NXT 2 U [Minsung AU]

-2- Hello stranger

As I approached the unknown, it got darker and darker and I felt my hands getting clammy. It wasn't safe, but there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't ignore people distress when I witnessed it. Even though I didn't know the person, I couldn't look away and pretend nothing was wrong.

After a wavering moment, I crouched down in front of him. The young man was dressed in jeans torn at the knees and a black hooded sweatshirt that prevented me from seeing his face. I was about to speak to him when, having felt my presence, he raised his head slightly and grabbed my wrist with strength. His sudden gesture took my breath away while his hand, so cold, made me shiver slightly.

"What do you want?"

The stranger's voice - whose chin I could barely see because of his hood and the dim lighting - was cold and annoyed. Not really wanting to answer to someone who seemed to want to rip off my hand, I tried to free myself from his grip when he quickly released me, as if this contact with me had suddenly burned him. Clearly, his rough gesture was a reflex, not a will to attack me. After a slight hesitation, I asked.

"Are you all right?"

No answer.

Instead, he started banging his fist against the wall of the building again. He was pissed off, but I felt there was nothing I could do about it. This guy didn't seem to want to talk and I had no right to mind his business. So, even if I was a little worried for him, I got up. I sighed deeply, before talking to myself as I walked towards the building entrance.

"I hope this damn argument is over..."

"Hey!"

I turned around, amazed. Had he just called me out? Seeing he was turned in my direction, I realized it was the case. What did he want from me? Did he need help or was I the one who was going to get in trouble?

Confused, I didn't answer, but my silence and immobility spoke for me. Suddenly, the unknown stood up, revealing he was slightly taller than me. He slipped his hands into his sweater pockets, while I kept my eyes on him, suddenly a bit anxious.

Hm... What if he decided to racketeer me or something? He didn't particularly look like a thief... but there was a strange aura around him, something dark I didn't know how to interpret. I swallowed my saliva, waiting for the rest of the conversation with apprehension, ready to run away at the slightest suspicious movement on his part, when he asked me the question I least expected.

"What argument?"

I blinked, bewildered.

"Well..." Intimidated by his detached and rather pensive voice, I ran a hand through my hair before stammering. "My neighbor from the opposite apartment was arguing with his roommate earlier... The kind of argument that can end up in a bloodbath easy... So, I was wondering if it was over, because the walls aren't very soundproof and... well, when they argue, it's really disturbing..."

Okay me. But... why was I talking like an elementary school kid?! Damn it... Was I really planning to start working tomorrow?! 

The unknown's voice, suddenly deeper, brought me back to Earth.

"Hn. Yes. It's over. For now..."

Surprised, I couldn't take my eyes off him. So, he lived in the building too! Maybe even the same hallway as me! I had never met him before, but that was probably normal. I had only moved in just two weeks ago, I probably didn't know a quarter of the tenants. So, this guy was one of my neighbors and visibly, he seemed to hate this fool's daily crises as much as I did.

This unexpected news relieved me a little. I wasn't the only one who was exasperated by the situation. The idea of making an alliance with him in order to set up a petition crossed my mind.