BYG - Ch 2
Title: Before You Go
Pairing(s): Jaemin, Yoosu (later),
Length: Chaptered 2/20?
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: (gang) violence, language, abduction
Genre: AU, drama, angst
Summary: Jaejoong and his cousin have been swept up into the world of violence and gangs. The struggle and fight for his sanity is complicated greatly by the addition of a certain Shim Changmin into the mix. Will he be able to protect those he loves as well as save himself?
A/N: Changmin POV~
Prologue Chapter 1
********
Changmin could hardly have hoped for any change in his recently dark, solitary existence. He had no idea how much time had passed since the thugs had thrown him roughly into the dark pit of a room. At least they weren’t going to kill him yet...unless they meant to drive him to starvation or death from thirst, the gritty bottle of water tossed to his side was long gone.
Changmin couldn’t keep reign on his fear, couldn’t drive away the clammy hands that encircled his heart as the image of that man floated before his eyes. Eye sockets bloodshot and popping, bullet hole neat and round in his forehead, gushing thick red. He shuddered, squeezing his eyes closed and wrapping his one good arm around his legs, dragging them closer.
The silence in the room seemed deeper than ever before. Especially with the now silent, gruesome body laying unmoving barely a foot from him. He couldn’t bear to look at the man, he seemed dead…had seemed dead when first dumped unceremoniously into the room a while ago.
Changmin supposed his shock at his situation, his broken arm and bruised body, and the fact that he was held prisoner in a dark room by murderers…must be nothing short of a living nightmare.
The dead man had roused long enough only to glare at him through piercing large black eyes, to swear in a grating hoarse voice and penetrate straight through Changmin with his sharp stare, before coughing up red and sagging into a bloody pile.
Changmin pressed himself a little more securely against the wall. This dead man must be one of them. But why was he here locked up with him? The fierce expression in those black eyes, the hard set of the jaw, his blood-smeared face and long black hair…they struck something deep in Changmin, and he could only identify it as fear.
The minutes ticked by slowly, and Changmin’s numb body slowly started shaking as a undeniable chill seeped into his bones. It must be night again, he was surprised he could feel it at all.
Although he struggled to hold it in, although there could hardly be any water left inside him to leak out, Changmin felt his eyes sting again. He stared blearily at the heap of a body next to him. It was hopeless. He couldn’t escape, couldn’t protect himself, hell, couldn’t even beg for death. It was a never ending nightmare, even more so as with nothing else to distract himself with he could only replay again and again the scene that had caused this however many nights ago.
***Start Flashback***
Changmin whistled happily as he walked up the alley to Junsu’s apartment. His best fried of the past three years lived across town, but Changmin went to his place to study often. His own home environment was rather cold and unfriendly, and he enjoyed the quiet freedom of just the two of them. No fathers breathing down necks with high expectations, no gushy mothers making him feel inadequate and guilty in an entirely different way for no reason.
Even so, today had decidedly been a good day. Mother had cooked him a delicious lunch, he guessed distractedly that there was something he should be doing for her in return but couldn’t figure it out, and had instead begged her to pack the extra so that he could bring it to his hyung.
Junsu appreciated good food almost as much as Changmin did, and he anticipated an extra good mood that evening…which meant Junsu would most likely lend him his old research paper in gratitude.
Changmin smiled, rushing up the steps to the building entrance. He pressed the buzzer for Junsu’s place, it was answered almost instantly, and he let himself in.
He had barely reached out to knock on the door when it flew open, and a bright smile welcomed him in.
“Minnie! You’re late.”
“I tried calling, but you didn’t pick up.” Changmin pouted, kicking off his shoes. He stepped into the room, pausing and doing a double take as Junsu stifled a yawn and hurriedly attempted to flatten down his rumpled hair.
Changmin’s eyes narrowed. “You were asleep, weren’t you?”
He laughed as Junsu looked away sheepishly. “That greeting was too energetic. Hyung…you promised you’d finish your report so you could help me with mine!” he was about to pout, but decided it wasn’t needed as Junsu was already babbling about something or other, grasping Changmin’s hand and looking up at him pleadingly.
“Whatever,” he laughed, “let’s get started.” He managed to keep a straight face, allowing Junsu to drag him earnestly into the small living room area. He was pushed down onto the couch and Junsu was a flurry of movement, pulling out books and papers.
