Bullets ↯ PJS

01

I breathed heavily as I ran, my lungs burning with every gasp of air. Fear clawed at me, cold and suffocating. I didn't know where I was going—just that I had to keep moving.

What was I thinking, agreeing to cover the night shift? The most dangerous part of South Korea, Neo City, was infamous for its mafias, gangs, and criminals who roamed freely under the cover of night. And tonight, I'd stumbled right into their world.

I should've taken the long way home, like I always did. Should've avoided the dark alleys. Should've ignored that gut feeling that something wasn't right. But I didn't—and now I'd seen something I wasn't supposed to: a murder.

My legs burned, my lungs screamed for air, but my stamina was giving out. I ducked into a narrow alley, hoping to catch my breath, but the sound of footsteps closing in made my blood run cold.

BANG!

Pain exploded in my thigh, sharp and searing. I staggered, barely catching myself against the cold brick wall as I looked down. Blood. So much blood. It seeped through the tear in my jeans, soaking into my shoes.

A deep, mocking laugh echoed behind me.

"When I say don't run, you don't fucking run," a low voice drawled.

I turned my head to see a tall figure stepping out of the shadows, the gun still raised. His smirk sent a chill down my spine.

"Now look what you made me do," he chuckled darkly. "But hey, at least now you can't run anymore."

His words sent a wave of panic through me. "Please," I stammered, my voice trembling. "Leave me alone. I didn't see anything—I swear. I won't tell anyone!"

The man cocked his head, eyes narrowing. "Who knows? Maybe you're with one of those gangs, trying to play innocent. Don't worry—I'll find out."

He motioned to the two men behind him. "Get her."

They stepped forward, and I limped further into the alley, desperate to escape. The pain in my leg was unbearable, but fear kept me moving. I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood, trying to muffle the whimper of pain threatening to escape.

"Pathetic," one of them sneered as he lunged at me.

I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing for the worst—but it never came.

Instead, I heard the sound of fists connecting with flesh, followed by angry grunts and the heavy thud of bodies hitting the ground. My eyes flew open, and I saw five strangers taking down the men who had been chasing me.

But before relief could set in, one of the attackers grabbed me, yanking me back against his chest. A cold metal barrel pressed against my temple.

"Any closer," he snarled, "and I'll blow her fucking brains out!"

I froze, trembling as my captor began backing us deeper into the alley. The five men stopped, their expressions dark and calculating.

"Stay back!" the man shouted again, his grip tightening on me. But before he could say more, a loud crack echoed through the alley.

The man holding me crumpled to the ground. I stumbled, disoriented, but a strong arm caught me before I fell. I looked up, dazed, into the face of my rescuer—a tall man holding a rifle.

"You okay?" he asked, his voice steady and calm.

I nodded weakly, though my vision blurred from the pain in my leg.

"Guys, she's bleeding bad," he called over his shoulder. "Think we should let Taeil take a look?"

"Why the hell would we do that?" another man snapped, stepping into the moonlight. His sharp jawline and stormy eyes made him look both beautiful and terrifying.