My Dear Prince [JoongNine] (ONGOING)

6. A Bolt from the Blue

6. A Bolt from the Blue

I'm breathless, gasping for air as I run quickly. I took a swift turn to a random alleyway, sprinting at a maximum level. I stop in a halt when I found myself in a dead end. I step back, about to turn but it's too late when the group of loansharks was able to corner me, leaving me without any way out from them. 

I take a long and deep exasperated sigh, looking at them apologetically. I look at their faces and I can see how eager they are and how mad they are right now - which isn't a good thing, in all honesty. I think quickly for any excuses that I can say to them or else, I will be a dead meat. 

"You really tried to run from us, huh?" says by one of them. They make their steps towards me and I step back from them. "I already told you that I will be collecting your payment today but we cannot even find you the whole day."

"That's the thing..." I started, feeling nervous. "I still don't have the money but I promise, I will pay you back once I have it, okay?" I try giving them reassurance. I walk towards them, making an attempt to pass through them but the leader get a grab of my arm, stopping me. 

I winced as I feel his grip tightens.

"Or you can give us that silk cloth instead?" he tells me with interest, looking at the silk cloth on my hand. 

"What? This is fake, you cannot even sell this anywere." I lied, securing the sil cloth on my hand. I put it on my chest, guarding it by my arms. 

"What do you think of us? Fools? That item costs highly for sure. Give that to me!" The man orders, grabbing the silk cloth from me but I managed to hold it securely. The man glares at me and I gulp nervously. "Give it to me!" 

The man attempts to get the silk cloth away from me, tugging it harshly. I get a grip of the man's hand, moving it away from the cloth. The man has no plan of letting it go so I instinctively elbowed him on the face swiftly, catching him off-guard. The moment he let go of the cloth, that's the time I kneeled him on his crouch followed by a fist on his face again. 

The man fell on the ground, letting a piercing cry of pain. The rest of the gang stand on their grounds, charging their attack on me. I'm basically outnumbered so I will be beaten up by them definitely. They lunges towards me one by one. I avoided their attempt strikes, passing by them but they still managed to catch me, strangling my arms. I cry in pain when one of them hit me at my stomach. I was kicked after I fell on the ground with a sneering pain. I covered my face by my arms as they continue kicking me. I shut my eyes close, trying to disregard the agonizing pain. 

Then the kicking stops all of a sudden. As I open my eyes, I see the shadow of someone beating the rest of the loansharks. I grimaced in pain, getting up from the ground. My eyes darted on the silk cloth that was thrown on the ground. I quickly kneel down on the ground to retrieve it. I already have no idea what is happening because I am still in pain and my eyes are stinging from the grime came from the ground.

I let out a painful groan as I stand up finally, the silk cloth secured on my arms. 

One of the loansharks glided towards me, unconscious. I take a step backwards then I look at the ongoing brawl happening right in front of me. I watch as the stranger singlehandedly beat up the rest of them one by one. 

I stare at him longingly as I try to recognize his features. Our eyes met and he looks at me and for a brief second, I felt like I know him. His eyes are fervid and at the same time, I can see the solace in his glassy eyes. The stranger smiles at me and he is about to approach me but I suddenly feel someone moves behind me.