“We’ll work on yours first.” He stated, finally settling down beside Changmin.
Changmin chuckled, nudging the other with his shoulder. “Nah, you eat first while I get organized.” He pushed the package into Junsu’s lap, smiling as the confusion turned into delight as he saw the contents.
Hours later found them bent over strewn papers, brows furrowed in concentration, scribbling notes as books covered every possible surface. Their study sessions hit like a tornado, and their perfectionist tendencies hit with a purpose, leaving them dazed as they came to a good 6 hours later.
Tonight was headed in the same direction if it weren’t for a phone call shortly after 10pm. The sound startled them, Changmin’s head snapping up with a crack. He rubbed his neck gingerly as Junsu threw books about, searching for his phone.
He finally located it under a pillow, eyes widening as he saw the caller ID.
Throwing a hesitant glance at Changmin, he got to his feet. “Sorry…gotta take this.” and he quickly moved towards the hall, pressing the phone to his ear as he went.
Changmin paid little attention, as Junsu’s phone often rang at late hours like this. Also, Junsu frequently had to leave after such calls. Changmin suspected it was Junsu’s parents, most likely his dad, but he never bothered asking and Junsu never provided any details.
He heard Junsu’s voice, tone low, answers short and curt, but wasn’t able to make out any of the conversation.
Now that their study streak had been interrupted, he realized he was hungry and tired. Stretching languidly, he made his way to the bathroom to wash up. A few moments later and Junsu was rapping lightly on the door.
“Sorry, Minnie. I gotta go out for a bit, but I'll be right back. Stay over tonight; it’s late.”
“Thanks, hyung!”
But he was already gone. The front door clicked shut as Changmin made his way out into the room. He sighed, deciding to force out a little more studying before he called it a night.
It couldn’t have been more than 15 minutes when Changmin heard a loud commotion outside. At first he didn’t really give it a second thought, but as the sounds continued and grew more clear, he paused, looking toward the window.
Fights often broke out around this neighborhood, but Changmin considered it to be generally safe or obviously his childish hyung wouldn’t live over here alone. He had never seen anything personally, nor been troubled by any of it before, and usually took no notice.
But as he heard the clank of metal and shouting voices, he remembered that Junsu should be coming back anytime, and he wouldn’t know to stay clear of the front street. Changmin hurriedly looked for his cell, which took a minute to find in which the shouts grew more violent.
He shuddered lightly, pressing speed dial to Junsu’s phone. The line rang once, twice, three times…Junsu didn’t answer. Changmin frowned, growing worried despite himself. Where had he gone to anyway? The line continued to ring…and ring.
Changmin was easily worried, and if he could at least warn Junsu, he’d be able to calm down and get back to work.
He went to the window, peering out at the dark street. He could barely make out a flurry of movement down towards the far end where the supermarket was. He frowned, thugs were disgusting, dirty, and dangerous…and Junsu would have to pass right by them to get home. He strained to see more clearly. Why wouldn’t Junsu answer his phone? He couldn’t be out there could he?
Changmin snapped his phone shut, all reason thrown to the wind as he rushed to the door, shoving his shoes on and running out the door before he could think about what he was going to do. He’d just check if Junsu was near the building. He dialed Junsu’s number again, hurrying down the stairs to the main door.
Stepping out into the night, Changmin looked down the street towards the brawl, trying to catch some sign of his friend.
The line abruptly picked up, startling him and he blanched as the sounds of the fight seemed louder, coming through the other end of the phone. As if Junsu was right in the middle of it. His voice came hushed and rapid.
“Changmin-ah. I’m okay. Sit tight, okay? There’s a fight out here. I’ll come in when they’re gone and it’s safe.” The phone call was abruptly cut and Changmin stared stupidly down the street, as if he could find his hyung hiding behind one of the dumpsters, waiting out the fight.
Instead he could now make out more clearly the shapes of men, flailing limbs, swinging bats…The shouting crushed on his ears. Wait…they seemed to be moving closer.
Changmin gasped, spinning around to rush back inside and wait for his hyung behind closed, locked doors. He was met with a resolutely closed door. Closed and locked. With no key. No one to buzz him in.
