A/N: As promised, Chapter Three!! Was super excited for this one, since we can finally get into interactions and such!!
Special thanks to my sweetheart @mommymothie <3
Synopsis: Staying with them will be harder than you thought.
W.C: 5.1k
WARNINGS!!: Mentions of eating people, violence
The soft orange glow of sunlight didn't fit in with your surroundings at all, let alone your newfound situation. Trapped in this foreign place with a bunch of the creatures hellbent on eating you, because even though they claimed they didn’t plan to do so, you weren’t stupid enough to fall for any of their tricks or tactics. You would never fall for any of their shit ever again. After the loss of your people, the ones you swore and failed to protect, you weren’t going to put your trust into any of these bastards no matter what they told you.
Memories of the last few days plagued you as soon as you came to and you gave a heavy sigh, though while you were coming into consciousness, there was a soft sound coming from above you. A deep rumbling that had your eyes blinking open against the harsh light in the room, the light blocked out by something on top of you.
Once you were able to see, you realized there was a figure hovering over you, hands on either side of your head and knees on both sides of your hips. Jeongin stared down at you, head cocked to the side with his eyes focused intently on your face.
“Good morning.” Clearly more than a little startled, you gave a shout and shoved him off of you, crawling backwards with your heart suddenly racing. The idea of him preparing to eat you in your sleep drove you to react rather quickly, shoving yourself to your feet and sprinting past him to the open door. He called your name, but of course, you weren’t listening to a word he said, tearing through his door and out into the open hallway. Seeing no one else there, you turned and ran in a random direction in hopes of escaping. Running blindly wasn’t the best idea, of course, but what else could you have done with the state you were in? Mind still hazy with sleep, limping from your injured leg. Moving out of sheer instinct alone.
Just as you turned a sharp corner, however, you collided hard with something. Fell back, whimpered at the pains in your leg and wrist. When you looked up, you found one of the creatures from yesterday, the one with the chubby face and big eyes. Jisung, or “Han” as they called him.
Unlike the other two you’d met face-to-face over the last two days, this one immediately reacted with aggression, lips pulling back into a snarl while those big eyes became even bigger. Stretching wider and wider, just like his jaw. Utterly petrified, you used your good hand and foot to scoot backwards, gaping up at him and watching his body twist and contort. You’d never seen them do this before. You knew how horrific their bodies could become, but you never bore witness to the transformation, since none of them bothered to fit in anymore. It seemed these ones did and you loathed them for that.
Arms elongating, he planted them on either side of you, despite remaining on his feet. Just like Jeongin had done mere moments ago. His legs made a loud snapping sound as they bent back at the knees, growing and making him so much bigger, like a giant spider ready to sink its pinchers into a helpless fly. His body had risen in the process, towering over you so tall his back was pressed against the ceiling. Drool leaked from his open maw and landed right under your eye.
“Hannie! You caught them!” Jeongin’s voice caught both of your attention. Since you were too stunned to look away, Jisung did so for you, peaking over your head at the approaching figure. “Thanks. They just love to run, I guess.”
In quite literally the blink of an eye, his body returned to normal. Curly hair, heart-shaped lips. With the changes in his body, his clothes had ripped in certain spots, now loose and torn around his torso and limbs. He didn’t seem too happy with your presence between them, glaring at you with so much animosity it made you want to hide behind Jeongin for safety.
“Put it on a leash, then.” Excuse me?
“That would be a good idea, huh?” Jeongin reached down and placed his hands under your arms, using them to lift you up from the floor and back to your feet. Flustered, you pushed him away, narrowing your eyes at both of them.
“Why would you do that? You scared the shit out of me!” Honestly, that was meant for either one of them, because both instances horrified you in their own separate ways. While Jeongin looked guilty, Jisung didn’t seem to feel bad in the slightest. Instead, he smiled, wicked and cruel.
“Aww, poor thing.” He crooned, only to hiss and bare his teeth when Jeongin shoved him.
“Knock it off. You remember what Channie said.”
“I don’t want them here.”
“Well, that’s too bad-”
“I want breakfast. Take me wherever the dining room is.” It was way too early for you to listen to them bicker, so you interrupted, changing the subject as quickly and rudely as possible. You might have agreed to stay here, but that didn’t mean you were happy about it. Jeongin promptly perked up, smiling at you in that creepy way from before, meanwhile Jisung huffed and walked off.
“Fucking humans…” Asshole.
“Let’s go!” Jeongin chirped before grabbing your arm and all but dragging you along down the hallway. Today was going to be rough.
Somehow, after that whole fiasco, you got stuck cooking with one of these freaks. Minho, if your brain served you correctly. This creature was quite the busy body in the kitchen, zipping around you with hardly any effort at all, ordering you around in the meantime and only making that feeling of resentment grow inside of you. While he did most of the work, you were stuck with passing him the utensils he needed for this specific meal, watching as he separated several plates to match the tastes of his buddies.
“No, that goes on Changbin’s plate. Han doesn’t eat meat.” He’d smacked your hand with a spatula while you were trying to distribute whatever meat he wanted in the meal onto said plates. With a glare, you put the protein on the right one, then watched with curiosity as he prepared a ninth plate. “Would you like meat?”
“No, I’m good.” There was no way to tell what kind of meat it was, and you didn’t trust them enough to believe that it wasn’t human. So, with a sharp nod, Minho started to make up your own plate with greens and fruit, things you actually hadn’t eaten in a very long time. Solely out of interest in their ways of living and nothing more, you stepped up beside him and decided to ask the questions that had been on your mind. “Where do you guys get this stuff?”
“We have a garden down the hall.” Your eyes widened with both surprise and, although you wouldn’t admit it, a hint of admiration. It was hard to keep a garden running nowadays, what with the lack of proper resources and how hard some plants were to maintain.
“Oh. That’s actually really cool.” Minho snapped his head towards you. You flinched and leaned away, brows furrowed as you stared back at him, watching his eyes blink in quick succession. His face was blank as he met your gaze, but something in those eyes made your stomach churn. “What?”
“I wonder what you would taste like.” Not at all comfortable with those words, you stumbled away from him and picked up one of the knives he’d laid out on the counter. Minho’s eyes didn’t leave your face. That haunting gaze followed you as you crept away from him, stepping forward every time you stepped back, easily cornering you against the counters with nowhere to run. For a moment, you were tempted to yell for Jeongin. You didn’t like any of these freaks, but at least you knew he wasn’t planning to eat you.
“Your leader said you can’t eat me.” He cocked his head to the side.
“Who said I was going to? I don’t eat meat.” Yeah right.
“Then why did you say that?” You snapped back. To your surprise and unease, he didn’t look very sure of how to respond. He just shrugged and you wanted to throttle him.
“I don’t know. I’ve never wanted to eat a human before.” Was that supposed to be flattering? As he spoke, he kept coming closer, soon standing right in front of you without even glancing at the blade gripped tight in your hand. “But you smell good. And you look good.”
“Easy there, asshole, you haven’t even fed me dinner yet.” To try and brush off the strangely pleasing compliments, you turned away from him, retorting with sarcasm to hide the tremor to your words. While his observants would’ve come off as flirty any other time, you knew what that meant coming from one of them. You looked like a promising meal, rather than a potential partner. You doubted these things would even be able to understand such a concept.
“You would let me? After I fed you?”
“What? No! Can you back up please?” Upon putting your hand up between your bodies, he listened. Minho took several steps back, then turned back to the task at hand, leaving you there by the counters with trembling hands and an incredulous expression. He didn’t seem bothered in the slightest, not even remotely upset that you’d told him he couldn’t devour you.
“You humans are strange.” Yeah, you were the strange one.
Staying here in this shithole wasn’t easy. After the first incident where you ran out of a primal sense of fear and found yourself caught by Jisung, Jeongin hadn’t woken you up like that again, instead just shaking you awake and telling you whenever breakfast was ready. Other than that, you spent most of your time in solitude, hiding away in the room you “shared” with Jeongin and either reading or just lying on the floor. A few days passed and Chan had decided to give you more things to do, forcing you to go with Hyunjin to his room in search of art supplies.
The moment you stepped into his space, you noticed the stark differences between this bedroom and Jeongin’s. There were pictures everywhere, hanging all around the walls, candles lit with a bare mattress centered between windows that were actually left exposed. No wooden boards covering them. Sunlight shined into the room and lit up the space, showing off every line and stroke in Hyunjin’s paintings and sketches.
“Woah.” You murmured, to which he perked up, smiling a little sheepishly as he showed you around.
“Do you like them?” The paintings were deeply disturbing. Dark colors that made up shadowy figures or the voids of open doorways, eyes too big and limbs too long, the paints blending in a way that made the images look distorted. Wrong. Meanwhile the sketches were mostly scribbles and jagged angles, black ink and graphite mixing to create depictions of unsettling sceneries, as well as animals with improper proportions and people locked in embraces.
“They’re terrifying.”
“Thank you!” Hyunjin wandered over to a small box by his bed and started rummaging through it, pulling out a stack of papers and a few canisters of paint, then a few paint brushes and pens. There were a few cups on the floor filled with colorful water that Hyunjin sat in front of, setting his papers down and getting comfortable on a pillow he placed to use as a seat. Looking up at you, he smiled wide. “Come, take a seat!”
You did and Hyunjin was practically vibrating with excitement, laying out his supplies before taking a brush into his own hand.
“Feel free to use whatever you want!” It was odd, seeing one of these things like this. So happy and joyful to share a human hobby. The two of you started working on your own artworks in silence, your pen gliding along the page as you began sketching whatever came to mind, doubting that your skills would turn out to be as good as Hyunjin’s. Despite how unnerving his work was, you couldn’t deny that he was good. Every painting and sketch in his room was filled with emotion, even if you couldn’t really name what emotion it was.
In the process of your drawing, you noticed Hyunjin glancing at you every now and then. You would look at him with a quirked brow, questioning his constant attention, only for him to get all flustered and focus back on what he was doing. His paper was angled away from you, placed against a book that leaned on several other books like a makeshift easel. Deciding to ignore him, you focused on your own task, drowning out the rest of the world with the pictures in your brain.
By the time you were done, he was still working. You smiled down at your simple, somewhat shitty sketch of your bedroom at home from memory, the silhouette of an old friend sitting on your faded bed that you had to keep erasing and redrawing over and over again. Now that your work was done, you stood up to leave, only for Hyunjin to stop you.
“Wait! Could you stay for a few more minutes? I’m almost done.” With a sigh, you sat back down, crossing your arms and watching him put the tip of a brush to the page. Only because you wanted to show your appreciation for being able to do something during your captivity. Not because you were interested at all in what he was doing, even though you kept trying to peek and steal a glance at the paper in front of him. He covered it every time, even tapping his brush on your nose and leaving a pink stain behind. “No peeking!”
Whatever. You sat there, waiting, and once he was finally done, he turned the paper around to show you.
It was you. Your hair, your eyes, your facial features, your flaws. Pink paint on your nose. Every single thing about you was displayed on the page, colorful and vibrant. Pretty. For a long moment filled with silence, you stared at the painting, awestruck and unsure of how to respond. Hyunjin faltered, seeming almost nervous.
“Is it bad?”
“No.” You blurted, immediately regretting it. Still, when Hyunjin lit up with hope in those cavern-colored eyes, you couldn’t resist praising him. “It’s good. You did amazing.”
“Really?” He looked just as spellbound as you. “You really like it?”
“... Yeah. I do.” Hyunjin scooted closer to you, legs crossed with an expression of fascination, passing the painting to you.
“It’s for you. I want you to keep it.” Although your brain warned against it, you reached out and took it from him. Holding it so delicately. No one had ever painted you before, never showed you in such a positive light. People back at home usually viewed you as scary and intimidating. This painting, even though your expression in it was stoic and frowning, made you somehow appear soft. Cute, almost ethereal.
“Thank you.” Why did you feel so flustered all of a sudden? Your fingers brushed Hyunjin’s as you took the painting, looking at it fondly, then your eyes met his and you nibbled on your bottom lip. “Is that actually how you see me?”
“What do you mean?” He tilted his head, confused. “That’s what you look like.”
Oh God, why did you feel hot? Were you getting sick? Your heart was racing, just like your brain, filled with thoughts that you didn’t approve of in the slightest. This wasn’t some sweet guy you could have a little crush on. He wasn’t even human, so why did you feel so flattered, as if he wasn’t thinking about hunting you down right now? Maybe that was why he drew you in such a way. You looked appetizing to him.
Without another word, you stood up and walked off. Painting in hand.
Apparently, nothing was sacred in this place, because not even a few hours later, the others found out about the painting. While Felix, Chan and Jeongin thought it was sweet, the others thought it was hilarious, poking fun at both you and Hyunjin and thriving off of your shared embarrassment over the matter. None of them would leave it the fuck alone and it was starting to get on your nerves.
“Here I thought you hated our species.” Seungmin spoke up from his spot on the couch, flipping through a book he’d probably stolen from an unsuspecting victim. Your eyes narrowed at him. “Didn’t think you’d be into one of us. Gross.”
“I’m not into him.” You snapped back, avoiding looking at the man in question. Only because you knew he would be just as disgusted as you were and you didn’t feel like arguing with another one of them. No other reason. It wasn’t like you enjoyed the way he painted you and didn’t want it to be tainted by his negative feelings towards you; obviously you despised them far more than they could’ve ever hated you and knowing that surely wouldn’t have bothered you. Not at all.
“No one would blame you if you were.” Changbin joined in with a shrug. “He’s pretty.”
“Fuck off.”
“He is, but it says a lot that you carry it in your pocket all the time.” Seungmin’s observation made your face feel hot all over again, stunned that he’d noticed such a detail. He wasn’t wrong, either; ever since you got the painting, you kept it with you, tucked away in the pocket of whatever pants you were wearing that day. Pants that belonged to Changbin, actually, since you didn’t have any of your own clothes here, except the ones you came in.
“Okay, so what if I do? Why the fuck is that any of your business?” His eyes flicked up to meet yours, a small smirk forming on his lips.
“I’m just saying it’s weird that you’re keeping paintings from Hyunjin, but you’re sleeping in the same room as Jeongin. Raises a lot of questions about your character.” Oh, this motherfucker.
“I don’t think that really means anything.” Hyunjin tried to intervene, tense as he sat on the other couch, looking at his nails to avoid meeting your gaze and revealing anything. Despite his attempt to mediate, you were quickly becoming more and more agitated.
“Sounds like you’re jealous. What, you want him to paint a picture of you?” You crooned, stepping closer to loom over him, but he kept his eyes on his book. Flipped to another page.
“He already has. Plenty of times, actually.”
“Hm. So it’s something else, then.” Kneeling down, you brought your face to be leveled with his, smiling sweetly. “Maybe you wanna sleep with Jeongin? No, you can always do that, can’t you? So what is it?”
“I don’t want you, if that’s what you’re implying. Real slutty of you to think like that, though.” Yeah, that was the breaking point. There was no real recognition when your fist made contact with his cheek, nailing him right on the bone there and making his head snap to the side, book falling out of his hands to the floor.
The response was instantaneous. While Seungmin’s head whipped back to face you, snarling with his teeth bared and his irises dilating, you braced yourself for the fight to come. Unfortunately for you, it didn’t come from him, rather another hard body that barreled into you from the side, sending you sprawling onto the floor with a grunt. Changbin, ever the savior, stood over you with a sneer.
This was a really bad idea, and yet you couldn’t bring yourself to care about the consequences. Springing back to your feet, you took another swing at Changbin, only for him to plant a firm hand on your chest and shove you right back onto the floor. You hit the concrete hard, giving a cry of frustration before reeling your good leg back and landing a kick at his knee. He hardly even reacted, reaching down to grab the front of your shirt, hauling you off the floor and tossing you aside like it was nothing.
Your body collided with the wall, dropping to the floor in a heap of limbs, sore and aching. There was no ignoring the pains that flared in your injured limbs, your wrist cradled to your chest while Changbin advanced on you. Before he could get too close, however, Hyunjin got in front of you, crouching down with worry written all over his face.
“Stop! That’s enough!” Fortunately, he left you alone to cater to Seungmin, whose eyes were narrowed into a nasty glare directed your way, which you returned tenfold. When Hyunjin’s hands found your arms to try and help you sit up, you swatted at him.
“Don’t fucking touch me.” You got to your feet on your own, limping back towards the door to hide away in Jeongin’s room again. You tossed the painting onto the floor behind you.
Two days of sitting in Jeongin’s room passed by torturously slowly. Isolating yourself meant remaining in the room the entire time, lying on the floor in the corner with your back to the rest of the room, ignoring Jeongin and anyone else that came inside. They tried to get you to join the rest of them for their meals, but you refused. You had no interest in playing house anymore. These things hated you and you loathed them, so what was the point in keeping you around? At some point, you just stopped caring, hoping they would kill you so you wouldn’t have to feel all the pains in your chest.
The sun was starting to set and you were still in the same spot, curled in on yourself and facing the wall. When you first heard the knock on the door, your body stiffened, though you promptly relaxed when you remembered the promise of death that hung over your head every single day. If this was it, you would be okay with that. You’d spent your whole life fighting and you were so very tired of it.
“Hey, angel. I brought you something.” A voice you could only recognize as Felix’s filled the room, accompanied by a smell. The smell of something really delicious. Your stomach growled with hunger, pangs making your face twist into a wince, and yet you didn’t move from your spot on the floor. Didn’t even bother turning to look back at him.
“Go away.” You grumbled. Of course, he didn’t listen, sitting down beside you and setting a plate on the floor with a small clink.
“You’ve been in here for a while. You need to eat.” Part of you really wanted to, your stomach begging you for just a bite of the fresh cookies on that plate, thinking about how good they probably tasted even though these things weren’t supposed to be eating such things. Regardless, you didn’t budge.
“Why? Just go, I’m gonna die either way, so you things will be able to eat me soon.” Felix sighed.
“We don’t want to eat you.”
“Bullshit.”
“Can you please just eat? The whole ‘you guys are evil and gonna eat me’ thing is getting really old.” At that, you shoved yourself up, giving him a weak glare.
“Don’t act like I’m not justified for being scared! You guys have literally talked about eating me!” Felix’s eyes widened and he looked to the door anxiously, shushing you and placating you with a hand held out in front of him.
“Shh, don’t yell. Changbin’s still really mad at you-”
“Me!? That mutt called me a slut! Changbin threw me at a fucking wall!”
“Chan took care of it, I promise. They’re just on edge because a human is living with us now, I swear they’re not always like that.”
“Then let me leave.” Silence. Felix fidgeted with the straps of his apron, avoiding your fierce gaze, to which you scoffed. Sitting with your back against the wall, shaking your head. “I don’t get it. Why am I here if we all hate each other?”
“We don’t hate you.”
“Again, bullshit.” Felix’s sharp look made you clamp your mouth shut. He sat down more comfortably in front of you, much like Hyunjin before he gave you that painting. The memory still made your heart flutter in your chest.
“We want you here because you’re safe with us. You think you’re being held captive, but you don’t know that this place is surrounded by others like us. Others that wouldn’t think twice about killing you.” You did know that. Those things that attacked your home were plaguing this city long before your base was even built. When you first ran into this building, you had an entire herd chasing you.
“I can handle myself.”
“Humans don’t heal like we do. You’re injured, and whether you like it or not, that weakens you. I’m trying to help you heal because I know you’ll want to leave one day.” Now that made you pause, expression relaxing just a tad. Felix suddenly looked rather somber. “They know you’ll leave, too. They don’t want you to.”
“Why? Why are you guys so attached to me?”
“We don’t really know. There’s just something about you. The way you look, the way you smell, how you carry yourself. We really like you and that scares some of us.”
“That doesn’t mean you can just say that you want to eat me.” To your surprise, he nodded his head.
“I understand. I think they’re just confused, they don’t really understand what they’re feeling.”
“How do you know how they’re feeling?” The smile on his face was one of fondness.
“I know them. And I want to know you, too” Once again, something in your chest ached. Bringing your knees inwards and wrapping your arms around your legs, you mulled over his words, eyes darting to stare at the space between you. Nothing about these creatures made sense to you. You supposed that if he wanted to help you, you would let him, use him to get better so you could get the fuck out of this place.
“Okay. Okay, I get it.” He gave a small, tight-lipped smile.
“I don’t think you do. But that’s okay. I just want you to try.” With that, he pushed the plate toward you in offering. You took a cookie and bit a chunk out of it. The chocolate melted on your tongue, its softness enough to make you sigh with content.
“Wow, that’s good.” Felix’s demeanor completely shifted at your praise. These things really liked compliments…
“Join us for dinner?”
“Fine. I’ll be there.”
Dinner was awkward. Changbin, Seungmin and Jisung refused to even acknowledge you, meanwhile Hyunjin was sulking the entire time and wouldn’t look in your direction. The only people that really talked to you were Felix and Jeongin, sometimes even Minho who would tell you to try something new on his plate. Nothing with meat, except for a few bites of seafood that were so good you wanted to cry.
Everyone went to bed, but you lingered in the kitchen for a moment, deciding to take it upon yourself to do the dishes. You weren’t really sure why, honestly. It just felt like the right thing to do. So, while you scrubbed plates and bowls and silverware, back to the doorway, you heard someone clear their throat. Your body jolted, whirling around to find Chan standing behind you.
“Oh. Hi. You scared me.” The last time you spoke to him was the day they decided to keep you here. After that, he remained in his room or his office, tucked away to handle whatever important matters he got up to in his free time until everyone gathered in the dining room to eat their meals together. During these times, he never really talked to you. Just the others on occasion. So, seeing him here now had you a little on edge, especially after Felix told you Changbin and Seungmin were reprimanded for how they treated you.
“I was told you put your hands on Seungmin.” Straight to business, it seemed. Frozen, you placed down the dishes in the sink, biting the inside of your cheek as you watched him wearily. He wasn’t smiling this time around. There were no signs of anger, per se, but you could tell he wasn’t happy.
“Were you told why I put my hands on him?”
“What did I tell you would happen if you hurt any of them?” He inquired, as if you hadn’t said anything at all. Being talked over like that silenced you, your mouth closing as your hands fell to your sides, shoulders tense.
“But I was already-”
“What did I say?” Chan stepped closer, coaxing you. He didn’t sound pissed. On the contrary, he was calm, merely guiding you to the answer he wanted rather than outright scolding you or demanding you to come to the right conclusion. Patient in a way that made the hairs on your arms and neck rise to attention.
“Anything that happens to them will be done to me.” His head nodded slowly. When he came to a stop, it was right in front of you, so close you could smell him. Something like cologne, which was unique for one of these things, but that underlying scent of dirt was always there. They could never completely wash it away.
“And what exactly did you do?” Your stomach sunk straight through the floor.
“I punched him.”
“Where?”
“Here.” You brought a shaky hand to your cheek. Chan clicked his tongue, and when he raised a hand, you didn’t move. Just allowed him to gently brush your hand away, replacing it with his own. Cupping your face in his palm with his fingertips grazing the strands of your hair, resting over your ear.
“I’m sure Changbin made it clear that you won’t be doing that again.” He mused, thumb caressing your cheekbone. Right where you’d nailed Seungmin. “I’ll let you off with a warning this time, only because I know he went a little too far.”
A little!?
“Thank you.” Your voice was quiet, barely above a whisper, fearing retaliation for speaking out of turn. The man finally smiled.
