𝐬𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐤 𝐛𝐨𝐲 ; 𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐧

𝐬𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

The week following the grant announcement was a whirlwind of activity for Renjun, Jeno, and Jaemin. They immersed themselves in coordinating with community resources, finalizing plans to support Mei, and managing their schoolwork. Despite the busy schedule, their bond grew stronger, marked by their shared commitment to Renjun's family.

On Friday afternoon, while they were at Jeno and Jaemin's apartment, Renjun received an urgent call from Hana, a friend of his mother's.

"Renjun, I need to see you again. Something's come up," Hana said with a note of urgency.

Renjun's stomach tightened as he relayed the message to Jeno and Jaemin. "I need to meet Hana. It sounds serious."

Jeno and Jaemin exchanged worried glances but nodded. "We'll be here if you need anything," Jaemin said.

Renjun made his way to the café, his mind racing. Hana was waiting for him, her face drawn with concern.

"Renjun," she greeted, ushering him to a table. "Thanks for coming."

"What's going on?" Renjun asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Hana took a deep breath. "I've been in touch with your mom. I'm afraid things are worse than we thought. Your father's behavior has become more erratic, and there's a serious risk he might escalate things. Your mom is frightened and feeling trapped."

Renjun's heart pounded. "What kind of escalation are we talking about?"

Hana's expression was grave. "He's been making threats about harming your mom if she doesn't comply with his demands. We need to act fast to ensure her safety."

Renjun felt a surge of panic. "What should we do?"

Hana leaned forward. "We need to involve the authorities and arrange for a safe place for your mom. It's crucial we act quickly, but I need your help coordinating these steps."

Renjun nodded firmly. "I'll do whatever is necessary. How do we start?"

Hana provided details on contacting local authorities and organizations that could offer temporary housing and legal protection. With a sense of urgency, Renjun returned to Jeno and Jaemin's apartment, where he found them waiting anxiously.

"How did it go?" Jeno asked.

Renjun took a deep breath. "Hana has new information. My father is threatening to harm my mom if she doesn't comply with his demands. We need to act immediately to protect her."

Jaemin's eyes widened. "That's terrible. What can we do?"

"We need to contact the authorities and find a safe place for my mom," Renjun said. "I'm going to start the process now."

Jeno and Jaemin sprang into action, assisting Renjun with phone calls and research. The evening was consumed by their efforts to secure temporary housing for Mei and contacting the authorities about the threats.

As the hours passed, they managed to secure a safe location for Mei and informed the authorities. The process was exhausting, but their combined effort made a significant impact.

Later that night, as they sat together, Renjun reflected on the day's events. "I don't know what the future holds, but I'm grateful for your support. I couldn't have done this without you."

Jeno and Jaemin exchanged looks before Jeno spoke. "We're family now. We'll face whatever comes together."

Jaemin nodded. "We'll get through this. One step at a time."

The trio embraced, finding solace in each other's presence. Despite the challenges, their unity provided a glimmer of hope. As they settled in for the night, the weight of the day's events lingered, but Renjun felt fortified by the support of his friends. He was ready to face the uncertainties ahead, knowing he wasn't alone.