Death Drive

i. On the Run

Hoseok was all too familiar with the act of running. He was always on the run.
One month ago, Hoseok ran away from criminal charges: Shoplifting, Breaking and Entering, Grand Theft Auto, and Armed Robbery.
In a new state; with no job, no friends, and no home—Hoseok roamed the streets, looking for someone (anyone) with a couch to sleep on. There was a warrant out for Hoseok's arrest. Whoever would let him into their home, would need to know about the situation.
Hoseok needed to find someone who was trustworthy. Hoseok needed someone who had absolutely nothing to lose. And, he found that person on the hot blacktop outside of a hospital.

★

Every day, Hoseok sat in the same spot for three hours; outside of a hospital (which happened to have a very lenient loitering policy). His goal? Scrap up as much change as possible for his next meal—whether it be through street performances, being a makeshift-valet, or through being an outright beggar. Of course, he hardly got money. Every pedestrian was likely to assume that someone begging for money was just looking to spend it on drugs. To get money, you had to look like the most straight-edge homeless person ever. Hoseok thought it was unfair—mainly because he looked crazy.

Jin did not think Hoseok looked crazy.

★

"What's your name?" The tall stranger with a fistful of change asked Hoseok as he dropped a pile of quarters into Hoseok's solo-cup.

"Hoseok," he replied, jingling his new change in the cup, and smiling up at the man, "Thank you for the contribution. What's your name?"

"I'm Jin," the boy replied, shoving his hands in his pockets, "Do you have a place to stay?" Jin asked concernedly, looking down at the dirt-smeared and smelly Hoseok, his hair a tangled and tousled, ratty mess.

"Nope," Hoseok replied indifferently, shrugging while subconsciously glancing at the ground, "I usually stay in old buildings or parking garages."

"Well that's no way to live," Jin chuckled, sitting down on the curb beside Hoseok, "I actually have a really big place," he brought up, "If you'd be willing to wait here while I went to my appointment, I'd be happy to give you a room!"

"Oh no, that's alright," Hoseok insisted, looking into his cup, "I have no way to pay rent."

"That's not a problem," Jin replied, snatching the cup out of Hoseok's hands, and dumping his change into the sewage grate beneath their feet, "I insist."

Hoseok gasped at his day's savings that went tumbling into the sewer, and he crossed his arms across his chest, shooting a glare at Jin.
"It's not normal for a person to offer a homeless guy a place to live, you know," Hoseok leered, "This seems impulsive on your part."

"It isn't normal, but that doesn't mean it can't happen," Jin replied, unbothered.

"How do I know I can trust you?" Hoseok asked skeptically.

"I'm the one who's inviting a wanted criminal to stay in my house!" Jin exclaimed.

Hoseok's heart began racing fast, "How do you know I've got charges?" he whispered intensely.

"You're all over the news!" Jin reminded.

"Keep your voice down," Hoseok demanded as the eyes of the people surrounding the two of them flickered in their direction, "How do I know you aren't going to turn me in?"

"Well," Jin pondered, "I'd have nothing to gain from it. I have a roommate at the moment; he's a runaway too. He isn't a 'criminal', but he's still got people to hide from. If I didn't turn him in, why would I turn you in? I've got nothing to lose."
Hoseok sat flabbergasted, staring at Jin with wide eyes, as Jin stood up.
"I have to go to my appointment now," Jin said, "If you're still here when I get out of there, my offer is still on the table."

"I'll keep that in mind," Hoseok said, looking at his now-empty cup, and frowning.

"And sorry about your change," Jin laughed, "But—if you stay with me and my friend, you won't need it."

"I'll remember that you said this," Hoseok chuckled, extending his legs and throwing back his head, "Have fun at your appointment," he said.

"That'll be tricky!" Jin laughed, pulling a soft giggle out of Hoseok, and jogging up the concrete steps, disappearing into the hospital building.

It's my lucky day, Hoseok thought to himself, playing a game of flip-cup on the curb with his empty Solo, as he pondered whether or not to accept Jin's offer. Well...I hope his roommate doesn't have anything to lose either.