Changmin frantically pressed the numbers of the key pad, willing someone, anyone, to answer. The buzzing sounded loud in the night air, and Changmin hurriedly looked over his shoulder towards the surely approaching fight.
His fingers jammed on the buttons…no one was answering. Of course, who would open the door when they could clearly hear the gang brawl going on outside.
Changmin whimpered in fear, hands shaking as he shook the door handles. They wouldn’t budge…it was useless.
The sound of rapidly approaching footsteps caused him to whip around, pressing his back against the door.
There were men running down the street, they looked to be running away. One was limping, another half-supporting a third. Changmin couldn’t understand what they were shouting. His eyes were drawn to the blood that was pouring down one man's face. He was grimacing, showing a gaping black hole where his teeth had been knocked out.
Changmin shrunk against the doorway, eyes wide and mind blank. More men were rushing after the first, and Changmin couldn’t breathe as they passed him by.
Then one of them tripped and fell not far from him, and Changmin's eyes trained on him. A huge thug came upon the fallen man and his foot landed in the man’s face, again and again. Dark blood spurted everywhere and Changmin’s cry of horror was stuck in his throat.
Then there were people everywhere, and Changmin was too terrified to move, to run, to call for help, anything.
There were struggling figures all along the street now, and Changmin was sure they would see him, grab him and kick his face into a bloody pulp.
One man turned towards Changmin, heading towards the small dark alley that ran along the side of the building. Changmin could see his face clearly, lit by the street light above the corner. His face was desperate, throwing looks over his shoulder and around the street as he hurried towards the alley. A large black case was clasped across his chest.
Changmin saw his face clearly as a sudden echoing shot sounded from inside the alley. The man’s face flickered briefly in surprise before falling slack and blank; a raw hole was piercing his forehead.
The man crumpled to the ground, eyes wide open, case clattering to the cement.
He couldn’t tear his eyes from that dead face, the sickly twisted limbs as the man fell awkwardly upon himself. The rest of the world seemed to disappear.
Changmin must have screamed. His mouth was open, his throat burned…and someone had heard him.
*********
Chapter 3
whew! enter Junsu :D
There will be some lengthy flashbacks like this throughout the story to explain story/characters, so i hope it doesn't get confusing! Let me know if it is :( ~*
Pairing(s): Jaemin, Yoosu (later),
Length: Chaptered 2/20?
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: (gang) violence, language, abduction
Genre: AU, drama, angst
Summary: Jaejoong and his cousin have been swept up into the world of violence and gangs. The struggle and fight for his sanity is complicated greatly by the addition of a certain Shim Changmin into the mix. Will he be able to protect those he loves as well as save himself?
A/N: Changmin POV~
Prologue Chapter 1
********
Changmin could hardly have hoped for any change in his recently dark, solitary existence. He had no idea how much time had passed since the thugs had thrown him roughly into the dark pit of a room. At least they weren’t going to kill him yet...unless they meant to drive him to starvation or death from thirst, the gritty bottle of water tossed to his side was long gone.
Changmin couldn’t keep reign on his fear, couldn’t drive away the clammy hands that encircled his heart as the image of that man floated before his eyes. Eye sockets bloodshot and popping, bullet hole neat and round in his forehead, gushing thick red. He shuddered, squeezing his eyes closed and wrapping his one good arm around his legs, dragging them closer.
The silence in the room seemed deeper than ever before. Especially with the now silent, gruesome body laying unmoving barely a foot from him. He couldn’t bear to look at the man, he seemed dead…had seemed dead when first dumped unceremoniously into the room a while ago.
Changmin supposed his shock at his situation, his broken arm and bruised body, and the fact that he was held prisoner in a dark room by murderers…must be nothing short of a living nightmare.
The dead man had roused long enough only to glare at him through piercing large black eyes, to swear in a grating hoarse voice and penetrate straight through Changmin with his sharp stare, before coughing up red and sagging into a bloody pile.
Changmin pressed himself a little more securely against the wall. This dead man must be one of them. But why was he here locked up with him? The fierce expression in those black eyes, the hard set of the jaw, his blood-smeared face and long black hair…they struck something deep in Changmin, and he could only identify it as fear.
The minutes ticked by slowly, and Changmin’s numb body slowly started shaking as a undeniable chill seeped into his bones. It must be night again, he was surprised he could feel it at all.
