For the next few days, Sunggyu did what any normal person would do. He avoided all his problems and threw himself into his work.

He refused to think about what had happened with the gang in the spice shop and the melt down he had…or even about Woohyun. Well maybe he thought a little about Woohyun, but that wasn’t something he could really help.

Hoya and Dongwoo acted like nothing happened, because they knew Sunggyu wouldn’t tell them about it anyways. Sungjong didn’t mention that night again, but he always made it clear to Sunggyu that he was there to talk if Sunggyu wanted to.

But of course Sunggyu didn’t want to. He didn’t want to talk to anyone. Not to Hoya, Dongwoo, Sungjong, or even his mom.

When he wasn’t avoiding completing missions, he locked himself in his room, and sat in the corner with his headphones on blasting rock music so loud that he couldn’t think anymore. Though sometimes when he needed some air, he would wander the park at night and just stare up at the stars and breathe in the cool air.

One night he was doing just that, when it dawned on him that he was acting pretty pathetic. Just like how he used to be.

His mother got him a job and everything, and here he was, being the same old screw up. He didn’t want to be like this…he really didn’t. But he couldn’t help but feel lost. When Woohyun was with him, and they were doing missions together, he felt like he had a purpose. He really enjoyed it. But now…

He shook his head.

“This is really stupid…” He thought to himself. “I can’t fall apart like this…just because that idiot isn’t here…I can’t improve this way...I can’t live this way.” He realized, that if Woohyun was out there trying his best to be stronger, then he should as well. But in order for him to do that, he had to face his past. He hesitantly patted his thigh, as he recalled the events at the spice shop. Those men…that tattoo they had, they weren’t from Sunggyu’s gang. But he knew the gang that they belonged to.

That man who had stabbed him was the leader of that gang, and they were and always have been known as the most ruthless gang in the city. It never occurred to Sunggyu that they might not be human, until now.

“That’s it!” Sunggyu had an idea. “If I can find the gang leader, and find out what they are…” He pondered this for a moment, as he sat down at the wooden park bench.

“Hey.” Sunggyu almost fell off the bench and clutched his rapidly beating heart, as he turned to see Myungsoo sitting there beside him.

“You scared me!” Sunggyu frowned. “Why didn’t you say anything if you were there?”

Myungsoo blinked. “I thought you saw me…”

“Well whatever…” Sunggyu sighed. “What are you doing here anyways?”

“Same as you…” Myungsoo folded his hands in his lap, and shuffled his foot around the gravelly sand. “Running away from my problems…”

“Oh…” Sunggyu glanced at him and nodded. They sat in silence for a few minutes.

“You’re not going to ask about it?” Myungsoo piped up.

“About what?”

“My dad…why Sungyeol is fighting him.”

“I don’t know…it’s not my business.” Sunggyu shrugged.

“Yeah…I guess it isn’t.” Myungsoo looked down, solemnly.

“Ah wait that’s not what I meant.” Sunggyu started to feel a little guilty. “I mean…you can tell me if you want. I’ll listen…I just thought maybe you wouldn’t want to share with me. It’s not like we're friends or anything…”

“I know…but,” Myungsoo averted his gaze. “Sungyeol’s not here…”

Sunggyu realized the kid didn’t have his friend with him and he just wanted someone to talk to.

“Ok, tell me then.” Sunggyu sighed, leaning back. “But I don’t really know who your father is…Head of the vampire hunters or something like that right?”

“Yeah, he’s the Head of the hunters…” Myungsoo answered. “He hates anything related to the supernatural.”

“And what about you?”

“I…I don’t think there’s anything wrong with vampires…I mean if they’re not doing anything bad, then just leave them alone.”

“You’re really different from before. I remember you said something like…vampires were similar to glorified mosquitoes?” Sunggyu grinned.

“That was just…I had to be like that because of my dad.” Myungsoo admitted. “I always had to hide things from him. He hates the real me.”

Sunggyu nodded. “I…also had problems with my dad. Obviously not the exact same kind of problems…but I can kind of understand.”

“Really?” Myungsoo looked up at him, like a lost child.

“Yeah…so how did Sungyeol get involved with this?” Sunggyu attempted to steer the conversation away from delving into his own past.

“Oh right…well Sungyeol was one of the things I had to hide from my dad. You know, since he’s an SC officer…and also because…I love him.”

Sunggyu could already guess as much from the other day when they were saying goodbye to Woohyun and Sungyeol. But he didn’t say anything and let Myungsoo continue.

“He hates the idea of a man even doing so much as looking at the color pink. So when I told him what I’m really like…that I liked a boy.” Myungsoo explained. “Well…he didn’t take it well…and it didn’t make it any better that Sungyeol appeared and begged him to not…” Myungsoo glanced at Sunggyu for a moment, “Uh…treat me badly.”

“Did he…hurt you?” Sunggyu asked quietly. Myungsoo didn’t answer and kept his gaze on the dirt. Sunggyu took it as a yes, and just nodded silently.