“Relax. You’re doing good so far.” With one finally squeeze to your cheek, his hand fell away and you released a breath you didn’t realize you’d been holding. “I thought you would’ve punched him a lot sooner. Seungmin likes to push buttons, but he doesn’t mean anything by it. Just keep that in mind, okay?”
“Okay.” You nodded. He returned the gesture, satisfied.
“I’ll help you finish up here. I want you to get some sleep once you’re done, I’m sure Innie misses you already.” Chan stepped up to the sink beside you, rinsing off the dishes you’d already scrubbed, shoulder pressed to yours. With a deep breath, you started up cleaning the dishes again, the two of you working in silence as the sun settled low behind the ruined buildings outside.
A/N: Chapter two is here! Again!! Wanted to revise this but then I realized it was fine the way it was, sooo here's chapter two and chapter three will be coming later today!! I hope you guys enjoy!!
Synopsis: After being rendered unconscious (by knocking yourself out), you wake up in a foreign place and you're not quite ready to adapt to it, yet.
W.C: 4.5k
WARNINGS!!: None
“Ugh, what the hell…”
The first thing you felt was pain. There was a splitting ache in your temple and your entire body was sore, your limbs immediately tensing up as you came into consciousness. A soft groan left your lips as you pushed yourself to sit up and forced your eyes open, taking in the room around you, unfamiliar and deeply unsettling.. Cement walls and flooring, boarded up windows with bits of sunlight peaking through the cracks in the wood, the bare mattress beneath you making your skin red and itchy. There were bandages around your ankle and your injured wrist now, too. Who could’ve patched you up?
Brows furrowed, you lifted your head up to look around again, though in the midst of taking in your newfound surroundings, you had the misfortune of noticing the figure poised at the end of the bed. A shadow with pinpricks for eyes looming over you. Reasonably startled, you yelped and scrambled off the bed, lunging to your feet, only to be immediately hit with a wave of dizziness that sent you crashing back down. This time, to the floor.
You landed right on your wrist that was surely broken after hitting that door and gave a sharp cry of agony, cradling it to your chest while simultaneously shoving yourself upwards. The familiar figure rushed over to your side, and even though your expression made it clear for them to keep them away from you, they still kneeled down beside you. Eyes warm and welcoming, almost making you believe you'd been saved by a human. It was the blonde hair you knew you'd seen before that told you otherwise.
“Are you okay? You need to be careful, I don't know much about how your injuries work, but I'm sure you should be in bed right now.” His voice was deep. Similar to the other creatures you’d encountered thus far, he was dressed in all black, though his top had longer sleeves with a zipper on the front. It didn’t help that he just looked otherworldly. Soft facial features, smooth skin, freckles dotting his nose and cheeks. Too perfect. Angelic. Everything about him unnerved you, especially knowing this body didn’t belong to him. When his hands reached toward you, you flinched and leaned backwards, holding up your good hand to shield yourself.
“Don't touch me.” As if you posed a threat to him with the state you were in. Thankfully, he obeyed, though he didn't bother hiding the pout on his face from your rejection. It was odd, seeing one of these things expressing themselves like that.
“I scared you. I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to, I just wanted to make sure you would be safe once you woke up.” Safe? You almost wanted to scoff, but thought better of it. While he spoke, you looked past him at the door, noticing that it was shut. Keeping you trapped. “Are you in pain?”
“Why did you bandage me?” There was no hiding the tremor in your voice. After so many years spent fearing these things, fighting against them to keep them from killing you and all those close to you, it was jarring to be around one of them like this. They never spoke to you. Once these things had a body, they didn’t need to communicate, so why the Hell were any of them even bothering with talking to you? Helping you? It didn’t make any sense, only serving to rile you up more.
“You were hurt.” That didn’t explain anything, and yet you didn’t question his response. There was no point in understanding anything these things did. “Were you attacked? Is that why you came here? I’m sorry, we can be pretty angry, but I’m sure they were just as scared as you were.”
What? The creature’s response left a sour taste in your mouth, your face contorting from a look of unease to one of deep animosity. Scared your ass. Those things were enraged, ferocious, feasted on anyone they came across. You swore he and the ones you’d encountered yesterday would’ve been the same, but on the contrary, they kept you alive. Why?
“What the fuck do you want from me?” You muttered, glaring weakly back at him. Too tired and injured to take any of your agitation out on him. Plus, those things probably took your dagger and you were in no condition to fight him right now. At your question, he paused, gazing back at you with something akin to sorrow in his eyes. Sympathy you knew he couldn’t truly feel for you. When the silence seemed to drag a little too long, you snapped at him. “What?”
“Company.” His response made you blink, baffled. Before you could’ve asked anything else, he continued, seemingly chipper now that you were talking back to him. A small smile formed on his face, his big eyes lighting up while his posture straightened. You’d never seen anything like it in your entire life. “I’m Felix.”
Another one that named itself. While your brain jotted down his name, mulling over it despite not wanting to remember it, you nodded your head. Scooted further back, tucked your knees into your chest. Even though he hadn’t made any moves to attack you, nor did he behave animalistically like the other beasts, you weren’t very comfortable in his presence. His faux humanity made him worse. When he realized you weren’t going to answer, he slumped, sitting on his heels with his eyes narrowed back at you.
“That’s when you introduce yourself.” Like clockwork, his snarky tone evoked a reaction of your own.
“Get bent.” You promptly regretted your insult, leaning back a bit and bracing yourself for the blow to come. Rather than lashing out, he merely rolled his eyes, apparently already fed up with you, as well. That wasn’t good, you were sure.
“I hope you weren’t this rude to I.N. He’s the one who wants to keep you.”
“Keep me? I’m not a fucking pet, you can’t just decide to keep me here!” Once again, your outburst didn’t result in violence. He just looked offended.
“Well, what’re you gonna do, run? Stab us?” Oh, this motherfucker.
He was right. There was nothing you could do. You opened your mouth to snap back again, only to fall flat on a comeback, your mouth clamping shut before you looked away from him. Taking in the room once more, though this time out of embarrassment instead of genuinely trying to find a way out. A way out of this conversation, maybe. As silence consumed you both, Felix’s expression changed for what felt like the tenth time in one sitting.
“We’re not going to hurt you. You’re safe here.”
“Gee, I feel so much better now, thank you.” Your sarcasm resulted in a huff, the creature abruptly coming toward you, moving to his hands and knees. The motion was enough to jostle you, eyes wide as you looked toward him and pressed yourself back against the wall. He leaned in, much like “Innie” did before he reached out to touch you. The memory made your body stiffen, face hot, much to your abhorrence.
“Tell me your name. Please.” The sound of his plea made something inside of you ache. Somehow, this group was so much worse than the rest of their species. At least the other ones didn’t annoy you with bullshit. Your gazes met and, against your better judgement, you muttered your name under your breath. Watched as he perked up, tested it on his tongue. You tried to ignore the way it sounded with his voice in particular. “That’s pretty.”
“It’s just a name.” Was your rather awkward retort as he shuffled a little closer, this time practically hovering over you with his face so close you could feel the warmth coming from him. There was no breath. Rather than leaning away, you sat still, turning a bit toward him, your noses brushing slightly before you reeled back, smacking your head off the wall. “Motherfucker!”
“Be careful!” His hand came behind your head, cupping the back of it and rubbing the spot you’d hit with his thumb. Soothing the pain as quickly as it started. In the process, you were pulled closer to him, your knee brushing his chest while your breath fanned across his face. “You didn’t tell me if your wrist or ankle were still giving you problems.”
“Will you leave if I answer?”
“No.”
“Please.”
“You’ll try to run and then the others will get mad. And, if you are in pain, I need to help.” The others would get mad? Well, you definitely didn’t want that after whoever that was barreled at you yesterday. Was that yesterday? How long were you out? With a heavy sigh, you were surprisingly gentle in pushing him away from you, and despite this, he still looked wounded.
“Fine. No, I’m not in pain,” A total lie. “Can you at least leave me alone? Stand outside the door if you want, just go away.”
“Minho is making breakfast. I can take you to the dining room.” The offer earned a cringe.
“Yeah, no, I’m not a cannibal.” Despite your clear disgust, Felix laughed. The smile on his freckled face was big and, admittedly, filled with what you could only have described as rays from the sun. Beautiful. It made you feel even sicker.
“We don’t all eat people. He’s making things from animals, I’m pretty sure. Humans eat eggs and meat, right?” Did you hear him right? This time, you were the one laughing.
“Do you think I’m stupid?” The thought of them eating anything other than people was preposterous. He was definitely lying to you, right? Joking in a really fucked up way? Was he trying to trick you into eating human meat?
“Some of us don’t like how humans taste. I personally don’t like eating any meat. I just eat bread or whatever I feel like baking.” Felix simply shrugged, making you scoff. It felt like he was being serious, but that couldn’t have been the case. Nonetheless, you just nodded your head, pretending to play along just so you could leave the room. Explore, look for another way out of this place. If you had to eat human meat to do it, so be it. You’d do anything to survive.
“Sure, whatever. Let’s go.” Felix grinned wide, smoothly rising to his feet before holding out a hand in offering. For a moment, you stared at his outstretched fingers, then glanced up at his face. That smile was going to be the death of you. With a heavy sigh, you took the offered hand and allowed him to pull you up from the floor. Although, rather than letting go of your hand once you were standing, he held it and began to lead you out of the room. Swinging your arms, even, like a couple- a couple of friends. Which you were clearly not. His touch made your skin crawl- why did it feel so nice- and you weren’t at all happy with the contact, your heart racing because of dread and panic. That was the only reason.
“I apologize in advance if the others are rude. They don’t like humans much, but they all agreed to keep away from you after the meeting. Unless they warm up to you, of course.” Yeah, that wasn’t gonna happen. While Felix yapped your damned ear off, you looked around the hallways he guided you through, taking note of which one led where while struggling to remember if you’d been in this part of the building, yet. “You’ll be staying with Innie in his room, but we’ll show you around just in case you need anything.”
“What do you mean I’m staying in his room?” Of course, you knew you were probably safest with him, but the idea was more than a little off-putting. You didn’t want to stay in anyone’s room, though you doubted they were going to let you sleep on your own when holding you captive.
“You like each other. So, you’ll share a room.” He shrugged.
“Like is a very strong word.” Felix didn’t respond to your mumbling, continuing to pull you along until you could smell something cooking. Something good. Your stomach rumbled and Felix gave you a knowing smirk, to which you finally snatched your hand out of his, crossing your arms and following him with your eyes averting him. You were still limping.
When the two of you reached the dining room, you found more of them inside, four bodies huddled around a huge table while sitting upon cushioned stools. Oddly enough, the room felt comforting. Spacious. The warm candlelight mixed with the battery-powered fairy lights they’d hung along the walls created an almost cozy atmosphere, a bookshelf pushed against the far wall with a vase set beside it. It looked hand-painted, too. As soon as you both stepped into the room, four heads turned to you and your body went rigid under their collective attention.
One of them you recognized. The big, buff guy that nearly smashed you into the wall like a battering ram. Binnie, if you remembered correctly, or at least that was what they called him. His eyes met yours and held your gaze for several seconds, though there didn’t seem to be any hostility there. Quite the opposite; he smiled at you, the expression looking rather awkward as if he didn’t know how to lift his lips to do so, more of a sneer than a look of joy.
The other three, you didn’t recognize. There were two taller ones- at least, they were taller than the others- and the one sitting beside Binnie was practically glaring at you from under his bangs when your eyes landed on him. Across from him was the tallest of the group, his expression relaxed under your scrutiny, not at all bothered by your presence like the others. There was a golden halo around the crown of his head that shone in the yellow light, long hair flowing down his neck, arms covered in sleeves that were disconnected from his top to reveal the upper parts of his arms. Unlike the others, they were both dressed in all white, dark stains littering the fabric that you surely could’ve guessed the cause of.
Then, there was the last one who looked at you as though you murdered the entire family he didn’t even have. Puffy cheeks, honey skin, and big eyes with irises nearly filling the scleras. Said eyes were nearly hidden beneath his fluffy hair, curls dangling over his nasty expression while his pouty lips pulled into a frown. There was a rattling noise near him, the chains of his pants clinking with every bounce of his leg. Then, while you two held each other’s gazes, his lips curled into a strange grin that showed the tops of his gums.
“Breakfast came early.” Your stomach dropped straight through the floor. Just as you jolted to try and run, Felix caught your arm, effortlessly holding you in place.
“Don’t do that, Han, you’re gonna scare them.” All you could’ve done in that moment was dig your heels into the ground, only for Felix to just tug more firmly on your arm, forcing you to approach the table with him. When your eyes darted over to the tallest of the group again, he caught your gaze and closed one of his eyes. Winked. It wasn’t quite a wink, though, since his eye got stuck in the process, peeling back open like it wasn’t meant to be shut in the first place. You were gonna be sick.
“So you’re the troublemaker, then?” He was talking to you. If you were being completely honest, you still hadn’t gotten over his face, just yet. Smooth, flawless skin, features that belonged in one of those old, tattered magazines you would find in the rubble of the city. It didn’t belong to one of those things, especially one that was talking to you with such a sultry tone. As Felix sat you between them, he turned his body to face you, leaning back into his chair with his knees spread.
“Definitely trouble.” Felix teased, poking your cheek in a playful manner, to which you jerked back and shoved his hand away. Only for the other to wrap his arm around the back of your chair, leaning in closer.
“I’ll say. You’re gorgeous.” Woah. You almost slipped again, but this time, you managed to keep your intrusive thoughts- which were really fucking intrusive right now- to yourself. Stars, were you really that isolated for this long?
“I’ll bite your arm off.” His eyes widened at your threat, so big it looked unnatural.
“Really? Yes, please!” Removing his arm from the back of your chair, you thought he was being sarcastic, at first. That he had a weird way of showing it like the rest of them. You were clearly wrong, given how he shoved his arm out towards you as if in offering. “Can I bite yours?”
“Uh- I, what?” It was the first time one of them had left you utterly speechless. What kind of freak was he?
“They’re not flirting with you, dumbie.” Came from across the table. The other tall one looked disgusted, glancing between the two of you with a grimace. Wait, he thought you were flirting? How was that even flirting!? His words seemed to disappoint the one beside you, whose arm dropped back to his side as an overly exaggerated pout took over his face. Not like Felix’s, it was so much weirder. Didn’t look right at all.
“You can bite my arm off!” Binnie joined in and flexed one of his muscles, making you wonder if you were dreaming. If this was all a strange, fucked up nightmare fabricated by your own even more fucked up brain. The one beside you lit up once more, but then relaxed, like he was trying to play it cool.
“Ew.”
“More for me.” The one beside muscley-man leaned over and latched his teeth onto his bicep, presumably biting down hard, given the other’s hiss of pain. He grabbed him by the neck, pulling him away and muttering something you couldn’t make out.
“If you bite their arm off, save the rest for me,” The final member interrupted once more. As your eyes met again, yours narrowed while his grew wider than Hyunjin’s beneath his curls, exposing the pink flesh behind his eyelids. “I don’t usually eat filth, but I’ll make an exception.”
“No! We are not eating this one, you guys!” Felix’s abrupt shouting had your body curling in on itself. These things were fucking horrific. Odd, yet more terrifying than any of the other bastards you’d encountered before them.
“We haven’t really decided that, have we?” Just as the bickering started, it died. Their heads whipped toward the new voice, so yours did the same, finding another one of these assholes in the entrance of the dining room. The one who stopped you from leaving out of the front doors when you were trying to get away. Beside him stood “Innie”, your eyes locking and a smile taking over his face, leaving goosebumps along your arms.
Again with the blonde hair. The strands were short, spiky, his lips pulled into another smile to show off those unfairly cute dimples. Plush lips, sizeable nose that suited his face rather well. The long jacket he wore stretched low to the ground, covering a sheer top that left little to the imagination, covered in black patterns. Necklaces dangled down his chest, glinting in the light.
“You told me I was safe.” Although it pained you, you had to do something here to keep yourself alive, to persuade them against doing anything to cause you harm. If they weren’t going to listen to you, relying on the ones who at least showed you a bit of “kindness” was your best bet. So, you gave Felix the most pleading eyes you could’ve mustered, hand finding his own under the table and squeezing. Watching as he shuddered from just your touch.
“You are. I promise.” You didn’t believe him at all. Regardless, you nodded, turning your attention to the most imposing one in the room. He kept that smile as he called out to the kitchen.
“Minho! Breakfast ready, yet?” Another, more familiar voice responded. The one you heard right before being knocked out cold.
“Don’t rush me, Chan.” The leader’s face fell, eyes widening slightly before he tightened his lips awkwardly, clearing his throat and gesturing for Innie to sit down.
“Right. Let’s get introductions out of the way before we eat, then.” Everyone took their seats around the table before taking turns saying their names, as he instructed. You barely paid attention, merely filing them away in your brain for later, only giving your own name upon Chan’s stern look your way. Some were happier to greet you than others, and finally when everyone was done, the very last member of their little group came out of the kitchen with a bunch of plates in his hands. Chan smiled as he passed, patting him on the butt. “And that leaves our lovely chef Minho.”
“Watch it.” What a sweetheart. Though, as Minho walked by you, you noticed how he paused for a moment. Breathed in the air around you, to which the others gave looks of sheer bewilderment. Curiosity. You tried not to think about what that meant for you, staring down at your plate, fork in hand.
“So,” Chan started, saying your name to grab your attention. You hated how it sounded on his tongue. “We’ve decided to give you a home here. Even though you gave us quite the scare yesterday, Jeongin has spoken very highly of you and feels you’ll be safer here with us.”
At his words, your eyes drifted to Jeongin, silently grateful that he’d gone out of his way to keep them from killing you. They did seem to listen to the youngest, after all.
“... For how long?” You couldn’t help but ask. If they were going to try and hold you captive, you needed to know how much time you had to escape. Despite your steadily growing anxiety, you turned to look at him at the head of the table, doing your best to keep your uninjured hand from shaking while you toyed with the food on your plate. Something Minho took notice of, tapping your hand with the flat part of a knife. He didn’t need to tell you a second time.
“That depends on you.” However many chances they were willing to give you, then. Good thing you planned on escaping once. “I take the safety of my mates very seriously. Just so you know, anything that happens to them, I’ll do even worse to you. Do you understand?”
Why was it so hard to breathe, all of a sudden? You couldn’t tear your eyes away from him, trapped under his stare. When he arched his brows at you, urging you to answer, you nodded stiffly.
“I understand.” The one known as “Seungmin” snickered at you.
“Good. I hope you know better than to try and run, too. Their emotions are just as important as their pain.”
“I understand.” He nodded back, satisfied.
“I hope you do. So long as you behave, everything will be fine.” Behave. Like you were a fucking dog. As much as you wanted to snap, you bit your tongue, turning your attention back to your meal to scarf the rest of it down. It tasted fucking amazing, easing your nausea and the jabs of hunger in your stomach. “Feel free to do whatever you want here. Hyunjin has art supplies I’m sure he wouldn’t mind sharing.”
The creature in question perked up, already having been staging at you throughout most of the meal. His eyes were practically twinkling.
“You’d be the perfect muse.” The nicest thing a living(?) being had ever said to you.
“Yuck.” Seungmin gagged, to which you shot him a glare. He gave you an infuriatingly smug look as a response.
They let you wander around, after that, with Jeongin as your escort. The whole building was a maze, so very confusing and making it hard to tell where you even were. There were the rooms they used as bedrooms, the kitchen and dining room, some kind of living room, a gym, and the most disturbing of all, their “butcher” rooms. Several rooms they used to eat and skin people, just like the one you met him in. You ended up puking all over the floor and had to take a freezing cold shower in one of their bathrooms, too.
By the time night rolled around, Jeongin led you to his bedroom, shutting the door gently behind you. The lamp in the corner was dim, yet bright enough to at least help you see a few feet in front of you. Unlike the ratty mattress you woke up on, this one was at least covered by thin blankets with a few pillows on top, looking much more appealing than the beds in all the other rooms. Guess they really did spoil him.
“There’s clothes you can wear.” Snapping you out of your thoughts, he pointed to a small box beside the bed as he started to shrug off his shirt. Obviously caught off guard, you hastily looked away from him, kneeling down to reach into the box and dig out whatever clothes you could’ve used. Peeling the flaps open, you found colorful fabrics looking back at you. Fabrics covered in old blood stains.
“Seriously? I can’t wear these.”
“Hm. Felix said they might make you uncomfortable.” Yeah, no shit. With a huff, you dropped the clothes back into the box and stood, nibbling on your bottom lip. Once Jeongin was done undressing, now left in sweatpants, you fought to avoid so much as glancing in his direction. The notion that they wore different clothes like humans deeply disturbed you. “It’s just until we wash your clothes. Unless you want to take off the ones you have on, that’s fine too.”
“Absolutely not.” No way in hell were you walking around this place half-naked. Maybe that was normal to them? Whatever, at least they washed their clothes, you supposed. Still, you weren’t at all comfortable wearing clothes that belonged to a dead person, especially the ones they had on when they died. Hence why you just walked over to the corner of the room and plopped down onto the floor, curling against it with your limbs tucked into your body. Jeongin stared at you, obviously not understanding your predicament. Not that he could’ve if he tried.
“Why are you laying over there?”
“What, you expected me to sleep in your bed with you?”
“Yes.”
“No thank you, goodnight.” Turning over onto your other side, your back facing him with your face towards the wall, you closed your eyes and tried to shut the whole world out. Hearing the click of the lamp before the room was shrouded in darkness.
Special thanks to my baby @mommymothie for proofreading this for me!!! <3
A/N: First fic of the HOP Horror series! I loved Railway and knew there were so many things I could do with this idea, I hope you guys enjoy!!
HOP Horror Masterlist
Synopsis: After so many rides on the late night train on your own, you're finally accompanied by a strange man in a trench coat who happens to have some pretty sharp teeth. Might be a good idea to keep your distance. (Or don't)
W.C: 2.6k
WARNINGS!!: Suggestive content, making out on a train, blood drinking obvi
You had a routine. Every night, after an eight to ten hour shift at work, you liked to take the train home. It was the fastest way there and you loved riding alone, completely isolated and listening to music until you eventually reached your stop and started the short walk back home. The night air was peaceful, the lack of socializing gave you time to decompress, and even though most didn't like being out at night, you thrived in the dark. Always had, ever since childhood. There was always a pleasant feeling that came with walking around whenever you were forced to, enjoying the moment of tranquility and freedom for as long as you were able.
Tonight was supposed to be the same, until you noticed the man getting on the train after you. How he kept his head held high, dark bangs framing his face while his leather trench coat billowed behind him. The man was dressed rather formally under that jacket, too, and when he turned his head toward you, you noticed the strange eyes that met your own. Heterochromatic, except one was a stark white, almost like paper. It startled you, especially when the man grinned wide and took his seat across from you. The smile showed off his dimples, eyes crinkled in what could be described as a sweet expression, though his vibe threw you off completely. Something about him didn’t sit right with you.
When he sat down, you shifted out of discomfort, returning his smile with a stiff one of your own before looking down at your phone, hoping to ignore him. The train started up and took off, sending you straight into a tunnel where the dim lights shined brighter overhead. They flickered, creating moments of complete darkness that made your body tense, your grip tight around your phone as you scrolled idly through random posts you didn’t care for. He was just sitting there you, quiet. The lights stopped flickering and you chanced a glance, finding him staring back at you. Watching.
