The Cry of the Silent Ones (Yunho x Jaejoong) - Chapter Five
**Note: The picture is a resized wallpaper that I DID NOT make and for which I take no credit.**
Promotional Video
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
The Cry of the Silent Ones (Chapter Five)
Pairing: Yunho (DBSK) x Jaejoong (DBSK).
Category: K-Pop.
Length: Multi-chaptered.
Genres: Angst, drama, humor, romance.
Rating: PG-13.
Warning: Homosexuality, light swearing, sexual implications, violence, war situations.
Summary: Yunho is a journalist from Hyemang who goes to Eodum, a backwater country where a tyrant leader is repressing the population with the aid of the military. There, a huge inner conflict is raging and a civil war threatens to break out at any time. Little does he know that news coverage isn't all he's going there for... He might soon become more deeply involved in the crisis than he had first planned.
This may seem a bit short (and the end might appear abrupt) but that's because originally, the chapter was WAY too long. I decided to cut a few pages and put them at the beginning of the next chapter, so at least half of chapter 6 is already written. XD
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[Yunho’s POV]
Cornered, eh?
“Listen….” I start saying, raising my hands to show - or to give them the impression, at the very least - that I have no intention of resisting. “I have no idea what you want but I’m not here to mock you guys. All I’m doing is my job… Nothing more.” Despite my attempt to keep my cool, my expression must betray my rising worry because the men that surround me laugh to themselves, drawing closer together. They don’t look like they’re about to let me go…
This is definitely not a good sign for me… Not a good sign at all.
“Seriously, I’m not here to cause trouble.”
I must really sound desperate as the one who appears to be the leader, judging from his superior air, starts moving towards me. The rest of the mob remains quiet, waiting for their chief to give them orders. “Your being here is already more than a threat to our Great Leader. What are you planning, outsider? We have to stop you before you decide to take action…”
That’s when he reveals with an evil glint in his eyes what he had been hiding behind his back.
A small dagger. He’s not joking.
I stare at it carefully, trying to stay calm and not let fear get the best of me.
“Do you understand the mess you’re in?” He asks me softly, raising the weapon which gleams as the light runs along its sharp blade. My eyes follow its course as it gets closer and closer, and it’s only when the cool object lands on my throat and I lose sight of it that I resign myself to look at the man that stands in front of me. “Do you?” He reiterates, demanding an answer from me.
Very slowly, I nod my head, all too aware of the knife pressed against my flesh. “…Yes.”
I have to get out of here.
Suddenly, contrary to what I was expecting, the man removes the dagger from its menacing spot and punches me straight in the jaw instead, sending me crashing to the ground. The blow resonates hard inside my bones, so much that it’s a miracle it doesn’t chip a tooth. My face lands flat in the dirt and I wince when someone kicks me in the ribs, taking my breath away.
Momentarily stunned, I try to get back on my feet despite the turning of my head, but my assailant grabs me before I can do anything. Brutally, he holds up my head by the hair, forcing me to look before me and nowhere else. That’s… when I see him.
Someone is holding up a baseball bat in their hands, a wolfish smirk baring his crooked teeth.
To my horror, the knife finds its way back against my throat.
“Now you’re gonna be a good kid and hand out all your possessions to that nice man in front of you. That fucking clear?” A voice hisses in my ears, dangerously impatient. The hand that was grasping my hair lets go and settles on my arm with the intent of holding me in place. “We’ll give them to the Great Leader as an offering… I hope you feel honored.” Judging from his frenetic movements, it seems that he’s getting a bit too carried away for my safety. I need to do something quick…
It’s do or die. There’s no other choice.
And so, risking it all, I opt for the reckless approach that is so like me.
Instantly, my hands shoot up and I make to grab both his wrists, but the one that was going for his weapon only manages to get a hold of the blade, which causes it to painfully slice through the flesh. Clenching my teeth as I try to bear the tearing pain, I twist my opponent’s arms above my head and whirl around to face him head-on, reversing our earlier positions.
I hold up the dagger against his throat despite the fact that it’s deeply planted in my skin. “Now you’re gonna take your filthy hands off of me and let me go right now.”
Okay, so this might not be the most diplomatic way of solving things…
I can feel that I’ve stirred up trouble and that the only thing that’s keeping the men from attacking me is the position that their chief is in. In the end, even if he does give in to my order, I’ll only have a split second to run and get away. I can’t make any mistakes.
Surprisingly, the leader docilely loosens his hold around me, though he doesn’t look happy to oblige.
This is the chance I was waiting for.
Dropping the now bloody offending tool, I spot an opening between two gang members and I quickly slip between them, inwardly thanking my slender build for the incredible feat. When I manage to exit the human prison, I dash like never before, not once looking over my shoulder to see if I’m being followed. The screams of protest that can be heard pretty much tell me what I need to know.
I’m going to need a stroke of luck.
“Hurry up and get him, boys! Skin him alive if that’s what it takes!”
