Peeking through the peephole, she saw a figure shrouded in shadows, the only discernible features a strong jawline and piercing eyes that seemed to bore into her soul. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and exuded an aura of danger that was both terrifying and strangely comforting. The stranger had seen her plight in the alley, the brutal assault that had left her shaking and broken.
With trembling hands, she unlocked the door and opened it a crack. The man's gaze was intense, his voice low and gravelly. "I saw what happened," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "I can help you get even, but it won't come for free."
Soo-Young's heart raced at the prospect of vengeance, the thought of making the old vendor pay for his disgusting actions filling her with a white-hot anger. She had never felt such rage before, not even when she was Baek Hyun. This was different, a primal, unbridled fury that was both exhilarating and terrifying.
The stranger's name was Jung-Ho, and his hatred for the market vendor was palpable. He had his own reasons for wanting the man to suffer, but he made it clear that he expected something in return. His eyes lingered on her barely covered body, a mix of hunger and calculation that made her skin crawl. "What do you want?" she whispered, her voice shaking.
He stepped closer, the smell of leather and tobacco enveloping her. "I want you to be mine," he murmured, his breath warm on her cheek. "I'll keep you safe, I'll make sure no one ever touches you like that again. But you'll do as I say, when I say." His hand reached out, his thumb brushing against her bruised lip. "Do we have a deal?"
The offer hung in the air, thick and heavy with implication. Soo Young knew that accepting would mean giving herself over to another form of control, but the alternative was too much to bear. The thought of the old man getting away with his vile act was unbearable. With a nod, she agreed, feeling the weight of her decision settle heavily on her shoulders.
Jung-Ho's smile was predatory, his eyes gleaming with victory. "Good," he said, his grip tightening on her arm. "Now, get dressed. We have work to do."
Her body responded to his touch, the same confusing mix of fear and arousal that had plagued her during the assault. She didn't know what lay ahead, but she knew she had made a deal with the devil.
The clothes Jung-Ho picked out for her were a stark contrast to her usual attire. They were tight, revealing, and made her feel like a doll dressed for a twisted game. He watched her with a critical eye as she put them on, his gaze lingering on her breasts and the curve of her hips. The skirt barely covered her ass, and the top was so sheer that her nipples were clearly visible. She felt like a whore, but she knew this was the price she had to pay.
When she was dressed, he led her out into the night, the neon lights of Seoul casting an eerie glow over the streets. They walked in silence, the tension between them thick enough to cut with a knife. His hand was firm around her wrist, guiding her through the maze of alleys and side streets. Soo Young's heart hammered in her chest, a mix of anticipation and dread.
The old vendor's stall was closed, the colorful fabrics that had once held so much allure now a taunting reminder of the horror she had faced. Jung-Ho's grip tightened as they approached, his eyes narrowed with malice. He whispered in her ear, his breath hot and heavy, "Remember, do as I say."
Her heart was a drum in her chest as they approached the shuttered stall. Jung-Ho's plan was simple but effective: she would lure the old man out, and he would deal with him. It was a dangerous gamble, but Soo Young was desperate for revenge, for the justice that had been ripped from her in the alley.
They stopped in the shadows, and Jung-Ho leaned in, his breath warm against her neck. "You're sure you want to do this?"
Soo Young nodded, her voice a mere whisper. "Yes. He can't get away with this."
Jung-Ho gave her a curt nod, his expression a mix of satisfaction and cold determination. "Good girl." He released her wrist and took a step back, allowing her to approach the stall alone.
Her legs felt like jelly as she stepped into the light, her heart racing so fast she feared it might burst. She could feel the old man's eyes on her, watching from the shadows. She called out to him in a singsong voice, trying to sound as innocent as she could muster. "Excuse me, do you still have the plums from earlier?"
The shuttered stall creaked open, and the old man's lecherous smile appeared. His eyes devoured her, and she had to fight the bile rising in her throat. "Ah, Miss Kim," he said, his voice oily. "You've come back for more, have you?"