“Nice night tonight.” Classic line. As he spoke, you noticed both an accent and something shining in his mouth, squinting to catch what it was. Only for him to stop, making you blink and focus back on the small talk he was trying to indulge in with you.
“It is.” Your expression gave away your awkwardness, pretending to be friendly so he would leave you alone. Then, you looked back to your phone, trying to give him the subtle hint that you weren’t up for conversation. To your surprise, he didn’t engage with you any further. Just hummed, went silent, and that was as far as the interaction went. Though, you did catch him staring a few times. First, at your face, and then strangely enough, he would glance at your neck.
The train ended up stopping and he didn’t take his eyes off you once as you stood from your seat, walking over to the doors to get the fuck out of there.
“Get home safe.” Creep.
That wasn’t the first time you’d seen him, either. The next night, right after you got off of work, you saw him at the train station. Sitting on one of the benches with his back straight and hands on his laps. At first, you were nervous to be near him, so you stood a good several feet away, hidden from sight. However, once the train came, you had no choice but to board it with him, shuffling from behind the corner and stiffening when his eyes met yours again. At your approach, he paused in front of the door, then stepped back and gestured for you to get on before him. A real gentleman, you were sure.
Every time after that was the same. You would see each other at the station, he would let you on first, and then he would start idle conversation. After the first three times where you were very standoffish, you gave in and finally started to respond. Especially the week after you first met where your day was at its roughest and you needed someone to vent to. He sat there, nodding along, listening to your rambles with a patient, welcoming disposition that slowly started to gain your trust. The man was odd, but he was kind. Sweet, a good listener. Someone you’d been yearning for all this time. Still, he unnerved you more often than not, so you kept him at arm’s length.
“You know, all these times we’ve talked to each other and you never told me your name.” He’d mentioned randomly one night, right in the middle of telling you about his job as a prison warden. A job you didn’t expect him to have, no doubt, though you supposed you couldn’t have guessed his profession if you tried. His getup was so strange to you; didn't seem like it belonged to a warden of all things.
Against your better judgement, you gave him your name. He smiled.
“It’s nice to meet you. Call me Chan.”
Introductions were officially out of the way and it seemed that was his sign to keep conversations going every time you saw each other, and you hated to admit that you rather enjoyed his company. It was nice to be able to talk to someone, no matter how offputting they tended to be, because by God was he offputting at times.
“You alright? You’ve been staring for, like, ten minutes.” This time, it was you initiating the interaction, breaking the silence to finally get down to the bottom of something that had been bothering you since you met the guy.
“You smell nice.” Chan’s demeanor didn’t change one bit. He was calm, collected, answering you as if his response was one that explained everything. Your reaction was instantaneous, lips curling into a frown while your brows furrowed over narrowed eyes. What the fuck was that supposed to mean? Before you could’ve asked, he tilted his head, eyes darting down to your neck again. “Those scented oils you wear. They smell really good.”
… Oh. So he’d probably just seen you rubbing them onto yourself, then. That made sense, you supposed. He liked the smell and couldn’t help but consistently look at the source.
“Oh. Thank you.”
“You don’t have to wear them, though. It covers up how you smell naturally.” Right, okay, that was weird. Definitely weird, right? You tried to hide your unease, hands fidgeting with the sleeves of your jacket.
“Yeah, that’s kinda the point.”
“Just think you shouldn’t have to, is all. You would smell perfectly fine without them.” He shrugged, his nonchalance easing your mind, as well. Maybe you were freaking out over nothing. Chan was weird, but he hadn’t been creepy towards you in the slightest. Probably just didn’t think you had to wear it, since it was late and there were no other people around to appease. No one but him.
Then there was the night a few days after that where you’d asked about the metal pieces in his mouth. A grin pulled at his lips, though unlike his usual smiles that seemed sweet and cute, this one sent shivers down your spine. Flashing said metal pieces that were pointed at the tips, covering his canines, he licked across his teeth and you watched his tongue drag over the shiny material. Something inside of you responded rather quickly to the visual, breath caught in your chest while your eyes locked onto his lips. Pillowy and soft, inviting in the worst way possible.
“Do you like them?” The question left you more than a little flustered, face feeling hot while your eyes widened. Unsure of how to respond, you just nodded, nibbling on your lip.
“They look cool. Kinda like vampire teeth.” At that, he quirked a brow.
“You don’t say. Wanna feel them?” What? Despite your apprehension, you once again nodded your head, more than a little eager, leading him to chuckle and rise up from his spot across from you. Leisurely, he walked across the train with ease and took a seat next to you. The closest you’d ever been, besides the times he would let you through the door before him, your shoulder brushing his chest as you crossed the threshold. Now, you could feel his jacket touching you. There was no warmth coming off of him, and yet you found yourself readjusting to be just a bit closer, thigh touching his.
Chan took your hand in his own, fingers gently wrapping around yours, then he brought it to his face and opened his mouth. Plush lips parted and you didn’t hesitate to just go for it, index finger tapping one of the fangs out of curiosity. Just as you thought, it was sharp, so much so it left an indent on your skin just from touching it. You pulled away, but you couldn’t keep yourself from gawking at them.
“Why do you wear them?” Part of you was almost scared to ask, but like the mismatched colors of his eyes, the fangs enticed you. The fact that he wore them so casually and didn’t seem to ever go without them.
“They help me eat.” Was all he gave you. Disbelief led you to scoff, clearly doubting such a response.
“Be honest. You like cosplaying, don’t you? That’s totally a contact in your eye.” Chan didn’t seem offended. Instead, he looked amused by your accusations, an easygoing grin taking the place of that too-wide smile. His eyes flicked down to your neck again, right before meeting your gaze with a look you couldn’t decipher. Something primal crept up your spine like a chill, making your hairs stand on end and your body become rigid.
“You think I go to work in a costume?” He got you there, huh? Now, you were just embarrassed, stammering over your words after being proven wrong. Most likely wrong, at least. “Would you like to see how I use them?”
You went silent. Confused on what he meant, since he didn’t seem to have any food with him or anything.
“There’s nothing to eat?”
“Think about it.” You did, your brain working overtime to figure out what the fuck he meant by that, because there was absolutely nothing around to demonstrate. Rather than wasting your time trying to come up with an answer, you decided to just find out.
“Show me.” Something in those dark eyes lit up. Chan visibly perked at your retort, licking those faux fangs again before cocking his head, shuffling closer to you. His arm slid across the seat behind your back, resting there while the other remained on his lap. Clenched in a fist, as if in resistance. You watched as he swallowed thickly and allowed his eyes to drop downwards.
“Close your eyes. Lean your head back.” Was he about to pretend to bite you? With a humored huff, you gave him a look of baffled interest, wondering where he was going with this. The thought of his mouth on your neck was both nerve wracking and exciting, for some reason. You didn’t know him well, definitely not well enough to let his teeth get close to your skin. Maybe you were the freak here. Nevertheless, you sighed and let your eyes fall shut, head falling back with your arms crossed over your chest. Chan inhaled sharply. “Perfect, just like that.”
When his thumb touched your neck, you flinched, but then forced yourself to relax as he brushed it along your skin. Rubbed it, actually. Like he was trying to take something off. Then, he leaned in again and sniffed you, groaning while his free hand moved to rest just under your jaw.
“You’re perfect. Hold still for me, okay?” Sharp pain. It happened so quickly you were stunned, eyes shooting open, feeling two small pricks on the side of your throat, sinking deeper into your flesh until you started to bleed. His mouth settled over the wound and you could feel his tongue lapping at it, suckling and coating your skin in saliva. Just as quickly as the pain started, however, it fled. Left your body relaxed, shoulders slouched with one of your hands resting limp on his shoulder.
“What? Oh, my god-” It felt nice, all of a sudden. Your mind was clouded by a wave of euphoria, veins buzzing beneath your skin while his every touch on your body left you so much warmer, filled with tingles and light as a feather. Chan readjusted your position, the arm on the back of your seat moving to cradle your head with his hand while his other arm wrapped around you to pull you flush against him. Head fuzzy, you moved your hands to his chest and rested them there, moaning softly and leaning into his touch. He made a low rumbling sound, the things in your neck withdrawing so he could lick and suck at the wounds left behind.
“Fuck, that’s good,” His voice in your ear made your body shudder in his grasp, hands clawing at his jacket as if begging him to take it off. “Shh, I got you. Just a little more.”
He dove back in. Bit the other side of your neck, your whimpers filling the train around you as the lights above flickered and flashed. Why did it feel like that? It felt like you were high, but not, just an intense moment of bliss that had you craving so much more. To be bitten again and again and again-
Chan allowed you to push his jacket just off his shoulders, your hands moving to his hair and neck, clinging to him like your life depended on it. At that moment, it probably did.
“Please.” You managed to whisper, pulling him closer, one of your legs hooking around his hip to draw him in and never let him go. His laughter made your heart race faster, that hand on your waist moving down to gently push at your thigh just as he withdrew again.
“Not here.” That didn’t please you in the slightest. Before you could even really start whining, start pleading, he shushed you again. Gave one last lick to the open wounds on your neck before covering them with his gloved hands. “I know. I’ve been waiting for so long, you have no idea, but we have to be patient, okay baby?”
“Need you.” His gaze softened, a hand brushing the hair out of your face.
“I need you, too.” He leaned forward, forehead pressed to yours. “Soon. I promise. You’ll be mine again.”
“Chan-?”
With one last flash of lights, he was gone. You felt freezing cold. Lonely, a sense of emptiness growing deep within your chest and spreading all throughout your body. It was as if a piece of you had left with him, the pleasant haze vanishing the second he was gone, bringing your attention to the soreness coming from the wounds on your neck.
A grimace took shape on your face as you brought your fingers to the two tiny holes, only to find that there was no blood. He'd licked the wounds clean. Why did he do that? Did you really just let him... Although you wanted to be angry, all you felt was an unshakeable craving. A craving for him and all the feelings and sensations he brought with him. Not even just that indescribable euphoria, but his presence as a whole. Something about him drew you in and now you would never be able to let go.
The train had stopped. Rising from your feet on trembling legs, you grabbed onto the railing to keep yourself from collapsing, stumbling out the door and onto the street outside.
Unaware of the eyes in the darkness that followed you all the way home.
Thanks for reading!! I hope you guys are excited for this series!!
Hehehehe welcome to another series I'm working on! Rather than a long, thought-out story, this is just going to be a series of one-shots based on Skz's HOP solos!! Might do some part twos, but that's about it :p
Also, I will be working on my other fics along with these, so don't worry! This series is just for fun and something for me to do in between chapters!!
I'M SO EXCITED FOR HALLOWEEEEN
WARNINGS!!: Topics such as death, gore and unsettling descriptions. Suggestive content. Each fic will have its own list of warnings!!
Tunnel Vision
Vampire! Bang Chan x Reader
After so many rides on the late night train on your own, you're finally accompanied by a strange men in a trench coat who happens to have some pretty sharp teeth. Might be a good idea to keep your distance. (Or don't)
Something Like a Dream
Trickster! Lee Know x Reader
There was something wrong with the world. Why was everything so bright and colorful? Why was the guy from your class so fucking weird? Let's find out!
Break The Chains
Alien! Changbin x Reader
You had no idea what you were signing up for. Maybe look at the contract next time, before you put your name on it...
Wanna Talk About Fantasy
Demon! Hyunjin x Reader
Every college student went through financial struggles, unless they came from a wealthy family. Unfortunately for you, your family wasn't in that 1%, so now you're saddled with a shit ton of debt for the rest of your life. Wanna do something stupid about it?
All I Want Is You
Obsessed! Han x Reader
Your neighbor was a little strange, but who could resist those big, boba eyes?
You Taught Me Unconditional Love
Fallen! Angel x Reader
He told you he knew you before. That you'd lived countless lives together, intertwined for all of eternity. Who were you to deny fate?
As We Are
Ghost! Seungmin x Reader
Your ex was dead. You knew that, heard it straight from his friends's mouths, and yet you kept finding his shit around your apartment. Looked like someone was moving back in.
My Own Fantasia
Slasher! I.N x Reader
Missing posters all over town should've been enough of a warning to stay away from strangers. It's too bad your new neighbor was too hot to ignore, huh?
A/N: AHHAHAH I love this serious so much already!! So excited to get out chapter two, I hope you guys enjoy!! Thank you to everyone who has given me feedback so far, it helps so much with keeping me motivated :,)
Mentions of T.O.P and Nana because I love them so they're here tol
Synopsis: You're trying to move on and some very attractive strangers make it a little easier to do so (spoiler: no, they don't)
W.C: 8.1k
WARNINGS!!: Flashbacks of trauma, mentions of character death and stalking
There was blood on your hands. Dust tickled the inside of your nostrils, your fingers tightening around something squeezed tight in your fists while your body became rigid. The stench of iron was thick in the air, a foul odor that made your stomach churn and your eyes water, threatening to puke all over the floor of this cursed building. Wait, where were you again? Was it that building? No, no, that wasn’t right. The linoleum flooring wasn’t at all like the concrete in that basement, the walls clean and covered in shelves and other items meant for a convenience store rather than decaying under thick layers of dirt
You were at work, and you were safe, because there were no corpses with their skulls split open or broken cameras lying in the corner. There might've been an arrow through one of the windows, though. Too scared to check, you kept staring at your bloodied hands, sweaty and in pain and gasping for breath-
Snap out of it.
The world came rushing back to you in an instant, your eyes blinking a few times before you looked outside, harsh sunlight shining through the big windows. It was daylight and you were safe at work. The city was alive, cars rushing by every now and then while people scurried down the street. Swallowing down a gulp of air, you eased your grip on the broom in your hands, finishing up with sweeping a pile of dirt and throwing it into the trash. With one of your headphones tucked safely in your ear, you ignored the customers around you in favor of keeping your one track mind focused on cleaning. Just so you could avoid all of the unwanted questions sure to come if someone recognized you.
Ever since that night, people just wouldn’t leave well enough alone, your story already making headlines mere hours after the incident and still a hot topic of conversation. “The Miroh Factory Massacre”, as the news liked to call it. The night your life was ruined and you would never be the same again. People all over the world laid witness to what happened to you and your friends that night, most calling you and the deceased “stupid” and “reckless”, claiming you were fools for going into the factory in the first place. As if it was your fault you were attacked and the others were slaughtered. Then there were the “true crime junkies” that wouldn’t stop messaging you on every social media platform you had, hence why you disappeared off the face of the planet, deleting every public profile you ever had in favor of peace and quiet.
Fortunately, your coworker was very understanding about your situation and offered to take on all the social interactions for the next few weeks, at least until you were able to handle the stress a little better. While you swept, Jinah was up front talking to an older woman, chatting up a storm to hold her attention and keep her from looking over at you. Then, once the sweet old lady was gone through those glass double doors and the store was empty, you approached the counter in hopes of relaxing for at least a few minutes. Although moving around helped to occupy you, you desperately needed a break right now. Your ankle was still healing and you hated limping around like this, praying you weren’t making it worse.
“Anyone giving you a hard time?” You asked her, collapsing onto one of the chairs your boss let you guys use every now and then on your slower days. Jinah snorted, turning and leaning back against the counter, regarding you with a small smile on her lips.
“You’re worried about me right now?” You shrugged.
“Keeps me from worrying about anything else.” The last thing you needed was another episode while you were working. The woman huffed, nodding in understanding.
“Good point. Did you get the coffee area all cleaned up?” You gave a nod of your own, watching as she grabbed the checklist off the counter to mark off the things you’d gotten done. “Filled the beans?”
“Yep. Smelled amazing.”
“Checked the soda and slushie machines?”
“Mhm.”
“Swept?”
“You watched me do that.”
“Only because I didn’t want you to fall and smack your head off of something.” At that, you smiled, quirking a brow at her while idly spinning around in your chair.
“I can walk, you know.”
“Your ankle’s broken.”
“Sprained.” You corrected, though after all the shit you’d done on that injured ankle, you were surprised it wasn’t broken. Small miracles, you supposed. As if it wasn’t a miracle on its own that you’d survived any of that in the first place. Those bullshit news sources liked to talk you up a lot, claiming you were some kind of brave survivor that fought their way out of a horrific situation, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. You were reckless. If anything, you only got out of there because of sheer chance and the possibility that those assholes weren’t prepared to navigate that whole building. That they underestimated the situation solely because of their strength in numbers.
“Same thing.” Jinah turned and looked at the register, reading the time on the screen. Her mouth moved as she chewed on a piece of gum, fixing her bob in the reflection of the screen. “Only a few more minutes and those two should be here. You have a way home, right?”
“Yeah.” The train. She didn’t need to know that. “Seunghyun’s giving me a ride.”
“Of course he is.” He probably would’ve, if you actually asked him to. Seunghyun was a regular in your store, one you saw every day on his way to work, the kind of guy that would pay for another person’s stuff or offer to accompany one of you in taking the trash out back when it was dark. Actually, he was the one that walked you home the first day you started working again. You couldn’t possibly ask him to do that again, though, let alone to give you a ride in his car. Not that the idea of getting in a car with him at night was very appealing, either.
When the doors dinged again, someone hurriedly stepped through and disappeared down an aisle, leading you to get back to your feet as quickly as you could before rushing back out to the floor. Hoping that they would keep away from you, leave you alone and let you work in peace.
The next thing on your to-do list was stocking. Upon making it to the candy aisle, you pulled the box cutter out of your pocket and got to slicing through the tape on the many boxes, grabbing the bags of candies inside and placing them in their respective spots. You listened closely to hear if the customer made their way to the counter yet, the twinge of pain in your ankle urging you to sit back down and relax for what was probably the rest of your shift.
However, someone rounded the corner to the aisle you were in, browsing their options while you busied yourself with the task at hand. A short huff of annoyance escaped you when they wandered closer to where you were, your body turning away from them so they wouldn’t be able to see your face too clearly. Only to feel a sharp throbbing in your ankle, one that had you wincing and physically reacting, box cutter slicing through tape and subsequently your own finger in the process.
“Shit!” You hissed, the person’s head turning. To avoid attention, you kept your back to them, though that didn’t seem to deter the stranger in the slightest.
“Woah, you alright, mate?” The accented voice caught you off guard. Regardless, you remained rooted in your spot, clutching your hand that was currently leaking red all down your hand, the wound so deep you could see the meat inside. Just like that, something in your mind clicked. Red, red, red, Natalie’s face split in half.
There was someone standing beside you, looming over you, making you leap back and ram straight into the shelf behind you. The impact made you cry out, Jinah’s voice calling your name from the front.
“I’m fine!” You really weren’t. As you recollected yourself and straightened up, ready to snap at this stranger for coming up to you like that, you stopped yourself when you noticed the look of concern on his face. Full brows furrowed under blue bangs, deep brown eyes meeting yours and going wide at the sight of the blood running down your hand. His plush lips parted in surprise and you found yourself watching as his tongue darted out to wet them.
“Oh wow, got yourself good, huh?”
“It’s okay, it’s just a small cut.” Every insult died on your tongue as you turned a bit away from him again, searching for something to stop the bleeding, using the hem of your shirt as a temporary solution.
“I didn’t mean to startle you. Are you okay?”
“Yep, I’m good, just need the first aid kit.”
“Can I see?” Hesitant, you gave him a weary once over before reluctantly offering your hand, his own grasping yours tenderly as he examined the laceration. “If this is your idea of small, I’d hate to see what you think a bad cut looks like.”
“Nonexistent, probably.” You tried to joke, watching as he brushed some of the blood away with his thumb. Since you were right by the coffee area, he pulled you to the other side of the aisle, turning on the sink and placing your hand underneath. The cold water felt like Heaven, even when on the open wound.
“Did you miss the box or something?”
“Or something.” He chuckled at your response, pulling your hand out from under the water and placing a paper towel over it. Warm hands cradled yours as he pressed the towel firmly on your finger, making you grimace, though it didn’t hurt too badly. Just a slight sting.
“Make sure you wrap actual bandages around it. Don’t use rubbing alcohol or anything, it looks deep.”
“Are you a doctor or something?”
“Or something.” You grinned, cradling your hand and holding the towel down on your index finger, being sure to keep the blood contained. Instead of immediately going to get the first aid kit like you probably should’ve, you stayed to talk with him a moment longer.
“Thank you. Sorry for freaking out like that, it’s been a long day.”
“Don’t be. I wish I could do more to make it up to you, I feel really bad for scaring you.” The man rubbed the back of his neck, and even though it wasn’t really him that scared you, you took the opportunity and ran with it. You really needed a distraction and this attractive stranger seemed perfect for the job.
“Well, coffee usually helps me cope with stress, so I’ll definitely be needing some tomorrow. On my day off.” Your eyes settled on his face once more, his own crinkling with the movements of his cheeks from his smile. Showing off the dimples on either side of his lips.
“Would you look at that, I have the perfect place for some good coffee. Ever been to The Oddinary?” The name had you inhaling sharply.
"I met him at that diner, the one that just opened last year. Ugh, what the Hell is it called again?”
The memory left a sour taste in your mouth, another pleasant moment ruined by all that was haunting you. There was no distraction for you, it seemed; just constant reminders of the brutality you’d faced and the neverending curse that came with it. You’d never been to that diner and, knowing that Jian was going on dates with one of the guys that worked there, you didn’t have any intentions of doing so. Well, not until now. Maybe going there with him would be good for you, getting some exposure therapy in a place that had nothing to do with what happened to you, yet still found a way to feed into your trauma.
“No, actually.”
“I figured. I would’ve remembered if you did.” Oh?
“You go there often?”
“Believe it or not, I’m one of the owners.” Oh. Shit, this wasn’t the guy, was it? What did she say his name was again? Surely Jian would haunt you from the grave if you were into the same guy she was seeing right before she died. Then again, there were a bunch of other guys that worked there, right? Part of you wanted to ask if he knew her, but then that might’ve made him question you, too. “I can meet you there in the morning? Around nine or so?”
“I think I can make that work.”
“I never got your name.” Shit. Against your better judgement, you gave it to him, spotting that look of recognition in his eyes. To your pleasant surprise, he didn’t ask any further questions and just held his hand out for you to shake. “Chris.”
“Nice to meet you.” With that, you took his hand in your own, only to be stunned when he brought yours to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it.
“I hope our next meeting will be much smoother, so I can make a better first impression.” If only he knew. He released your hand, your skin tingling everywhere he’d touched you. “Go get that cut taken care of. I’ll be looking for you tomorrow.”
“You won’t have to look far.” With one final smile your way, he wandered off to the front, your heart still beating rapidly in your chest.
When you moved back to the front, ready to clock out once your replacements came, you found Jinah leaning against the counter, giving you a weird grin. You paused, staring back at her with an expression of both guilt and surprise, like you just got caught stealing from one of the aisles behind you. Jinah, on the other hand, hummed and looked towards the doors where the man just disappeared after paying for his things.
“Did you get his number?” God, she was so forward it always caught you off guard. Scoffing, you moved around the counter, stepping behind it with her.
“What? No.” Then, you smiled with her, grabbing the medkit from under the counter and flipping it open to grab some bandages. “But I am meeting with him at a diner tomorrow, so he can buy me coffee.”
“Do you even drink coffee?”
“Eh.” Dropping the towel and seeing that your finger was still bleeding, you started wrapping the bandages around your finger. Jinah gasped from beside you.
“Holy shit, are you okay?”
