Graphic descriptions of violence// POV shifts 

Skip if needed. Also, it's a bit dramatic? I don't know if I wrote it well. lol. But here it is. :)

~

Hua Cheng's

"What do you mean you did not mean it?!" Hua Cheng's voice boomed inside the board room. He was having a headache from these idiots who made decisions without asking him. They were dealing with one of the issues currently and that was apart from the warehouse that was burned which was apparently due to simple negligence. 

"Sir, we really thought it will be okay!" The man pleaded and for what, Hua Cheng had no idea. 

This was one of his legal businesses, so he was a little lenient when it came to these employees. Lenient just to the point of trying to avoid killing anyone. No innocent blood was spilled. Over the past few years, his hands touched no innocent blood.

He would kill and he would gladly do so to those who deserved it. He would consider it as doing humanity a favor. People never knew what evil there was everywhere and him being in the position to know felt like to him a social responsibility. Cheesy. But it was because of that person who showed him kindness that he could view it that way.

Hua Cheng pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance and frustration. "Make sure you settle that one. I will talk to whoever is in charge and you'll see it from there. But I want you to send me (Yin Yu) updates," he said calmly. He didn't want to lash out anymore. I need my gege right now to ease my frustrations and I want this meeting done as soon as possible. 

"Yes, sir!" Hua Cheng easily let go of the matter because he wanted it to be over as soon as possible. He wanted to go home to Xie Lian and scoop the man close to him. He just wanted to be with Xie Lian so badly. 

"Do-" Ping! Someone messaged him and he knew it was Xie Lian just by the sound of it. Excited because finally, Xie Lian replied to him, Hua Cheng held a finger up to tell them to be silent. He heard Yin Yu snicker beside him. 

"Help"

What the actual fuck? Hua Cheng felt his world tilt a little. But he tried to stay calm. But he also knew that Xie Lian wouldn't just text him that word without being serious about it. So, he stood up. He didn't care if Yin Yu asked him what it is about. He didn't care if they were still in a meeting. 

While walking to the exit, he dialed Xie Lian's number. "Gege? Whats-" What's wrong. He would've said but he was cut off.

Hua Cheng had absolutely no idea what to do when he heard Xie Lian's frantic voice saying his name and shouting. He even heard some commotion in the background before the call was cut off. 

Not really thinking as he took the call, Hua Cheng was already walking to the elevator. His whole body felt numb just thinking of Xie Lian being in danger while he was miles away from the man. It was fucked up and he couldn't just wrap his mind on it. He knew that he didn't feel good at the prospect of leaving Xie Lian. He should've followed his instincts. He should've not left him. 

He should've...

Before the elevator door closed, Yin Yu followed. "What is it, Hua Chengzhu?" There was worry laced in his tone. 

"Gege... He... Something happened." Hua Cheng tried calling Xie Lian again but he wouldn't answer. 

"Okay. I'll call He Xuan."

Hua Cheng gave him a curt nod as he also called the man he stationed that should be watching the surroundings. How come they didn't notice anything suspicious. 

"Sir," the man on the other line acknowledged. 

"What the fuck is happening in there?" They quickly went out of the elevator as soon as it opened. 

"Wh-Everything is normal, Sir."

Hua Cheng was seething in anger. How could that man say that everything was normal? "Well, my man was just taken and you didn't report to me anything that was suspicious around the area?" They had all the resources. But still, failed to watch out for one thing. 

"We'll look right into it, Sir." 

What's the use?! He might fucking lose Xie Lian again! Hua Cheng ended the call and tried calling Xie Lian again. They were on their way to his private plane. 

"I shouldn't have left him."

"It's not your fault. Nobody could've known." They settled inside. 

"You know I can't lose him, Yin Yu. You know that." Hua Cheng chuckled coldly. "Do you think I should've just put a small tracker on him? I-I could've given him a ring and put a tracker on it? Or should I have given him a necklace?" Hua Cheng was out of his mind. He tried ringing Xie Lian but his calls couldn't get through. 

"Man, he'll be fine."