Soo Young forced a smile, playing the part of the naive and eager victim. "Yes, I've changed my mind," she said, her voice trembling. "Could I have another?"
The old man's eyes gleamed in the dim light as he stepped out, his gaze lingering on the curves of her body. She could feel his hunger for her, and it made her skin crawl. But she had to keep her composure, for the sake of the plan.
"Of course," he leered, his hand reaching out to caress her arm. "I have something much better for you this time."
Soo Young's stomach twisted as she forced a giggle, playing along. Jung-Ho remained hidden in the shadows, his eyes never leaving her. She stepped closer to the stall, her heart racing as the old vendor's hand trailed up to her shoulder, his grip tightening. The scent of his sweat and the stale market air made her want to gag, but she held it in, biding her time.
The man leaned in, his hot breath fanning her cheek as he whispered, "I've got a special treat for you tonight." His eyes glinted with malice, and Soo Young knew she had to act. She reached out, her hand brushing against the fruit display, her fingertips lingering on a plum.
With a sudden shout, Jung-Ho emerged from the shadows, his fist connecting with the vendor's jaw with a sickening crunch. The old man's eyes widened in shock, his hand shooting up to clutch his face as he stumbled backward. In the chaos, a second figure slipped from the shadows, a metal rod in hand. Before Soo Young could react, the perverted accomplice swung the makeshift weapon at Jung-Ho with a vicious snarl.
The rod glanced off Jung-Ho's temple, sending a spray of stars across Soo Young's vision. Jung-Ho's grip on her waist faltered, and he crumpled to the ground, his eyes rolling back in his head. The world spun around her as she watched in horror, the sounds of the market muffled by the sudden pounding in her ears. The old vendor took advantage of the distraction, his hand shooting out to cover her mouth and nose with a wad of fabric.
The smell of his dirty apron filled her nostrils, the fabric reeking of stale food and sweat. She clawed at his arm, her lungs burning as she tried to scream, but the sound was muffled by his calloused hand. Her eyes watered, the fabric cutting off her air. The world grew darker, her legs buckling as her body fought for oxygen. Her thoughts grew fuzzy, her vision tunneling until all she could see was the leering face of the old man above her, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
And then, everything went black.
Soo Young's world faded to nothingness, the last thing she felt was the cold concrete beneath her cheek and the hot breath of the old vendor against her skin. When she came to, she was lying in a dank, unfamiliar room. Her head throbbed, and the smell of mold and damp earth filled her nostrils. She was bound, her wrists and ankles tied with what felt like rough rope, digging into her delicate skin. Panic surged through her, her heart racing as she struggled against her restraints.
Her eyes searched the darkness, trying to make out any detail, but she was surrounded by shadows. She could hear the faint sound of breathing somewhere nearby, and the occasional drip of water echoing through the room. The dress she had been wearing was intact, but her skin was sticky with sweat and fear. Her thoughts raced as she tried to piece together what had happened.
The door to the room creaked open, and the old vendor stepped into the light, his leer now a sadistic grin. His hand was swollen, a bruise already forming where she had kneed him. He took in her bound form with a greedy gaze that made her stomach turn. "Look what the cat dragged in," he said, his voice a mockery of kindness.
The second man emerged behind him, his features shadowed but his intent clear. The metal rod in his hand glinted menacingly, and she knew she had to get out of here before they could do any more harm. She tugged at the ropes, her wrists burning as she tried to free herself. "Please," she choked out, her voice hoarse from the fabric that had been crammed in her mouth. "Let me go."
The old vendor chuckled, the sound echoing off the damp walls. "Why would I do that?" he said, his voice a sickening blend of amusement and lust. "You're going to give us what we want, whether you like it or not."
He approached the bed, his gait unsteady but purposeful. Soo Young's eyes widened with fear as she realized her predicament. The second man closed the door behind them, the finality of the gesture sending a chill down her spine. She thrashed against the ropes, trying to scream, but the fabric in her mouth muffled the sound to a pitiful whine.