“Yeah. It’s just a cut, I’m fine.” The woman huffed, taking the bandages from you before finishing up your shitty job, making sure they were secure and wouldn’t slip off.
“Just be careful. I know you’re going through a lot right now and I don’t want you getting yourself into a messy situation with some guy you just met.” That was the first time you’d ever heard her speak to you with genuine emotion, your face falling and taking on a look of solemn regret. Of course, you wanted something to distract you from all that you’d been plagued with, but you knew the risks of getting involved with someone while being in such a… Fragile state. Either one of you could get hurt if you weren’t too careful.
“Yeah. I don’t know, it’s just coffee, it’s not even really a date.” You murmured, watching her work while nibbling on the inside of your cheek.
“I watched him kiss the back of your hand.” Your face became very hot all of a sudden.
“You were watching us!?”
“I heard you scream! You expected me not to?” Good point. With a huff, you turned away from her, letting her finish with patching you up before she pressed a kiss of her own to your wound through the bandages. “There, good as new.
“Thanks, Nana. Seriously.” Her smile softened to something sweeter.
“I’m here for you. You know that.”
The subway station was empty, dim lights keeping the area around you exposed, refusing to let anyone hide amongst the shadows without you knowing. As you wandered along the tracks, purse slung over your shoulder, your eyes darted around the area, scanning for any potential dangers or threats nearby. Nothing came up. Nothing ever did, after it was all over. With every step you took, your sneakers tapped lightly against the floor, creating a quiet echo that only served to put you more on edge than ever. Your brain occasionally created a second pair of footsteps, leading you to stop and listen in order to correct it. There was no one down here. You were safe.
Since your train would be coming soon, you sat down on a nearby bench and waited with your purse resting on your lap. One of the lights overhead flickered, a soft buzzing sound making your body tense up, even though it was the same broken light from every other time you took this train home. Before, it never bothered you. It was funny how such small things turned into something so horrific after going through a traumatic event. To take your mind off of it, you pulled your phone out and put your headphones in, once again tuning out the world in favor of finding peace and quiet.
Every website you scrolled through talked about the incident. Some sick fucks even posted the pictures police had taken of your friends’s bodies, some of which you didn’t even get to see. Like Eunbyeol’s. The image of that arrow in the side of their skull was going to be burned into your brain until the very last second of your life. Unlike the others, their body was found outside of that factory, right in front of the fence. Maybe if they were a little faster, they would’ve made it. Maybe if you’d been there, the arrow would’ve hit you, instead.
Avoiding yet another video about the whole ordeal, you kept scrolling idly, thumb swiping over the screen of your phone again and again.
Until something moved in the corner of your eye. Body stiff, you turned slightly, finding a figure sitting down on another bench several feet away from you. Hood pulled over their head, hands shoved in their pockets. Something red poked out from under the hood, but you couldn’t make out what it was. Deciding to ignore it, you turned back to your phone, biting your lip and focusing on distracting yourself from your own paranoia.
Then, the train came. It came to a halt in front of you and you hastily got to your feet, rushing in through the sliding door, glancing to find that the other person was getting on, too. Whatever. They were probably just like you, someone who had just finished a long shift and was ready to go home and lay down. They weren’t even looking at you, either, keeping their head ducked down, likely listening to music or a podcast or whatever else people did on their phones. With that in mind, you took your seat and focused on breathing. Existing. No one was out to get you. You were safe, you were in public, and even though you’d never seen another person on this train with you, that didn’t mean it wasn’t going to happen eventually.
Once the train started moving, you found yourself relaxing, phone still in your hand to help keep you grounded in reality. The familiar motion aided in creating a comforting sensation for your brain to hone in on, those tense shoulders finally slouching while you scrolled through videos.
The lights were dimmer in here, occasionally going out whenever the train went through a tunnel. When everything went dark for the second time, you couldn’t resist checking your surroundings, telling yourself that you were just making sure you were safe. That nothing was going to happen to you here. So, you angled your head a little to the side, looking to find that the other person was still in their seat at the back of the train. Not on their phone, just staring at the floor.
It went dark again. You held your breath.
This time, the light of the train came with movement. The figure was standing. Still not facing you, their body positioned toward the seats opposing them, hands still shoved in the pockets of their hoodie. Something round and the color of rubies still peaking out from underneath. Your throat felt dry, grip on your phone tightening. Their body started to shift, maneuvering around to now look straight at you, and as they did, your stomach sunk straight through your seat.
A clown mask. Not just any mask, like one you would see at a Halloween store. The same one that belonged to the fucker that tricked you and your friends into seeing Jian’s corpse, lying on the ground, her insides pulled out of her as if to be taken as keepsakes. “Whoops”, he had said. For a long moment, you gazed back at him, gawking and clearly unable to comprehend who you were looking at. It couldn’t have been real. How would any of them have been able to find you? Then again, surely you might’ve passed them by one day on the street, giving them the opportunity to corner you in this very train. The opportunity to see where you walked, where you worked, where you lived.
The bastard’s arms dropped down to his sides and all you could do was watch, petrified and refusing to believe that this was reality. Praying that you were just having a very vivid episode. Your eyes flicked to his right hand, finding something slipping out from under his sleeve. A small mallet, dark wood and black rubber, your skin freezing cold with the realization of what he was here for.
Time stood still as you slowly, cautiously, got to your feet. He didn’t move toward you yet, simply tilting his head with your movement. Watching. Waiting. Ready to finish the job.
Wasting no further time, you turned and took off, sprinting through the train and heading straight for the door to the next car. His laughter bounced off the windows all around you, your ankle protesting and sending jolts of pain up your leg as your sneakers pounded against the floor. This time, there was no imagining it, you could hear his own footfalls mixing with yours, the sound creating a terrifying rhythm that only drove you to run faster.
Your body hit the door hard, one of your hands scrambling for the handle as tears started to build, all but yanking the door open to burst through it. With no time to slide it back shut, you just kept moving, running as fast as your body would let you with your phone and purse held tight. The motion of the train made it much harder to keep going, every bump or turn enough to almost make you lose your balance. Get you caught and beaten to death with a fucking mallet. The picture that thought painted in your head somehow motivated you to pick up your pace, only for another turn to make you trip up and fall towards the seats. At the last second, you grabbed onto one of the metal railings, using it to keep yourself on your feet.
There was a loud thud behind you. Instinctively, you turned to look over your shoulder. A few feet away from you, the masked asshole was now on the floor lying face-down, clearly not as well-balanced. He fucking fell. The sight was so bizarre to you, you almost thought he was faking it. Making a show at your own expense. Though, as he pushed himself up, only to slip and fall again, you could hear him cursing under his breath and couldn’t help but laugh in disbelief. His head snapped up.
Shit.
Just as he shoved himself upwards, you did the same and spun back around, rushing towards the next door with a strange smile on your face. Either you were just going through the motions and this was how you responded to fear now, or you were actually losing your mind. Whatever the case was, you were still giggling in a fit of manic amusement, breaking through another door into the next car and continuing to push onwards.
However, when the train finally came to a halt, the loss of motion threw you off again, and even though your body stopped with it, the one behind you crashed into you and knocked you both down to the floor, this time. He landed on top of you with a grunt, mallet sliding out of his hand and under one of the nearby seats. Seeing this, you both froze, and in a moment of rushing adrenaline, your urge to flee turned into the urge to fight. As hard as you could manage, you threw your elbow back, feeling the impact of hitting his mask and basking in the whimper he let out after.
“Ow!” He fell off of you. Without any further reluctance, you clambered back to your feet, picking up your purse and phone before taking off again. Your feet hit the platform outside and you screamed as loud as you possibly could into the open air.
The bastard didn’t follow. Rather than giving chase again, he just watched you through the window, clutching his mask. Seeing that you were now in a more public space where someone definitely heard your scream, he simply turned and walked away. Vanishing on the other side.
With no evidence, the cops said they couldn’t do shit. They were just as useless as they were that night when they found you. Since there were no arrests made and you didn’t feel safe in the slightest, you ended up calling Jinah and had her pick you up from the police station, deciding to stay at her place for the time being while the police continued their investigation. The rest of that night was a blur and you couldn’t remember anything the following morning when you woke up on Jinah’s couch with your head leaning on her shoulder.
Even though she told you to rest during your day off, you remembered your agreement to meet with Chris at the diner and knew you couldn’t just ghost him. Besides, after the night you had, you deserved to eat some good food and spend time with another person. Someone you felt comfortable around that wouldn’t ask you a million questions or treat you like glass bound to shatter at just the slightest touch.
Thus, here you were, standing before the diner in the nicest outfit you owned, freshly showered and more put together than you had been in months. You hated how nervous you felt, even if it was a different kind of nervous than usual. Rather than keeping your head on a swivel and preparing yourself for another near death experience, you were biting your nails and fidgeting with the sleeves of your sweater, bracing yourself for the moment this would end badly and he would refuse to meet with you ever again. You needed this to go well. You needed something to feel good about, no matter how small it was.
The diner was cute, you supposed. Tiled floors, wide windows with so much sunlight filling the room, neon signs and red booth seats filling the space. The moment you walked in, your eyes met with the man’s at the counter. Short blonde hair with bangs framing a freckled face that gave you the brightest smile you’d ever seen in your entire life.
“Good morning! Have a seat wherever you’d like, someone will be right with you!” Looking around at the different people inside, you couldn’t seem to find Chris, so you just took your own seat in a booth against the wall. Right next to the window with a bunch of stickers reading “If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen”. The cushions were surprisingly comfortable, your body sinking into them while you waited for the man you were meant to be meeting with.
Curious, you looked toward the front, watching as the blonde who had greeted you whispered something to one of the waiters. Dark eyes glanced over at you, jaw clenched. This guy was on the shorter side, though the sheer size of him made up for what he lacked in height, reminding you of someone you couldn't quite name or picture in your head. His chubby face was set in a scowl as he looked over at your booth, making you look away from him and shrink in on yourself. They did appear to be busy, so he probably wasn't too happy to have another customer walking in.
While you sat there, a few other waiters rushed around you, though you noticed that every time one of them passed you, they stared. Openly. None of them tried to hide the way their eyes wandered over you, lips tugging into little smirks or frowns that made you all the more confused. Did Chris say something to them? Were they annoyed with you? Their looks left you feeling even more anxious and insecure, arms hugging yourself as you shied away from them, staring down at the table and waiting rather impatiently for the man to arrive.
“You made it.” Speak of the Devil and he shall appear. Perking up a bit, you looked to find Chris sliding into the seat across from you, but this time he was dressed similarly to the blonde guy at the front. Thick jacket covering a white button-down with a tie hanging loosely from the collar, clearly having stopped working to come and sit with you.
“I'm sorry, I didn't know you would be working. I can come back another time-” His brows furrowed.
“No, no, you're fine. Technically, I'm on break right now.” That smile had something in your chest aching pleasantly, body easing up now that you weren't focused on the attention from his friends. Some of which were still staring at you, much to your dismay.
“Oh, ok.” Shifting in your seat, you looked around pointedly, taking in your surroundings and how the men decorated their restaurant. “This place is really nice, by the way. I always liked old school diners like these.”
“Thanks. The whole eighties theme was Felix's idea, but I think we capture it pretty well.”
“Any reason you guys picked a diner?”
“Nope. Just sounded like a fun idea, so we ran with it.” Chris shrugged his jacket off and set it aside, giving you a good view of how the shirt hugged his arms. Your mind blanked. “You look nice, by the way. Really pretty.”
“Hm? Oh, thank you.” Tearing your eyes away from him, you readjusted your top, now even more self-conscious about your appearance since he pointed it out. “You look good, too.”
“Yeah? You dig the work uniform?” He wiggled his eyebrows at you, a smile taking over your face. Just like that, you felt more at ease, no longer fixing your appearance and instead tuning in on your conversation with him.
“It's better than mine.”
“I get what you mean, then. You made it look cute.” One of the waiters was coming. Instead of one of the men in the striped shirts and brown pants, you were met with another black-and-white attire, though this one was different from Chris and the blonde up front. A loose shirt fitted over a white turtleneck with black pants to match, contrasted greatly by his red hair. Like the others, he was unfairly attractive, with soft features and full lips and a mole under his left eye.
Noticing his friend's arrival, Chris's smile turned much kinder, looking to him with reverence. He introduced the two of you to each other, the man now known as “Hyunjin” gazing down at you with a strange look on his face. Something akin to awe. You could've sworn you heard that name from somewhere…
“You're beautiful.” Hyunjin breathed, making you feel flustered all over again. You thought Chris would've been offended, responding with hostility, but his reaction was quite the opposite. He laughed wholeheartedly, a sound you found rather pleasing to listen to.
“Aren't they? Hey, would you mind grabbing Beautiful a coffee for me?” Then, he turned to you, seemingly admiring your reaction to the nickname. “How do you want it?”
Giving the man your order, he nodded his head along to your directions, writing them down on a small notepad.
“Anything you would like to eat?”
“Oh, no, that's okay-” Before you could've refused, Chris interrupted you.
“You can. I don't mind.” Something about his gentle tone convinced you to give in, so despite your reluctance, you gave him another order of food. Hyunjin nodded and jotted that down as well, though before he left, he spoke to you again.
“I'll make sure Minho puts some extra love in that for you.” With a wink, he walked away. You watched him leave the two of you alone, blinking and trying to figure out if he was actually hitting on you in front of Chris so boldly, only for the man across from you to whistle and catch your attention.
“He's something else, isn't he?” The way he said that made you wonder for a second if they had something going on. That couldn't have been the case, though, right?
“How long have you guys been friends?” A way of subtly asking if there was something more there. Plus, you were genuinely curious. How many friend groups could say they all started their own business together?
“A long time. We've all known each other since around high school.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-eight. What about you?” Six years younger than him. Not a crazy age difference, but enough to make it a little exciting for you. “You're not from Seoul, right? How long have you been living here?”
“Three years, so far.” You moved here to live with Eunbyeol, until they started rooming with Haruka a few months ago. That was what kicked off your long depressive episode that stretched all the way until that very night. Now, you were depressed and grieving. “You're not from here either, right? Where are you from?"
“Australia.” The same as the blonde guy, then, since he also had the same accent when he greeted you at the door. “Well, I was born here, but my family moved there for a while before we came back.”
“Wow. Which place do you like more?”
“They both feel like home to me, you know? Why pick one when I can travel between both?” You wished you liked your home that much. Seoul was beautiful and you found yourself more at home here, despite all that had happened. Hence why you didn't immediately move back afterwards.
During your moment of small talk, Hyunjin ended up coming back with your drinks and food at some point, setting them down on the table with a few clinking sounds.
“I hope you enjoy. Let me know if I can help you with anything else today.” The look he gave you made your body feel light as a feather, warm with a racing heart and fidgeting hands. You would’ve felt bad, if Chris wasn’t feeding into it from across the table.
“I’m sure they will.” He gave you a playful grin and you forced your eyes down to your food, suddenly sheepish, all while Hyunjin gave a chuckle before walking away to handle his other tables. When you started taking bites of your food, you lit up at the sheer taste of it. “Do you like it?”
“Yeah! That’s really good!”
The rest of your meal was spent engaging in random small talk with Chris, getting to know him and all about his restaurant, how each member of his friend group had a different job to do and they all balanced the work load together. It was sweet, how he talked about them with utter adoration and praise. You found your mind drifting to your own friend group, the fact that none of you really shared such sentiments about each other. It made sense that they’d tried to kill you in order to save their own skin.
In the midst of your conversation, however, one of the waiters approached your table. This guy was glaring at you from under thick brunette bangs, dressed in the same striped shirt and pants as the others. Upon reaching your table, he gave you a once over before turning to Chris, making your face scrunch up with offense.
“You need to wrap up your little date, rush hour is in ten minutes.” Then, with the most imperceptible smile, he continued. “Chop chop.”
Something in your mind clicked and you froze, staring at him with your hands fisting the fabric of your sweater. Curled in on yourself protectively. Chris didn’t seem to think anything of it, just sighing and giving you a look of apology.
“Duty calls. I’m sorry we have to cut this short, I hope I get to see you again.” You snapped out of your trance and turned to acknowledge him.
“Me too. This was nice.” He grinned, rising from his feet and following after the jerk who nearly gave you a fucking flashback without even knowing it. Part of your brain recognized something about him, or what he said, but you couldn’t fit the pieces of that puzzle together. After everything was over, that night was a blur for you and most of your triggers didn’t even mean anything to you. Not coherently, at least.
As you got up and prepared to leave, you picked up a napkin and wrote your number down. Then, walking over to where he stood at the front of the diner, you smoothly tucked it into the front pocket of his jacket.
“See you around.” He looked at you with such surprise you laughed, walking out of the doors and sucking in a breath of relief. So much for a distraction.
Tonight was dragging. The whole night so far had consisted of idle cleaning and the occasional customer, but mostly you and Jinah were sitting down, rambling to each other about the day until someone else inevitably came in. With the storm raging outside, there weren’t as many people as usual. Honestly, the only customers you were seeing were regulars, the ones who came in for their smokes or gas and stayed inside to vent about whatever was going on in their lives. Thunder roared and lightning clashed, rain pouring against the windows, creating a somewhat cozy atmosphere you both found yourselves relaxing in.
“Oh my God, look at this one.” The two of you were currently lounging around the store, showing each other random videos you found on the internet, Jinah all but shoving her phone in your face to show you the latest cat video that popped up on her feed.
“Awww, they’re so cute!” You’d really been wanting a pet. Maybe that would’ve been a good idea, a way for you to find healthy coping skills with a companion that you were sure wouldn’t just abandon you. Though, since you were staying with her for the time being, that wasn’t going to happen any time soon. “Look at this one.”
Perfect timing. The door dinged and you both hurriedly stood up straight, Jinah greeting the customer who walked in while you shoved your phone into your back pocket.
“Hello.”
“Seunghyun! We didn’t see you yesterday.” The man walked up to the counter, shrugging off the hood over his head to show dark hair and angled features, tired eyes still shining with warmth whenever he looked at the two of you. Jinah leaned over the counter, chin resting on her palms. “Anything new? Going to a different gas station, like a traitor?”
“Never. I had to call off yesterday, a client needed extra attention.” Made sense. Then, his eyes looked to you, soft and attentive. “I saw what happened on the news. Are you okay? You’re not walking home anymore, are you?”
“Not right now. I’m staying with Jinah for awhile.” He hummed, nodding his head. The front doors dinged and someone walked through.
“Good. If either of you need anything, you know I’m here.”
“We know, you tell us all the time.” Jinah’s rebuttal made him smile. While she rang him up for gas, as well as his smokes, your eyes glanced around the store, only to land on someone peering around the corner to one of the aisles. Someone with red hair whose eyes were locked on the back of Seunghyun’s head. Your heart leapt up your throat, though when you recognized him as “Hyunjin” from the diner today, seeing his face helped you relax.
“Hey Hyunjin!” Those eyes flicked over to you, something within his gaze fizzling out the moment you said his name. “What’re you doing here?”
“Grabbing snacks.” He started to walk up to the counter, though as he did, his eyes darted towards Seunghyun again. When he looked at you again, he gave a lazy grin and leaned against the counter. “I didn’t think you worked here. I’m glad I ran into you.”
“Yeah? Why’s that?”
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you.” Woah. He sure was forward, wasn’t he? Stunned, you noticed Seunghyun turning to the two of you, watching. Likely to make sure you weren’t uncomfortable, ready to step in if necessary. To make it clear you weren’t bothered in the slightest, you returned Hyunjin’s flirtations, leaning against the counter, as well.
“So, what, you asked Chris where I worked so you could get a date, too?” His eyes widened and he straightened up, making your brows furrow.
“No. I mean, he mentioned meeting you here, but I wasn’t trying to-” He looked genuinely panicked. With a laugh, you stood up with him, covering your mouth with your hand in your fit of giggles. Seunghyun turned away.
“Relax, I’m messing with you. I gave him my number, you know. Doesn’t this go against some kind of bro code?”
“He didn’t exactly ask you on a date, did he? Just out to our diner during his break. I want to take you somewhere nicer.”
“Hmm.” He glanced over at Seunghyun again. Why did he keep doing that? When your eyes met again, he seemed to gain his confidence back, leaning against the counter once more, though his body was still tense.
“Don’t worry about Chris. I want you, and if you’re willing to give me a chance, you only need to think of me.” With that, he plucked a pen off of the counter, then held his hand out, requesting your own. You gave him a look of curiosity, placing your hand in his and watching as he scribbled down something on your palm. A number. His. The touch of his hand was gentle, every stroke of the pen light and careful, making you bite your lip as you watched him. Once he was finished, he looked at you through his lashes, then pressed a long, lingering kiss to your open palm. “Text me. I’ll let you know where I’ll be.”
“Okay.” The response came out whispered, your heart hammering in your chest while you stared back at him, flustered and excited and so fucking nervous. What would Chris think? Would he be pissed? Did you care, after everything else you had to deal with?
“Can you actually ring me up for some snacks, though?”
“Of course.”
For some reason, even after you rang up his snacks, Hyunjin didn’t leave right away. He stayed right at the counter, glancing over to Seunghyun every now and then while the other man talked to Jinah.
“You know that guy?” He asked you. Brows furrowed, you looked between them, wondering why Hyunjin suddenly seemed so bothered.
“He’s a regular. Super sweet guy, he’s one of my favorite people that come in here.” At first, you thought that maybe he was worried and that was why he watched you guys talk from behind an aisle, though your reassurance didn’t appear to make him feel any better. On the contrary, Hyunjin’s face twisted into a look of distaste.
“Guess I’ll have to come in more often, then.”
By the time Seunghyun left, Seunghyun followed shortly after, leaving you with Jinah again. The moment the door closed behind them, she turned to you and immediately started grilling you.
“Who was that guy? Why was he watching us like a creep?” Her wording caught you off guard.
“Huh? Oh, that’s Hyunjin. He works at the diner with Chris.”
“He seems like a freak.”
“He’s a really nice guy, actually.” You weren’t sure why you felt the need to defend him. Honestly, with being treated like you were vulnerable and naive for so long, you were getting real tired of people making assumptions and stepping into situations for you. Trying to save you when you didn’t need to be saved, because the one time you did, no one was there. You just wanted to let go, to live your life without any more fear or worry.
“Are you okay?” Jinah’s question pulled you out of your thoughts. Still pretty aggravated by her words, you just focused on filling out your checklist, not sparing her a glance.
“I’m fine. Just ready to go home.”
Against your better judgement, you did go home. Jinah had argued with you over it for the rest of your shift, calling you crazy and telling you it was stupid to walk around by yourself, which only drove you to commit to the decision. You didn’t need her to support you. Thus, you walked the streets by yourself and even took the train all on your own, no one to protect you. Luckily, nothing happened along the way and you made it home without any problems.
The door to your apartment swung open and you breathed in the familiar air of your home before stepping inside. The living room was just as you’d left it, nothing out of the ordinary with all of your belongings intact. Shutting the door and locking it behind you, you set your things down and started unloading all of your baggage at the door, hoping to get some sleep so the next day wouldn’t be so difficult to manage. Wandering deeper into your home, you went to the kitchen to pour yourself a glass of water just so you could steady your nerves, make it easier to get some sleep once you were nice and calm.
Nothing was out of place in the dining room, nor your small kitchen. The door to the fire escape was still locked, as well, though you made sure to lock the windows beside the door just to be safe. Once everything was taken care of, you wandered back out to the living room, ready to head to your bedroom and lie down.