"But he isn't answering my calls." Hua Cheng had his head in his hands. His elbows were propped on his thighs. He was in distress and what was worse was he was helpless. He couldn't do anything at the moment but wait.

~

Xie Lian's

Xie Lian wasn't knocked by those men right away. After they tore down his door, he was given a choice to come with them peacefully or cause a scene. Not wanting to cause any disturbance and threat to the neighborhood, Xie Lian went with them. Good thing, the weather was gloomy and it was raining a little so everyone stayed inside their homes. It was a weekday too. Others were out for work. 

He didn't know what to do. The two broke his phone. He didn't have any way to ask for help. 

As soon as they were out of the compound, something hit him in the head and knocked him unconscious. 

Now, he woke up groggy and only to find himself with wrists tied behind his back. His feet were bound too and his mouth forcibly shut by duct tape. It wasn't the worst he had been but the possibility of meeting that man again from his past made it more terrifying for him. 

He moved his head and winced from the pain. He could feel an almost dried blood trickling from his hairline down to his temple. It was when the abductors hit him with their gun's grip. 

The surrounding was dark and suffocating. By that, he concluded that he was placed inside a bag and could tell that he was in the trunk of a car. It was as if he was a trash taken out to be thrown away. 

His back was aching from being curled up into a fetal position and with his 

He moved his head and winced in pain. He can feel an almost dried blood trickling from his hairline down to his temple. It was when the kidnapper hit him with a gun's grip.

The surrounding is dark and suffocating. By that, he can conclude that he is placed in a bag and he can tell he is in the trunk of a car. His back is aching from being curled up into a fetal position and with his height, it would really be uncomfortable. The car's trunk wasn't spacious enough. 

Adding to his discomfort and pain were the road bumps and sudden brakes as the driver was driving carelessly. He could hear some traffic noises such as the cars beeping, the tires, and some voices of the people. Those were his clues that they were still in the city. 

Xie Lian could hear the abductors talking nonsense and laughing as if they didn't just take a person away from his own home. 

Xie Lian started crying hard but silently. He was trying to rein in his anxiety miserably but to no avail. His breathing was irregular and shallow, and he was sweating bullets. Why am I back in this situation again? Why can't I live peacefully? He choked on his own sob. 

He was hoping that this wouldn't be the way he would meet his end. 

Xie Lian still wanted to see San Lang. 

San Lang. Was the only anchor he had at that time. That man was the one that sparked hope and joy in him. And although he may not be the man San Lang liked, he was sure their friendship was enough for the other to come and get him. He has to. He has to. 

"What are we going to do with the baggage?" He heard the bad man say and Xie Lian knew right away that he was the one referred to.

"Boss said to teach him a lesson." 

Xie Lian's brow furrowed at that. What did I do wrong? Has he finally caught up with me?

"Any lesson? It's gonna be fun," another voice said. 

Xie Lian could say that there were at least three of them. Two men attacked him in his house while the other stayed in the car. 

"Pretty thing, right?" 

NO! He wanted to scream. He didn't like hearing those words from that man. It was disgusting. 

"Are we allowed to kill him?" No, I don't want to die yet. His heart beat faster. No matter how fucked up his life had been, he didn't want to die yet. No matter how fucked up his situation was, he didn't want to die yet. He didn't want to give them the satisfaction of taking his life from him. 

Xie Lian had nothing but his life. He intended to keep it. 

"Dummy! How can he learn his lesson if he was dead?" 

The surroundings were getting quiet. Sure, he could hear some cars beeping and some tires running. But, the traffic wasn't that bad anymore. 

They were going out of the city and he hoped Hua Cheng could still find him. 

Xie Lian shivered. He was only wearing his tank top and shorts. The weather was cold. He was frightened. 

He hoped Hua Cheng could still find him. 

~

"Fuck." Hua Cheng tugged his hair harshly. 

"Just an hour, Hua Cheng and we'll land. He Xuan already arranged everything for us. As soon as we'll land, there shall be a chopper waiting for us, and hopefully, by then, they already know where Xie Lian is." 

