Price of Freedom: Taekook's Dark Deal

Ch 2

After few days

SEOUL STREETS - DAY

The bustling streets of Seoul are alive with the energy of a city in constant motion. Crowds surge along the sidewalks, a sea of faces all hurrying to their destinations. Amidst this chaos, TAEHYUNG walks alone, his shoulders hunched and his gaze fixed on the ground. He looks out of place in the vibrant crowd, a solitary figure weighed down by invisible burdens.

As Taehyung turns down a less crowded side street, the atmosphere shifts. The cheerful noise of the main thoroughfare fades, replaced by an ominous silence. Suddenly, a group of men materialize from the shadows of nearby buildings. Their expressions are hard, their intentions clearly malicious.

THUG 1: (menacingly, stepping into Taehyung's path)
Well, well. Look who we have here. Time to pay up, pretty boy.

Taehyung freezes, his eyes widening in fear as he realizes he's surrounded. His gaze darts around, searching for an escape route, but finding none.

TAEHYUNG: (voice trembling)
Please... I-I don't have the money yet. I just need more time-

THUG 2: (cutting him off)
Time's up. The boss isn't feeling patient anymore.

Without warning, two of the men grab Taehyung's arms, their grips bruisingly tight. They start dragging him towards a dark alley, Taehyung's feet scrabbling against the pavement as he tries to resist.

TAEHYUNG: (panicking)
No! Let me go!

His cries echo off the buildings, but the few passersby quicken their steps, averting their eyes from the scene. Just as hope seems lost, a sleek black car screeches to a halt at the entrance of the alley. JUNGKOOK steps out, his presence immediately commanding attention.

JUNGKOOK: (voice ringing with authority)
Let. Him. Go. Now.

The thugs hesitate, clearly recognizing Jungkook. Their grips on Taehyung loosen slightly.

THUG 1:(nervously)
Mr. Jeon... This doesn't concern you. We're just collecting a debt-

JUNGKOOK: (cutting him off, voice dangerously low)
Everything in this city concerns me. I won't repeat myself.

With a snap of Jungkook's fingers, his own men emerge from the car. They move with practiced efficiency, quickly subduing the debt collectors. In the chaos, Taehyung slumps to the ground, his legs giving out as the adrenaline fades.

Jungkook approaches Taehyung, his face a mask of concern as he kneels beside the shaken young man.

JUNGKOOK:(softly)
Are you alright?

Taehyung looks up, his eyes meeting Jungkook's. There's gratitude there, but also confusion and a hint of fear.

TAEHYUNG: (voice barely above a whisper)
Thank you... again. But why? Why do you keep helping me?

Jungkook's expression softens for a moment, a flicker of an emotion Taehyung can't quite name passing across his face.

JUNGKOOK: (hesitating before speaking)
Why do you keep getting into trouble? This isn't the first time, is it?

Taehyung's face crumples, the weight of his burdens finally becoming too much to bear. Tears begin to stream down his face as he breaks down.

TAEHYUNG: (through sobs)
They're debt collectors. My father... he ran off with money he owed to some dangerous people. Now they're coming after me. I'm trying to pay them back, I swear I am, but... (his voice cracks) my mother's in the hospital. The bills keep piling up, and I can't... I can't do this anymore.

Jungkook listens, his face a mixture of sympathy and something darker, more calculating. He reaches out, awkwardly patting Taehyung's back in an attempt at comfort.

JUNGKOOK: (softly, almost to himself)
You don't need to be out here struggling like this.

As Taehyung continues to cry, Jungkook's mind races. He feels an unfamiliar pull towards this beautiful, broken young man - a desire to possess, to protect, to control.