You stopped. Stars, you were so fucking stupid, why did you think you were even remotely safe in your home, knowing that those guys were still after you?
There was a piece of paper, folded neatly and positioned like it had been slid under your door. They didn’t break in, but that didn't make you feel any better. Regardless of the fear now clutching you by the throat, squeezing to make you feel all the more suffocated, you crouched down and picked the piece of paper up from the floor. Shaky hands unfolded it rather slowly, peeling the page open to find a sketch on the front.
A sketch of you. From today, in the diner, given the outfit you were wearing in said sketch. You were in the middle of laughing, staring at something off the page with such emotion in your eyes. There was a little heart scribbled right next to your face.
It was pretty; the first time someone had ever drawn you. Why the fuck would they do that? What was the purpose? Trembling, you marched over to your desk in the corner, opening a random drawer and shoving the paper inside. Too terrified to call Jinah, you pulled out your phone and bit your nail. Silently debating on whether this was a good idea or not. Deciding that it didn’t matter either way, you dialed the number and held the phone to your ear.
“Hi, Hyunjin. Are you busy right now?”
Thank you guys again for reading!!
Should I make an SMAU thing on the side for this series?
What happened to all of the posts if you dont mind me asking? 🥺
Ive genuinely loved all of your series and ive been waiting for the updates :(( and I went to reread but its all gone
Hope everything is good! Your writing is amazing ❤️ genuinely love your work
Updates/Answers IDK
Posts are back up!!
Just wanted to post this for anyone wondering what happened/why my fics are gone so there's no confusion when they come back! Thank you so much for this though, I'm so glad you enjoy my stories! <3 I haven't been too proud of them and that coupled with some personal stuff going on in my life lead to me getting rid of them :/ Buuut I do want to get them reuploaded so don't worry about that!
I appreciate everyone for the support thus far!! I want to get this account filled with fics that everyone, including myself, can enjoy and all the positive feedback has really been helping with my motivation, so hopefully I haven't pissed too many people off by deleting them. Mental health is hard.
Once everything is back in order on here, I'll be revising Trust Your Instinct's second chapter since I hate it and didn't put that much effort into it. That'll be posted the same day as Chapter three as a little treat for those who've been waiting!!
Again, thanks for showing my works love, it really does mean a lot to me!! <3 Asks are open and I still have my taglists going, too, so let me know if anyone wants to join them!!
Synopsis: You and your friends, a real group of dumbasses, decide to go exploring in the middle of the woods. It obviously doesn't end well for any of you.
W.C: 10k
WARNINGS!!: Death, blood and gore. Heavily descriptive.
There was something unsettling about this place. Maybe you should’ve felt that way about all the other spots you and your friends would explore, all of the abandoned buildings your group ventured into just for the sake of adventure, but something about this one was different. A sickening dread deep in your gut churned as shadows were cast down along your body, the factory tall and wide with the moon shining from behind it. The windows were filled with darkness, not an ounce of life within, giving you all the more reasons not to go inside. Had you been by yourself, you most definitely would’ve gotten back in your car and drove away.
Unfortunately for you, the eldest of your group had a one track mind and everyone followed his word without question. His desires were deemed the most important out of the six of you, due to his optimism and go-getter attitude, because why would anyone listen to the socially awkward loner over someone so pleasant to be around? Then there was you, said socially awkward loner, who didn’t want to be left out and craved validation from your peers. Those you cared so dearly for, the ones you would’ve done anything to protect. Even if that meant coming out to the middle of nowhere to explore a giant abandoned factory. The thought wasn’t comforting and the sight was anything but pretty, and yet as you stood amongst your only friends, staring up at the structure before you, there was a glint of determination in your eyes.
“Well, this is the place.” Alexander shut the driver side door of his car and peered up at the building with a grin on his face, like this was the most normal “hobby” in the world. “Huge, right? I heard people get lost in there all the time. Might find some bones, if we’re lucky.”
“Ew, that’s so not funny.” While he looked ecstatic to wander into this absolute maze of potential hazards, Eunbyeol was on your side when it came to this whole thing; less than enthused and ready to go home. You knew them well enough to know that the only reason they came was standing right beside them. Even though you didn’t know Haruka- one of the other foreigners in your group- all that well, you knew that Eunbyeol had the fattest crush on her, pining for her attention like a puppy begging for a bone. “What if we get lost? None of us have our phones because you fucking took them.”
“Relax, Eunie,” Alexander teased, turning to them and leaning against his car with his bag slung over his shoulder, a camera strapped to his chest. “We won’t get lost. I have the blueprint for this place, remember?”
“I told you not to call me that.” They reminded him rather sharply. Despite their tone, he didn’t let up, instead taking their response as his cue to continue.
“You’re worrying over nothing. This is gonna be a blast, right Haruka?”
“Totally!” Rather than giving the woman in question time to answer, Jian lunged and threw her arms around Haruka’s neck, hugging her from behind and beaming up at the building behind you. Natalie trotted up behind her, purse hanging from one of her shoulders as she focused on tying her ginger hair up in a ponytail. “I have a playlist we can listen to and everything! We should find a spot to smoke in there, I already have some joints rolled for us.”
“I am not smoking in there.” This time, you joined in on the conversation, making your stance on the matter crystal clear, just like you’d been doing this whole time. Honestly, you were only really here to comfort Eunbyeol whenever they needed it. As much as you enjoyed being around these guys, they gave you such a headache, and you never did care for the whole “urban exploring” trend. It just seemed like an excuse to do dumb shit at your grown ass age. Even though you hated your job, you would’ve much rather been at work than standing out in the woods in the middle of the night.
“Don’t be like that!” Jian practically whined, pouting and giving you big puppy eyes she swore worked on everyone else like it did the weird ass men who enjoyed when women infantilized themselves. Disgusting. “We won’t even be here that long! And it’s just a joint, maybe it’ll help you calm down a little!”
“I don’t need to calm down.”
“Guys, we’re here to have fun, just chill. Everything’s cool, we have a map of the whole place, remember? If anything goes wrong, I know every inch of this building. We’ll find a way out no problem.” As always, Alexander was the one to keep the peace, solely because everyone else listened to him. To your dismay, and seemingly Eunbyeol’s as well, Haruka sighed and nodded her head in agreement.
“Alright, we’re going. Just don’t make this a three hour thing, okay? Some of us have work in the morning.” He gave her a wide smile, the lot of you starting to approach the fence meant to guard the building from intruders just like you.
“Then what’re you doing here?”
“Following a dumbass.”
“Aww, relax wifey, we’ll have you in bed on time.” Your eyes met Eunbyeol’s, sharing a look of distaste. Though, their eyes held a twinge of jealousy, to which you decided to cheer them up by gagging dramatically. Alex gave you a look of offense. “What?”
“That was fucking cringe, dude. Do better.” Eunbyeol chuckled along with you, the two of you deciding to drift towards the back of the group while the others clumped in the front. Haruka glanced back to the two of you, giving a questioning thumbs up as if to subtly check in, to which you gave her one back. Then, with their collective attention gone, you turned your own to the only real friend you had amongst the crew. “You doing okay? I know these ‘outings’ make you nervous. You know you didn’t have to come, right?”
“I’m fine. Didn’t wanna leave them alone.” They mumbled, eyes locked on the back of Alexander’s head, almost a glare. You huffed, nudging their shoulder with your own.
“You know she likes you, right? Alex doesn’t stand a chance.” No matter your constant reassurances that they weren’t the only one whose feelings went beyond friendship, they never seemed to believe you, regardless of the fact that any outsider could see that they both liked each other. Hell, you were positive that was why Alexander kept making those jokes at Haruka. Not because he liked her, but because he knew it got to Eunbyeol and he was either praying for their downfall, or he was hoping to push the two together. It was hard to tell with him.
“She likes people who are fun. I didn’t even want to come, I just wanted to stay home and play video games all night.”
“What about that isn’t fun?”
“I don’t go anywhere. Alex is always out hiking or exploring things, she would have so much more fun being with him.” Well, with that attitude, probably. Biting your tongue, you found a better response that wouldn’t make you seem like a huge bitch. Even if you were right.
“She would have fun worrying all the time? You know how she is, Eunbyeol, she doesn’t like this shit at all. If anything, I think she’s gonna have heart palpitations by the time the night is over.” Now that seemed to reach them.
“Yeah, that’s true.”
“Right? All she does is worry. I’m positive she would want to be with someone who’s fun in a relaxing way, someone who won’t make her worry all the time. That’s you.” You poked their cheek playfully, watching as their lips pulled into a smile, one of their hands shoving yours away.
“Helloooo! Are you guys ready, or are you gonna stand there talking all night?” Jian called out to you from the top of the fence, her legs dangling off of one side. It didn’t make sense to you why she would choose to wear a skirt during something like this. That and the fact that Alexander was wearing slides.
“Yeah, yeah, get down before I push you off.” You snapped back, grabbing onto the fence and promptly beginning to lift yourself off the ground, shoving the toe of one of your boots between the thick wires of the metal fence. While you climbed up, Eunbyeol looked around, seeming hesitant to follow. Pausing at the top, you turned your body over and reached down. “Come on, I won’t let you fall.”
“Thanks.” Once they started to climb, you grabbed onto their sweater, using your own strength to haul them upwards. The two of you worked together to descend on the other side, dropping down on the dirt below, though in the midst of the drop, you landed incorrectly and felt a jolt of pain in your ankle. Luckily for you, Eunbyeol was there to keep you from collapsing.
“Wow, real smooth.” With a huff, you left Eunbyeol to hang out with Haruka and shoved past Alexander, ready to get this whole thing over with.
“Fuck off.”
Turned out the entrance Alexander had in mind led directly to the basement, the six of you forced to climb through a window and freefall to the floor inside, shrouded in darkness and pretty much blind to what was at the bottom. Fortunately there was nothing and you all made it inside unscathed, except for you with the minor twinge in your ankle that proved to be a problem when it came to jumping. The basement in question was so dark you couldn’t see anyone else around you until Haruka turned on her flashlight, a beacon in the night that did very little to ease your worries about this whole thing. The chances of there being a serial killer in here were low, but never zero.
“It stinks down here.” She grimaced while the rest of you turned on your own lights, flashing hers around to take in your newfound surroundings. Cement walls crowded around you, the floor covered in a thick layer of dirt and dust, particles floating through the air and only made visible by the rays of light. There was a strange feeling in the pit of your stomach, a kind of unease you couldn’t possibly ignore. You needed to hurry this along.
“Great, it’s still intact Captain Clark, can we go home now?” Alexander huffed with amusement at your words, though he made no move to concede. Instead, he shined his light around, as well, taking in the structure of the room around him and how the building likely hadn’t aged all that much. He’d spent the whole car ride here informing all of you about the building’s age and its history as a clothing factory. The look of awe on his face was so childlike, it was almost hard to be too mad at him for dragging all of you out here. Almost.
“Look at that. It’s like it hasn’t aged at all, and this place has been shut down for almost a hundred years, now.” Spoken with sheer fascination. About a building, by the way. With a soft sigh, you looked around the room yourself, taking in the basement while he lost himself in his architectural fantasies. While doing so, the beam of your flashlight tracing the walls, you noticed something by the window you came through. Smudged lines, four in a row, like someone’s fingers had grazed over it. One of your friends probably touched the wall and now had a bunch of dust all over their fingers. Gross.
“We should keep going. This place is huge, we have to see what the rest of it looks like.” Natalie broke the silence, taking it upon herself to start walking into the shadows on her own. Haruka’s eyes bulged as she chased after her.
“Hey, don’t just wander off in here!” The rest of you followed after the two, walking through the dusty basement with your flashlights in hand, the vast space of the basement alone enough to render you silent. Admiring the amount of space and all the ancient objects within. Once you all made it to the stairs, you began to ascend them one-by-one, noticing that someone had written “free hugs” with an arrow pointing up on the wall with spray paint. Jian found this funny enough to have Alexander get a shot of her posing next to it.
Upon reaching the first floor, Jian decided to start yapping about her recent date, apparently wanting the footage to show the guy later.
“He’s, like, the perfect man, you guys,” She boasted, already swooning despite having gone on a total of three dates with said stranger. “You know he likes painting? He said he would love to paint me one of these days, can you imagine?”
“What’s his name again?” Haruka asked with furrowed brows, suspicion underlying her tone. Jian damn near melted at just the thought.
“Hyunjin!”
“And how did you meet Hyunjin?” Alexander mocked the way she gushed as this mystery man’s name left her tongue, hands held to his chest with a look of fawning on his face, like a girl written by Shakespeare. To which Jian punched him hard, the man keeling over and coughing, now clutching his chest instead.
“Don’t be a dick. I met him at that diner, the one that just opened last year. Ugh, what the Hell is it called again?” Eunbyeol perked up.
“The one with all guys working there?”
“Yeah, it’s him and his friends that own it. He gave me a free latte and drew one of those foam hearts on the top. Isn’t that so cute?” Haruka made no effort to hide the look on her face, clearly not a fan of their “love story”.
“How romantic.”
“How come we haven’t met him, yet?” At Natalie’s next question, Jian’s eyes went wide, as though the mere mention of such a thing was preposterous.
“I can’t just have him meet you guys! We’re only in the talking stage! I have to play it cool.”
“Yeah, you’re playing it real cool, isn’t that so cute?” Just as Alexander healed from the last blow, using the opportunity to poke fun again, she tripped him. The man landed in a cloud of dust, gasping and abruptly sneezing, patting himself off. “Oh, come on, man, I just got this shirt a month ago!”
“Why are you wearing a new shirt to go urban exploring?”
“Because, Eunie, we’re on camera. I have to look good.”
“... The camera’s on your chest.”
“I know that!”
“Can you stop whining and come on?” The sound of Haruka’s voice had them both standing to attention, immediately rushing after her.
Now that all of you were back on track and making your way through the building, you felt much more at ease than before, knowing you were going to go home soon. There wasn’t much to the first floor except big racks with boxes of junk and a bunch of machinery. While Alexander was still looking around like a kid in a candy store, the rest of you followed closely behind him, having your own idle conversations and seeing absolutely nothing that was even remotely intriguing. Then, you made your way to the second floor, which was just as boring and lackluster as the first. Hence why when Alexander moved to the stairs leading to the third floor, all of you protested. Even Jian and Natalie who were excited for this journey until they realized that there was nothing to do here.
“Alex, we’re ready to go home. It’s like two in the morning, I still have to be up by six for work.” Despite Haruka’s words, he didn’t move to descend the stairs, pausing in the middle and looking back to shine his light at all of you. You squinted, blocking its bright rays with your hand.
“Can we at least just make it up to the top floor? We won’t be here too much longer, I swear.” Although you were more than ready to refuse, the others gave in far too easily, giving each other reluctant glances before beginning to climb them with him. You, on the other hand, remained planted firmly in your spot. Given the late hour and how frustrated you were with them giving into his every whim, you were on your last straw with these guys. When they all turned to you, even Eunbyeol giving you a questioning stare, you didn’t budge.
“Come on, let’s just go.” Unlike them, you weren’t about to give in to Haruka, either.
“Why the fuck do we always have to do what he says?” It was obvious they knew what was coming. While Haruka flinched, Eunbyeol had the nerve to look exasperated with you, muttering your name in such an exhausted tone of voice. “I’m tired. You’re tired. We shouldn’t even be here, what if something happens? We’re in the middle of fucking nowhere-”
“Why do you have such a problem with me?” Alexander shot back, brows knitted tight together while his shoulders tensed. “Actually, why are you even here? Who the fuck invited you?”
“Eunbyeol, and they didn’t want to come either.”
“Yes I did.” Excuse me? Your eyes snapped over to your friend, giving them a look of confusion, because no the fuck they didn’t.
“See? You’re the only one being so bitchy about this. You didn’t have to tag along and ruin it for the rest of us.” Okay, you were getting pissed. Tensions started to rise as a scoffing laugh escaped you, utterly bewildered at the sudden shift in their attitudes towards you.
“I’m ruining it? Not the fact that I’m the one limping around here after you made us all hop a fence?”
“I didn’t make you do anything.”
“Yes! You did! You always do!”
“Enough!” Haruka jumped in again, ever the peacekeeper. “We all agreed to come and that’s just what it is, starting a fight isn’t going to fix anything.”
“I’m not-”
Thump!
The sound was sudden. As the rest of you went quiet, somebody grunted, a body falling forward before toppling down the staircase. He landed right in front of your feet, groaning in sudden pain while writhing on the floor, squirming like he was trying to hold his back. There was red on his fingertips. Your eyes took in the sheer saturation of his blood, how it stained his skin and the back of his brand new shirt, smearing on the floor when he tried to roll onto his back before hissing in pain. Someone else screamed.
Mouth dry, you followed the sound of the scream, looking up and up and past the rest of your group now making their way back down the staircase, gawking at something towards the top. Against every muscle in your body warning you not to, you kept going until you too were gazing at the figure standing where Alexander was mere moments before.
A stark white mask met your eyes, tall ears and a button nose so cute and cuddly it made the room spin. Dressed in all black, you couldn’t make out any other features of this stranger, just the rabbit face disguising the one underneath and the shape of a baseball bat resting over their shoulder. In that moment, you didn’t know what to think, glued to your spot while everyone else around you began to respond with panic.
Then, Jian bolted, and just like that, you were all running. While the others took off with a head start, you reached down and grabbed onto Alexander, putting all of your energy into lifting him to his feet and pushing at him to get him to run.
“Go!” With one final shove, he did, stumbling alongside you. It didn’t help that you were limping, too.
Thanks to said limp, when something hit your good foot, you were sent sprawling down to the floor. Hard. Your skull collided roughly with the ground, stars twinkling in your eyes with shadows consuming your vision. When you opened them, eyes searching for Alexander who was surely going to help you, he was nowhere to be found. You scrambled to push yourself back up, adrenaline pumping with your heart pounding loud in your ears. Every thump echoed, beating against your chest to create the most nauseating sensation you’d ever felt in your life.
“How heartless.” A voice you didn’t recognize. Turning over onto your side, you looked to find the masked psycho looming over you, head cocked to the side with wide eyes staring at you through the holes of his bunny mask. His stature was slim, yet toned, baseball bat dangling loosely at his side. “Hm. Guess I feel bad. Go on, I’ll count to ten.”
That cool tone of voice made your stomach sink, lungs straining with every gasping breath you too. Get up. With as much strength as you could muster, you leapt upwards and somehow got to your feet, the bastard already starting the count before you were even standing properly. Running was hardly doable for you, but you would be damned if you weren’t going to try. As you sprinted down the corridor, you didn’t look back once, his counting soon fading into the distance after you rounded so many corners.
Entering an unfamiliar section of the building, you quickly took in the staircases that led up to another floor and the long corridor that stretched onwards underneath them, leading straight into more darkness you couldn’t possibly see through without your flashlight. Shit, your fucking flashlight! There was no time to go back and get it. So, as much as it pained you both physically and mentally, you trudged down the hall, sticking close to the wall in case you needed to hide.
What the fuck was going on here? Who the hell was that guy? As you fought to get your breath back under control, hand covering your mouth to silence yourself, you struggled to think of who that guy could've been. It wasn’t often you heard of masked psychos sitting around in abandoned buildings waiting to attack people. Did any of you know him? You just moved to this place only a few months ago, so you couldn’t have possibly known him, but what if one of the others did somehow?
Your thoughts were cut off by the sound of metal creaking overhead. Startled, you got as close to the wall as you possibly could, horrified as you stared upwards at the metal catwalks crossing the floor above. There, merely a few feet away from you, was another figure dressed in all black, hood pulled over their head with some kind of bird mask covering their face. What was with these guys and animals? The feathers were dark and flowed around a similarly colored beak, hiding their identity as well. Were you guys under attack? Who were these people? As the figure peered down the corridor, looking the opposite direction of you, you got a clear view of the fucking bow in his hand and the arrows on his back.
It seemed he didn’t detect your presence, the man crossing the catwalk and disappearing somewhere above you. Wasting no more time, you started to move faster, tip-toeing as quickly as you could to find somewhere to go. There was no way to retrace your steps with that bunny bastard behind you.
Maybe you could go around. It would be risky, but if you managed to find another way upstairs, maybe you could find another way back to the basement. Get the fuck out of here and call the cops.
Somewhere, there was a loud bang ringing throughout the building.
Running around aimlessly was your best bet, apparently. By the time you made it to the floor above, you entered a new space, eyes squinting to see through the sheer darkness around you. Nothing but open space with a few pillars to hold up the foundation. Creeping onward, you looked around frantically, body tense and on edge at the thought of running into one of the masked figures, or worse, another one. Everything was so quiet it was unsettling, every step you took so very loud in the otherwise silent room. The rubber on the bottom of your boots tapped lightly against the ground, but it might as well have been a gunshot.
There was a pair of double doors at the end of the room. Determined to make it out of here, you shuffled forward slowly and carefully, inching your way closer and closer to the door. Your hand outstretched, ready to grab onto the knob. You swallowed nothing but air as your fingertips grazed the bronze material.
It was abruptly shoved open, making you cry out, the other person in front of you screaming bloody murder before snapping her mouth shut. Shit. You and Natalie shared a look of sheer terror as you realized your shared error, her hands gripping your arm as she looked around wildly, preparing herself for the both of you to be found. Without another word, you grabbed one of her hands and ran for the door you came through. After the bird bitch, you hadn’t seen anyone else, so maybe your side was in the clear.
Wrong. The door burst open, a new figure- because of course- stepping through. Somehow more terrified than the last two. There was a huge, round mask covering his entire head, a cartoonish fox with its eyes closed and the biggest, creepiest smile you’d ever seen in your life. What made matters worse? There was a fucking axe in his hands. Said hands flexed around the handle, fingertips dancing along the wood as if in anticipation.
The two of you backed up in a hurry, nearly tripping over yourselves in your efforts to get through the other doors, which lurched open under your shared weight. Gripping Natalie’s arm tight, you didn’t hesitate to take off. Especially when you heard footsteps echoing behind you. While you were focused on getting away, the other woman had started to weep, tears pouring down her face as she cried.
“What the fuck, what the fuck-”
“Shh!” You shushed her, not wanting to attract anymore attention in case there were more of them around. Unlike the other rooms before, this hallway was narrow, your bodies close together, your ankle screaming in agony from all the stress induced onto it in one night. You needed it to hold on a little longer. Under the rapid beating of your heart, you could hear the sick fuck behind you cackling, so loud it made your skin crawl and every hair stand on end. The sounds seemed to put Natalie in even more distress as her sobs became louder. “Natalie, you need to be quiet-”
Something hit you. It rammed into your body from the left, knocking you down to the floor with Natalie following suit. As the two of you crashed, the man in the fox mask caught up so easily it was petrifying, your eyes flicking upwards to find another one standing over you again. Cold eyes stared at you through the holes of a mask made up entirely of stitched fabric, the base a light brown color while the mouth was sewn with red thread, floppy ears made up entirely of plaid material. This one didn’t seem to have a weapon on him, but you weren’t going to get your hopes up in fighting him. Especially now that the axe-wielding maniac had caught up to you.
“Don’t worry. We’ll shut her up.” You looked at Natalie, sweat dripping down your skin. Even though that usually meant the body was overheated, you felt freezing cold.