He knew that. He knew everything would be ready as soon as they would land. But Hua Cheng couldn't help but die inside. Just thinking about how much shit Xie Lian had been through before and now, this? "Fucked up things can happen in an hour, Yin Yu."

"..."

His friend didn't answer. Hua Cheng knew that Yin Yu knew how much Xie Lian meant to him. 

"I already lost him twice," Hua Cheng said quietly. "The first time around, I was too young to save him. The second time, I was too fucked up to save him. Both were my fault."

"It wasn't your fault." Yin Yu frowned. 

Hua Cheng ignored what his friend just said. For him, it was his fault. He was incompetent and weak. He wasn't in control of the resources yet. What more now that he had everything readily available for him to protect Xie Lian and he still failed? Hua Cheng felt terribly furious with himself. 

"I'll fucking kill them," Hua Cheng swore. 

"As He Xuan and I would." Yin Yu offered him a smile. 

~

Xie Lian's

Xie Lian couldn't hear noises from the traffic anymore, only just passing trucks and overspeeding cars upon which he could imagine that they were entering a remote place to execute whatever vile plan these men had.

He could feel his eyes getting puffy from too much crying but he already stopped. He didn't want them to see him cry. His wrists and ankles were sore because he couldn't avoid moving them and rubbing them. 

"What did that dude do that angered our boss?" Who is your boss?

"Ehh~ I really didn't quite get it. But I heard that dude is nosy?" What nosy? Who is my enemy? He was supposed to be nosy because he was investigating and observing people. It was part of his job. Was this payback time from all the work he had done in the past and now?

"What a shame. He should've kept his big nose away from big people. They won't take any shit." 

Xie Lian was 80% sure that the boss they were talking about wasn't the man he was fearing to see. But he shaking nonetheless. All that was happening was taking a toll on his stability. He built his bravery and courage from scratch and he might just watch it crumble slowly. Fear and uncertainty crept in like an old unwanted friend making their way and barging through the doors uninvited. 

It took him long to heal and he was still healing from what happened because it took him years to get out of that hellhole - the only place he knew for many years.

Memories from the past flashed behind his closed lids and he was scared that they would keep him somewhere and take his freedom away from him. Anything but that. 

San Lang, help me. I don't want to go back there. Please help me. It was like a prayer he knew the man wouldn't hear but would answer still. 

Cars and trucks could no longer be heard. The road was getting bumpier and steeper, causing more pain in his body. But Xie Lian could only hold his breath from the pain and discomfort. 

His heart was hammering inside his chest because he felt like he was nearing his execution. The pain in knowing that he might not experience full happiness in this life with San Lang and his other friends hurt him. But he would try to fight. 

I fought hard when I had nothing to lose. I will fight harder now that there are people who will remember me when I'll be gone. 

But how can I fight when I am bound? How can I retaliate when I cannot move? 

The only thing Xie Lian could do was not give them the satisfaction of seeing him weak. But what would he earn from it?

The car stopped. 

He didn't want to die yet. 

Xie Lian was stubbornly squirming even if he knew it was useless. But, at least, he tried! He would die trying to keep his head above his fears. He would die trying to live.

The car trunk opened and he could see some strings of light that entered through the holes of the black bag he was in. 

Xie Lian felt someone hold his shoulders and the other on his leg. He tried to get away to show them that he was protesting. "He's quite heavy for a short guy," a man said. "Doesn't even look too buff." 

Instead of letting him go, he was thrown harshly to the rocky ground as if he were a bag of clothes. He couldn't help but groan from the impact and pain when his back hit the uneven ground.

A man opened the black bag causing Xie Lian to squint from the sudden exposure to the light. 

"Haha, surprise!" 

His eyes couldn't focus yet. He was dizzy. 

Xie Lian's face was harshly held squishing his cheeks painfully so that his teeth scraped around the soft parts of his mouth. He tried to glare at the man who did it. 

"What are you waiting for?" Before he could even see their forms, another man grabbed his top's neckline and landed a punch across his cheek. Xie Lian fell back to his side with a thud, his palm scraping against the ground. It was coarse and dry. It hurt. "We shouldn't waste our time. Nobody knows who'll get here."

