Dae smirked as he revved the engine of the motorcycle, the deafening roar cutting through the night. The rush was intoxicating — the wind whipping through his dark hair, the city lights blurring into streaks of color and he zipped through lanes on the Yamaha. His lip piercing glinted under the streetlights, the adrenaline drowning out any trace of uncertainty.

Then came the sirens.

A wicked grin spread across his face as he leaned forward, gripping the handlebars tighter, feeling the bike's engine growl beneath him as he gunned it. The squad car swerved into view in his side mirror, tires screeching as it tried to keep up. Dae laughed, the sound lost in the wind, and veered sharply down an alleyway, barely squeezing between two dumpsters. 

The bike's tires kicked up loose gravel, the back wheel skidding as he powered through. He could hear the police shouting something behind him, but the words were just noise. Bursting back onto the main road, he weaved through traffic, the red and blue lights painting streaks across his vision. Glancing over his shoulder he threw up his middle finger.

It was the unfortunate timing of the large produce truck backing out of garage after just landing a shipment. With a quick yank on the handles Dae was able to evade the truck, only to come face to face with two cruisers blocking the road ahead. Dae made a split-second decision. He slammed the brakes, the bike fishtailing before coming to a skidding halt. The squad car screeched to a stop right behind him, doors flying open. Dae slowly raised his hands, smirking shamelessly as the officers approached.

"Vroom - Vroom," Dae smiled, mocking hand gestures revving a throttle in the air. "Fun, yeah?"

He wasn't ready to wrap things up, eyes flickering for his next trick. As the officers crept closer, he suddenly shoved the bike toward them, the sudden motion making them flinch. In a blink, Dae sprinted into the shadows.

Giving half of the San Fransico Police department a run for their money. He vaulted over fences, scrambled up fire escapes, and slid across hoods of parked cars. His body moved like it had been built for this — quick, nimble, untouchable. He darted through narrow alleys, his footsteps barely echoing against the concrete. The cops struggled to keep up, their shouts growing distant. For a moment, he thought he’d actually made it.

Zipping around the corner he reached a dead end. Two buildings merged beautifully together by a brick wall too tall even for him to manage. Chest heaving, he spun around, eyes darting for an escape. Too late. The officers rounded the corner, their beams of light slicing through the darkness. Guns now drawn.

"Shibal…" he cursed under his breath, realizing his fun was coming to an end.

He threw his hands up in surrender. For real this time. Dae blinked, feigning innocence, his expression a perfect mix of boredom and defiance. "Uh… no English," he muttered, shrugging dramatically.

But before he could move, a police officer snatched him by his arm and flung him to the ground. The dirty asphalt slammed into his chest, his cheek scraping against the rough concrete as a knee pressed into his back. He grunted as the twisted his arms behind his back. The cold bite of handcuffs locking around his wrists.

Face against the ground, Dae chuckled breathlessly, the devious smile never leaving his lip. "Fast, huh?" he muttered.

The police station smelled like stale coffee and disinfectant. Dae sat slouched on the bench, arms crossed. His tongue fiddled with the lip ring piercing in the corner of his mouth, tasting a mix of metal and blood. He stared at the floor, pretending not to care, but the adrenaline had long worn off, leaving him empty and tired. The harsh fluorescent lights buzzed overhead, and he’d long since stopped paying attention to the officer trying to question him. Every time they asked something, he either shrugged, smirked, or muttered, "No English." Eventually, they gave up, leaving him to stew in silence.

Hours passed before the glass door swung open, and a familiar voice sliced through the heavy air. "Bunny!"

His head snapped up. There stood his aunt, Yoon-ah, small but fierce, her dark eyes narrowing the moment they landed on him. The officer at the desk explained the situation, and she quietly handed over the money for his bond, her face unreadable. She didn’t scold him or ask questions — just quietly signed the papers and led him out to her car.

The ride to her house was silent, save for the hum of the engine and the soft patter of rain on the windshield. Dae kept his gaze out the window, watching the city lights fade into darkness as they neared the countryside. Her home was small and cozy, tucked away behind a wooden fence and a sprawling flower garden. As soon as they stepped inside, the warmth wrapped around him like a blanket from his childhood.

