[The greatest trick the devil pulled was
convincing the world there was only one of him.]

After San rounded the corner, it was hard to tell if the person sitting in the chair in the middle of the room was Seonghwa or not. His head was hanging forwards, but he didn't look like himself - his hair was combed differently, his eyes looked like they'd been smudged with black makeup, and his posture was collapsed forward like a rag doll. He was being held up by ropes around his chest, holding him to the back of the car, with his arms stuck behind him. San could sense they weren't alone and paused just inside of the room in the abandoned building. Sure enough, Hwang Hyunjin stepped forward from the shadows of the room and stood next to Seonghwa as someone who just presented their own creation.

"Do you like my present?" Hyunjin asked. He lifted Seonghwa's head by his hair and San could see Seonghwa's mouth was taped shut and his darkened eyes were barely open, blood dripping from his nose.

"I suppose, we should introduce ourselves properly, right?" he asked, letting Seonghwa's head drop forward but before San could react, he felt a barrel of a gun digging into his back harshly. His thoughts instantly started to circulate around Hongjoong, wondering if he got out of the building in time but he was rendered speechless when he heard the familiar voice.

"Are you thinking about me?" The mocking tone made San tense up, his muscles flexing in his arms as he was still holding his gun. A sickening feeling started to swirl inside him, it just wasn't right. It couldn't be Hongjoong, he was supposed to be out of the building already...

San realized that he must've been blind to all the warning signs. Something felt off about Hongjoong when he went to the station that day but he just brushed it off back then, since his friend was so shaken up and scared. Or was he? Was that also a lie? All those years they'd spent together for nothing? It broke his heart to take in Hongjoong's words, how could he be such a fool? Hongjoong played his role so perfectly, it even fooled San. Was he even called Hongjoong? Betrayal, pain and anger was flowing through him in strong waves, crushing him under the weight of the truth. It was overwhelming. He couldn't keep himself under control, his breathing became shuddered and he could feel sweat starting to form at his forehead.

The gun dug even deeper into his back making him stumble forward but he was yanked back by the collar of his shirt a second later.

"How could...how could you?" was the only thing San was able to say before he was kicked at the back of his legs, making him fall to the ground on his knees. He dropped the gun to support himself and it was kicked away from him when he tried to grab it, followed by Hongjoong's familiar giggle.

"Oh how much I love when they ask that. It's so fun" he circled San and squatted right before him, holding the gun to his face. "It was so easy to fool you, and if I have to be honest, at one point I even thought we could actually be friends. But then again, you're too weak for reality, you have nothing to fight for. You have no one left." he lifted the gun just enough to press it to San's temple, effectively tilting his head to the side without much effort. "This is just the consequence of your own action so you can only blame yourself. You shouldn't have trusted me, even for a second. This is your weakness." he moved the gun under San's chin. "Since I'm nice, I'll let my friend play with you until you're ready." Hongjoong stood up, gripping San's hair and pulled him from the floor. He was much stronger than he looked, San realized. He wasn't able to focus on anything, his mind was running wild with millions of questions which he got no answer for.

Two other men emerged from the shadows - one of them was Changbin as San recognized - and grabbed onto his body so he was held still. Hongjoong already disappeared from his sight which meant he was at the mercy of the other three. He was sure he had a very low chance of survival but his pride wouldn't let him give up so easily.

"I'm sure you know my name already but I don't recall hearing yous?" he asked and suddenly all the muscles in San's body tensed. Hyunjin's aura seemed to be dark and demanding but his voice still sounded playful, almost as if he was just teasing, all while pointing a gun at San, his finger playing with the trigger. San could feel cold sweat dripping down his back as he was facing the gun from closer proximity, which only meant one thing. He could either tell his name, revealing his identity or stay silent that would be the end of his life. The only logical thing was to just give up in order to survive but he worked too hard for everything just for it to simply end there so he steeled himself and prepared for the worst.

"That's because I never said it but I don't think it matters anymore, right?" His words were followed with a heavy silence that filled the room, making it feel colder than before and San was sure he made the wrong choice. Until he saw a hint of amusement in the other's eyes as he lowered the gun.

