10 Seconds

Before the Despair

Hansol clenched his teeth when a strong punch was thrown to his face, hitting his jaw. He lost his balance, the rival taking advantage of it, pushing him on the floor and sitting on him. Hansol didn't have time to calm his dizziness that the guy began punching him repeatedly. Hansol shut his eyes for the burning pain at every hit, the familiar taste of iron on his tongue before he finally protected himself.

The guy was startled and this time Hansol took him by his collar, strongly hitting their foreheads together. His rival moaned in pain, Hansol punched his throat hardly, the man choked and coughed loudly, Hansol being able to move and changed the situation, forcing the guy on his back against the floor before, being this time, the one punching him over and over again.

He could hear loud cheers from the audience but he yelped in pain when the man hit his jaw, harshly pushing Hansol and yanking him on the floor, Hansol's breaths stopping with the impact. The man kicked him on his stomach stronger everytime, Hansol moaning in pain. He smirked before looking at the audience who cheered, yelling his name, thinking that Hansol wouldn't be able to stand up after that.

"Guess I already won !"

Hansol clenched his shirt where his left ribs were, already knowing that some of them must be broken. He heard Chan yelling him to stand up, almost begging. He struggled to stand up, panting, but when he was finally up he said.

"Don't... turn your back."

The guy looked at him, smirking even more. He came back, ready to throw a punch but Hansol dodged it, hitting the man's temple with his elbow, he stumbled as Hansol raised his fist, punching his jaw as strong as he could, looking at the man falling on the ground.

The audience grew silent before loudly screaming. Hansol, completely breathless, looked at the man a few more seconds, wondering if he really knocked him out. But then he felt the arbitrator, Hoshi, taking his arm and raising it.

"The winner is Vernon !"

Hansol let out a sigh as Hoshi patted his back. "Well done, Nonie."

"Thanks, hyung."

Hoshi handed him his cash, Hansol smiled at Chan who was jumping happily before everyone's head snapped up when they heard the police coming. He heard Hoshi cussing a "Guys, it's Seungcheol !" and telling him to hide as he ran away.

Hansol hid his cash in the pocket inside his jacket before trying to run away, yelling at Chan to go and hide who quickly ran at the opposite.

He looked behind him, seeing a policeman was running after him. Seungcheol. He cursed and tried to run faster, but after fighting, broken ribs making it hard to breath correctly, he was exhausted and knew he couldn't keep up.

It wasn't long before the policeman caught him.

Of course he was surprised when the policeman had let him go. He smiled for being lucky, hiding in an alley. He took out his cash, counting them one by one before smiling.

He could do it.

He could help his little sister.

Just needed to fight more even if he wouldn't be on good state.

He looked up at the dark sky before trying to stand up, not enough breathing for his liking, clutching at his shirt before falling on his knees, hand on the ground.

He shut his eyes, trying to breath slowly and steadily.

"I can't faint now..."

He opened back his eyes, remembering Sofia smiling at him widely before he slapped himself harshly.