**A Slippery Slope**

A Slippery Slope Taehyun's progress had been steady, but fragile. He had been attending therapy sessions, and Yeonjun had been a constant source of support. But as he walked home from a session one day, he couldn't shake off the feeling of restlessness. The streets seemed to stretch out before him like a labyrinth, and he felt a familiar itch in his fingers. As he turned a corner, he spotted a small, unassuming shop tucked away between a Korean restaurant and a convenience store. The sign above the door read "Herbal Remedies" in faded letters. Taehyun had never noticed it before, but something about it drew him in. He pushed open the door, and a bell above it rang out, announcing his arrival. The shop was dimly lit, and the air was thick with the scent of incense and something else - something sweet and earthy. Taehyun's heart began to beat faster as he scanned the shelves, lined with jars of strange, exotic substances. The shopkeeper, an old man with a kind face, looked up from behind the counter. "Welcome, young man. How can I help you?" Taehyun hesitated, unsure of what he was looking for. But the shopkeeper's gentle demeanor put him at ease, and he found himself asking about "natural remedies for stress and anxiety." The old man nodded knowingly and disappeared into the back room. He returned with a small package, wrapped in brown paper and twine. "Try this," he said, handing it to Taehyun. "It's a special blend of herbs, guaranteed to calm your nerves and lift your spirits." Taehyun took the package, feeling a thrill of excitement. It wasn't pills, and that was a start. He paid for the package and left the shop, feeling like he was taking a step in the right direction. But as he walked home, he couldn't shake off the feeling that he was just substituting one habit for another. The package felt heavy in his pocket, and he found himself wondering what was inside. That night, as he sat on the couch, Yeonjun by his side, Taehyun found himself reaching for the package. He unwrapped it, revealing a small bag of dried herbs and a few rolling papers. His heart skipped a beat as he realized what it was - weed. Yeonjun looked at him, concern etched on his face. "Tae, what's that?" Taehyun hesitated, feeling a pang of guilt. He had told Yeonjun about his progress, about his struggles with addiction. But this...this was different. This was a new path, a new way to escape. "I found it at a shop down the street," he said, trying to sound casual. "It's supposed to help with stress and anxiety." Yeonjun's expression turned serious. "Tae, I don't think that's a good idea. You're making progress, and I don't want to see you fall back into old habits." Taehyun felt a surge of defensiveness, but Yeonjun's words struck a chord. He looked at the package, and for a moment, he considered getting rid of it. But something about it called to him, a siren's song of relaxation and escape. As he looked at Yeonjun, he saw the concern in his eyes, and he knew that he had to make a choice. He could continue down this new path, or he could take a step back and re-evaluate his priorities. The darkness was still there, lurking in the shadows, waiting to pounce. And Taehyun wasn't sure if he was strong enough to resist its pull.