SHADOWS OF RAGE: A WOUND DEEPER THAN BLOOD

“HEY! STOP IT!” Ji-Hoon’s voice cut through the tense air as he lunged forward, grabbing the man by the collar. His knuckles whitened as he held tightly, his eyes blazing with a fury that he rarely let surface.

Jay stepped in close behind, backing him up with a loud, “What the hell is your problem?” His voice boomed, a mixture of anger and protective instinct. The man, caught off guard, stumbled slightly, but before Ji-Hoon could press further, Haejun intervened, shoving Ji-Hoon back with surprising force.

“Back off!” Haejun barked. Ji-Hoon stumbled a step but didn’t lose his footing. Jay quickly caught his friend by the arms, steadying him.

“You okay, dude?” Jay asked, concern laced in his voice.

Ji-Hoon nodded curtly, his eyes still locked on the two men, his glare sharp enough to cut glass. He brushed his shirt off, straightened his posture, and with a cold determination, began walking towards Juyoung. His footsteps were slow but deliberate, each one echoing the storm brewing inside him.

Charyeong’s voice rang out behind them, defiant despite her vulnerable position. “Hey, let me go, you freak!” she yelled, struggling against Juyoung’s grip.

Jay’s jaw clenched at the sound of her distress, his teeth grinding audibly. Ji-Hoon’s knuckles tightened around the metal shaft in his hand as he closed the gap between himself and Juyoung. Haejun crept up behind Ji-Hoon like a shadow, his tone mocking as he sneered, “Don’t try anything funny. You’re just kids.”

Jay stepped forward, his voice calm but laced with menace. “We’ve fought off zombies all this time,” he said, tapping Haejun on the back. “Don’t think we can’t handle you.”

Haejun turned, his face contorting into a mocking grin. “Is that a threat?”

“I don’t care what you call it. Just let Charyeong go, and we’ll leave.”

Ji-Hoon, now mere inches from Juyoung, ignored the exchange. His gaze was fixed on the man holding Charyeong, a dangerous calm washing over his features. Without warning, Ji-Hoon grabbed Juyoung’s wrist, his grip like iron.

“You think you can take her away?” Juyoung sneered, his voice dripping with disdain.

Ji-Hoon said nothing. Instead, he lifted the metal shaft high into the air, its weight a tangible threat. Juyoung’s confidence faltered, his hand releasing Charyeong as he instinctively stepped back.

“You’re insane…” Juyoung muttered, his bravado cracking.

Charyeong, now free, turned to him, her voice sharp and filled with contempt. “Insane? You’re the insane one.”

Juyoung’s face twisted in anger. “I know girls like you too well. You act high and mighty, but you’re nothing. Making out with one guy one night and another the next. Don’t think your pretty face and body can fool me.”

Charyeong’s cheeks flushed, a mixture of anger and humiliation burning within her. Before she could respond, Haejun moved like lightning, shoving Jay aside and pinning Ji-Hoon to the ground. The world seemed to blur as Ji-Hoon found himself on his stomach, Haejun’s weight pressing down on his back. Pain shot through Ji-Hoon’s arm as Haejun twisted it mercilessly.

“Argh! Let me go!” Ji-Hoon yelled, struggling against the hold. “Are you cult members or something?”

Haejun chuckled darkly. “Why do you think that?”

Meanwhile, Juyoung’s hand shot out, slapping Charyeong across the face with a sickening crack. Her head snapped to the side, pain exploding in her cheek. She lifted her head slowly, her eyes blazing with disgust as she glared at the man.

Jay scrambled to his feet, his body trembling with rage. He rushed forward and grabbed Haejun from behind, attempting to pull him off Ji-Hoon. But Haejun was too strong. With a grunt, he yanked Jay off and sent him sprawling onto the dirt. Jay groaned but quickly got back up, grabbing his shaft and pointing it at Haejun.

“Don’t make me use this on you,” Jay warned, his voice shaking but resolute.

Haejun sneered, tightening his grip on Ji-Hoon’s arm. “Stay where you are, or I’ll rip your friend’s arm apart.”

Jay froze, his frustration evident in the way his hands gripped the shaft tighter. His eyes darted between Ji-Hoon and Charyeong, both trapped and vulnerable.

“Let her go, at least!” Ji-Hoon shouted, his voice strained with pain.

Haejun laughed mockingly. “So, if we let her go, you’ll stop resisting?”

“Yes!” Ji-Hoon spat, his voice desperate. “Just… let her go, goddamnit!”

The scene hung heavy with tension, every breath filled with unspoken threats and the weight of the moment.