She fed him soup and washed his clothes. Stepping out of the bathroom he found her outside on the patio. The short wooden deck with lawn chairs and a table was centered around its greenhouse-like structure. Surrounding it with flowers and vegetable gardens. Small stone pathways twisted in a maze throughout the garden lit by tiny solar lamps. This was her favorite spot, her own personal wonderland.

The rain stopped and the sky painted itself with soft hues of pink and orange. The air smelled sweet, soft petals swaying in the breeze. She sank onto a wooden bench, patting the spot beside her. Dae hesitated, then dropped onto the bench, resting his elbows on his knees. For a long while, they just sat there, the chirping crickets filling the silence. Finally, Yoon-Ah spoke to him.

"You scared me tonight." Her voice was quiet, steady. "When the police called… I thought maybe you’d gotten yourself killed."

Dae stared at the ground, digging his heel into the dirt. "Didn’t mean to."

She sighed, folding her hands in her lap. "You’re sixteen, Dae. Do you think this is who you are? A thief? A criminal?"

Yoon-Ah softened, reaching out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind his ear. "I know," she whispered. "And I know you’re angry. But this path you’re on… it won’t fill that emptiness."

He blinked hard, gaze fixed on the flowers. "I just wanted to feel free. Just for a little while."

She smiled softly, squeezing his hand. "Freedom isn’t about running away. It’s about finding a reason to stay. You’re not alone, Dae. You have me."

For the first time all night, he looked at her — really looked. Her eyes, soft and kind, held no judgment. Just love. The tightness in his chest loosened, just a little.

"I’ll try," he whispered. "No promises."

Dae slid off the bench and sank to the ground, stretching his legs out and leaning back against his aunt’s knees. The cool earth beneath him felt steady, grounding him after the chaos of the night. As he rested his head in her lap, Yoon-Ah gently ran her fingers through his hair, smoothing out the tangles and dust from his escape. The tension in his shoulders slowly eased, his eyes fluttering closed as the night settled around them.

As she stroked his hair, her eyes drifted downward — and that’s when she noticed them. She carefully pulled the fabric aside, revealing the dark marks trailing across his neck and shoulder. Her breath hitched, and her hand trembled as she softly traced the edges of the bruises. Dae stiffened but didn’t pull away. He kept his eyes closed, pretending not to notice. She didn’t need to ask where they came from. She knew. Her brother’s temper was no secret, but seeing the evidence on Dae’s skin made it all too real.

She didn’t say a word. What could she say? Instead, she kept combing through his hair, her touch softer now, more careful, as if trying to soothe wounds that ran far deeper than his skin. She blinked back tears, biting her lip to keep from crying. Instead, she pressed a soft kiss to his forehead and held him a little tighter, as if her warmth alone could shield him from everything.

"You’re stronger than you know, bunny." she whispered. "But you don't have to carry on like this. What about your English? Have you been practicing? Did you get the books I sent-"

"I don't want to learn." He silenced her.

She sighed in grief. Why must the Su-Jin men be so hardheaded. "IF you learn, America will open up a whole new world for you. You could move out away from your father, get a good job, earn your own way. Why are you afraid?"

"I'm not afraid." Dae lingered, his fingered fiddling with a loose string on her pants. Determined to pull it out.

"Do you think you will forget who you are?" His Yoon- Ah asked, "Your culture."

"It's not that." He scoffed.

"Then what bunny?" Her small round fingers slid beneath him, lifting his chin to her. His eyes met hers, their deep amber color pouring right through him. "You are such a smart boy, what is stopping you?"

"Him." Dae caved, his voice breaking. "If I spoke English, it wouldn't be an escape from him, but just another way for him to use me to get things he wants. I'll never get away from him."

She exhaled, pulling him into a gentle hug. "That’s enough for now."

Dae remained where he was as she rubbed the stiffness out of his back muscles. She wanted nothing more than to keep him there with her, but she knew the hardships they would both face if he did.