They were wearing black clothes and caps. 

Xie Lian held his breath. He didn't try to scream. He just curled himself as he tried to make himself smaller as if it would protect him from them. 

The men circled him like he was a prey. A tear fell from his eye but who would bother to see and comfort him now? 

He received another kick on his back.

Another kick on his shoulder. Stop. 

Then, someone pulled his hair from the back. Xie Lian had no choice but to straighten himself and that was when someone kicked his stomach. He wanted to vomit as he felt the bile in his throat, but he couldn't. 

Wherever something hit him, he instinctively turned in that direction to protect that part. But it was useless. 

Knowing it would be useless, Xie Lian still tried to get away by pushing his body. Without a having a chance, he was held by his feet and dragged like a doll. I don't think I can take more. He did nothing wrong. So, why did he have to go through this?

Please stop. He wanted to say.

His tank top was torn with some blood on it. So far, there was no major wound inflicted. Yet. He hoped there would be none. He hoped that after beating him, they would just leave him alone. 

Xie Lian could hardly focus his sight from too much pain and fear.

Another one punched his jaw. This time it almost knocked him unconscious although it was a mystery how he was still conscious at that time. 

He was trying to fight. 

His breathing was labored and it was almost too painful to breathe. 

"I don't think it's enough yet."

Xie Lian's cheek stung when he was slapped. And his other cheek was slapped too. And again. And again. He lost count and his ears were ringing. He himself had no idea what they were doing to him. All that registered was the numb pain and it was too much for him. 

Xie Lian lay limply on the rocky ground. 

The men were vicious. The moment they started inflicting him pain, they lost it altogether. They became monsters. They seemed to be stronger, just relying on their number. They looked as though they have the power, control, and right just because they can inflict pain on the vulnerable. And they were enjoying it. 

I don't they'd stop in just teaching me a lesson. Xie Lian was convinced that they had forgotten that they didn't want to kill him really. 

Xie Lian's nose was bleeding. 

His hair was tugged away from the ground harshly and his head lifted a little. Then, the man harshly shoved it back to the ground, bashing his head in the process. The man did it over and over again. 

Xie Lian knew that soon he'd lose consciousness. He was scared of closing his eyes, scared of not waking up again. But he couldn't help it. 

Soon, black dots appeared in his vision. 

Where are you, San Lang?

~

Hua Cheng's

"This is why I hate leaving things to them. That Mayor knew what Li Jun was up to yet he didn't even bother to make a way to punish that bastard," Hua Cheng breathed out heavily. "This is why I hate leaving things to them."

"You know that Li Jun really hadn't done anything until today to merit any consequences from the law, right?" Yin Yu said. 

"Still. They're too slow. If I hadn't been... too caught up with gege that night and forgetting things altogether..." Hua Cheng rubbed his face frustratedly. "I should've disposed of him." 

He Xuan just told him who the man behind Xie Lian's abduction was; however, they were still tracking where they took his Xie Lian. 

"How do you think did they plan this?" Yin Yu asked. "How fucking convenient that you weren't there."

"It was indeed suspicious. The attack was perfectly timed... I wasn't in the city. So, I also sent He Xuan a message to look for the mole. Li Jun probably had an idea that I was fond of Xie Lian because of that night at the casino. To know my schedule, he paid someone," Hua Cheng gritted his teeth. "That someone was caught and confessed. He's a newbie. A fucking no one. A no one, Yin Yu, and because of him, Gege might be hurting right now." Hua Cheng clenched and unclenched his hands. 

Li Jun had many connections. He was a cunning businessman and Hua Cheng knew it. He should've disposed of him when he had a chance. The moment he said his bet... He only accepted it because he knew he wouldn't hit the last apple just by looking at how the man could get too arrogant and excited when he knew it was near winning. 

Yin  Yu spoke, "He probably felt like someone stole from him when that policeman interrupted him and Xie Lian played. Those caused the game to halt and your attention was diverted. He lost his chance for a greater gain." It could be that. He probably was a fool too. My attention has always been on gege. 