The old vendor reached down and yanked the gag from her mouth, his grin widening at her gasp for air. "You're going to scream for us, Miss Kim," he said, his voice thick with malice. "You're going to scream so loud the whole market can hear you."
Soo Young's eyes darted around the room, searching for an escape. The walls were bare, the only light coming from a flickering bulb above the bed. The floor was concrete, the air thick with the stench of despair and decay. "What do you want from me?" she rasped, her voice shaking.
The old vendor leaned over her, his breath hot and foul. "I want to hear you beg," he sneered, his hand moving to trace the line of her jaw. "Beg for it like the whore you are."
Her stomach lurched, but she steeled herself, her eyes flashing with defiance. "I'm not a whore," she spat, her voice shaking with rage. "And I'll never beg for anything from you."
The old man's smile grew, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "We'll see about that," he murmured, leaning in to whisper in her ear. His breath was hot and sour, making her skin crawl. The second man approached the bed, the metal rod in his hand raised. "You're going to beg for it, or we'll make you," he said, his voice a sinister echo of the vendor's.
Her eyes darted to Jung-Ho's unconscious form, a silent plea for help. But Jung-Ho remained motionless, lost to the darkness that had consumed her. She knew she had to rely on herself now, to find the strength to fight back against these monsters.
The old vendor's hand trailed down her neck, his touch light as a feather but just as repulsive as the stench of his sweat. She felt bile rising in her throat, the urge to fight growing stronger with every passing second. As his hand reached the top of her breasts, she bit down on her lip, willing herself to stay still.
The second man leaned in, his breath hot on her face as he whispered, "You're going to enjoy this, little one. Trust me." His voice was a twisted parody of comfort, and she knew that the only thing she could trust was her own instinct to survive.
Her eyes searched the room again, desperately seeking any object she could use to free herself. The vendor's hand reached for the zipper of her skirt, his eyes never leaving hers as he began to tug it down. The sound was like nails on a chalkboard, setting her teeth on edge. She couldn't let this happen again, not now, not after everything she had endured.
The old vendor called out to the second man, "Woo-Jin, bring me the syringe. I want to make sure she's extra...compliant."
Woo-Jin disappeared from her line of sight, his heavy footsteps echoing through the small room. Soo Young felt a cold knot of dread coil in her stomach as she realized the full extent of their depraved intentions. The old vendor's hand continued to inch down her body, his grip tightening on her waist. She could feel his excitement, his anticipation, and it made her want to retch.
When Woo-Jin returned, he held a syringe filled with a clear liquid. The needle gleamed in the dim light, a silent promise of pain and helplessness. He handed it to the old vendor, who took it with a greedy look in his eye. "This will make you feel nice and relaxed," he said, his voice a chilling whisper.
Soo Young's heart hammered in her chest as the old vendor approached the bed, the syringe held like a weapon. Her eyes narrowed in defiance as he brought the needle closer to her bare skin, her body coiled like a spring ready to pounce. But the second man's grip on her wrists was like iron, holding her in place as the old vendor's hand hovered over her arm.
The needle pierced her flesh, the cold liquid spreading through her veins like a poisonous serum. She felt the drug take hold almost immediately, her muscles growing weaker, her body becoming hot and heavy. She struggled against the ropes, a silent scream of rage and fear bubbling in her throat. But the men's grins grew wider, their eyes gleaming with victory as they watched her fight the inevitable.
Her skin grew slick with sweat, and she could feel the heat pooling between her legs. It was an unwelcome sensation, a traitorous response to the violation she was about to endure. The old vendor's eyes never left hers as he traced the needle's path with his thumb, his touch sending waves of nausea and arousal through her. It was as if her body had betrayed her, responding to his vile advances despite her mind's screams of protest.
The second man, Woo-Jin, chuckled darkly, his hand tightening around her wrist. "Looks like she's starting to like it," he sneered, his voice thick with disgust. She gritted her teeth, willing her body to ignore the drug's effects, but the wetness grew, a testament to her newfound vulnerability. The old vendor leaned in closer, his breath hot on her cheek as he whispered, "You're going to love this."