Utopia

Chapter 1

He was walking fast, steps getting faster in each one he takes,
now almost running, no, he was really running fast now.
His eyes wide open, trying to see clearly in a dark alleyway he took to get home.

The long narrow alleyway which is poorly lighted by the yellowish lamp post, one blinking on and off which is not helping Jinwoo to see clearly.

How could he forget that he had a poor eyesight especially at night?

He didn't intend to take too much time at the mall, but he had a lot to buy for his flower shop since he just move in and he was planning to give away gifts the next day to their neighboring shops, and it was already dark when he was done with his shopping.

Most of the time when he needed to go outside late at night Hoon is with him, but he was fixing some loose ends at their previous shop and will be home late.

He met 17 years old Lee seunghoon at an orphanage, the oldest among the kids that was there so he naturally took care of them. But Jinwoo's case was different when he arrive there, he couldn't talk, was too traumatized by the events that happened in his life.

Hoon felt that Jinwoo was facing his own demons alone, so even though the shorter boy never talk to him, he was constantly beside him, always knew what he needed and when he needed it. Then later Jinwoo warms up to him and they became friends, though it took Jinwoo for a long while before he could finally find his voice again.

Eventually they treated each other like brothers, they found a family in each others presence. They both manage to leave the orphanage when they got old enough to take care of themselves.

And right now, Jinwoo really wishes Hoon is with him.

He was hearing footsteps behind him, mimicking the speed of his steps, panic was taking over him.

I'm almost there, just a few feet away, and I'll be home, I'll be safe.

He shouted in his mind.

But if he run straight to his shop, that person would know where he lives, he'll find him again, just like months before and the year before that.

He was almost reaching the end of the pathway when he saw a man in the right side corner of the street, crouching in front of a cat.

Jinwoo suddenly think of something, whether the man would play along or be scared or drive him away as if he was crazy, he doesn't mind, right now, all he could think of is, he is scared and this is the only way.

He was a few feet away from the man when Jinwoo shout a "HEY!" at him and force a smile. Then stop and crouch beside him.