They stayed silent. 

Until both of them heard their notifications. "They have sent the coordinates. And the men are on their way. After we land, a helicopter will be waiting for us. We'll get there faster with the supplies," Yin Yu said. "He Xuan is currently following Li Jun and tracking his whereabouts."

Hua Cheng nodded. He had to get himself together. But boy was he impatient. He was tapping his foot on the plane's floor. 

"15 more minutes, Hua Chengzhu. We'll arrive wherever Xie Lian is a little earlier. By the time we'll get there, the backups follow. Everything will be fine. Xie Lian will be fine, okay?"

He nodded again. He knew these. He knew every detail how he would get Xie Lian but Yin Yu also knew how to comfort him a little by repeating these faces. 

"The guns?" Hua Cheng asked. 

"Already in the helicopter."

"I-I won't have time to say this later but thank you," he sincerely said. He rarely ever thanked Yin Yu and probably never had in a sincere way. But if there was one person who knew how important Xie Lian was to him, it would be Yin Yu. 

The man smiled tightly. "We will try our best."

After they arrived, they ran toward the helicopter which was ready to take off. 

He quickly searched for the firearm under their seats and he picked it up. It could be used for long-range shooting. There was a doctor and a nurse who were quietly and nervously sitting inside with them. 

The tension in the air was thick. 

It wasn't the best ride because of the weather but he couldn't care less. Hua Cheng only needed Xie Lian safe. 

That was the longest fifteen-minute ride of his life. It was grueling. 

When they were five minutes far from the place, Hua Cheng started to see a barren land. And because of its barrenness, he could easily spot anything that shouldn't be there. 

Getting nearer, he saw three men wearing black clothes trying to run, perhaps, to hide when they heard the sound of an incoming chopper and he was sure as hell that they were the abductors since no one lived within the area. 

When Hua Cheng positioned his firearm, Yin Yu understood that there wouldn't be a way to stop him now.

He tightened his hold on the rifle and leaned closer to the optic. As soon as he was sure he wouldn't miss a shot, Hua Cheng fired six times, enough to immobilize those fuckers. He felt like he hit his prey in the hunt when he saw the men fall. 

I don't want them dead. Yet. Death would be mercy. 

From a little farther, he could see incoming cars and he knew those were their men. They would go and get those fuckers while Hua Cheng would get Xie Lian. But he couldn't see any other person around the area. 

Hua Cheng swallowed thickly. 

There was only a black lump on the ground. 

He heard Yin Yu curse beside him. 

Is it? Dread consumed him like he wasn't already eaten up. He thought of many scenarios in his mind and none of them were comforting. Like an eagle to its meal, that was only what Hua Cheng could see.

Am I already late? They probably already hurt Xie Lian. But to what extent, Hua Cheng had no idea. He had no idea and he wanted to just burst into flames.

When the helicopter got nearer to the ground, enough distance for him to jump, Hua Cheng wasted no time as he did. He ran straight to where the black lump was and which he saw was actually a bag. 

The prospect of seeing Xie Lian in such a thing was too much for him. How could he? Why would they even try to hurt him? How could they treat him like that? How could they just put him in there? Wasn't it too much that they took him forcibly?

Please. Please. Please. He didn't know what he wanted. But he also knew what he wanted. 

Hua Cheng was running but it was as if he was in a nightmare where his sprints were a lot slower and heavier and the background just blurred out altogether. Even the noises seemed to be muffled. 

He fell to his knees as he tried calling for Xie Lian. "Gege, gege." Just a little movement. It was all he wanted. It was all he was praying for. 

He brought his hand on the zipper and opened it quickly enough to see Xie Lian up to his chest. 

The sight wrecked him as he promised retribution. He wouldn't rest until those people would go through a thousandfold of the pain they inflicted on his person. His body felt hot and cold from all the emotions and thoughts running inside his mind. 

