Jiwon’s light steps resonated throughout the empty space. Through the silence, he could hear Jangseop’s voice. What he could be talking about didn’t matter much to him – 

Casually eyeing the dingy office on the side, he found a whole group of men standing before that metal desk. 

Jiwon’s steps come to a stop upon realizing what that scene meant. It was collecting day. 

“Who’s here?” 

The group of men turned around to look upon hearing Jangseop’s question. “It’s Bobby.” One answered.

“I’m leaving.” Jiwon heads back towards the entrance when the Jangseop’s voice rung out again.

“Your fight is in an hour. You’re not going anywhere.”

With no other choice, Jiwon instead hurried to the locker room and pulled out his phone. Dialing the number, he could only hope the call would be picked up.

“Seon? They’re going to collect today.”

***

Ever since Jiwon’s phone call came, Aunt Dara and I sat at the kitchen table. Our eyes hadn’t moved from the front door. Each second felt like it would be the moment the knocks and pounding would come.

“You have your phone on hand, Seon?”

“With the police’s number dialed on it.” All that is left to do is to make the call.

“Dongmin.” Aunt Dara hissed under her breath. The man the people were after is predictably nowhere to be seen while they receive the consequences of his careless actions.

I couldn’t exactly tell Aunt Dara it was Jiwon that warned me but lying and saying I had saw them up the street was enough to convince her to believe me. 

“Should we turn off the lights?” I asked and with a nod from her, I did so. Walking back, I nearly jumped out of my skin.

“Open up!” The voices and the hands contacting the front door finally came. 

“Seon.” Aunt Dara whispered lowly and I find my way through the dark to be right next to her. “If they break through the door, make the call.”

“I understand.”

“The lights are off – “ Someone from the outside says. “Did they run off?”

“I don’t believe it.” Another says in response. 

My hand grips my phone tighter and tighter as the seconds pass. I was starting to fear they would really break down the barrier that kept them from us. 

“Let’s just move to the next house.” Someone rushed. “As long as we make some collections, Jangseop won’t be angry.”

The breath I had been holding slips from my lips as their footsteps drifted off further and further away – 

I looked down at Aunt Dara and noticed her attention still on the door. Was she still afraid? “Aunt Dara, I think they’re gone.” But, it was as if my comfort went unnoticed. “Aunt Dara?”

“Did he just say Jangseop?”

I thought back to their voices. “I believe so.” She doesn’t respond and I grow more curious. “Is there something wrong?”

“It’s just – “ Her frozen features relax as a chuckle leaves . “They can’t be the same person.”

“…Whom are you talking about?”

“It’s nothing, Seon.” She patted my hand and got up from her chair. “The night could have turned out a lot worse if you hadn’t noticed them. Go to bed now.”

Nodding my head, I followed after her up to my room. Lying underneath my covers, it took a few minutes before the anxiety died down and I was certain the men weren’t coming back to collect. And while thinking of such things, I fell asleep, waiting for the morning to come.

Though, I later find that it wasn’t going to go as smoothly.

I awoke to my flashing phone. Reaching for it, I read Jiwon’s name on the screen. “Hello?”

“I’m outside.”

“Outside?” I become aware of what that meant. “I’ll get the door.”

Making my steps light and soft as possible, I appear before my front door and open it to find his words true.

“You didn’t pick up your phone.” He stated and hid away some of the worry from his expression.

“I’m sorry.” To be honest, it had slipped from my mind. “Come in, I’ll treat you.”

Agreeing, Jiwon stepped past me and took off his shoes. He remembers to take them along as we made our way to my bedroom. Closing the door behind me, I turn back to find Jiwon already waiting for me on my bed. 

I go to my closet and take the first aid kit from the top shelf. I started putting it in there thinking this could possibly happen for a second time.

“They didn’t get inside?” He asked quietly and I shook my head.

“It was because you told me ahead of time.” I got started on his face as soon as I sat down before him. “…Another fight today?”

Jiwon was still unsure about sharing such information but ended up answering anyway. “Yeah.”

I made it sound casual but this side of Jiwon was something I found myself not accepting easily. In fact, it didn’t make me relieved to find out the secrets but it made me more unsettled. 

So, I decided to get my mind off the topic for just a moment.

“Jinhwan promised he wouldn’t go back.” I revealed after dealing with the boy and his carelessness.

“That’s good.” 

“He said he was going to make it up by giving me more first aid stuff.” I stated unhappily. “Even though I told him I didn’t need more of it.”

Seeing my expression, Jiwon chuckled. “You always end up finding use for it.”

“Why can’t he get me cookies instead?” I joked. 

Jiwon allowed me to take his sweatshirt off to look at the cuts on his arms. 

“Did you tell him that?”

“I did.” I stated adamantly. “It’s like he doesn’t listen.”

“…I’ll help him when it comes to Jungmin.” 

Jiwon’s sudden words made me eye him curiously. “To make sure Jinhwan wouldn’t spill secrets?” I asked teasingly.

The boy’s lips formed a little smirk. “What other reason is there?” He played along.

Once finishing, I helped Jiwon put on his outerwear once more. His body was starting to grow sore so his movements lacked flu