Hostage {ℍ𝕐𝕌ℕ𝕊𝕌ℕ𝔾} -- DISCONTINUED

Chapter One

"So, what'll it be?"

Jisung leaned forward, smiling wickedly down at the man, thumbing the gun holstered to his thigh. The man shook in the chair he'd been duct-taped to, eyes wide, mouth moving around words that didn't seem to want to come out.

He hummed contemplatively as he leaned down closer, tilting his head until they were face-to-face. "Still having trouble deciding? There are bad, bad people around here, wouldn't want anything horrible happening to your cute little shop now would we?"

With a snap of his fingers, one of the men standing idly behind him moved, metal bat swinging up to rest in his hands. The man's eyes widened as a cold sweat broke out along his forehead. "N-No... wait!" His voice came out a breathless gasp and Jisung held up his hand, the man pausing almost immediately.

"Yes?" He leaned back, his smile widening as he crossed his arms, staring down at the man.

He cleared his throat, eyes bulging. "How... how much do you want?" he whispered, grimacing as though the mere thought of giving them money hurt him. Too bad he didn't have a choice. Jisung surveyed the shop full of luxury items; usually his gang only charged a hundred a week, but he really, really didn't like this leech.

"Two hundred." The man's eyes widened, a gasp wrenching itself from his throat. Jisung's smile turned cruel. "You can afford it, don't pretend," he cooed, eyes sweeping around the store again. This man was too attached to his money; he reminded him of his father. "Besides, I don't really care whether you go bankrupt or not. Just get me my money, and we'll be good, nice and even, hm?"

He turned his back, pausing to look over his shoulder. "We have a deal?" The man nodded hesitantly and he smiled again. "You better keep your end of the bargain, or you'll be seeing me again." He motioned for his men to untie the guy as he walked out, hands stuffed in his pockets.

~#~#~#~#~#~

"Jisung! You're back!" At the sound of his name he looked up, waving the men that had followed him all the way back into the Han family mansion away. The moment they fell out of sight a smile lifted the edges of his lips.

Han Jeongin came to a stop just in front of him, grinning brightly. His entire face softened as he reached out and ruffled his hair, ignoring the way he shied away with a pout. "Will you train me today?"

His face twisted as he fought back a grimace – he forgot he'd agreed to that. As he followed his brother down the hall, his smile turned into a frown. Jeongin, despite being his brother, didn't have any of the natural ability he'd been gifted – he wasn't able to learn it quickly enough, either.

He was already nearly eighteen and yet he could hardly even wield a gun or fight. He had no special talents whatsoever, either – at least, none that helped their business – and by now all of their mentors had given up on him.

He hated that the only person his brother could turn to in order to learn was him, but even he was starting to wonder whether there was even a point. A small, selfish part of him was glad Jeongin wasn't good at this kind of thing – the further he was from their world, the safer he would be.

Shrugging off his jacket, he tossed it to the side, unstrapping his weapons and laying them on a nearby chair – he knew nobody would even attempt to grab them; everyone knew by now that to touch his things was equivalent to forfeiting their hand.

He stepped onto one of the sparring mats, loosening his body as Jeongin joined him, an eager gleam in his eyes. It only took two moments before Jeongin was knocked off his feet, stance much too fragile. "You need to widen your legs, bend your knees more. You have to be solid."