"Gege. Why... What have they done?" His voice was like a whisper but the anger it bled was not something that could be missed. "What have they done!?" This time, he said like a wounded animal. "What the fuck did they do?!" His hands hovered on Xie Lian's frame, not really touching, scared he'd break him. 

If he was crying, he didn't care who would see. He cared for no one. He cared for nothing. Except for the person lying almost lifelessly on the ground. Am I too late? 

He hesitantly brought his hand to Xie Lian's bruised face as if a touch would break his love. 

Hua Cheng was watching closely then. That was when he saw a slight rise in Xie Lian's chest indicating that he was breathing. He is breathing. He is breathing. 

He brought his hand on the zipper and opened it quickly until Xie Lian's chest.

Tears blurred Hua Cheng's vision. 

He opened the bag further to see Xie Lian's body littered with large bruises and scratches. His clothes were torn and misplaced Hua Cheng could see how they covered Xie Lian's torso with red and blue. His hands, which couldn't be seen, were tied to his back.

"No, no, gege," he whispered and with a small voice, he continued, "Baby, what did they do? This San Lang is sorry. I'm so sorry." With the most minimal movement he could do, Hua Cheng untied Xie Lian's wrists. He was too careful and he knew what he was doing. 

Hua Cheng held Xie Lian's hand. He could hear things approaching them. But his focus was just on Xie Lian. "I'm sorry," he kept mumbling. 

There was blood on Xie Lian's temple and nose. He wanted to remove the tape over his mouth but Hua Cheng was scared to do so, frightened to hurt Xie Lian more. 

One person got too close.

"Fuck," that person cursed. He knew it was Yin Yu. 

"Gege, you'll be fine. San Lang promises you'll be fine. I will take care of you." Hua Cheng wiped his tear with his shoulder. 

"Hua Cheng, step back," Yin Yu said gently. 

But it was a threat to him. Leave Xie Lian alone? "No, I won't leave him." He reverently brushed the stray hair on Xie Lian's forehead. He might have gone crazy indeed. "You heard me, gege? I won't leave you anymore. So, don't leave me too, okay?"

"Hua Cheng, come on. Xie Lian needs medical attention. Come on." Yin Yu touched his elbow softly. And Hua Cheng just ignored him. "Hua Chengzhu, come on. You'll be with him inside the chopper. You can talk to him. But you need to step back first."

Hua Cheng blinked a couple of times before he turned to look at the nurses. There were more already since the backup arrived. 

Resolved to get Xie Lian to safety, Hua Cheng reined his emotions and backed away. 

He was watching over them like a hawk. He didn't want to miss anything that they would do on Xie Lian. 

"He will heal," Yin Yu spoke. "Okay? He will be fine because you will make sure of that."

Hua Cheng could only nod. 

"You will be fine, okay? You will be fine because Xie Lian will be fine." Yin Yu squeezed his shoulder. 

"If I lose him again..."

"You won't. Don't think like that. You always told me that he is the strongest person you've known."

He nodded. It was true. 

"But it's my fault." He really believed so. 

"It isn't and won't be your fault," Yin Yu sighed. He was frustrated. Understandably so since he had been repeating that since earlier. "It's Li Jun's and those men's fault. Be stronger, Hua Cheng. He needs you to be stronger now more than ever."

He nodded again. He knew it was true.

The medic transferred Xie Lian to the stretcher and carried him to the helicopter. Hua Cheng followed them. His eyes weren't leaving Xie Lian. 

Once everything was settled inside, some of the medics came out and they were on their way to the hospital. 

Hua Cheng took in Xie Lian's injuries more. 

They were administering first-aid and were cleaning Xie Lian's body. 

There was a time when Hua Cheng looked away just to blink his tears away. It was too much. What they did to Xie Lian was too much. The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. He didn't even know it was possible to be that angry. 

After all of these, he would make sure that he would drain the blood of those people painfully. And he would make sure Xie Lian would never step a foot away from him without protection and without him knowing where he'd go. Hua Cheng would make sure of that and it was non-negotiable, whether Xie Lian liked it or not. 

Hua Cheng stared at Xie Lian's face. 

They've just awakened the devil.