Jay reached into his pocket, his fingers brushing against the edge of his phone. Before he could grab it, he felt a firm hand clamp down on his shoulder. His body tensed as he spun around, his grip on the metal shaft faltering. Standing behind him was yet another man, his expression cold and calculating, already gripping the weapon Jay had left momentarily unguarded.

"If I were you," the man said, his voice low and menacing, "I wouldn’t do anything that reckless."

Jay glared at him, his chest rising and falling with each labored breath. "What the heck! Who are you?"

The man smirked. "Dongho. Juyoung’s friend."

Jay’s frustration boiled over. "Argh! How many of you are there?"

Dongho’s smirk widened. "There’s one more inside. Just stay still."

At the mention of another ally, Jay swallowed hard, a bead of sweat sliding down his temple. “Fine then,” Juyoung cut in, his voice dripping with mockery. He shifted his grip on Charyeong, a sinister grin spreading across his face. “I’ll let this hottie go… but only if he walks up to me for her.”

Ji-Hoon struggled under Haejun’s weight as the man finally released him, the strain evident in his uneven steps as he rose to his feet. His leg was injured, his movements slow and limping, but he refused to let the pain stop him. He took a shaky breath and started toward Juyoung, his cold stare unwavering.

As he approached, Juyoung sneered and, with a swift motion, kicked Ji-Hoon down onto his front. Ji-Hoon hit the ground hard, a grunt of pain escaping him. Charyeong seized the brief moment of distraction, yanking her hand away and rushing past Ji-Hoon. But before she could get far, Juyoung crouched and grabbed her again, yanking her back with force.

He placed his foot on the back of Ji-Hoon’s head, pinning him to the ground, and leaned in close to Charyeong, his lips dangerously close to hers.

“Gosh, enough already!” Charyeong yelled, disgust and rage flashing in her eyes. She shoved him back with all her strength, and as he stumbled, she brought her knee up hard, locking him between the legs.

Juyoung crumpled to his knees, groaning in pain, his face twisted in anger and humiliation. Charyeong ignored his glare, rushing to help Ji-Hoon to his feet.

"If I were you," Jay said suddenly, his voice sharp and confident, "I wouldn’t think of this as some cliché soap opera."

Dongho shook his head, gripping Jay’s shaft with an air of superiority. "So you fought back. What of it?"

Jay scoffed, his lips curling into a smirk. “Man, aren’t you made of steel.” He casually let go of the weapon, leaving it in Dongho’s hands. “Do whatever you want with it.”

Dongho’s grip tightened. “You’re making a big mistake leaving this in my hand, kid.”

Jay shrugged and turned toward his friends, his posture relaxed but his eyes calculating. Ji-Hoon was brushing dirt off his shirt, his lips twitching into an odd smile as he glanced at Charyeong. “Couldn’t you have done that earlier?” he teased.

Charyeong furrowed her eyebrows, her frustration evident. “I did fight a lot. He’s just that persistent.”

Behind them, Juyoung pushed himself up, his body trembling with anger. “Stupid brats,” he muttered, his tone venomous.

Ji-Hoon tilted his head, his voice calm but dripping with sarcasm. “Oh god. Don’t you guys ever learn?”

Haejun sighed, shaking his head as he gestured toward the house behind them. “What the hell, man. Let’s just go back in.”

Juyoung turned on him, shoving him back. “Shut up! Don’t tell me what to do. First that guy mocked me, and now even a girl—tch!”

Jay stepped forward, his expression serious. “Hey, dude. Let it go. You’ll turn into one of those things otherwise.”

Ji-Hoon placed a reassuring hand on Charyeong’s shoulder, pulling her slightly closer. His touch was warm, a stark contrast to Juyoung’s earlier grip. He turned back to Juyoung, his voice steady. “Why don’t you go inside, like your friend said?”

“Hah!” Juyoung barked, his tone wild and erratic. “Because I need her! I need a girl next to me before I die, damn it! Don’t you get it, you sicko?”

Ji-Hoon stared at him, disbelief flickering across his face. “What? Are you serious? There’s an apocalypse going on, and that’s what you’re thinking about?”

Juyoung’s voice cracked as he yelled, desperation bleeding into his words. “I need a hottie before dying! Don’t you get it?”

Ji-Hoon pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. “Sheesh. I don’t even know what to say to that.”

“Let her go! Let her be with me!” Juyoung’s voice broke, his tone teetering on the edge of hysteria.

Ji-Hoon locked eyes with him, his voice firm. “No. She’s not going anywhere near you.”

“WHY? SHE DOESN’T EVEN HAVE A BOYFRIEND!”

