Chap 14
"Joong, what if one day you sell me... but can you not kill my parents, please?"
Dunk turned his whole body toward Joong as the two of them were on their way back to the city.
"What kind of nonsense is that? I already told you, you're mine. Sell you? No way."
"But... Mom said that... and I... got scared."
"You're being ridiculous. I care about you, okay? That's never gonna happen. But that guy Ally definitely won't let this go, so for now, come stay at my place."
"...Your place? Where is it?"
Joong looked at him and gave a sly smile.
"You'll see soon."
The car made it back to the city before turning onto a narrow dirt road. There were no streetlights, no cars, just darkness, and the beam from their headlights. The air outside grew colder the farther they got from the city lights...
"Joong... this place feels kinda scary."
"Yeah, it's a bit dark, but it's pretty safe."
After about fifteen minutes, Joong stopped in the middle of the pitch-black space, got out of the car, and walked around to help Dunk out. Small feet followed large ones, their hands tightly clasped together...
"Ahh"
"Careful."
The path wasn't as smooth as Dunk had thought. There were so many small rocks underfoot that he almost tripped several times. They walked for another ten minutes before a faint light finally came into view... a tiny house with matte black walls, and two security cameras mounted on the porch.
Joong led Dunk to stand neatly on the doormat in front of the door, looked up at one of the cameras for a moment, and the door opened automatically. Inside, instead of a regular home, a staircase led straight underground.
*Sound of the door opening*
As soon as they stepped inside, the door closed right behind them. Dunk held tightly onto Joong's arm as they walked down the stairs, then entered a hallway about three meters long that led to another door. There were cameras everywhere here too.
This time, the door opened with a heavy groan. Dunk saw Joong press his palm against a scanner... it all seemed like such a complicated process. He didn't dare say a word the whole time, just followed silently and observed...
"LEADER!"
The people in front of him looked both familiar and unfamiliar. Dunk gave them a polite bow, which was returned with a bow of their own.
"Have you made your decision, Leader?"
"Yeah."
"So... are we handing him over to Mr. Jass?"
"No. He belongs to us."
"...What?"
Everyone was stunned, but no one dared to speak up.
"He's currently my boyfriend. I'm not hiding anything from any of you. He carries the S+ bloodline."
"S+ ??? The supposedly extinct bloodline?"
"Yeah. I know what you're all thinking, but I'll say this again... he's mine. Don't bring up anything about selling or trading him. If anyone's not okay with this, you're free to leave the group. I won't stop you."
Joong's words hit like nails being driven into stone. The soldiers looked at each other in disbelief, wondering what had happened to the leader they once knew—so firm and just. But then, one of them stepped forward.
"You took us in, Leader. You gave us food, shelter... We wouldn't dare go against your decision."
Joong let out a quiet sigh.
"I'm not forcing any of you."
"We understand, sir. We're willing. But... won't keeping him close cause trouble outside?"
"Yeah, I know. Ally already found out, that's why I brought him here. From now on, no one but me is allowed to take him outside. And most importantly, no contact with outsiders. Strictly forbidden."
"YES, SIR!"
Dunk was still hiding behind Joong, his eyes full of fear as he looked at the people in front of him. Right now, he felt like he'd been dropped into a pack of wolves, and the thought of being sold off kept buzzing in his head.
"Dunk."
"Y-Yes...?"
His lips trembled as he answered Joong.
"You don't have to be scared. I'm here."
"Y-You... you're not going to sell me... right?"
"Don't worry, when our leader says something, he means it. Just stay calm and know your place."
"You talk too much, huh? Keep it down. Take turns guarding the door tonight. I'm taking Dunk inside."
"Yes, sir."
Joong guided Dunk past the group and through another door. There was another staircase—this time going up, not as deep as the one before. It led to a brightly lit room, modern and fully furnished. It had everything, like a miniature dream villa.
" Baby, stay here with me for now, okay? Once things settle down, we'll go back to the city."
"I... I'm scared."
"It's okay, sweetheart. I'll always be here with you. You're safe."
"W-What about... my parents?"
"They said they'll take care of themselves. What matters now is you. Just listen to me, alright?"
"Okay..."
Seeing that Dunk was still scared, Joong held him close for a while—only when Dunk finally drifted off to sleep did he feel at ease enough to leave and get back to work.
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Sapo🇻🇳 (22:06/270525)
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