“Run!” You’d never screamed so loud. Big, green eyes met yours, then they looked up, catching the glint of a blade catching the moonlight before it came down swiftly.
Crack!
Crimson sprayed across your face. You couldn’t help but flinch, the stench of metal suddenly thick in the air, poisoning your lungs and making your stomach churn all over again. It tasted foul. The axe lifted, then it was brought down again-
Crack!
More blood. More red. Her brains spilling out.
At that point, your body was on autopilot. Scrabbling at the ground to get back up, you shoved yourself to stand, limping once again as you took off in the previous direction. While the fox kept hacking away at your friend, the mutt watched you leave. Waved at you.
“There’s one over here!” He called out, presumably to the others with them. “Might wanna hurry. Chop chop.”
Anger didn’t begin to describe the feeling twisting in your chest. Still, you knew you needed to get the fuck out of here now, so rather than dishing out any of the ideas of revenge swarming your brain right now, you took off again.
They let you go. Probably to let the others chase you down instead. After running for so long, your lungs burning and legs aching, you finally made it to the first floor, damn near collapsing the moment the front doors came into view. Fortunately for you, Haruka and Eunbyeol were there, the two spinning around to find you stumbling down the stairs. Eunbyeol called your name, tears in their eyes as they rushed over to your side.
“Holy shit, you’re alive!” Their hands grasped onto your clothes, gripping tight and pulling you upwards, bringing you to stand on two feet again. You winced at the pain in your ankle, their expression softening. “Did you find another way out?”
“What do you mean? The doors-”
“They barricaded us in here.” Haruka informed you, holding up a card in her blood-soaked hand. You didn’t want to know whose it was. “They’re playing some fucking game with us. We tried to use the window and some motherfucker blew Alex’s head off.”
“There’s so many of them.” Eunyeol sobbed, the sound making you feel so sick you could puke. Which you did, right on the floor, the stench of blood still thick in your nostrils. Eunbyeol leaned away from you, accidentally letting you drop to the floor to avoid getting your sick on them. “Jesus Christ, are you okay?”
“No, I’m not fucking okay.” This wasn’t happening. There was no way this was happening to you. How did it spiral so fast? What the fuck was even going on? As you struggled to keep yourself from breaking down, you lifted yourself back up, leaning against the railing of the staircase as you turned your attention to Haruka. “You- you said they’re playing games. What the fuck kind of game is this?”
“They want us to find a key to the back door. Left a bunch of notes of shit we need to find if we wanna get it.” Were they fucking serious?
“Move.” Before you could try to move towards the front doors, Eunbyeol grabbed you, shoving you back against the railing.
“You can’t! Alex tried to get us out and some guy with a wolf mask shot him! One of them might be watching, we didn’t even know he was there-”
“He said if we can find the key and get out the door, they’ll let us go.” Haruka already sounded out of it. Tired, worn out in the worst way possible. Just like you.
“And you believe that shit?”
“What else are we gonna do?” Fuck. Fuck, she was right. Hunching over, your head began to spin again, tears pricking your eyes as you tried to get your thoughts together.
“Okay. Okay, where’s Jian?”
“We don’t know, we lost her after…” Right. Great. Standing up straight with a sniffle, you put yourself back together as best as you could've, even if just for the moment. If you were going to make it out of here, you needed to think. Needed to get your thoughts together and figure out what would be the best move to make.
“What does the card say?” Haruka flipped it open, but before she could read it, a new voice interrupted.
“‘Something to keep you warm in the winter’.” Eunbyeol ran to Haruka’s side, placing themself between her and this newcomer. With a clown mask. God, out of all the things he could’ve chosen, it had to be a clown mask? As he approached the three of you, hands tucked into his pockets, you took a small step back up the stairs, watching him anxiously. Bracing yourself for him to make a sudden move. Unlike the others, he wasn’t dressed in all black, but instead a dark vest over a white button-down with a tie around the collar. “Wonder what that could mean. What kind of factory are we in, again?”
“Who the fuck are you people?” Was the only response you were willing to give. The man seemed to pout, but only with his eyes, since you couldn’t see the rest of his face. The irises in his eyes were huge, taking up most of his sclera and glistening in the dim light peaking through the windows of the building.
“So rude. No wonder your buddy left you behind, you have no manners.”
“Kiss my ass.” Clicking his tongue, he spread his arms out and stepped away, as if giving up on something.
“Well, I tried to help. If you guys want to do this on your own, by all means, have at it.”
“Wait.” He paused, making a show of looking over to Haruka. You, on the other hand, whipped your head toward her, looking at her as if she’d lost her mind, because clearly she had. “You’ll help us get out of here?”
“Totally.” He didn’t even try to make it sound like he was being truthful. However, with the state you were all in, could you really afford to doubt him?
Yes. Yes, you absolutely could.
“What’s stopping me from knocking your teeth down your throat right now?” Once again, he tutted at you, shaking his head in disapproval.
“I really wouldn’t. You haven’t met our big guy yet, but he won’t like that very much.” Big guy? There was a big one?
“Take us to the clue, then.” Haruka demanded, or at least tried to, but she couldn’t bring herself to sound very demanding. The man looked at her for a long moment, unmoving.
“Right this way.”
This was a bad idea, this was a bad idea, this was a bad idea-
Although you knew this to be true, you stuck with your friends anyway, even if they were making the life-threatening mistake of believing this literal clown. You knew this was going to end terribly. Something in your stomach tightened as the three of you followed close behind him, the other two huddled together while you limped further back, tense and on high alter at every sound in the building. The masked man looked back at you every now and then, and yet you remained silent. You weren’t going to give him the satisfaction of your rage.
When you all finally reached a door, you came to a stop. The man stood beside it, gesturing with his arm for the three of you to enter, to which you were more than reluctant. This was so clearly a trap you were willing to bet the rest were inside laughing their asses off at your collective stupidity.
“Go on. Your clue’s in there.” Your eyes met his and your body involuntarily shivered. No matter your constant protests for them not to do something, the others never once listen to you, even now as Haruka stretches out a hand to open the door. Fingers wrapping around the handle before twisting and pushing it open. Inside, there was darkness, but in a matter of seconds, you were all hit with the stench of iron. The smell of death.
Jian’s pretty face lied sideways, pointed towards the door with her lifeless eyes staring back at you. Her shirt was pushed up under her stomach, which was currently ripped open, large hands peeling vital organs out of her carcass to store in a plastic, ziplock bag. Including her heart. At the sound of the door, the man stealing her insides looked up, a new mask looking back at you. It was black with golden, intricate patterns decorating the part that covered his eyes and nose, and the veil that hid the lower half of his face, as well. Fancy. When he noticed the four of you standing there, he froze, like he’d just gotten caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
“Whoops. Wrong door.” What an asshole. The man in the masquerade mask didn’t move, staring back at you with his bloodied hands resting on his lap, and as enraged as you were, you knew attacking him wouldn’t have been the best idea. The last way you wanted to go out was getting gutted like that.
Your other option was standing right beside you. In an instant, you took that building rage and anguish within you and whirled around, fist flying straight for that stupid clown mask. The blow was swift enough to catch him off guard, sending him stumbling back and giving you more than enough time to grab Haruka and Eunbyeol to escape whatever retribution he would dish out. As the three of you started dashing down the hall again, the clown started laughing. The sound echoed off the walls and you knew it was going to haunt you for the rest of your days.
“Big boy!” Footsteps. Heavy, pounding, a presence chasing after you, possibly the one that was in that room. It didn’t matter. While the other two ran ahead, you stayed behind them, hoping that whoever was chasing you would catch you first, giving them the chance to slip away and find a way out of this shithole.
In fact, to cause further distraction, you spotted a small cabinet leaning against a nearby wall, short yet wide and big enough to cause real damage. Sliding to a stop and wincing at the sharp pinch in your ankle, you grabbed onto the edges of the cabinet and hauled it right off the floor before spinning and using that momentum to launch the cabinet behind you. Watching as it soared through the air right towards the figure grinding to a halt a measly few feet away from you.
The cabinet was caught midair. Hands gripped it tight before tossing it aside, sending it crashing into a nearby wall. It wasn’t the masquerade mask looking back at you. At first, you thought the name “big boy” was ironic, since this guy wasn’t all that tall, until you noticed the sheer size of him. Small, but he clearly packed a punch. Of course. The two of you sized each other up, the pig mask covering his head made up of some kind of sack, the stitching over the eyes making it hard to see how he was looking at you. Surely with murderous intent.
Rather than stopping to save you, like you did for them, Haruka and Eunbyeol kept going. Eunbyeol called your name at least, though they allowed her to drag them away from you, off into the distance where you would never see them again. Your heart wrenched in your chest.
“Why are you doing this?” Maybe you could stall him-
He charged at you. No words, then. With an embarrassing yelp, you tore your eyes off of him to start sprinting again, tears brimming your lashes at the thought of him catching you. Unlike the others who allowed you to get away with your injured ankle, he didn’t appear to have the same sentiment and was catching up to you rather quickly. Steering around obstacles made up of other random cabinets and furniture, you rounded a sharp corner, bashing your shoulder off of it in the process, and yet you didn’t let that slow you down for even a second.
A new area again, though this time, with a staircase. Leading up, but you were willing to take anything to get the fuck out of here. Using your environment to your advantage once again, you grabbed onto a metal rack and yanked, knocking it down behind you, praying that it at least bought you a couple more seconds. You were breathing hard, lungs burning and legs aching, the pain in your ankle doing nothing to help. At least the adrenaline pumping through your veins numbed it a little. Once you got to the stairs, you took them two at a time, leaping and grabbing onto the railing to keep you from falling right back down. The pig had no problem following close behind, reaching out to grab your ankle. The feeling of his fingertips brushing against your pant leg made you sick.
Perfect opportunity, though. Ceasing your movements once again in a shocking display, you caught him by surprise this time, reeling your leg back and kicking out hard. Your boot hit his chest with an “oomph”, knocking him down the stairs. You didn’t watch him tumble all the way down. It was as though your body was on autopilot, bounding up the staircase and making it to the top in seconds, sweat dripping down your face while you took off in another direction.
Somehow, you lost him. You weren’t sure where you were, now, but the room you ended up in looked to be like some kind of break room, an old dust-covered couch with a wooden table resting in the middle with torn posters and calendars on the walls. Lost to time. Shutting the door gently behind you, keeping quiet, you grabbed that couch and shoved it up against the door, trying to buy yourself some time to take a breather. Every breath you took was a gasp for air, hands shaking violently as you gripped the edge of the couch firmly. It was quiet, now. So quiet, and yet you didn’t feel safe and sound at all.
For a long moment, you just stood there, struggling to steady yourself and come back down from that adrenaline rush mere moments prior. Your entire body was sore, begging you to let it end. You refused. Regardless of your exhaustion, you started rummaging around through drawers, hoping to find some kind of weapon, something you could’ve used to defend yourself. All you found was a small box cutter, but you were going to take what you could get. Shoving it in your back pocket, you moved on to the next drawer, opening it to find something else that might’ve been useful.
There was another card inside. Those fucking assholes. Against your better judgement, you grabbed it and flipped it open, reading the inside. Something about paintings on the walls on the second floor. Fuck that, you weren’t playing anymore games. You were going to get out of here. Ripping the card and letting the pieces fall to the floor, you took a moment to think to yourself. Alexander had the blueprint, right? Haruka said he died in the basement. That he got his head blown off. If you went down there, you could find the blueprint and figure out another exit to get out of this place, at least if the window wasn’t an option. How were you going to sneak around without getting caught?
Whatever. If you were going to escape, you had to play this smart. You had to do whatever it took to survive. Bracing yourself, you didn’t waste another second and pushed the couch aside, cautiously opening the door before stepping out into the hallway.
Empty. No sounds. As you began to sneak along the wall, senses on high alert and ready for any sudden movements, you followed the wall closely and tried to remember the building’s layout based on where you’d been so far. There was a set of stairs behind you, but you sure as Hell weren’t going backwards and risking running into pig-man again. So, you moved onwards, venturing deeper into the building with hopes of finding another way downstairs.
Time dragged on until you reached the third floor, recognizing the area due to so much time spent running wild through it. Now that you had a good idea on where to go, the important thing was doing it without much noise, without being detected by the bastards hunting all of you down. Luckily for you, the voices in the distance made it much easier to do so.
“There should only be two more, right hyung? Pretty sure Quokka said Dwaekki went after the third, and you know how he gets when they put their hands on one of us.” That voice was familiar.
“Quokka’s leading them to Dog. He better do his part for once.” That one did, too. The fox and the rabbit, you were pretty sure. They were getting closer. Without a sound, you ducked down behind a metal rack with piles of box set on its shelves, sitting low to the ground and holding your breath as they walked closer.
“You know he’s not going to. But at least he’ll let us know where they are, then we can get out of here and go home.” As if they didn’t want to be here.
“If Dwaekki finished the job. We need to wait for Wolf to let us know when we’re done.”
“You really think he would let them get away?” He sure didn’t.
“We shouldn’t underestimate any of them. That’s how we have situations like earlier. Quokka got cocky.”
“You’re so serious. Relax, if they don’t get them, we will.”
“You’re damn right.”
The voices passed you, fading into the distance. For some reason, they seemed keen on using animal code names to respond to each other, something you made sure to remember for later. Rising up from your hiding spot, you made sure the coast was clear before starting on your way again.
The basement was just as gross as you remembered. As quickly and quietly as you could’ve managed, you scurried over to Alexander’s body, which was lying right by the wall with the window you’d all crawled through. Just like Haruka said, there was a hole in the side of his skull, blood pooling beneath him in a puddle sure to stain the floor long after you were gone. His camera was ripped off his chest, lying smashed in the corner of the room. What a waste. Ignoring the sight and smell as best as you could’ve, you kneeled by his body and started checking his pockets. Finding a folded up piece of paper in the left front, you pulled it out and opened it up.
“No cheating ;)”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” You huffed, tossing the note aside. They took the blueprint. Great, that was fucking great. Standing up from the floor, you looked over to the window, noticing that it was shut, though the lock was on the inside and you could’ve easily opened it if you tried. With that in mind, you approached the wall and jumped up, grabbing the lock of the window and unlatching it.
There was a sound behind you. Whipping around, you found yet another figure standing right where you came from, because of course. How many of these shitheads were there? Was he following you that whole time? Like the others, he wore a mask, though now you knew which one the wolf was. The one responsible for killing the man lying at your feet. The skull of a hound covered his face, the strap around the front of his torso keeping the rifle on his back in place. Your body stiffened and your eyes went wide, jaw clenched at the thought of looking down the barrel of that gun. He took a step forward, cocking his head a bit, yet he said nothing. Made no moves to pull that gun on you.
The two of you watched each other closely. With a gulp, you stepped slightly to the side away from the window, to which he didn’t try to stop you. You took another step, slowly making your way around him and preparing to try and run if he so much as budged. He never did, just turning his body with you to keep his eyes on you. Eyes you couldn’t see due to the darkness of the basement, so it was impossible to tell if he was even looking back at you, not that you questioned if he was. You could feel him staring.
After one last look, you took off again. He didn’t stop you. While you raced up the steps, he disappeared back into the shadows, though in the midst of your running, you heard a sharp whistle. Fuck.
The first floor came into view and you knew you had to act quickly. What was your plan now, though? One was behind you to keep you from using the window and there were surely more of them coming after he alerted them. As you reared around a random corner, you stopped upon noticing someone in front of you. The creep with the masquerade mask. Before you could’ve spun back around, he lifted a finger to his lips that were covered by the veil, his other hand pointing to the stairs behind him. What?
“Woohooo! Let’s get it!” That clown fucker whooped from somewhere in the other direction. Fuck it.
You breezed past the masquerade prick, not sparing him any further glances as you made it to the staircase, leaping up the steps with a newfound sense of perseverance. No matter all of what you’d endured tonight, you were going to get the fuck out of here. Upon reaching the top, you dug through your pocket, finding your box cutter to keep on hand in case any of these monsters cornered you.
The second floor was familiar now, too. Rushing through corridors, you heard the footsteps behind you loud and clear, though you didn’t dare look back to see just who was chasing you. You focused intently on what lay ahead of you, pushing yourself to run faster while the rush of the moment numbed the pains in your body again. Avoiding the fact that there were now multiple sets of footsteps. Did that mean you were the last one? Were Eunbyeol and Haruka dead, too?
This new hallway in the front of the building was narrow with no windows, making it hard to see in front of you, though you were in this god forsaken building for so long that your eyes had adjusted well enough to the darkness. Several feet ahead of you was a pair of doors, though just as you set your sights on them, someone burst through them. The pig, or Dwaekki, whatever the fuck these assholes wanted to call him. Your eyes met his from where he stood and you weren’t at all ready for round two.
Hence why you instead steered to the right, bursting through an open door and slamming it shut behind you. On the other side, someone hit the wood hard, the force almost enough to knock you down to the floor, but you remained on your feet and shoved back. Their hand shoved through the crack and you didn’t hesitate to latch your teeth onto their fingers, digging into their skin until the man yelped and pulled back. Just like that, you slammed it shut, twisting the lock.
“Ow! They bit me!” The clown.
“Want me to bite them back for you?” The rabbit. Absolutely not.
“Yes, please.” Ignoring their conversation, you shoved a nearby bookshelf up against the door, hoping that would keep them from breaking in long enough for you to come up with a plan. Upon turning around, you realized you were in an office of some kind. Bookshelves lining the walls with very little books, a desk in the center with a nice leather chair, a bunch of cabinets and decorations. You were startled out of your thoughts by the clown’s voice saying your name sickeningly sweet from the other side of the door. “You’re not gonna make it out, you know. Your friends are all dead. You’re the only one left now and there’s no way out of that room.”
There was. He just didn’t know that. Moving over to the desk, you grabbed the leather chair and picked it up off the floor.
“Come out and we’ll give you a reward for doing so well. You’ll get twenty seconds, how does that sound?” The rabbit’s offer wasn’t appealing at all.
“Uh, fuck that! They kicked me down the stairs!”
“Was I talking to you?”
“Come ooon, just come out and play with us!” The clown whined and you were almost tempted to go out and avoid your current plan. Sike.
The chair broke the window with the loud crack of glass shattering, their voices going silent at the realization of what you were about to do. With the window now broken, you rushed to look down, seeing how far of a drop you had. Not too far, plus the bushes at the bottom would probably break your fall…
“Get Chan.” One of the voices spoke outside. It was too late for them to get anyone.
Lifting your boot, you placed it on the windowsill just as one of them started bashing their body against the door. Without looking down, you took a deep breath.
Then, you jumped.
The fall didn’t feel long at all. It wasn’t in slowmo like they showed in the movies, nor did you feel very graceful. You fell hard, fell fast, your back colliding with the bushes below in the most painful impact imaginable. They might have broken your fall, but they didn’t do that gently. Twigs scraped your skin and tore through your jacket and pants alike, blood leaking from all over your body as you whimpered, rolling and falling again, this time to the ground.
You were out. You were free. You needed to act fast.
There was no time to scale the fence again, so instead when you saw a hole in the ground, you dropped onto your stomach and shimmied underneath it. Dirt caked your clothes and seeped into your open wounds, and yet you paid that no mind, too happy that you were out of that absolute hellhouse. Taking in a breath of fresh air upon getting back to your feet.
Bang!
A bullet whizzed past your arm, scraping your bicep and making you cry out. Without any questions, you took off into the woods, hearing their calls and cries behind you. The woods were thick, though unfortunately for them, you knew where your car was. The parking lot wasn’t too far away and now with the coverage of the trees and them still trapped behind the fence, you had enough distance to get there without them seeing you.
All of your cars were in the parking lot where you left them. Although, to your absolute horror and devastation, the hoods were all popped open and all of the tires were flattened. Sabotaged. Just as you were about to cry out of frustration, something once again flew by your face, spearing into the windshield of Alexander’s pickup truck. Mere inches from your face. A fucking arrow.
Where did it even come from? Rather than sticking around to find out, you made a break for the woods again, hoping to use the trees as leverage now that you knew that guy with the bow was sniping you from somewhere nearby.
Okay, there was a highway not too far from here. If you made it there, someone would drive by and see you, if not multiple someones that you prayed would’ve been able to save your life.
The eight figures coming out of the building watched you flee into the woods. While Felix lowered his bow, biting his lip and cursing himself, Minho moved to take off after you. Before he could’ve gotten far, someone grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.
“Let them go.” Their leader mumbled. All while Jisung struggled to hop the fence, grabbing onto the top before missing his footing and falling straight down to the ground.
“They’re getting away!” He tried to fight Chan’s hold, not at all happy that one of their targets had escaped. This was the first time anyone had ever gotten away from them and none of them could’ve believed it. While he was fuming, Hyunjin stood a few feet away from the group, staring in the direction you’d run off in with complete and utter awe written all over his face. Not that the others could’ve seen it, which he was thankful for.
“If we go after them, someone else will see us.” Chan reasoned with him, rubbing his shoulder to try and soothe him, only for Minho to gently push it away.
“Then we’ll kill them, too.”
“You know that’s not how we do things.”
“We’re going to get caught.” Seungmin muttered, trying to seem unbothered, yet there was a subtle change to his tone that said otherwise. The leader sighed, massaging one of his pecs as he thought about how to proceed.
“They won’t find anything and they have no descriptions to go off of. We’ll be fine.” Then, Jeongin came back to the group, hopping over the fence easily, to which Jisung grumbled under his breath. Upon returning to the group, he dropped your bag from in your car to the ground before crouching down to rummage through it.
“Boom! Driver’s license. Has everything we need to know.” He held it up for the others to see, grinning wide under his mask. Chan smiled.
“See? Nothing to worry about. We’ll see them again.” Minho huffed.
“Good. I call dibs.” To this declaration, Changbin jolted to attention, suddenly looking rather offended.
“Hey! You don’t get dibs, I’m the one they kicked down a flight of stairs!” Hyunjin sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose through his mask.
“You’re never gonna drop that now, are you?”
“As if you would.” Was Seungmin’s retort.
“They didn’t push me down a flight of stairs. They like me.” He smiled, seeming rather proud of himself, still remembering the look on your face when you encountered him that second time. When he pointed you in the right direction to go, hoping you would’ve found the key in the desk rather than jumping through the window. Whatever worked for you, he supposed.
“Because you showed them where to go. And that doesn’t mean they like you.” Hyunjin’s eyes went wide and he shook his head, doing a “cut it” motion with his hand by his neck.
“You did what?” Minho’s calmness didn’t mean anything when it came to his fury. If anything, that meant he was probably more livid than ever before. The look on his face alone was enough to make him hide behind Changbin. “Do you miss swallowing tissues?”
“Minho, it’s fine. We’ll find them again. You know we will.” Chan reassured him, putting himself between them for Hyunjin’s sake.
“Yes, and I’ll have dibs.”
“No you will not.”
“Can we just leave? I’m ready to go home.” Seungmin turned and was already starting to walk away, presumably back to the car they’d parked a mile away in the woods.
“Ooo, can we stop for ice cream?” Everyone else but Chan and Felix followed behind them. The two Aussies stood there for a moment, the eldest following the blonde’s gaze towards where you’d vanished. Where they knew you were probably finding help and a way to alert authorities.
“I missed.” Felix spoke, barely above a whisper.
