the store, and both men instinctively ducked for cover.

Chan's reaction was swift and practiced. He reached into his pants, pulling out a gun with a steady hand. Minho, still crouched near the shelves, watched in shock as Chan fired back at unseen assailants outside. The sharp cracks of gunfire mingled with the shattering of glass, creating a chaotic symphony of violence.

Chan's face was a mask of focus and determination as he took cover behind a nearby display, his phone already out and pressed to his ear. Minho could hear snippets of urgent conversation as Chan barked orders and made frantic calls. The words were mostly lost in the confusion, but Minho could make out the name "Changbin" and the rising desperation in Chan's voice.

Minho's mind raced, unable to fully process the scene unfolding around him. The reality of the danger hit him hard, and the shock turned into overwhelming fear. He felt a wave of panic wash over him, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.