Chapter Text
“Missing Baekdu-daegan Native Fox: Reported sightings in Moscow, Russia”
Lee Yeon tossed the newspaper to the other end of the couch with a loud huff.
Shinjoo looked at the currently-agitated Lee Yeon from across the living room.
“Lee Yeon-nim, is it another fake report?” he asked cautiously, scanning the former mountain god’s face for an answer. Definitely another fake tip- it seemed.
Yeon glared up at the red umbrella that sat on his wall. Contemplating what he could possibly do with absolutely no leads- with more lies than truths.
His little “shithead” brother Lee Rang, who has a deep love-hate relationship with him, had gone missing half a year ago. At first, it wasn't much of a bother to Yeon. It was actually a plus for the first few months. No more random calls at the early dawn hours with someone just asking “why did you do that?” on the other end of the line. No more having to clean up after his rebellious little brother who believed he was entitled enough to cause messes everywhere he went just Because.
And the biggest plus of all, not having to stress over his girlfriend, Jiah’s safety every waking minute in case Rang decided he was feeling up to no good that day. It really had been great!
But now, after half a year…It just became disturbing.
Yeon found himself constantly looking at news channels, articles, updates and police reports regarding the native fox that got kidnapped into Russia.
Exactly the same day Rang went missing.
Images of his vulnerable little brother flooded his mind more and more often these days..the image of that trembling little boy in the forest with eyes so huge they could pop out at any moment; The way Rang’s stare glossed over as Yeon firmly stated that he had ‘Never abandoned him’...His adoration for boiled eggs in naengmyeon and his fear of dogs…
Yeon was worried. Very. So much that it was driving him up the wall recently, and those around him knew that the reason the notoriously calm and collected Lee Yeon was now a rock rolling towards the edge of a cliff was because of Rang.
He was sensitive, snapping easily and tiring out quickly. Even Taluipa had taken note of Yeon’s newly-found behaviours and decided to grace him with less tasks to manage. Jiah started coming home earlier in order to not leave Yeon alone for too long. Shinjoo started researching in his free time despite his hatred for computers…everyone was doing their part to help him. But there were just..no leads..
Until Lee Yeon’s phone screen lit up with an incoming call.
Ki Yuri.
Yeon picked up the phone immediately. Adrenaline poured out into his body like a dam that had been opened. “Where is he?” He said sternly into the phone. “Come to Moscow now. I know where he is now but I can't say much. Get on a plane here now...we will break him out” She stated lowly into the phone, hanging up after finishing her sentence.
Lee Yeon shot Shinjoo a look, and they both got up immediately. Shinjoo was on the phone with an airline as Yeon adjusted the strap of his umbrella carrier. He had texted Jiah to let her know he would be departing to Russia on the very next plane, and that he would come back with Lee Rang. They arrived at the airport, and before they even knew it- they were 50,000 feet off the ground. On their way to Moscow, Russia.
“Tighten his handcuffs!” an official screamed in a foreign language. The room was spinning. The different noises combined with the ear piercing screams of different orders from the officials had Lee Rang’s eyes darting around wildly- exactly like a cornered animal. Because that's exactly what he was right now.
Lee Rang was cornered by numerous officials at a storage closet of a famous zoo. It was almost like an ‘exclusive’ zoo of sorts, it was smack in the middle of Russia and it was for all the aristocratic families and their children. “Commoners” didn't come here.
The zoo was a cover for a big exotic animal trafficking ring.
His hands trembled in pain from being burned by the bitter cold of the exhibit he had been thrown into. In an attempt to escape yet again, he had gained bruises and cuts all over the place.
The Gumiho was notorious for trying to escape, so instead of upping his security the zoo director decided to wire his entire enclosure. Any opening had been barbed wired, there were traps all over the place and Rang was now indefinitely forced to keep a muzzle and shock collar on. They limited his food if he didn't behave, and he didn't remember the last time he bathed. Rang could shapeshift easily at the beginning, but the more restrictions placed upon him, the less energy he had.
It left him stuck in his hybrid form, which the zoo clientele loved even more. A fit young man with exotic features for their viewing pleasure. It was disturbing.
This had probably been nearing his 30th escape attempt, and he had been so scratched up and injured already that if he didnt find a way out of this corner now, he would definitely be injured enough to not be able to move himself on his own for a couple of months.
He had definitely- absolutely given up waiting for his brother to come save him. For anyone to come save him. He was alone, and Lee Rang was much more than just aware of the fact. He couldn't even get mad anymore- he barely had enough energy to survive as it was..wasting it all on waiting for people who were much happier in his absence wasn't going to aid his survival. He vowed to get himself out- he just..didn't know how.
The officials came closer, and Rang braced for impact. He had no more energy. he..he didn't even know where he could escape to..he was cornered. Rang looked up at them weakly as his eyes flickered between their deep brown color to a vibrant amber.
He was trying to use his powers.,but it was to no avail.
Rang was beat within an inch of his life, and thrown back into the solitary enclosure.
Alone.
He was truly, truly alone.
The Gumiho laid on his back weakly- defeated as he looked up at the domed glass ceiling of the enclosure. He would never see the outside world again.
He would never go back to normal…Everyone would forget him, and his Hyung couldn't care less to save him this time.
He let a tear slip from his bloodied eyes before closing them, succumbing to the exhaustion that washed over him like a warm blanket amidst a bitterly cold winter.