“First time for everything, I guess.” Chan shrugged. When he noticed that his response didn’t ease Feix’s mind at all, he sighed, wrapping an arm around the other’s shoulders and pulling him close. Bringing his head to rest on his chest, the two standing like that for a long moment. “It’s alright, Lix. You’ll get them.”
Synopsis: After saving a group of angels, they turn out to be far more than you can handle.
W.C: 6.6k
WARNINGS!!: Mentions of death and a bit of gore. Harassment from a character outside of skz, this part will be marked with a bunch of red x's so feel free to skip it!!
Why the fuck was something burning?
The stench of smoke filled every narrow hallway of your home, alarms screeching in warning and forcing you out of your slumber with a jolt. It was so loud you grimaced, hands hastily covering your ears while you simultaneously scrambled out of bed, bare feet hitting the soft carpet of your bedroom floor to start making your way to the door. Not even bothering to put proper clothes on, too focused on keeping your house from burning down to the ground, you rushed out of your room and into the hall, scurrying over to the staircase in hopes that nothing was actually on fire. Maybe it was the fireplace and your smoke detectors were broken.
Though, as you reached the foyer of your home, the thick clouds in every room were unmistakable. Without even stopping to check on anyone, you took off in a sprint towards the kitchen, yanking one of your blankets off the couch to take with you. Upon bursting through the dining room and into the back of the house, you found the culprit behind the fire backing away from the stove with the most petrified expression you'd ever seen. Thankfully, the flames weren't that high, so you had no trouble tossing the blanket over them and patting it down to snuff the fire out.
Ever since you met them, you hadn't known a moment of peace again. The flames died on the stove and you turned the dials off, panting from the sheer rush of adrenaline, though you were relieved now that the immediate danger was taken care of. Covering your nose with your shirt and coughing into the fabric, you reached for the window above the sink and shoved it open so the smoke had somewhere to go that wasn't in your house. Fortunately, your newfound troublesome “roommates” that were crowding the kitchen seemed to take notice of what you were doing and started opening more windows throughout the house. Hoping that doing so would've made up for scaring the absolute shit out of you and almost setting your entire house on fire.
Still standing off to the side, fidgeting with the hem of your apron, was the one who decided to try out cooking without even asking you first. Minho looked down to the floor, sharply exhaling out of his nose. As if he had any reason to be frustrated about what just happened. His hair was a little messy, jaw clenched, but what really caught your attention was the pair of huge, pearl white wings subtly tucked around him like a shield. A sign that he was feeling guarded, a trait amongst the group you picked up on promptly after they quite literally fell into your life.
“Are you okay?” Instead of expressing anger, like you probably would've in the past, you schooled your expression and kept your tone levelled. It wasn't his fault, after all. You knew they were all trying to get adjusted to staying with you and none of them had ever needed to use man-made appliances before. Had you shown them how to use the stove in the first place, he wouldn't have to experiment and figure out how to use it on his own.
“Yes. I was trying to make breakfast.” The flat tone of his voice was still taking some getting used to. There was no apology, not that you expected one. With a deep sigh, you slumped against your kitchen counters, rubbing at your tired eyes with the heels of your palms in an attempt to wake yourself up. Despite having been woken up in such a horrifying way, your brain was still groggy and struggling to catch up to what just happened.
“You could've told me you were hungry.”
“I didn't want to wake you.” Right. Although the eight ethereal beings had quickly made themselves comfortable in your home, they were still very respectful of you and your space, at least as much as they could've been without any comprehension of social norms. They still liked to go through your things, claiming that they simply wanted to know more about you, since they couldn't automatically read your entire life story like they could've back at home. In Heaven. It was still hard to believe that everything you'd been fearing your entire life turned out to be true.
“Thank you, but I want you to wake me up before you try new things, okay? I don't mind helping you guys out.” He didn't respond, merely nodding curtly before turning and wandering off. As he left, the eldest of the group passed him by, patting his shoulder soothingly in the process. Chan's eyes met yours and he gave a small smile, showing off one of the simplest in his cheeks.
“Good morning.” His chipper greeting was met with the slight bow of your head, prior to turning to the fridge to grab several boxes of cereal from the top of it. Seemingly catching on to what you were up to, he hurried over to your cupboards and grabbed a few stacks of bowels, setting them on the counter and fishing out spoons from the drawer near the sink. While you opened the fridge in search of the milk, he decided to start idle conversation. “You slept good?”
"Mhm. I'm guessing you didn't?” None of them slept. They tried, for some reason, but they always ended up getting restless, since they didn't need to do so. Spending most of the night causing a ruckus, no matter how many times you told them to keep it down. You never would've thought angels would be so loud all the time.
“Nah, we watched that weird show Jisung’s obsessed with all night,” As if he needed any explanation. While you poured cereal and milk into their respective bowels, he watched you from his spot by the sink, standing so close to you that you should've felt body heat. Though, given that he wasn't human and didn't need to be kept warm, there was no heat coming off of him. No sound of his breathing, his eyes unblinking as he stared at you. It was just as unnerving as when you first stumbled upon them in the woods surrounding your isolated home. “How come you don't have any pictures of your family?”
The question caught you so off guard you missed one of the bowels, spilling milk onto your marble counters and cussing under your breath. Then, realizing you just cursed in front of him, you muttered an apology, even though they all kept telling you that you didn't need to do so. It wasn't the first time any of them had asked you such a personal question, either. That first night they'd spent in your home, they took to rummaging through your things while you slept, bombarding you with all kinds of prying inquiries when you woke up the following morning. All while you were in the middle of an existential crisis upon realizing that last night wasn't a dream and there were actual angels in your living room.
“Did you go through my photo albums again?” You couldn't help but get snappy, whipping your head to face him with a fierce glare. Exhausted and reasonably frustrated, there was no hiding your offense to their constant nosy nature, especially since you told them time and time again to stop snooping around. Chan's eyes went wide, a guilty look crossing his face as he looked away from you and scratched at his jaw. The giant wings on his back folded around him a bit.
“No. Well, yeah, but I was just curious about that picture you had of-” For a group of divine creatures, they were so fucking frustrating. Setting the milk carton down, you brought your hands to your face and sighed, struggling to keep yourself from lashing out. Growth wasn't linear by any means, but you refused to take out any of your lingering trauma on your guests.
“Chan, I asked you guys not to do that. I need my privacy.” The sulking look on his face tugged at your heartstrings, making it much easier to keep your cool. Seeing his regret, you nibbled on your bottom lip and went back to making breakfast, voice softening to ease his worries. “Just don't do it again, please. Come to me if you wanna know something. I don't like it when you guys go behind my back, because then stuff like this happens.”
“Okay. I'm sorry.” The apology eased some of the tension in your shoulders.
“Well, to make it up to me, you can get everyone back in here so we can eat.” It wasn't the grand breakfast you'd been making them the last few days, but considering how Minho set your oven ablaze, you figured it would be best to avoid using it for the time being.
“You got it!”
Living with a group of angels was a difficult thing to get used to, though you supposed the same could've been said for them. None of them seemed to understand the concept of personal space or what was considered appropriate when in the presence of others. Should one of them, if not multiple, not be currently attached to your hip, the others were openly staring at you. Watching you, observing you with the interest of an artist studying a particular piece they couldn't grasp. The constant attention made you rather uneasy, at first, but now it was something you expected. A constant you couldn't imagine going without.
After that whole disaster in your kitchen, you decided to start teaching Minho how to cook, which led the others to discovering hobbies of their own. While Felix and Chan used your office computer for video games whenever you weren't using it, Seungmin and Jisung bickered over your TV at least once a day, the former taking a liking to baseball for some reason while the latter started his latest obsession with some random reality show you'd never heard of. You ended up making a schedule for who got to use the television during what time of day, so the two of them ended up finding other things to do with the rest of their free time.
Seungmin and Jeongin typically read your collection of books together, Jisung tagging along with Chan and Changbin in the impromptu gym you'd set up for them in your basement. As if buying a bunch of fitness equipment wasn't expensive enough, Hyunjin’s newfound passion for art led you to spending not money on an array of paints, canvases, brushes and a small easel.
Thankfully, these hobbies kept them somewhat occupied enough to let you do your job. Working from home was nice, but with all eight of them seeking your presence all the damned time, it was hard to get much of anything done. Being a writer wasn't easy and you found yourself grappling with writer's block more often than not. To make matters worse, you hadn't gone into town in awhile, too busy making sure the group wasn't up to anything potentially dangerous and helping them get accustomed to staying in your home. The lack of socialization with other humans was taking a toll on you.
The group was sweet, never outright malicious or anything, and yet they were very hard to be around sometimes. Not only due to your childhood trauma with the faith your home town had shoved down your throat at such a young age, but because they weren't human and didn't understand why certain things made you uncomfortable. Scared you, even. The staring and close proximity was awkward, sure, though that was nothing compared to their more unusual tendencies.
For instance, they liked to watch you. A lot. One night, upon waking up to the sensation of your skin crawling, you found Felix standing at your bedside. Hovering over you while you slept with this look of concentration on his face, not even batting an eye when you shined your flashlight at him.
“Felix? What's wrong?” You'd asked, blinking and yawning as you tried to focus, half asleep and almost thinking you were dreaming. If it weren't for the cold air of your bedroom, you probably would've immediately gone back to sleep after you noticed him, too tired to question him. When a strange smile formed on that unfairly pretty face, something in your stomach churned.
“Nothing! It's okay, you're safe, go back to sleep.” The deep, smooth baritone of his voice almost convinced you to listen.
“What? Dude, you can't just come in here while I'm sleeping, how long have you been standing there?” You almost didn't wanna know the answer to that question. Rather than mercifully keeping you in the dark, Felix's smile widened as he tilted his head at you.
“I always come in here after you fall asleep. I like to make sure you're okay.” That response made you feel ill. Nevertheless, you remained patient, giving the usual sigh of exasperation.
“That's very sweet of you, Felix, but I promise I'll be okay by myself. Go back downstairs, please.” The blonde’s expression faltered to one of distress, much to your bewilderment.
“But what if something happens and I'm not here?”
“Nothing's gonna happen, Lix. We're safe, alright? You don't have to worry. Just go down stairs and relax.” His frown deepened, lips parting to argue with you, but he hesitated and decided against whatever he wanted to say. With a small, half-hearted nod, he shuffled out of your bedroom, making sure to leave the door wide open behind him. Deciding to let him at least use that to ease his mind, you laid back down and allowed yourself to drift off again.
That conversation seemed to stick with him, because after that, you didn't wake up to him in your room again. Though, you did keep finding feathers in the morning…
Over the course of the next week, the angels were becoming more and more attached to you, both emotionally and physically. There was never a time where you were completely alone. Even when you locked yourself away in your office to focus on work, Chan would end up knocking on the door, offering to keep you company and bringing you water to help you stay hydrated. He seemed to have a more nurturing side of him, making sure you were fed and taking care of yourself just like he did with his companions.
It got to the point that they were even asking you to have sleepovers. Jisung has approached you with the idea, first, coming to your room right before bedtime in hopes of sleeping beside you in search of comfort during a thunderstorm. Against your better judgement, you let him. You planned on separating your bodies with a wall of pillows, but the second you agreed, he swiftly scooped you up into his arms in an embrace you couldn't possibly turn down. He pulled you into bed with him, covering your bodies with your thick blanket and snuggling his face into your chest. Your arms were wrapped around his head, fingers idly playing with his hair until you ended up falling asleep.
Just like that, a routine started, one you couldn't even bring yourself to dislike. It started with them taking turns sleeping next to you, though that quickly transpired to two of them spooning you between them. Then, the cuddle piles started, the entire group completely crowding you on your bed and smothering you in their combined weight. Not that you minded, really. It was nice to feel cared for. They made you feel wanted, a foreign concept that made you more giddy than you probably should've been.
When you finally started running out of groceries, now feeding eight mouths instead of one- you tried not to question why they even needed to eat if sleep wasn't a necessity- you were forced to take a trip back to the town that you'd come to loathe. The angels were more than a little confused when they noticed you putting on your shoes and coat with your keys in your hand.
“Where are you going?” Seungmin asked from his spot on the bean bag chair in the nook of your living room, placing the book he'd stolen from you on his lap so he could eye you wearily. They'd never seen you leave the house thus far and were pretty confused.
“There's a town not too far from here I have to go to for groceries. If you guys get hungry, there's still some snacks in the pantry until I get back.” Before you could step out the door, however, Hyunjin was at your side. There was a strange look of hurt in his eyes as he loomed over you, his body so close to yours you would've been pressed against the door if he took a single step closer.
“You're leaving?” He mumbled, wings twitching behind him. Fluttering in a way you didn't see before.
“Only for an hour, at most. I won't be long.” Your reassurances didn't seem to ease any of their minds. On the contrary, they looked even more stressed.
“I'll come with you.” Changbin made his way over to you rather hastily, though you were quick to refuse.
“You can't. Someone will notice you.” He paused, seeming conflicted, not at all happy about your rejection, yet not too keen on disagreeing with you at the same time. They didn't like it when you were even slightly unhappy with them. To further assure them of your safety, you gave a small smile and spoke much more softly. “I'll be fine. Nothing's gonna happen, okay?”
“Your heart is racing.” Chan's response made your brows furrow. How did he know that? You scoffed, opened your mouth to argue, but instead of letting you like any other time, he continued. “If where you're going makes you nervous, why don't you just stay here?”
“Because I need to eat, Chan,” You couldn't help but snap back, not very happy that he could apparently tell you were anxious. “I can't just pull food or things we need for the house out of thin air. It's fine. Like I said, I won't be there long, okay?”
Silence settled over the room. The group gazed back at you, their expressions mixed with uncertainty and worry, but none of them spoke up again. You left the house without another word.
The guilt kicked in rather quickly and you were embarrassed with yourself for reacting so strongly, knowing they were just trying to look out for you. So, to try and make it up to them, you bought them a few sets of clothes and all the snacks you knew they liked, even some new ones for them to taste test. Fortunately, no one in the town recognized you with your hood pulled over your head and the scarf you had wrapped around the lower half of your face. Once you had everything shoved in your cart, you went to the registers to check out, avoiding eye contact with the cashier and shutting down any attempts at small talk.
You should've known the trip wouldn't go so smoothly.
While pushing your cart through the parking lot to your car, someone spotted you. A man. He approached you, unaware of your identity, not that bastards like him cared for the face of what they were after. It certainly wasn't your personality he was interested in, either. The moment he came toward you, you walked faster, making it to your car and opening your trunk to shove the plastic bags inside as fast as possible. To your dismay, he came right up to you and placed his hands on your cart. Leaning against it and subsequently pushing you against your car once the trunk was closed.
“Hey, I was talking to you.” He was trying to be charming, grinning at you and keeping his tone light, maybe even playful. Like following you to your car and cornering you against it was mere flirtation. You swallowed thickly, keeping your head down to keep your face covered, heart pounding hard in your chest as your eyes darted around the parking lot. The only other people around were two young teenagers giggling while climbing into their car and a man collecting shopping carts to take them back into the store.
“I'm sorry, I'm in a hurry.” Being polite was the last thing you wanted to do, but you knew the risks of showing aggression. Making a scene wouldn't get you anywhere, either, given the place you lived in. People would walk right by with their heads down, believing that they were just minding their own business and leaving your fate to the hands of God.
“Yeah? That was still awfully rude, though. Your boyfriend let you get away with ignoring him like that?” Probably his way of asking if you had one. Either that or he was taunting you, aligning your worth with the approval of your nonexistent boyfriend. Though, for the sake of hopefully scaring him off, you fed into that option.
“He doesn't like me talking to other guys.” You tried to step out from between the car and your shopping cart, only for him to lean a bit closer, feigning interest in this forced conversation so he could press the cart against you more firmly. Keeping you in place.
“Aw, I'm sure he would understand. If he's a good guy, he wouldn't mind someone letting you know how pretty you are, right?” You were going to be sick.
“I'm sorry, I really need to go-” The moment you moved to push your hands against the cart, he leaned in further, driving you to act in sheer panic. Without allowing yourself time to second guess your reckless decision, you shoved hard at the cart, using enough force to catch him by surprise so you could slip away and make a break for it. You rounded your car and swung open the driver side door in a matter of seconds, slamming it shut behind you and using your shaking hand to shove the key into the ignition. Turning it, the car started, the man behind your vehicle laughing as though your terror was the funniest thing he'd ever seen.
Your mind blanked for the entire drive home. Hands gripping the steering wheel tight, you couldn't even feel the tears falling down your cheeks, choked sobs and sniffles filling the quiet space of your car. By the time you made it home, you were so out of it you didn't even register that you made it inside. Safe and away from harm.
The sound of your name being called from different directions pulled you out of it a bit, eyes blinking through the tears still collecting on your lashes. Jisung was the first to greet you at the door, though the second he noticed the state you were in, the look of joy on his face fell into one you couldn't read. Not that you even tried to, since you were so far gone from your body. The others flocked into the foyer shortly after and the interrogation began.
“Why are you crying? What happened?”
“Are you okay?”
“Did someone hurt you?”
Changbin came closer to brush tears from your cheeks, and the second he was within arm's reach, you lunged for him. Arms wrapping around his neck as you allowed yourself to weep into his chest, body trembling as you struggled to relay what happened to them as comprehensively as you could in the moment. His own thick, strong arms returned the embrace without hesitation, holding you against him by your waist while one of his hands pet the back of your head.
Once your disturbing story was over, the air in the room felt heavy. You tried to lift your head away from Changbin’s chest to look at the others, concerned by the silence, but he placed his hand on your head and kept it on his pectorals. Shushing you softly, pressing a tender kiss to the top of your head.
“Shh, you're okay, you're safe now. Don't worry about anything. Let's get you to bed.” He didn't give you time to argue, either. While Jeongin and Hyunjin carried the bags you brought home to the kitchen, Changbin scooped you up into his arms and carried you upstairs, his wings folding around you in a protective gesture. Upon making it to your bedroom, he placed you on your mattress and climbed in under the covers after you, once again pulling you into his chest while his wings served as a barrier, shielding you from the rest of the world. He never stopped muttering sweet nothings into your ear, one hand rubbing along your back and side even after you drifted off to sleep.
That following morning, you woke up to breakfast in bed. Changbin was still in bed with you, peppering your face in kisses to make you stir, the smell of bacon and maple syrup persuading you into consciousness. While he helped you sit up, Minho perched himself on the edge of the bed beside you. It was the first time he'd ever smiled at you.
“Good morning, honey.” Honey? Confused, your brain worked to remember how you even got here, the two noticing your wandering train of thought and immediately pulling your attention back to them.
“Don't think about it. Come on, eat up.” Changbin's hand rubbed your hip soothingly, something in your chest aching pleasantly at the contact. Any other time, you would've argued, but you found yourself leaning into his body and opening your mouth when Minho held a forkful of soaked pancakes up to your lips. You let him feed you, let them both take care of you, finally lowering your walls and relying on them. Allowing them to support you after spending so much time fearing what would've happened if you did.
Breakfast was amazing and you found yourself surprisingly energized. You went downstairs with the two of them, looking forward to their plans of spending the day together, even though you knew you had work to get done. One day off wasn't going to hurt. Besides, after what happened yesterday and all the bullshit you'd had to put up with your entire life, you deserve a day of peace and happiness.
Oddly enough, there were only six angels to spend this time with you. Noticing that Chan and Hyunjin were missing, you asked the others where they were, to which they all suddenly seemed… Off. Nervous, fidgety.
“They went for a walk.” Spending so much time with Jisung made it very easy to see through him. They were all terrible liars, but he couldn't make himself sound even remotely believable.
“Uh huh. Are you guys gonna pretend I'm stupid and can't tell that something's going on, or…?” None of them responded to you. Seungmin had the best poker face, acting like he was too absorbed in the game playing on the television, despite the fact that you knew it was one of the ones he recorded to watch when there weren't any current games scheduled. The easiest to read out of the group, other than Jisung, was Felix. He chewed on his bottom lip, hands toying with his wings while his eyes looked anywhere but you. “Felix. Where are they?”
Those deep, warm eyes went wide, looking to you like you just caught him with his hand in the cookie jar.
“Felix.” Minho warned, to which you interjected.
“Don't listen to him, listen to me. Where are Chan and Hyunjin?”
“We told you, they went for a walk-” Jeongin tried to come to his aid, to which you held up a finger, not even sparing him a glance.
“Felix, tell me where they went. If they're out in public, I need to know. They could get hurt.”
“They won't get hurt.” Seungmin spoke up, this time, not in reassurance, but as a matter of fact. At his confident tone, you turned to give him a look of curious bewilderment.
“What makes you say that? Where did they go?” Setting his book aside, his eyes found yours, betraying not a damned thing going on in his mind. Had it not been for the wings on his back, his ability to deceive others without any effort at all would've made you question if he were actually a devil in disguise.
“They didn't want to be around you while they're upset. They went for a walk to clear their minds.” The others nodded along in agreement. You squinted your eyes at him, trying to see through his words. There was no way of telling if he was being truthful or not.
“They'll be back soon. Can we just watch a movie or something? We wanna spend time with you.” Felix jumped at the opportunity to change the subject, and even though you knew that, you gave in. There was no point in continuing to press them on the issue right now. You would just ask the two in question once they got back.
“Fine. What did you guys have in mind?”
Cheesy romance movies, apparently. Jisung and Felix had you squished between them on the couch, fluffy blankets tossed over your laps while they both curled in on you from either side, their wings forming another blanket of cozy warmth to provide further comfort and peace of mind. Jeongin sat on the floor between your legs, letting you play with his hair while Changbin and Seungmin both cuddled and wrestled on the love seat. Minho sat in the arm chair opposing the two, shouting at them to quiet down and occasionally giggling at something happening on screen.
It felt nice. Familiar. It seemed that these men were starting to grow on you, after all.
The moment the front door opened, the air shifted. Everyone else in the room tensed, keeping their eyes on the TV with noticeable effort, igniting a sense of intrigue within you. Not only were they acting weird, but the question of what these two had been up to all day aroused your suspicions all over again.
“Nice of you guys to finally join us,” To your surprise, they were both wearing dark clothes. Strange, seeing as how the clothes you'd bought all of them were lighter, loose-fitting and soft. While Hyunjin wore a look of something akin to pride, Chan was much harder to read. His expression was blank and he gave no reaction to your sarcastic greeting. “They won't tell me where you've been. Please tell me no one saw you guys.”
“You don't have anything to worry about anymore, beautiful,” Hyunjin’s voice had an unfamiliar lilt as he made his way over to you. Minho shuffled out of the way, allowing him to stand before you, his hands moving to delicately take hold of your face. Tilting your head up to look at him, his eyes filled with mirth. “We're here. No one's gonna bother you, okay? You're safe with us.”
“Uhh-” He leaned down and pressed his lips to your cheek with a gentleness you couldn't even begin to comprehend. Upon making contact with your skin, he lingered for a moment, lips brushing toward your own. They didn't make contact, though, his body pulling away from yours so abruptly it was almost devastating. You blinked at him, his thumb giving one last stroke to your jaw before the contact ceased. There was a speck of red paint just below his jaw.
“What're you guys watching?” Just like that, it was as if nothing even happened. While he took a seat with Jeongin on the chair, squeezing in beside him despite the younger’s protests, Chan wandered into the room soon after. Wordlessly standing by the wall away from the rest of you.
Their wings looked thinner.
