Everything is (Not) Going to Be Okay

In the middle of the night, a loud noise could be heard.

It immediately startled the Lee trio.

Yeo Ri who had been studying flinched, while Gun straightened his back and strained his ears.

Hyuk who had been dozing off at his favourite spot against the door suddenly snapped his eyes open.

It sounded like the heavy stomping of one's feet.

Gun and Hyuk exchanged a glance as a bad feeling enveloped them.

"H-he's back?" Yeo Ri tremblingly whispered. A sense of panic invaded her whole body, immobilising it. The pencil that she had been holding dropped from her hand.

Hyuk was dying to pull her into a reassuring hug as soon as he saw her reaction. He knew what that man did to her, and he could feel the anger and hatred inside him fester. He wanted to confront the man and end him once and for all.

But, he couldn't.

He was in no condition to do something like that. He could only grit his teeth and endure. If he had to use his body to protect her, he would. Even if he died, he swore to never let that man touch Yeo Ri ever again.

Hyuk decisively locked the door. There was two latches to lock the sliding door to their room; one on top, and another one at the bottom. Quickly, he secured the latches.

"YEO RI!" That man's voice boomed angrily. "WHERE ARE YOU, YOU LITTLE SL*T?!"

His stomping sounded louder as he approached the trio's bedroom.

Suddenly, he banged the door.

"...!" Yeo Ri stifled a scream. The force from the hit almost sent the door off its hinges. She cowered, tears forming in her eyes.

Gun immediately wrapped her in his arms protectively. "It's going to be fine," he gently whispered. "Oppa will protect you."

Yeo Ri sniffled, curling into his arms tremblingly.

"LEE YEO RI!" That man shouted again. "COME OUT! DON'T MAKE ME ANGRY!"

He banged on the door a few more times.

Hyuk used all of his strength and body weight to barricade the door, saving it from breaking due to the man. He gritted his teeth, sweat dripping from his face.

Hyuk groaned as he felt the hits through the door.

The house was old, and the door could not last much longer. Even if he held it together, it was only a matter of time before the door breaks.

"Oi! Do something!" He barked at Gun. "I can't hold on for much longer...!"

Gun's eyes darted around as he searched for something.

Quickly, he rummaged through his drawers, searching for tape. He quickly found it and decided to use it to glue the door to the wall. Hastily, he covered all the sides of the door with the tape, securing it to the wall.

However, that was not enough.

Gun threw away the roll of tape and assisted Hyuk in blocking the door from being torn away.

Yeo Ri could only cry helplessly as she watched Hyuk and Gun do everything in their might to keep the man away. She curled up, making herself as small as she could. Her hair was raising from the fright, and the trauma was making her feel powerless. She had incurred his wrath the last time she saw him, and she was afraid to find out what he would do when he catches her again.

The exchange lasted for almost half an hour.

After giving one last heavy bang, the man stopped. "You can't hide in there forever, you little sl*t!" He shouted in finality. "Just you wait and see!"

The noises quietened down.

Hyuk and Gun waited for another fifteen minutes before finally deciding that it was safe.

"Ugh...!" Hyuk groaned, his hand clenching his stomach. He suppressed the pain he was feeling as he broke into cold sweat. He felt as if all of his organs had been flipped. Luckily, he was able to last without vomiting blood. He collapsed on his side, breathing heavily.

"Hyung! Are you okay?!" Gun reached out to Hyuk to help him up.

Hyuk swatted Gun's hand away. He coughed, "Yeo Ri, go look after Yeo Ri!"

Gun scrunched his eyebrows but did as his brother asked. It was now that he realised Yeo Ri's state.

She was sobbing quietly, her arms covering her head protectively. Her legs were drawn up to her chest, and even her toes curled inwards.

She looked so small.

Gun's heart soured at the sight.

Since when had Yeo Ri ever shown such a figure? Since when did she feel so scared that she had been reduced into this kind of state?

Gun gently pulled her arms apart, "it's fine now, Yeo Ri-ah. It's okay. Everything will be fine."

"Oppa... will protect you," he repeated, slowly calming her down.