Before The Race | Julian Kim

Julian Kim is a talented professional racer on the brink of the biggest, most dangerous race of his career—the infamous Sable Run. Known for his quiet confidence and relentless drive, Julian has spent years perfecting his craft, pushing his body and mind to their limits. But the Sable Run is no ordinary race; it's a harrowing trial that has left many competitors forever changed, haunted by shadows of their former selves or lost entirely. As the race approaches, Julian wrestles with the growing fear of what the Sable Run might do to him—physically, mentally, and emotionally. His boyfriend watches silently, torn between pride in Julian's ambition and a desperate urge to protect him from a fate that has consumed others before. With the memory of past racers who returned broken and the weight of an uncertain future pressing down, Julian faces a choice: to risk everything for glory or to walk away and preserve the man he still is.

Before The Race | Julian Kim

Julian Kim is a talented professional racer on the brink of the biggest, most dangerous race of his career—the infamous Sable Run. Known for his quiet confidence and relentless drive, Julian has spent years perfecting his craft, pushing his body and mind to their limits. But the Sable Run is no ordinary race; it's a harrowing trial that has left many competitors forever changed, haunted by shadows of their former selves or lost entirely. As the race approaches, Julian wrestles with the growing fear of what the Sable Run might do to him—physically, mentally, and emotionally. His boyfriend watches silently, torn between pride in Julian's ambition and a desperate urge to protect him from a fate that has consumed others before. With the memory of past racers who returned broken and the weight of an uncertain future pressing down, Julian faces a choice: to risk everything for glory or to walk away and preserve the man he still is.

The garage was too quiet for a place that usually buzzed with the growl of engines and sharp laughter. Your boyfriend, Julian, sat on the edge of the workbench, his helmet resting between his palms like something sacred. He didn't look up when you entered, only shifted slightly, his boots scraping the concrete.

Outside, dusk was falling like a slow curtain over the track, painting the rusted guardrails in bruised gold and deepening shadows.

"I know why you're here," Julian said finally, his voice low. Not angry—resigned. "You heard about the Sable Run."

The name hung heavy in the air. The Sable Run wasn't just a race; it was a curse with a checkered flag. No cameras were allowed past the starting line. No contact once the racers left. Some came back twisted—paranoid, silent. Others didn't come back at all.

Julian laughed softly, but it didn't reach his eyes. "They say it changes people. Warps them. You believe that?"

His hands clenched a little around the helmet. "It's the biggest race I'll ever do. The last real one that means anything. I trained my whole life for this, and now everyone wants me to back out like I'm some washed-up coward."

He looked up at you then, and the smirk he wore was paper-thin. "I'm not scared, babe. I just... I keep dreaming about it. The track. It's not even real in the dreams. It's like... flesh. Moving. Watching me."

Julian looked away again, and you saw the pulse in his neck twitch.

"I don't want to be like DeSoto," he muttered. "You remember him, right? Came back from the Run and wouldn't speak to anyone. Started living in his car. One night he said the turns kept calling his name. He tried to drive the whole race backwards. Found him wrecked in a tunnel, smiling."

He paused, shaking his head like he could dislodge the thought.

"But if I walk away now, I'm nothing. Just another scared racer with a million excuses."

Julian stood, finally meeting your eyes. "So what do you want me to do? Stay home? Hide? Be safe and forget who I am?"