Everything went back to normal within a day or two. Chan and Hyunjin went back to their usual selves, though they were much more affectionate than before, becoming just as touchy and clingy as the others. Well, that wasn't much of a difference for Hyunjin. They all went about their days as usual and you got back into your work, spending more and more time in your office and only coming out for food and bathroom breaks, much to their complaints.
Four days after it all went down, you almost forgot that you were harassed in public. You woke up in a great mood, sandwiched between Seungmin and Jeongin first thing in the morning, the smell of Minho making breakfast again wafting all throughout the house. There was a pep in your step for the first half of the day, unwavering even when you decided it was time to get to work.
Like any other day, Chan had decided to keep you company, though this time with Felix following after him into your office. The two were sitting on the rug, chatting quietly while you worked. For your latest article, you needed to do a little bit of research, mindlessly scrolling through your usual sources in search of whatever you were looking for. When none of them provided much inspiration, you took to current news outlets in hopes of finding something within them.
None of the first few topics interested you. Scrolling down a bit further, you read through titles and headlines, nibbling on your fingernails as your foot tapped lightly against the floor.
‘Psychology says that people who-’, ‘Follow these tips to stay safe during-’, ‘Man found disemboweled in local park-’
… What?
You recognized the park in the picture linked to the article as one in your hometown. The metal, multicolored playground with tall pine trees in the background called to you in a way that felt unsettling. Almost like something in your gut was telling you to click on it. Curiosity piqued, you did just that and began reading through the post, not very invested but interested in why you suddenly felt so dreadful.
‘The body of thirty-five year old Gregory Davis was discovered early yesterday morning by a man who was walking his dog through the park he was found in. Reports say he suffered multiple abrasions, several bones having been broken by what appears to be blunt force-’
Woah. As you read along, that sinking feeling in your stomach only grew stronger, knowing that nothing like this had ever happened in the small town you were raised in. Crime wasn't unheard of, sure, but people weren't found disemboweled with broken bones. Or with their eyes missing from their fucking skull. The more information you took note of, the deeper you dived into this foreign occurrence, continuing to scroll down and down until you reached the end of the page where they shared a picture the guy's family posted in his memory on Facebook.
Your eyes flicked over their faces in absentminded observation, skimming over their features, glancing over the man's face. Familiar. Scarily familiar. Darting back to him, you felt your office room tilt on its axis. The walls closed in, your chair sunk through the floor, yet you remained frozen in place. Gawking at the very face that tormented you a measly few days ago. No, surely that wasn't him. The man didn't smile like that. He didn't have any small children with him, nor a wife to hold his hands that gripped the metal of a shopping cart tight to shove it into your stomach. That beard was the same, that crooked nose was the same, those beady eyes were the same, that fucking smile with too many teeth-
Without even realizing it, you were hyperventilating, chest heaving with every ragged breath as nausea churned in your belly. Unbeknownst to you, the angels behind you could see your computer screen clearly. Felix gave Chan a look of concern, questioning him with his eyes, to which the older man gave his shoulder a gentle squeeze. He called your name, clear and stern.
In a humiliating display of sheer terror, you puked all over your floor. Felix was quick to rush to your side, grabbing your trash can and putting it underneath you, holding back your hair to keep it from getting messy.
When you came down from that sickness, however, you immediately shoved him away from you, making your computer chair slide across the floor in the process. Chan was there to catch him, the two of them looking at you in disbelief as you practically snarled back at them.
“What did you do?” Neither of them answered. While Felix opened and closed his mouth several times, fighting to find words, Chan's expression fell into one of eerie calmness. Once again, he said your name. “What the fuck did you do?”
“Calm down.”
“Don't tell me to calm down!” Abruptly, you stood from your seat, knocking it over in the process. That sickening feeling in your stomach never left, head spinning as you swayed slightly on your feet. Bracing your hand against the closest wall, you pointed a shaky finger at the screen of your computer. “You did that? You- What the fuck did you do? Tell me!”
“It's okay, love, just breathe.” Felix's voice didn't provide its usual comfort and could no longer lull you into any kind of security. If anything, it only made you more on edge.
“Shut up.” It seemed the commotion caught the attention of the rest of the house. The door to your office swung open, Changbin bursting into the room and looking to find the three of you at a standstill. The others promptly followed in after him, confused and clearly worried, feeding into your despair.
“What's going on?” Minho’s voice sounded so far away. Throat burning, your wild eyes darted between everyone, tears slipping free to trickle down your face. This wasn't real. Maybe you died and Hell really did exist and this was part of your eternal punishment.
“Jisung.” Chan's voice caught the man's attention, his big, doe-like eyes looking between the two of you. As if understanding something unspoken, he slowly started to approach you.
“What's going on, baby? Talk to me.” He sounded so gentle.
“Why the fuck are you calling me that?” You sobbed, backing into your desk, knees buckling and threatening to give out from under you. The urge to run was strong, but no matter how badly you wanted to flee, you couldn't bring yourself to move. Couldn't even bring yourself to really feel scared of them. All this time, they hadn't done anything to hurt you. If anything, killing him meant they were trying to protect you-
No. Don't you dare justify this.
“Tell me you didn't do it. Tell me you were on a walk.” Desperate, pleading rambles fled your lips as you shook your head in denial, not even bothering to avoid the one coming toward you. His hands moved to your face, cupping your cheeks and tilting your head upwards, thumbs brushing tears away before he pressed his forehead against yours.
“Breathe with me. In, and out. Good, keep doing that, focus on me.” There was no choice in the matter. Sniveling and crying so hard it was pathetic, your heart twisting in your chest while you gasped for breath. The others closed in shortly, as well, surrounding you from all sides in a way that should've been suffocating, and yet all you felt was protection. Safety. You couldn't see anything beyond them, their wings keeping you within their circle. Nothing else mattered.
Changbin pressed kisses to your hair, Hyunjin guiding you away from the desk to place himself behind you, hands on your waist and rubbing circles with his thumbs into your hips. Seungmin found one of your hands and squeezed, Jeongin closing around both of yours to bring your fingers to his lips. Kissing each knuckle with reverence.
“Nothing will ever hurt you again.” Hyunjin whispered into your ear, nuzzling his face into the crook of your neck.
Synopsis: The world ended a long time ago, after those things came out from underground. As a survivor of this new era, it was on you to keep your people safe from such monsters, but in the end, you failed. Now, you have to rely on a group of these things to save your life. Trust is important, but instinct always tends to get in the way.
W.C: 3.8k
WARNINGS!!: Mentions of death and gore.
Everything was gone.
The door swung open easily under your weight, nearly clashing with the wall if it weren’t for you catching it just in time. As quietly and slowly as you could've managed in the heat of the moment, you pushed it shut, then pressed your back against it with heavy breaths straining your lungs. Knowing that being in a building didn’t necessarily mean that you were in the clear, you listened intently, waiting with baited breath until you heard their rapid footfalls and guttural snarls pass by the door, fading into the distance. For a long moment, you didn’t move, praying to whatever higher power was out there- one that surely hated you- that they wouldn’t circle back and burst through the barrier to your momentary safe space.
Nothing happened. Minutes passed before you allowed yourself to finally relax, leaning against the door and doing your best to calm down. It was hard for you to comprehend all that had happened within the last hour. The stench of iron stained your senses, following you all the way to this foreign place, refusing to let you even wonder if it was all a dream. If you were going to wake up any moment now, surrounded by those you were supposed to protect. They were all taken away from you.
Upon wiping what you thought was sweat from your cheek with a shaking hand, you hissed at the slight sting of making contact with an open wound instead. The crimson smudged on the back of your hand taunted you, reminding you that up until now, those things had never been able to touch you before. Never managed to catch you off guard. Blood was dripping down your face, your arm, most of it staining the fabric of your pants. The wounds were deep, likely to get infected if you didn’t take care of them soon.
With a sneer, you wiped the blood off on your shirt before looking around to analyze the room you wound up in. It was starkly empty with multiple floors, a spiraling staircase to the right leading all the way up to the top. Every floor was exposed by half-walls with tall, round pillars that reached all the way up to the ceiling, holding up the foundation. You couldn’t be bothered to wonder what this place might’ve been in a past life. The area was quiet, eerily so, and although there didn’t seem to be any immediate threats nearby, you weren’t going to let yourself get comfortable. Now that the only home you’d ever known was gone, it was clear that from this moment on, any sense of safety or peace you’d had would never exist again.
To make matters worse, you were empty-handed in this new environment. The only thing you had on you was the small dagger still clutched tight in your hand. All of your supplies were back at the base, and with that now infiltrated, going back wouldn’t end well for you. Those things loved to linger and there was no sneaking around them with the state you were in.
After taking a few minutes to collect yourself, you decided to start surveying the building, as bad an idea as that was. Surely fighting more of those bastards with such a meager weapon wasn’t the greatest idea, but what other choice did you have? You were so fucking tired, your body sore and starving, and if you didn’t get at least an hour of sleep, you were going to crash and get yourself killed either way.
Thus, the search throughout the building began. It was hard to walk quietly thanks to your limp from the injury done to your ankle, which ached and burned with each step, leaving you tense and bracing yourself for an attack the entire time. The deep bite wound left blood drenching the leg of your pants, clinging to your skin and the bare flesh itself. You would need to take care of that as soon as possible. The other injuries you suffered weren't nearly as worrying, just a few minor cuts and bruises, though the wrist of your less dominant hand did feel stiff and difficult to move without a jolt of agony bursting through your arm
The first floor of the building was clear, same for the second and third, making you somewhat hopeful that the whole place was empty and the universe would finally grant you even the smallest bit of mercy.
It was when you reached the fourth floor that you realized that wasn't going to happen. Your body paused just as you stepped off of the stairs, eyes wide and posture stiff. The sounds were soft and barely audible, almost like a bundle of sticks being snapped in half, except if the sticks were wet and dense. Loud like they were harder to break. Every muscle tensed as you did your best to make your way towards the sound as silently as possible, the corridor seeming to stretch for miles while your heart started pounding again. The rapid beats caused a constant thump against your ribcage, your stomach churning as the strange noises became louder and louder. Still soft, but clearer, enough to make goosebumps rise along your arms and the hairs on your neck stand to attention.
Upon reaching the open doorway to one of the rooms, you came to a stop and very carefully peered your head around the corner. All you could smell was metal. It was thick, tangy, enough to make your eyes water and a gag tickle the back of your throat. Just like back at home. The first thing to catch your eye was a figure kneeling in the middle of the floor, hovering over another body that lay before it, completely motionless. Bloodied handprints were smeared all over the cement flooring, as though someone were struggling to crawl away from an unseen threat. At first glance, you were ready to flee, adrenaline spiking to push you into action.
The figure moved. Their head perked up, a few subtle sniffs at the wind catching your attention, your grip tightening around the hilt of your blade as you watched them turn. There were no arched spines or stretched limbs, no familiarly haunting sounds that gave away exactly what they were. From where you were standing, they looked human. Broad shoulders, eyes that reminded you of deep caverns buried underground, dressed in all black with a sleeveless top and baggy pants with chains hanging from the belt. A man, you presumed. One who would’ve probably seemed nice and sweet, maybe even handsome, if it weren’t for the sheer crimson covering the lower half of his face. It dripped down his chin, stained the floor.
There weren’t any lingering questions in the back of your mind, no hesitation or time taken to ponder the situation. Clearly, this man was eating whoever was in the room with him, and although you knew it wasn’t exactly uncommon for people to start eating each other in dire circumstances, no one would’ve done so without at least cooking them first. He was eating them raw.
Thus, your body moved on its own. A snarl took over your face as you lunged, blade in hand, your target springing up to his feet in return. The blade swung in a wild arch, slicing through the air and completely missing your target once the man stumbled back. He hissed at you, fucking hissed, and just like that, the fight began. Every move you made was countered or dodged, the thing eventually knocking the dagger clean out of your hand before tackling you down to the floor, pinning you under his weight. More blood stained your clothes as you scratched and clawed, nails scraping the floor and digging into any inch of skin you could’ve reached. It was daunting how soft his faux flesh was, how warm his body felt, how his eyes glistened in the faint sunlight peaking in through the dusty windows.
With his hands fisting your clothes, claws digging into your skin through the fabric, as well as his legs on either side of your waist while his body firmly pressed down, you couldn’t move. Ragged breaths pushed you to act, to do something before you inevitably ended up like the rest of the people you knew throughout your life. You wanted to think that you were too young to die, though the children back at home surely would’ve told you differently. That beautiful face staring down at you began to contort, skin molding around the joints of his jaw, wide eyes watching as it unhinged past an unnatural point. Muscles stretched to the brink. Rows of jagged teeth stood before inky darkness, the creature’s tongue hidden amongst them. Drool dripped onto your cheek and you physically recoiled.
“Get the fuck off!” Regardless of your hands shoving at his chest, he didn’t react, hissing with a low rumbling noise of rage building under your frantic hands. At that point, all you could’ve really done was brace yourself. So, with a strange sense of clarity shrouding your brain, you stopped. Closed your eyes, took a breath. Your body went limp beneath the one crushing you into the pavement, hands simply clutching onto his bloodied jacket, mind drifting off to avoid thinking about the agony from being eaten alive. The back of your head thudded lightly against the floor, lolled to the side, more saliva leaking onto the expanse of your neck and under your jaw. Gross.
Silence followed. For a moment, you thought time was moving in slow motion. Maybe that was what happened when people were about to die. Either that or this thing was deciding which part of you he wanted to devour more. Whatever the case was, you laid there, patiently waiting until you realized he hadn’t taken a chunk out of you, that he wasn’t even making noises anymore. Your eyes fluttered open, head turning to look up at him.
That unfairly pretty face was back. Staring at you.
“... What?” You snapped, hoping to agitate him so he would get it over with already. The creature blinked, cocked its head.
“Did you know them?” Even his voice was pleasant, which was total bullshit. His question caught you off guard, not only because you never knew those things could speak, but you had no idea what he was talking about.
“Huh?” The thing huffed sharply through his nose, hands no longer gripping your jacket and instead planted on either side of your head.
“You attacked me. Usually that means you humans knew the one I was hunting.” His response painted a picture in your head that made you all the more furious. How many families had he separated in his lifetime? How many friends, lovers, strangers who were only close through a trauma bond, had he consumed solely because he could? The thought enraged you as much as it horrified you, and yet you didn’t move from under him. Didn’t even try.
“No. I attacked you because you ate someone. And because I hate your species.” Your answer received a small hum of acknowledgement, his head suddenly dipping down, making your eyes widen and your head whip back to the side. The tip of his nose brushed along your throat, tracing a path up your jaw while he sniffed at you.
“You smell nice.” He was gonna eat you.
“Cool? Get off me.” To your utter shock, he listened. His body left yours in a matter of seconds, no longer suffocating you and instead leaving you lying on the floor, your face hot with embarrassment. Quickly, you got back to your feet, shuffling away from him and picking your knife back up from the floor, to which he didn’t try to stop you. He just watched, eyes locked on your figure. It was fucking creepy. Your eyes drifted from him to the door you came in through, teeth nibbling on your bottom lip. Looking back at him, he seemed to perk up, oddly enough. “You gonna let me leave?”
“That isn’t a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“I like you.” Your brows furrowed, head jerking forward a bit, wondering if you heard him right. Did he say that he liked you? As in, “I like you so I want to eat you” or “I like you so I won’t let you leave and will eventually eat you”? Whatever the case was, your hold on your dagger tightened as you took a small step back.
“What the Hell does that have to do with me leaving?” The corners of the man’s lips suddenly pulled outwards, stretching and stretching while exposing his teeth, which were no longer as monstrous looking. How the Hell did he do that? The new expression deeply unnerved you, driving you to take yet another step away from him. “What are you doing?”
“Smiling.” His tone was quiet, but the words weren’t muffled. It didn’t sound strained, like he couldn’t talk since he was currently smiling, like a person. The words were clear and precise.
“Stop. Don’t, don’t do that.” With that, the expression sunk, lips pulling into a deep frown instead. “No- Just, what do you want? Why can’t I leave? You already ate someone, don’t you things get full?”
“I don’t want to eat you. You’re warm. And you smell nice.” Well, that was a little comforting, you supposed. Not really, but you would take what you could get.
“Then why can’t I leave?” You repeated, because for some reason, he hasn’t answered that one, yet.
“The others won’t like it if they find you in here. I have to warn them first.”
“Then… Go do that?”
“You’ll run.” Wow, nothing got past him, huh? This whole conversation was making your head hurt. You were tired, hungry, and now one of these things decided to start talking and to keep you captive so the other ones here wouldn’t immediately kill you.
“You stay here with other, uh, things like you?”
“Yes.”
“How many?”
“There’s eight of us.” Shit. That certainly wasn’t good. Perhaps it turned out to be a good thing that you didn’t kill this one, if the others would’ve slaughtered you just for being here. Nodding your head along to his response, you found that you’d backed away so far your back had met the opposing wall, your body sliding down before plopping down onto the floor. It still smelled like death and you had to keep your gaze focused on him to avoid looking at the corpse mere feet away from you.
“You’ll tell them not to kill me?” Your voice shook, unsure of whether or not you could’ve even trusted this thing, but after a whole day of fighting and watching people die while struggling to keep yourself alive, you didn’t have any energy left. If one of them wanted to kill you, what was the point in fighting now? You had nothing.
“Yes. They’ll listen, I’m the youngest.” As if that explained anything. With a scoff, you tucked your knees into your chest, still keeping an eye on him, yet allowing yourself a moment to relax. Knife still in hand.
“Right.” When he moved again, you flinched, back pressing into the wall as he approached you, ducking his body down as if to level himself with you. He walked with his upper body lowered before dropping into a strange crawl, hands and feet moving across the floor to bring himself closer to you. Once he reached you, face mere inches from yours, you didn’t realize you were holding your breath. One of his hands moved toward your face, fingertips grazing your skin. His body shivered.
“You’re so soft.” Your mouth opened to answer instinctively.
“So are y-” You clamped it shut and cleared your throat, stopping yourself. The creature tilted his head again, the irises of his eyes enlarging in the scleras, nearly taking up every space of white. His fingertips trailed down your cheek, soon sweeping over your lips with the lightest touch, though you could still feel the blood he subsequently smudged onto them. “There a reason you’re touching me right now?”
“Just admiring.” Stomach churning, you felt a strange sense of both nausea at his touch, yet curiosity about him, as well. None of these things had ever spoken to you, let alone touched you so tenderly. Stared at you with such awe in their stolen eyes.
“Can I?” You lifted a hand and his eyes widened.
“Yes!” The abrupt exclamation made you flinch, though since you suspected it was out of excitement, you moved your hand to his cheek. Wiping blood away with your thumb, marveling at the softness of his flesh. It wasn’t soft like he thought yours was. It didn’t even feel like skin, instead resembling smooth stone or maybe even paper. No blemishes or even pores.
To your surprise, he leaned into your touch, eyes closed as another kind of rumbling sound emitted from within his chest. Not quite a growl, but more like a purr. Soothing and bubbly. While the hand on your face wandered to your jaw, his other clutched your wrist, keeping your hand against his skin so he could rub his cheek against your palm. The act was almost cute, would’ve been endearing had you not known what he was. Since your other hand was still out of commission, you could only let him guide your touch wherever he wanted it. Next was his jaw, his neck, then back up to the strands of his light brown hair. Pure silk.
The peaceful moment didn’t last long. Behind his head, you could clearly see a figure appearing in the doorway, shorter than this man, yet much wider. The first thing you noticed was muscle, the thick biceps that surely posed a threat to anything in their path.
“Innie? You still eating?” The name drop caught you by surprise, but before you could’ve said anything, said man jolted upwards and turned to face the one behind him.
“Wait, Bin-” Dark eyes met yours. Unlike the one currently cornering you against the wall, you didn’t get much time to analyze this newcomer, since he was already charging at you with a sickening sound. Feeling that spike of adrenaline, you shoved “Innie” away and picked your knife back up, darting to the side and narrowly avoiding the heavy body barreling straight toward you. While “Bin” bashed into the wall behind you, you were already making a break for it, to which the creature you’d actually allowed to touch you made a noise of anguish. “No! Don’t leave!”
Flinging your own body through the doorway and into the hallway, your head whipped toward the staircase that led you up here, only to find another figure standing before it. Longer hair colored blonde, a stark contrast to the darkness surrounding you. Without pause, you spun back around and took off down the hallway, the sound of footsteps trailing after you, blending with the growls and snarls of your pursuer.
Rugged sneakers thumping against the floor, you panted heavily and fought to focus on getting away, no longer as willing to die as you were moments ago when “Innie” had you pinned beneath him. If you were able to make it out, you were going to die trying. With your head on a swivel, you raced past rooms and around corners, stumbling and wincing from the pains in your ankle and wrist. The soreness in your body was surely slowing you down and the bastard chasing you didn’t have the same problem in the slightest.
Fortunately for you, “Innie” seemed to like you more than he let on. Behind you, you could hear the moment his body made impact with the one chasing you, giving you enough time to rush down another staircase to make it back down to the first floor. As much as you wanted to go back and help him, you had a feeling “Bin” wouldn’t attack him. There seemed to be some kind of bond there and you wanted no part in any of it.
By the time you reached the bottom of the staircase, the front doors came into view. Relief and hope flooded your brain as you pushed yourself to move faster, eyes narrowed in on your only means of escape, the idea of survival enough to numb the aches in your limbs. The burn in your lungs.
Just before you reached those doors, someone stepped out in front of them. He wasn’t too tall, nor was he necessarily big like “Bin”, but he was imposing. Moving in front of the door with a casualness that didn’t match these creatures at all, something in his eyes glinting despite there not being much light in this part of the building. Skidding to a halt, you found that he was smiling at you, arms held behind his back like a host prepared to welcome a guest. Not a smile like “Innie”’s, a genuine smile. One that exposed the dimples in his cheeks and made his eyes crinkle. Human, human, human, not human-
You nearly tripped over your own feet in your efforts to get away from him. Forced to turn back around, you fled in the opposite direction, hoping you would be able to find another exit somewhere in this place. There was no way this was happening to you. It didn’t help that you knew these things could sniff you out, no matter where you went, especially if they got close like “Innie” did.
This wasn’t happening. Why did this have to happen to you? After all that you’d been forced to endure your entire life, why was this how you were going to die? Tears pricked at your eyes all over again as you ran, turning corner after corner, hearing footfalls echoing behind you no matter where you went. It was torture.
Then, you reached some kind of backdoor. Your hands, one outstretched while the other remained limp, soon hit the metal doors hard, resulting in a crack in the one already injured, a pained wail leaving your lips as you shoved your body against the door with as much force as you could muster. It didn’t budge. You tried again, and again, and again, and yet the only sound it gave was the rattling of chains on the other side. God damnit.
“It’s locked.” As if you didn’t know that. The air stood still, adrenaline crashing down while a cold chill crawled up your spine, head slowly turning to look over your shoulder. Once again, there was another one of those assholes standing behind you. His eyes narrowed as they met yours, though when your gazes met, he blinked. A lot. A pink tongue darted from between his lips, licking them subtly before they parted, revealing the elongated canines coated in thick saliva. Disgusting.
Your feet moved before your brain could catch up. Though, you didn’t make it very far from the door, stumbling and then accidentally kicking a stray chair right before falling straight down and hitting your head on the corner of a table.
romaincrisis
gamechangershow
origamiaround
yousharknotpass
ellievsbear