"You might be the most interesting person I've met." he smirked knowingly. "...Choi San." Hearing his own name made him feel naked in a way, as though a rope was around his neck, suffocating him slowly although it could be the two men gripping his arms tightly. "You see, there's a reason why you're here. Only because we wanted it to happen. You're probably wondering why Hongjoong did what he did..." San swallowed but it didn't ease his nerves. His body was on high alert, adrenaline rushing through his veins as he was looking into those dark eyes from up-close.

"The reason is fairly simple... we want to break you."

-o-

San stood in the middle of a small room, both his arms and legs were secured with chains attached to the walls and the ceiling. They effectively immobilized him, the chains pulling on his limbs just enough so even a slight movement was painful. His wrist were already marked with small cuts and were red, raw as he constantly tried to free himself, with no use. He was left alone for far too long, to the point where he questioned if it was even real, but once Hyunjin walked in, he realized it was more real than anything before. The other carried a metal box in his hand that he placed on the table in front of San. He opened it and made a show taking out all the contents. Knives.

"I can see you have a lot on your mind, so go ahead" he sait on the table, crossing his arm in front of his chest, waiting. "Ask them"

San didn't know if he wanted to scream for help, or curse at Hyunjin, but his body moved on its own, pulling on the restraints and trying to grab the other even though he was far out of reach.

"I love when people like you struggle even if they know it's no use." There was a strange glint in Hyunjin's eyes that should've served as a warning sign for San, but he could only focus on the anger and rage that was bubbling in him, threatening to overflow.

"How long," Hyunjin stared at him from a few steps away. "How long do you think it will take until you're not yourself anymore?"

San's chest tightened at the words, even if he wasn't entirely sure what Hyunjin was referring to.

"That's not gonna happen." he answered, staring back at Hyunjin with venom.

"We'll see, darling."

San tried to pull on his chains once more, however he was stopped when something shiny caught his attention but before he could do as much as turning his head, a sharp pain pierced through his thigh causing him to release a guttural scream. Warmth enveloped his leg once the knife was pulled out leaving the wound bleed freely. Just a moment later, Hyunjin raised the knife and sliced his skin on his arm. Depp, red blood oozed out of the wound, painting different patterns onto his fair skin until they molded together and dripped down on his arm and soaked into his shirt. His body was aching, burning and he slumped forwards against the restraint as he gasped for air, but even the air felt like he was inhaling fire. His whimpers echoed in the small room, much to Hyunjin's delight. He always loved to watch his victims break apart beneath his hands, it was fascinating to see from such close proximity.

"You can scream as loud as you want" Hyunjin runned his bloody hand through San's hair in an almost gentle way. "But it's only me and you here now. No one comes to save you... you're mine and mine only." he smirked and pushed San's head away.

The metallic smell of blood started to slowly fill the room, making San feel like he was about to throw up.

"Now, I need you to stay still. Can you do that for me?"he asked, gripping the knife again as he cut the shirt open. San could feel the way his body temperature rose despite the cold room, as blood and sweat mixed together on his skin while Hyunjin worked on the fabric. The sharp blade grazed his skin slightly above his sternum, sending another wave or fire through his body. He could feel every slow drag of the knife but it all disappeared once the blonde leaned in, just enough so he was able to lick the blood from his skin.

"Hm..." the other licked his lips. "You really taste divine, San-ah..." his lips turned into a wicked, sinister smile that sent shivers down San's spine. His mind was buzzing with a million things all at once, his heart rate was higher than ever but all he could focus on was the man before him. The way he seemed to enjoy something as disgusting as another's blood made his stomach twist and turn, and he wanted to vomit. Hyunjin's eyes got darker as he started playing with the wound on San's chest, but never cutting deeper. He only forced more blood out, watching it running down on his skin with hunger.

"Hwang..." San choked out, his voice was already raspy from all the screaming and shouting. The other stopped for a moment but only to bring the knife to his lips and lick it. Blood smeared around his lips and San could only stare. "Why... Why me?" he questioned and he only got the answer in a form of laughter.