Ji-Hoon’s gaze sharpened. “Says who?”

Juyoung’s voice faltered. “Sh-she has a boyfriend?”

Ji-Hoon tilted his head slightly. “Of course. A pretty girl like her? How could she not?”

Charyeong glanced at Ji-Hoon, her eyes wide, uncertain of where he was going with this.

“Wh-what do you mean? Sh-she can’t have a—”

“But she does,” Ji-Hoon interrupted, his voice cool and confident.

Juyoung’s voice dropped to a whisper. “Is he here? Wh-where is he?”

Ji-Hoon smirked, stepping forward. “In front of you.”

Juyoung’s face drained of color. “Y-you?”

Ji-Hoon’s expression didn’t waver.

“No… that’s… it can’t be! Sh-she doesn’t even look like she likes you!”

Ji-Hoon shrugged. “I like her. That’s all you need to know. Now, get lost.”

Juyoung stammered, his bravado crumbling. “N-no… no...”

Ji-Hoon crossed his arms, his voice cold. “Go back inside, man. You’re done here.”

Juyoung stood frozen, his world spinning, as Charyeong and Ji-Hoon turned their backs on him.

Ji-Hoon observed Juyoung’s trembling form, his once-overconfident demeanor now reduced to a chaotic mess of frustration and rage. Something about his stuttering, his erratic behavior—it didn’t sit right with Ji-Hoon.

What made him so defenseless? Ji-Hoon wondered, his mind racing. Something must’ve happened to him before all this stupid zombie shit began.

Juyoung’s shaky breath broke through Ji-Hoon’s thoughts. He took a step closer, his glare burning with hatred. “You’re Ji-Hoon, right? You’re going to pay!”

Ji-Hoon groaned, exasperation lacing his tone. “Can’t you just give up already? Are you insane?”

“You... YOU’RE JUST A FUCKING STUDENT! DON’T GET COCKY WITH ME!” Juyoung screamed, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions. Before anyone could react, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a gun. His hands shook as he hastily aimed and pulled the trigger.

The loud crack of the shot echoed through the air. Though the trajectory was slightly off, the bullet still grazed Ji-Hoon’s arm, tearing through his shirt and slicing his skin.

“Argh!” Ji-Hoon gasped, dropping to his knees as the sharp pain radiated through his arm.

“JI-HOON!” Charyeong screamed, rushing to his side. She knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she pressed against his bleeding arm in an attempt to stop the flow.

Juyoung stood there, frozen, the gun still clutched in his trembling hands. He stared at Ji-Hoon as if seeing the aftermath of his actions for the first time.

“Hey! Are you senile?!” Charyeong yelled, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and fear. “Why the hell would you shoot?!”

Juyoung’s lips parted, his voice hollow. “I... I hate him...”

Charyeong’s eyes widened in disbelief. “What the heck?! You shot him because the girl you had your eye on is dating someone else?! You’re fucking insane! Get lost!”

Her words seemed to snap Juyoung out of his daze. His eyes flared with rage as he barked back. “Don’t tell me that, you stupid girl! I know he’s only a one-day thing! I know that tomorrow, you’ll be with someone else, and he’ll be crying in some corner! That’s why I hate people like him!” His voice cracked, his fury spilling out unchecked. “Why can’t he see that you’re being an absolute bitch?!”

Ji-Hoon, wincing from the pain but unwilling to stay silent, lifted his head and locked eyes with Juyoung. His voice was steady, though his body trembled. “Did...” he began, his tone soft but pointed, “Did you go through all that...?”

Juyoung froze, his anger momentarily faltering. “H-huh...?”

Ji-Hoon let out a slow, pained breath. “You have my sympathy. But trauma doesn’t give you a ticket to treat others like trash.”

“Sh-shut up,” Juyoung stammered, his grip tightening on the gun.

“She might have thrown you away,” Ji-Hoon continued, his voice cutting through Juyoung’s defenses like a blade. “Whoever she was... But do you realize you’re doing the same thing? Picking different girls every day—”

“JUST SHUT UP!” Juyoung roared, his voice breaking as he took a step back.

But Ji-Hoon didn’t flinch. He held Juyoung’s gaze, his own eyes filled with a mixture of pain and pity. Charyeong, still holding onto Ji-Hoon’s arm, looked between the two men, her own anger giving way to a quiet understanding of the deeper wounds being exposed.

Juyoung’s chest heaved, his shoulders slumping as the weight of Ji-Hoon’s words began to settle over him. His trembling hand slowly lowered the gun, his grip loosening as the rage that had consumed him began to give way to something else entirely—shame.