“Do you think Sungyeol can beat him?” Sunggyu suddenly asked.

“No.” Myungsoo replied instantly. “I know he can’t. He’s doing all this…he’s going to get beat up, and it’s all my fault.”

“Hey, it’s not your fault.” Sunggyu quickly put a hand on Myungsoo’s shoulder. He somehow felt this protective older brother feeling when it came to the younger man. He figured it was because he had gone through something similar with his own father. “It’s not your fault. This is your father’s fault. He should have never treated you that way. It’s wrong.”

“Thanks…” Myungsoo smiled slightly.

“What thanks?” Sunggyu frowned. “I’m just telling the truth.”

“For listening.” Myungsoo answered. “Since Sungyeol’s not here…I can’t really talk to anyone else about this stuff.”

“Oh….well no problem.” Sunggyu patted his shoulder. “You can always come to me if you want to talk.” He offered, before he even realized what he was saying. Myungsoo nodded gratefully.

They parted ways after that, since their houses were in different directions.

Sunggyu was still thinking about the gang from his past and how he could bring it up with Mi Seon. He paused in his steps, when he thought he heard foot steps behind him. He his heels and glanced around the dark abandoned suburban street. He knew his senses wouldn’t lie to him. Some one was there, following him. He felt it since he had been at the square gardens plaza the previous day. He didn’t know who it was, and frankly he didn’t want to know. He was still feeling weak from the spice shop incident, and was in no shape to fight. He hurriedly turned back around, subtly quickening his steps, when he heard the steps behind him coming closer and closer.

Click...Clack…Click.

Sunggyu bit his lip nervously as he kept his pace. The footsteps he realized, didn’t really sound like a person’s steps at all. Instead they sounded more like hooves tapping against the cold cement. But there’s no way a horse could be here in the suburban streets, at night, Sunggyu figured. But then he heard whinnying and the clippity-clapping sound burning in his ears. He hastily turned around, just as a horse drawn carriage pulled up in front of him. The horse leading it was as black as the night and its eyes were the same crimson red as the carriage it was pulling. The man at the reins was in a dark suit, and had on black gloves and a matching hood covering his entire face. Sunggyu stared at the sight, with his mouth agape, when the man pulled off his hood only to reveal he had no face at all, or a head either for that matter.

“H-Headless…!” Sunggyu eyes went wide and he immediately bolted down the street as fast as he could. He had no idea what the hell was going on. From what he saw, the guy leading the carriage had no head. How that was possible, Sunggyu had no clue. But he could feel that whoever that man was, he was definitely dangerous.

He spotted some lights ahead, and hoped there were other people there. He didn’t want to be left alone when that headless man caught up to him. And for some reason, he thought that maybe the headless man would fear the light. But as he turned the corner, he froze in his steps. There were people there alright. But they were all standing around, as if they were waiting for him. They all held lanterns that emitted a cold white glow and they were staring straight at him with vacant eyes. 

“W-What is this?” Sunggyu asked nervously, struggling to hide the fear in his voice. He narrowed his eyes as the blinding lights came closer. He started to back away slightly, just as the headless man and his horse drawn carriage caught up to him. He inwardly cursed himself when he realized he was surrounded.

Suddenly he felt a stiff hand on his shoulder, and turned to see a man in sunglasses standing there.

“Sunggyu-yah~” The man grinned.

Sunggyu’s heart dropped down to his stomach, as he managed to utter the words, “M-Minwoo hyung…”

“Oh, you recognized me?” Minwoo grinned and pulled off his sunglasses.

“W-What’s going on here?” Sunggyu asked cautiously.

“What do you mean?” Minwoo pouted.

Sunggyu quickly turned around only to see that the people holding the lanterns had disappeared, shrouding the street in darkness once again.

Sunggyu shot Minwoo a glare and noticed the headless horseman was now standing behind Minwoo, with his arms folded.

“What do you want with me?” Sunggyu growled.

“What do I want?” Minwoo grinned as he took a step forward. “Oh it’s not me that wants anything from you Gyu.” He spat out the nickname, as he sneered. “It’s the boss.”

“Why?” Sunggyu kept his gaze strong, not willing to show any weakness in front of the older man. “I already told you guys a long time ago…that I’m done with you. All of you.”

“Look you little .” Minwoo grabbed onto the collar of Sunggyu’s shirt, completely discarding the friendly façade. “The only thing I want to do right now is cut that cocky mouth of yours straight off your face and shove it down your throat.”

“Oh, why don’t you then?” Sunggyu smirked, not feeling the least bit threatened by the older man. “You never liked me much did you hyung?”

“You make me sick you bastard.” Minwoo grunted. “The only reason the boss liked you is because you kissed his whenever you could.”

“Actually I think that was you.” Sunggyu snorted. “The boss always liked me better than you.”

“N-No he didn’t!” Minwoo shouted.