As my pursuers cry out for me to stop if I don’t want them to make dog food out of me - oh sure, like I’ll actually listen to them -, I will my legs to take greater strides, looking frantically left and right for a place to hide or a different road to take. As I do that, I try not to get too distracted by the throbbing of my hand or the trail of blood that I leave in my wake.
Man… I’ve really done it this time.
“Don’t you dare let him get away! Take him down if you have to!”
The chase carries on for a few more minutes as I try to avoid the obstacles that block my path, barely evading the residents that witness the scene as if it were normal. Intent on getting myself out of this predicament, I keep urging my body to accelerate, now running on adrenaline and pure survival instinct. That allows me to gain ground, but it doesn’t change the fact that my energy is running out…
The excessive loss of blood that I’m suffering from is starting to take its toll on me, making me feel weak and exhausted. I feel so lightheaded that collapsing to the ground seems to me like the best option.
No… There’s no way I can stop now…
When I’m about to give up all hope of making it through this, an idea suddenly pops in my mind and I cling unto it desperately, putting everything at stake. As soon as I reach some sort of hidden alleyway, I make a sharp turn and I lunge in that direction, taking refuge behind large garbage containers. With my heart thumping in my ears, I press myself against the wall of the building, holding my breath and my bloody hand close to my body. Fuck, it hurts so much…
The moment I hear them approach my hiding spot, I move even more into the stone surface, praying to whoever’s up there watching over me. I can already see them get a hold of me…
But my chasers pass me by without stopping, to my utmost relief.
Closing my eyes briefly, I lean my head back against the cold rock, not believing how fortunate I am.
Thank god for aikido lessons.
A few more minutes go by until I’ve regained my breath and I venture to get out of my hide-out on stumbling feet. After a rapid scan of my surroundings, I make certain that the gang has gone elsewhere and then I step out of the recluse area, clutching my wounded hand miserably. No one seems to notice my sudden appearance and I’m grateful for it, as it allows me to get away on the sly.
I have to proceed with caution… Who knows if they’re still around?
Heaving out a shuddering sigh, I whirl around so that I can get back to the hotel and disinfect my injury when I bump against a hard body, letting out a small cry of surprise.
All the oxygen leaves my body as I consider the possibilities… Could it be…
Could it be… them again?
Before my heart starts to race incredibly so, I look up to find none other than Jaejoong’s concerned face. “Yunho… What on Earth happened to you?” His pallid skin has blanched beyond its usual color, something that I didn’t think to be possible. At a loss for words - and maybe a little bit of blood - I remain speechless before my legs choose that moment to fail me.
Although my knees buckle under me, Jaejoong doesn’t let me lose my footing and collapse. Instead, he grabs my shoulder quickly and ties my arm around his neck. “Whoa…! Take it easy.”
I take a deep shivering breath and strangely enough, I let out a small nervous laugh.
It’s certainly the loss of blood that’s doing this to me.
As best as he can, Jaejoong shrugs off his thin vest, stretches it lengthwise and wraps it around my palm in order to stop the bleeding. When the piece of cloth is firmly rolled around my hand, he continues applying pressure to it while keeping his left arm around my waist and with his other hand he holds the limb that remains knotted around his neck.
“Can you walk?” He inquires softly and I nod with difficulty, confirming his interrogation. “Alright… I’ll take you to my place so I can tend to that nasty wound. Don’t worry, I live pretty close by.”
He smiles at me in a soothing, reassuring way that clearly says: “It’s okay. It’s over. You’re safe now.” Aided by his supporting arm, I let him lead me to yet another area that I hadn’t seen until now, not too far from the dangerous district that I will not be going back to in the near future. We walk in silence, but it’s a comfortable one that is filled only by his alluring scent and the sound of his calm respiration.
A short moment later, we finally stop in front of a run-down house that looks like it has survived numerous catastrophes in the past. Despite all that it might have been through, it’s still standing…
For some reason, I find Jaejoong’s house to be strangely beautiful.
“Alright, let’s get you in there.”
Jaejoong’s voice brings me out of my daze and I nod my approval before starting to walk again, trying to rely on his help as little as possible, but it seems like my body has reached its limit when small dots start dancing in front of my eyes. “Stop trying to be so strong…” Jaejoong scolds me when he apparently notices my attempt to walk on my own. “You’ve lost a lot of blood. It’s only natural you’d feel so weak…” He explains while guiding me to what I presume to be the bathroom.
On the way there, we meet Jaejoong’s little sister as she walks past us in the corridor. I smile at her awkwardly as we exchange greetings, more than a little embarrassed by the situation I find myself in…
Eunhae freezes at the sight of my injury. “Do you need help, oppa?”
“Thanks, hun, but we’ll be fine. You can go back to your room and play.” Jaejoong tells her in a warm, loving tone, pulling me in the bathroom with him. The girl does as she is told, not without flashing me an impish smile. “And don’t eavesdrop, Eunhae. I taught you better manners than that.”
