Broken Connection

14

The door swung slowly open to reveal Taeyong with a sheepish look on his face.

"Hi," He said hesitantly.

"Well hello there," Jess said with a ring of sarcasm to her tone.

I simply nodded in acknowledgment. I was feeling a lot of things right now, and I was afraid that if I started talking to Taeyong I might just spill out all of my emotions at once. None of us needed to be under the weight of all my trauma crashing down around us.

Taeyong slowly walked closer to the bed, like he was waiting on me to bolt away from him. Given what had just happened, that fear was probably valid. I did just cause the biggest scene of my life after being sort of saved sort of kidnapped by some of his friends.

"I'd like to give you an explanation," Taeyong started.

"Go ahead," I squeaked out.

"The thing is, I can't really give you one without putting you in danger," he said, running his hands through his hair.

I noticed then that his hair was very messed up. The kind of messed up that means you're either very frustrated or you've just done something to make you very... un-frustrated. From the tense way that he was standing I assumed it was the former.

"The way I see it, I'm already in danger. I'm not dumb, Taeyong. I know that whoever that was back in the store that was trying to hurt Lucas probably had other people with him. Someone is probably looking for me already. Just tell me. I'm a big girl. I can handle the truth, even if I don't want to," I sighed as if I hadn't slept in years.

A sick look crossed his face, and he looked to Jess in a 'save me' sort of manner before he cleared his throat and climbed onto the end of the bed to sit crisscross applesauce facing me. I waited as patiently as I could while he picked at his fingernails, refusing to make eye contact. I refused to believe that the man in front of me could be dangerous. He looked like a small child who was just scolded for throwing a tantrum, though his eyes cut through me like a knife through butter. Intimidating, sure, but nothing about him seemed particularly dangerous. Then I remembered the night I was attacked. He definitely seemed dangerous then.

"You have to promise you're not going to go telling people about this," Taeyong muttered, almost ashamed.

"And why should I?" I asked.

I knew I would probably keep whatever this was to myself, but I wanted to see him squirm a little. He was nice and a friend, but I didn't want him to be too comfortable with me. I might up and disappear, and I didn't want to leave sadness in my wake.

"Easy," Jess said from her perch not far away, "if you went to the police you would hurt Hyuck, and you obviously care for him like a little brother."

She had me with that, and Taeyong seemed to acknowledge that with a little nod before he took a shaky breath.

"So we run a business," Taeyong started.

I couldn't imagine any business that involved a standoff in a convenience store could be very legal, and judging by all the bruises I shared with Johnny there were a lot of fights.

"Most of our business is on the up and up, but not all of it," he continued, "I can't tell you all of the details. That would put all of us in trouble on both sides. What I'm going to tell you is that we try not to hurt people, but we always make sure that we're protected. We do what we have to. That's all you need to know."

Before I could respond Taeyong was standing up and making his way to the door.

"Wait!" I called after him.

I could feel Jess squeeze my hand, and that's when I noticed that she had come closer to me.

"Who is the boss?" I asked as Taeyong turned around.

He cocked an eyebrow at me as if to say 'really?', but he chuckled as well.

"I am, dummy."

I snorted so hard that it kind of hurt and then began cackling uncontrollably, accidentally pulling Jess halfway into the bed by our connected hands. Taeyong looked at me with a pouty face, which just made me laugh harder.

"Shut up, I'm telling the truth. Now put your shoes on. Doyoung will be here in a minute to take you home," he whined.

"I get to go home?" I asked.

For some reason I thought they would keep me in that building , that they wouldn't let me go now that they had me. That was kind of a dumb thought, but I figured that just what gangs did.

"Why wouldn't you?" Jess asked after wresting herself free from my grip.

I couldn't think of an answer, so I just shrugged.

"Guess I'll get my shoes on, then."

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Told you guys it was coming soon. Sorry for making you all wait so long for an update. Happy holidays for anyone that celebrates!

Remember that you can change your own life, and kick ass, Sunshines.

Love Ya Always,
Haleigh