"Oh, my dear... don't try to think about the reasons, it'll only make your pretty head hurt." he grabbed onto San's dark lock and pulled his head back in a way that was painful. "My dear, lovely officer... It has nothing to do with you" the corner of his lips turned upwards just a little, making smile look more evil...more sinister. "You were at the wrong place at the worst time and I picked you." he caressed his hair for a moment and brought up the knife again. "I don't want to see you cry, that's for people who have something to lose. You, my dear, have nothing." Hyunjin leaned in closer until his lips grazed his ear.

"I want you to break."

San didn't even have the chance to react before the knife slid across his torso in one swift motion. It burned like fire and he could instantly feel the warmth of his own blood coating his skin, dripping lower until it soaked through his jeans. His vision started to get blurry as tears gathered in his eyes and slid down his cheeks. San's scream of agony finally broke, and his body ached and burned as he slumped forward against the restraints and he gasped for breath but he had no more energy. His legs started to shake from standing for too long, the muscles in his arms flexed but he could no longer keep them up. The only thing holding him still were the chains attached to his body.

He tried to shout but his throat felt sore and dry, his voice came out only in shuddered breaths, whimpers and muffled cries. His body gave in and he fell against the restraints as his head slumped forward as he was unable to keep himself up anymore. It had been hours and he could no longer focus on the pain. His body slowly became numb to everything, all he could feel was the soreness of his muscles. His world started to fade, focus slowly drifting away until he couldn't keep his eyes open anymore.

-o-

"Look."

He winced as fingers dug into his jaw, forcing his face forward. He tried to squirm back, away but Hyunjin's hand kept his head firmly.

"Open your eyes and look"

San's breaths came in short, quick punches, searing down his throat as he struggled to ignore the blood dripping down his skin. He didn't have the energy to fight anymore. He opened his eyes, squinting through the tears.

A mirror was placed in front of him, someone must've put it there while he wasn't conscious.

His reflection stared back at him. Pitiful. Bruised. Painted in blood, trembling. Hyunjin smiled from over his shoulder. "Isn't this nice? Isn't this beautiful?"

San flinched as Hyunjin's hand dropped from his jaw, snaking around his neck. His skin burned when the other's finger rubbed against his pulse point.

"I want you to see this. Get used to seeing yourself like this. You tried so hard to be the good guy but you can't stand on your own. It's not your fault, weakness just suits you much better." he smirked, his hand leaving San's neck finally. Something shifted, turned in San as he felt like his soul was being torn into pieces. He didn't know if he did anything good in his life at all. Hyunjin's words sounded a little too true, too real. Weakness. That was all he had. He let himself be leaded on, he trusted people he shouldn't have in the first place and in the end, he had to pay the price for his mistakes.

"My perfect masterpiece..." Hyunjin slipped his hand through the cuts, gathering San's blood before licking his fingers clean. "You know, I really liked turning you into your true, raw self. It was a truly enjoyable show and I thank you for that. You did really well, but like everything else, it has to come to an end, right?" he smiled and circled around him for a minute. He reached for the handcuff on San's wrist and undid the cuff, his body instantly falling over, down to his knees right in front of Hyunjin.

"You see, I had my fun with you, but I have something even more fun." The moment said the words the door opened and someone came in. Heavy boots stomped against the concrete floor and stood once they were next to San. His vision was still blurry as he tried to recognize the person but he didn't have time to do that once a gun was pushed to his head.

"I suppose our friendship ends here, San-ah..." That voice. The familiar tone yet San wished he would never hear it again. "Do you have any last words?"

So that was the end. San couldn't even feel the pain anymore, he just wanted it all to end so he could be at peace and far away from the monsters he got to know.

"Fuck you." he heard Hongjoong's amused giggle and the gun clicked.

"That's not a nice thing to say to a friend San... but I'll take it. And because I'm nice, I'll count for you."

"Five" His breath hitched as he felt the gun dig deeper into the back of his head. "Four" He could feel every muscle in his body tense. "Three" Cold sweat dripped down on his back, mixing with his own blood. "Two" He closed his eyes.

"One".