“Ah, and then there was that…” Sunggyu continued. “I heard you even payed him to his—.” Suddenly Minwoo kneed Sunggyu straight in the stomach causing him to keel over and let out restrained coughs. “D-Don’t have to be so jealous hyung.” Sunggyu managed to say between coughs.

“I was never jealous of you .” Minwoo knelt down and had his face right up in Sunggyu’s. “You’re disgusting. You know that the only reason the boss wanted you around is so that he had someone to when his girls weren’t around.”

Sunggyu’s eyes widened slightly. He didn’t say anything and shoved Minwoo away as he stood up.

“Leave me alone. I’m not going to see him.” He told them.

“Oh that’s funny.” Minwoo stood up as well, folding his arms. “You actually think I’m asking if you want to see him or not.”

At that he gestured behind him for the headless man, who took a step forward, while reaching for something hidden in his suit jacket.

Sunggyu gulped and quickly backed away, keeping his eyes on the both of them. The headless horsemen took another step forward, and Sunggyu immediately made a run for it, but he was stopped almost instantly by something snaking around his ankles and tripping him. He struggled to get up, when he realized what was around his ankles.

They were bones. A human spine to be exact.

He was stuck there lying on his stomach, and he couldn’t move with the bones tangled around his legs. His breath hitched, when he felt Minwoo’s voice in his ear.

“So are you going to come with us willingly?” Minwoo whispered. “Or are we going to have to do this the hard way?”

“I’m never going back there.” Sunggyu muttered, and swatted Minwoo away.

“Hm ok, if you insist.” Minwoo shrugged, and then gestured to the headless man, who pulled his human spine whip from Sunggyu’s ankles. Sunggyu hastily stumbled to get up, when he felt a painful thwack on his back, sending him to the ground once again.

“Leave me alone!” Sunggyu shrieked as he felt the bone whip hit him again. “I’m not going with you!”

“Oh come on, hurry this up.” Minwoo told the horseman. “I’ve got a TV show in half an hour. Just knock him out. The boss said it was fine, as long as he’s alive and his face isn’t messed up.”

The headless horseman continued with the beatings. Sunggyu forced himself to ignore the stinging pain on his back and stand up. He had to get away, he just had to.

“Where are you going Sunggyu-yah?” Minwoo called after him. “Do you actually think running away is a good idea?”

Sunggyu ignored them, as he forced one foot in front of the other.

“I can’t go back there…ever.” He told himself, wincing as a huge red bruise was forming on his back, blood seeping through his shirt. “Mom...Noona…Woohyun…I have to be ok for them. I have to—.” Suddenly he tripped again as the spine wrapped around his legs. He groaned slightly as his body hit the hard concrete. He was shaking and everything hurt, and his eyes were watering. But nonetheless, he forced himself to stand once again, pulling away the whip from his ankles.

“Aigoo, he’s always been a stubborn one.” Minwoo sighed, as he watched the horseman whack Sunggyu several more times. “Aish this is taking too long.” Minwoo approached them, stopping the horseman. He got out a needle, and jammed it into Sunggyu’s neck, causing the younger man to whimper.

“L-Leave me alone….” Sunggyu begged, his voice shaky and weak.

“That should be good.” Minwoo nodded, and turned to the horseman. “Take him into the carriage.”

“N-No!” Sunggyu attempted to struggle as the headless man lifted him up. But he couldn’t move at all. Whatever Minwoo had injected him with, was slowing his body’s movements, and making his mind hazy. His vision was starting to blur. “W-Woohyun!” He cried out. He knew it was no use, but he was scared and in pain. “W-Woohyun…” He murmured, sleepily, as he was lay down inside the carriage on the red velvet seating.

“Sorry, but your Woohyun’s not coming~” Minwoo said in a sing-song voice. “I hope that annoying little piece of trash gets a gun and shoots himself in the head—.”

“S-Shut up!” Sunggyu hissed, despite everything, anger surged inside of him. “D-Don’t you dare say that about him…d-don’t you dare!” He forced himself up and punched Minwoo straight across the face. He swiftly pushed the carriage door open, and collapsed knees first onto the cement.

“Yah!” Minwoo yelled. “Come back here you little—!”

But Sunggyu ignored him completely as he forced his aching legs to run. He didn’t even think about where he was going to, but he just ran. And he kept running, until he made it to the police station. His leg gave in as he wandered into the parking lot.

“W-Woohyun…” He murmured, as his face met the cold grimy cement. The only thing that came to his mind were his regrets.

He had never paid his sister back for all the times she bailed him out.

He had never taken care of his mother like he promised.

He had never told Woohyun he loved him.

“I-I’m sorry…”

And then his world went black.

[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]=[]

Here's some more angst for Gyu. Plus some gangsters...gangst? Gayngst? Oh wait I think that's gay + angst. Well there's gangsters, gay, and angst in this story so it works ok.

And as always thanks for subscribing and commenting <3<3