Although he struggled to hold it in, although there could hardly be any water left inside him to leak out, Changmin felt his eyes sting again. He stared blearily at the heap of a body next to him. It was hopeless. He couldn’t escape, couldn’t protect himself, hell, couldn’t even beg for death. It was a never ending nightmare, even more so as with nothing else to distract himself with he could only replay again and again the scene that had caused this however many nights ago.
***Start Flashback***
Changmin whistled happily as he walked up the alley to Junsu’s apartment. His best fried of the past three years lived across town, but Changmin went to his place to study often. His own home environment was rather cold and unfriendly, and he enjoyed the quiet freedom of just the two of them. No fathers breathing down necks with high expectations, no gushy mothers making him feel inadequate and guilty in an entirely different way for no reason.
Even so, today had decidedly been a good day. Mother had cooked him a delicious lunch, he guessed distractedly that there was something he should be doing for her in return but couldn’t figure it out, and had instead begged her to pack the extra so that he could bring it to his hyung.
Junsu appreciated good food almost as much as Changmin did, and he anticipated an extra good mood that evening…which meant Junsu would most likely lend him his old research paper in gratitude.
Changmin smiled, rushing up the steps to the building entrance. He pressed the buzzer for Junsu’s place, it was answered almost instantly, and he let himself in.
He had barely reached out to knock on the door when it flew open, and a bright smile welcomed him in.
“Minnie! You’re late.”
“I tried calling, but you didn’t pick up.” Changmin pouted, kicking off his shoes. He stepped into the room, pausing and doing a double take as Junsu stifled a yawn and hurriedly attempted to flatten down his rumpled hair.
Changmin’s eyes narrowed. “You were asleep, weren’t you?”
He laughed as Junsu looked away sheepishly. “That greeting was too energetic. Hyung…you promised you’d finish your report so you could help me with mine!” he was about to pout, but decided it wasn’t needed as Junsu was already babbling about something or other, grasping Changmin’s hand and looking up at him pleadingly.
“Whatever,” he laughed, “let’s get started.” He managed to keep a straight face, allowing Junsu to drag him earnestly into the small living room area. He was pushed down onto the couch and Junsu was a flurry of movement, pulling out books and papers.
“We’ll work on yours first.” He stated, finally settling down beside Changmin.
Changmin chuckled, nudging the other with his shoulder. “Nah, you eat first while I get organized.” He pushed the package into Junsu’s lap, smiling as the confusion turned into delight as he saw the contents.
Hours later found them bent over strewn papers, brows furrowed in concentration, scribbling notes as books covered every possible surface. Their study sessions hit like a tornado, and their perfectionist tendencies hit with a purpose, leaving them dazed as they came to a good 6 hours later.
Tonight was headed in the same direction if it weren’t for a phone call shortly after 10pm. The sound startled them, Changmin’s head snapping up with a crack. He rubbed his neck gingerly as Junsu threw books about, searching for his phone.
He finally located it under a pillow, eyes widening as he saw the caller ID.
Throwing a hesitant glance at Changmin, he got to his feet. “Sorry…gotta take this.” and he quickly moved towards the hall, pressing the phone to his ear as he went.
Changmin paid little attention, as Junsu’s phone often rang at late hours like this. Also, Junsu frequently had to leave after such calls. Changmin suspected it was Junsu’s parents, most likely his dad, but he never bothered asking and Junsu never provided any details.
He heard Junsu’s voice, tone low, answers short and curt, but wasn’t able to make out any of the conversation.
Now that their study streak had been interrupted, he realized he was hungry and tired. Stretching languidly, he made his way to the bathroom to wash up. A few moments later and Junsu was rapping lightly on the door.
“Sorry, Minnie. I gotta go out for a bit, but I'll be right back. Stay over tonight; it’s late.”
“Thanks, hyung!”
But he was already gone. The front door clicked shut as Changmin made his way out into the room. He sighed, deciding to force out a little more studying before he called it a night.
It couldn’t have been more than 15 minutes when Changmin heard a loud commotion outside. At first he didn’t really give it a second thought, but as the sounds continued and grew more clear, he paused, looking toward the window.
Fights often broke out around this neighborhood, but Changmin considered it to be generally safe or obviously his childish hyung wouldn’t live over here alone. He had never seen anything personally, nor been troubled by any of it before, and usually took no notice.