The child sighs audibly at her brother’s insight. “…I know…” Obedient, she leaves the room and heads for her own, where she closes a door that creaks noisily.
What an adorable kid.
Turning his attention back to me, Jaejoong leaves me next to the counter where I support myself. Helpless and a little frustrated, I lean back against it, watching Jaejoong’s silhouette as he gets the necessary from a rusty cabinet, retrieving a roll of bandage, a pair of scissors and a few safety pins. Before I can place a word, he takes my hand and starts unrolling his ruined vest, soaked with my blood.
His movements are gentle but confident… precise. Slightly out of it, I watch him turn the faucet and put my hand under the water to wash off the dried blood with soap.
I can’t take it anymore. I have to ask him.
“Why did you help me?” The question leaves my mouth before I can hold it in, surprised at how the cut doesn’t hurt so much anymore. Jaejoong lifts his gaze for a second, questioningly, before going back to the task at hand. Because he doesn’t grant me an answer right away, I continue explaining my logic. “After all, I’m nothing but a stranger… Who knows what I could do to you?”
It’s true, though. What does he have to gain from doing this?
Jaejoong laughs quietly, not scared in the least by my statement. “I’m not exactly sure why, but… I know you’d never hurt me. I just know it.” Concentrated on cleaning my wound, he smiles to himself and I get the annoying feeling that there’s something I’m missing here…
Once again, only the sound of the running water fills the silence of the room.
When Jaejoong is done, he grabs the roll of bandage and starts wrapping the palm of my hand with expert fingers, making sure not too make it too tight but not too loose either. I choose that moment to bring up the topic once again. “You… didn’t answer my question.”
I’m thinking that he might have forgotten about it, but he doesn’t need me to refresh his memory.
Jaejoong shrugs, adding yet another layer of fabric around my hand. “…Right. On second thought, maybe I should have let you bleed to death. Didn’t I tell you not to go there? You were really asking for trouble…” He chides me while fastening the safety pins and letting me have my hand back, after which he grabs his bloody garment to dispose of it, most likely.
Feeling like a scolded troublemaker, I lower my gaze slightly, all too aware that he’s completely right. But I really have no right to complain, after everything that he did for me.
“…Thanks for the help.” I say gratefully, to which Jaejoong shakes his head, smiling.
Good. He doesn’t seem to be mad at me.
Suddenly feeling very stupid, now that the “crisis” had been averted, I follow him back to the humble kitchen where he draws a chair for me, telling me to sit down upon it. I choose to do as he instructs me, although I really have no idea what he has in mind. As I look at him quizzically, he makes his way to the cheap refrigerator and opens the freezer, getting out a small bag of ice.
He backtracks to the table and hands it to me. “Your face is all swollen.” He explains, cracking a smile at my naivety, and so I apply the compress to my jaw, feeling my cheeks flush a little.
“You needed to ask me some questions?”
Reminded of our scheduled meeting that ended up happening ahead of time, I watch him take a seat in front of me, on the other end of the table. I nod slightly, a little surprised.
As if he had read my mind, he hurries to explain himself. “…Back at the textile mill… Because we finished the orders earlier than expected and since our boss didn’t want to pay us for nothing, he sent us back home for the day. I guess you’d expect no less from a man so greedy… Anyway, I was going home to check on Eunhae and that’s when I found you.”
Ah, so that’s why Jaejoong was around at that time…
“How was your day?” I’m naturally driven to enquire, mostly out of politeness - and maybe a little bit of personal concern, too. Granted, you wouldn’t expect a complete stranger to ask such a question, but I’m not just any stranger. I’m a journalist: Nosy is my middle name, right after Curious. At any rate, from what I can see on his pale, jaded face, I’d say his shift could have elapsed more smoothly…
You’d think the hollow cheeks and the dark rings under his eyes would have no reason to spoil his magnificent appearance… Not to mention the unusually red eyes and the slightly raspy voice.
He looks to me like a very hard-working person…
But there must be more to it than just passionate desire to surpass oneself. It’s not normal.
With his elbows on the table, Jaejoong rests his face in his hands, pensive. “Not any different than the usual routine, I guess… Since it’s always the same.” He reports in a weary, scratchy tone. “Even after all this time, I still haven’t gotten used to the heat, lack of air and chemicals. Way too many workers are crammed into that place… which doesn’t prevent accidents from happening. As if we didn’t have enough of those infuriating superiors watching us over our shoulders all the time…”
How can he even accept to work there? He must really have no other choice…
“Anyway, that’s why my voice is all weird like that.” He grimaces, a childish expression that blows a refreshing wind of youth across his features. “Don’t worry. It’s usually a lot more seductive than that.” Of course, I can tell that this is said as a mere joke, but I warmly welcome the momentary change of atmosphere and chuckle lightly at the remark, amused. “Yeah, I bet.”
I decide that I like him a lot more when he’s like that.
Wait… Did I just think that I like him? Since when? And is that guy flirting with me…?
No way… I have to be imagining things.
Chapter Six