I’m bound to a pillar that supports the building by a thick and rough twine rope. It cuts into me, itches and burns badly, but I force myself to watch as the man with the grey eyes moves over with the hot iron. Ironically, it’s the letter K.

            He moves over to stand beside me,

            “Happy Birthday,” and I stand rigid, and wince, gritting my teeth and holding back a scream as the pain sears through me and the brand marks the skin of my left arm.

            After a moment he removes it and I let out the air I held.

            “Now that was no fun,” the man pouts, “maybe another one-”

            “Do that again and I swear as soon as I’m free you’ll be begging that I don’t kill you.”

            He merely laughs,

            “Empty threats, we all know you can’t harm a fly, don’t try to act tough Kibum,” he brings his face closer, our noses nearly touching, and our eyes at one level, I press myself against the pillar to get some distance, “it doesn’t suit you,” and just like that he’s back at the fire place, heating it up again.

            I swallow my throat having gone dry.

            “You know, I wonder how you made it through school with a face like that,” one of the other men, Izawa, speaks, looking at me.

            “What do you mean?” I glare at him coldly.

            “You think you look normal? Grow your hair out longer and give you a dress, I’m almost certain you could pass as a girl.”

            My face heats,

            “Well...no one ever said anything, and by the way, everyone loves me.”

            The two men laugh a