But as he heard the clank of metal and shouting voices, he remembered that Junsu should be coming back anytime, and he wouldn’t know to stay clear of the front street. Changmin hurriedly looked for his cell, which took a minute to find in which the shouts grew more violent.
He shuddered lightly, pressing speed dial to Junsu’s phone. The line rang once, twice, three times…Junsu didn’t answer. Changmin frowned, growing worried despite himself. Where had he gone to anyway? The line continued to ring…and ring.
Changmin was easily worried, and if he could at least warn Junsu, he’d be able to calm down and get back to work.
He went to the window, peering out at the dark street. He could barely make out a flurry of movement down towards the far end where the supermarket was. He frowned, thugs were disgusting, dirty, and dangerous…and Junsu would have to pass right by them to get home. He strained to see more clearly. Why wouldn’t Junsu answer his phone? He couldn’t be out there could he?
Changmin snapped his phone shut, all reason thrown to the wind as he rushed to the door, shoving his shoes on and running out the door before he could think about what he was going to do. He’d just check if Junsu was near the building. He dialed Junsu’s number again, hurrying down the stairs to the main door.
Stepping out into the night, Changmin looked down the street towards the brawl, trying to catch some sign of his friend.
The line abruptly picked up, startling him and he blanched as the sounds of the fight seemed louder, coming through the other end of the phone. As if Junsu was right in the middle of it. His voice came hushed and rapid.
“Changmin-ah. I’m okay. Sit tight, okay? There’s a fight out here. I’ll come in when they’re gone and it’s safe.” The phone call was abruptly cut and Changmin stared stupidly down the street, as if he could find his hyung hiding behind one of the dumpsters, waiting out the fight.
Instead he could now make out more clearly the shapes of men, flailing limbs, swinging bats…The shouting crushed on his ears. Wait…they seemed to be moving closer.
Changmin gasped, spinning around to rush back inside and wait for his hyung behind closed, locked doors. He was met with a resolutely closed door. Closed and locked. With no key. No one to buzz him in.
Changmin frantically pressed the numbers of the key pad, willing someone, anyone, to answer. The buzzing sounded loud in the night air, and Changmin hurriedly looked over his shoulder towards the surely approaching fight.
His fingers jammed on the buttons…no one was answering. Of course, who would open the door when they could clearly hear the gang brawl going on outside.
Changmin whimpered in fear, hands shaking as he shook the door handles. They wouldn’t budge…it was useless.
The sound of rapidly approaching footsteps caused him to whip around, pressing his back against the door.
There were men running down the street, they looked to be running away. One was limping, another half-supporting a third. Changmin couldn’t understand what they were shouting. His eyes were drawn to the blood that was pouring down one man's face. He was grimacing, showing a gaping black hole where his teeth had been knocked out.
Changmin shrunk against the doorway, eyes wide and mind blank. More men were rushing after the first, and Changmin couldn’t breathe as they passed him by.
Then one of them tripped and fell not far from him, and Changmin's eyes trained on him. A huge thug came upon the fallen man and his foot landed in the man’s face, again and again. Dark blood spurted everywhere and Changmin’s cry of horror was stuck in his throat.
Then there were people everywhere, and Changmin was too terrified to move, to run, to call for help, anything.
There were struggling figures all along the street now, and Changmin was sure they would see him, grab him and kick his face into a bloody pulp.
One man turned towards Changmin, heading towards the small dark alley that ran along the side of the building. Changmin could see his face clearly, lit by the street light above the corner. His face was desperate, throwing looks over his shoulder and around the street as he hurried towards the alley. A large black case was clasped across his chest.
Changmin saw his face clearly as a sudden echoing shot sounded from inside the alley. The man’s face flickered briefly in surprise before falling slack and blank; a raw hole was piercing his forehead.
The man crumpled to the ground, eyes wide open, case clattering to the cement.
He couldn’t tear his eyes from that dead face, the sickly twisted limbs as the man fell awkwardly upon himself. The rest of the world seemed to disappear.
Changmin must have screamed. His mouth was open, his throat burned…and someone had heard him.
*********
Chapter 3
whew! enter Junsu :D
There will be some lengthy flashbacks like this throughout the story to explain story/characters, so i hope it doesn't get confusing! Let me know if it is :( ~*