Chereads / CRIMSON REBELS / Chapter 14 - "The Trap at the Abandoned Building"

Chapter 14 - "The Trap at the Abandoned Building"

The next evening, on a quiet Saturday night, Eunyeon was just about to head downstairs for dinner when the sound of shattering glass startled him. He turned sharply to see his bedroom window had been broken, shards scattered across the floor. Among the fragments was a crumpled piece of paper. His heart pounded as he picked it up and unfolded it.

Written in hurried, uneven handwriting were the words:

"I'll be waiting for you at the abandoned building in the city center."

Eunyeon's breath hitched. His mind raced as he tried to process what this meant. Without thinking twice, he threw on a jacket and headed for the door. He had no idea who had sent the note, but the urgency in the message made it clear this wasn't something he could ignore.

As he descended the stairs, his mother called out from the dining room.

"Eunyeon, come have dinner. It's getting cold."

He hesitated for a split second, glancing toward the dining room where his family was seated. His mother's warm voice clashed with the cold, unsettling feeling building inside him.

"I have something to take care of," he called back, trying to sound casual.

His father, who was just walking toward the table, stopped mid-step and turned to look at him. His sharp eyes narrowed slightly, his expression unreadable.

"What kind of business?" he asked, his tone laced with suspicion.

"Nothing important," Eunyeon replied, avoiding eye contact as he continued toward the garage. His father didn't press further, though Eunyeon could feel his gaze lingering on him as he left.

In the garage, Eunyeon swung a leg over his sleek sports bike, the engine roaring to life as he revved it. The sound echoed through the quiet neighborhood, a sharp contrast to the stillness of the night. He sped off into the darkness, the cool air whipping past him as he headed toward the city center.

When Eunyeon reached the abandoned building, tension filled his chest. The eerie structure loomed in the shadows, its broken windows and graffiti-covered walls giving it an ominous aura. He pushed the creaking metal door open and stepped inside cautiously.

"Hello?" he called, his voice echoing through the hollow space.

Before long, Seungho appeared, his expression smug.

"You actually came," he sneered.

Eunyeon's eyes narrowed. "What do you want, Seungho?"

Before Seungho could answer, several gang members emerged from the shadows, surrounding Eunyeon. It was a trap.

Just as one of the gang members lunged toward Eunyeon, a loud voice boomed from behind.

"Get your hands off him!"

It was Joonwoo Song, stepping in from the entrance. His sharp eyes scanned the room, his presence exuding authority. The gang hesitated momentarily, recognizing him, but soon closed in on both Eunyeon and Joonwoo.

The fight erupted in an instant. Eunyeon fought with all his might, but the overwhelming number of attackers proved to be a challenge. Beside him, Joonwoo moved with precision and strength, his punches sharp and calculated. Every swing he took sent an attacker sprawling, but it was clear they were outnumbered.

Eunyeon landed a few hits but suffered heavy blows as well. A punch to his stomach knocked the wind out of him, and a kick to his back sent him crashing to the floor. Blood dripped from his nose, and he could feel his energy fading.

"Stay on your feet, Eunyeon!" Joonwoo yelled, striking down another attacker.

But despite their resistance, the gang pressed on relentlessly. At one point, Seungho joined the fight, landing a harsh kick to Eunyeon's side. Eunyeon groaned in pain, collapsing momentarily before forcing himself back up.

"Enough of this!" Joonwoo shouted as he grabbed Eunyeon by the arm.

"We need to get out of here now!"

Seizing a moment of distraction, Joonwoo dragged Eunyeon toward the exit. Eunyeon stumbled, barely able to keep up as his body ached all over. They broke free from the building, sprinting into the dark streets. The gang's shouts echoed behind them, but the two didn't stop until they reached a quieter area.

Joonwoo leaned against a wall, catching his breath. He had a few bruises and scratches but was otherwise unscathed. Eunyeon, on the other hand, was in far worse shape. His cuts and bruises were severe, and his movements were sluggish.

"Go home," Joonwoo said firmly. "I'll hold them off if they come looking for you."

Eunyeon shook his head weakly. "No... I can't let you do this alone."

Before Joonwoo could respond, Eunyeon's legs gave out, and he collapsed on the pavement. Panic flashed across Joonwoo's face as he knelt down beside him, but before he could help, a faint voice called out.

"What's going on here?"

An elderly woman stepped out of a nearby house, her expression filled with concern. She quickly assessed the situation, and without waiting for an explanation, she helped Eunyeon to his feet and guided him toward her home.

"Don't worry, young man," she told Joonwoo. "I'll take care of him. You should go before they find you."

Joonwoo hesitated but eventually nodded. He knew staying would only bring more trouble. As he disappeared into the night, the elderly woman brought Eunyeon into her modest home.

When Eunyeon woke up, the first thing he noticed was the faint scent of herbs and the soft creak of wooden floors. He wasn't in a hospital. Instead, he found himself lying on a small, worn-out bed in a cozy but old-fashioned room.

The elderly woman entered, carrying a bowl of steaming herbal medicine. "You're awake," she said softly, placing the bowl on a nearby table. "You were in terrible shape when I found you."

Eunyeon winced as he sat up, his body aching all over. He noticed herbal bandages covering the deeper wounds on his arms and legs. "Thank you," he murmured, his voice hoarse. "I don't know how I ended up here."

The woman smiled kindly. "You collapsed near my house. I couldn't just leave you there. You're safe now. Rest and regain your strength."

Meanwhile, the police, following a tip-off from Eunyeon's father, raided the abandoned building. They found evidence of the fight and arrested several gang members, including Seungho. During the interrogation, Seungho smirked and said, "I was just following orders. The real boss? He's not even in Korea."

The authorities soon uncovered that Seungho's superior was orchestrating the gang's activities from a luxurious apartment overseas.

Back at the elderly woman's house, Eunyeon stared out of the window, deep in thought. His body was healing, but his determination burned stronger than ever. Whoever was behind this wouldn't stop until they got what they wanted.

And neither would he.