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midnightelite · 5 years ago

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A Witch’s Guide to Pillow Forts: The Barrette Method

Me and @solstilla co-wrote a cute little one-shot for you guys!

He can battle Slytherins, he can face Death Eaters, he can even look Voldemort in the eye and defy him. But he can not stand thunderstorms. Fluff fic!

You can read it on AO3 or FFN

The rain was pounding on the roof of James and Lily’s brand new apartment-their first apartment they’d ever owned together. Hopefully, it would be one of many. Lily lay surrounded by cool air and the smell of James and Sirius’s apartment as it still lingered on the furniture. It was familiar and comforting; the perfect combination filled her heart with the feeling of home, slowly lulling her to the brink of sleep. Between moving out of her parents’ home, helping Sirius and James pack up their old apartment, and unloading boxes from the rental van her father had gotten her, Lily was absolutely knackered.

She vaguely heard the front door open and close, and the sound pulled her back to reality. James had just returned from Sirius’s new flat! Her face lit up as James entered the room, scrambling up from her spot on the sofa and bounding into his arms. Lily smiled up into his eyes, going on her toes to press her lips to his. James ducked before their lips met, a small smirk gracing his features before he pulled her into a tight hug.

“You were gone entirely too long. I missed you,” she whispered, burying her face into his shoulder. “You owe me James time tonight. Do you hear me?“ Lily tilted her head back to look up at him, her nose bumping his with how close they were.

“Oh isn’t someone getting overly attached now that we live together? If you’re lucky, you’ll get some James time.” He pressed a kiss to her nose and pulled back, starting to walk away.

“James!” she squealed, taking hold of his hand so he wouldn’t go too far. “You missed!” Lily tugged him closer with their conjoined hands, batting her lashes up at the dark-haired boy.

“Actually, I’m pretty sure I hit my mark.” He winked before turning and leaving the room.

She watched him leave, her lips parting in surprise. What was he up to? James had never rejected a kiss from her, and while she could tell he wasn’t upset, Lily knew he was up to something. She heard the shower in their downstairs bathroom turn on and huffed before sitting back on the sofa. Fine. Two could play at that game.

As the minutes ticked on, Lily got lost in the sound of the rain hitting the window pane. It reminded her of how much Petunia and her enjoyed rainy days when they were younger. Memories came flooding back, memories of laughter and togetherness, and simpler times.

Petunia raced in, holding a pile of blankets in her hands. “Lily! Come help me hang these!” Lily looked up from where she sat. She stood up to grab a blanket from Petunia and once she started building, she copied Tuney’s precise work. The two worked tirelessly to perfect their own little blanket castle. Bed sheets flung over the armchairs and clipped onto each other with Lily’s barrettes. The barrettes were the most important part. Not only did using the many different color barrettes the girls had introduce decoration to their design, it was crucial to the structural integrity. With the barrettes in place, their castle was looking good. After the two sisters made sufficient progress on the walls of the structure, they switched to the interior, laying down every pillow and cushion they could find along the floor in front of the sofa. Quilts and fuzzy blankets draped over the tops of the cushions so the cracks in between the pillows wouldn’t be as noticeable, but they were lacking the right amount to fully snuggle underneath. Their mother must have heard them complaining, for moments later she would usually stroll in carrying a heap of fuzzy blankets.

When their masterpiece was finally finished, Petunia would crawl inside carrying a torch with her. Lily, on the other hand, found it much more important to bring their favorite fairy tales with them. Although it sometimes took some begging, Tuney would read those treasured stories of fairies, unicorns, and even wizards! Weaving entire worlds around battles and romance with the thunder crashing down around them. A little later on their parents would usually join them, taking over the storytelling so that both girls could snuggle close together. With the fireplace lit just outside their own little fortress, their imaginations filled with wonders beyond belief, and their parents by their sides, little Lily had never been more at peace.

The rain was picking up outside, but Lily didn’t notice the sound until the boom of thunder forced her back to the present.

Thump.

Well that wasn’t thunder. The sound seemed to originate from the bathroom, so she stood to investigate when James came barreling into their living room donning nothing but a towel hastily tied around his hips. Lily’s eyes scanned him up and down. He hadn’t even dried off yet.

“Where’s the fire?”

“What do you mean fire? My life was at risk! Showering during a lightning storm? Do you want to be a widow?” He tried to hide the panic in his eyes, passing it off as a joke. He failed miserably, if Lily’s stifled laughter was anything to consider. At least she was kind enough to try to hide it.

“James, deer, we’re not even engaged.” Lily slipped her hand into his, squeezing gently.

“We already have three children,” James said in such a matter-of-fact voice Lily had to wrack her brain to remember when she was ever pregnant. “Considering how Sirius, Peter and Remus act, and all.” He added. That made more sense. “I feel like we are basically married at this point. Which means me dying would make you a widow.”

Lily snorted. “Right. Well the storm isn’t going to kill yo-” Another crash of thunder echoed outside, and he couldn’t help the jump his body decided was appropriate given the circumstance. And that’s when it hit her. “Oh my gosh, you’re scared.”

“Me? Scared? Absolutely not! I literally dueled Slytherin students in the corridor. I faced Death Eaters just last week! I looked Voldemort in the eye and told him no. This is just weather Lily. Please pull yourself together and stop projecting.” He hoped the tremor wasn’t evident in his voice.

Lily couldn’t help but grin, watching her boyfriend as she leaned against the back of the sofa. James was visibly trying not to squirm under her penetrative gaze. She knew this was nothing compared to his daily life, but he was still at least a little bit scared. How was it possible for one man to be so adorable?

“Hmm. Right. Okay, I’ll stop projecting,” Before Lily could continue her thought, another boom shook the house. This time even Lily had to admit she was a bit startled, but James...James was a whole other story. The color from his face drained and you could see the anxiety behind his eyes.

She shot him a knowing look, her eyes speaking for her. “Fess up, buttercup.”

“OkaywhenIlivedwithmyparentsyoucouldn’treallyhearorseeanythingfrommyroomandthenwhenImovedinwithSiriushealwaysdistractedmebylettingloosemysnitchormakingmeplaywizard’schessuntilIdidn’tnoticethestormanymore!” James mumbled incomprehensibly.

“What?” Lily shook her head. “I got like half of that. James, love, it’s me. You can tell me anything. You know that.”

James took a deep breath. “I am a bit afraid, okay? I didn't notice as a kid when I lived with my parents. The house was so big the sound never really carried in. I did notice very much when I moved in with Sirius, but he was always good at distracting me! Now…” James’s eyes fell toward the ground. He looked defeated.

“Now you need a distraction,” Lily finished, nodding her head. Everyone had their thing. Lily had spiders. James had thunderstorms. Honestly, it was a bit relieving to see someone usually so strong and fearless have simple fears like this. But she wasn’t going to let what happened earlier just slip by without a proper response.

She smirked, tilting her head to the side. Her fingers found their way into her red locks, twirling a strand playfully. “And your wife isn’t a distraction enough?” She pouted her lips, looking up at him with the biggest doe eyes James Potter had ever seen.

His eyebrows disappeared behind his damp hair. Lowering his voice, the corners of his lips quirked up. “You are more than enough a distraction” James leaned in to meet her lips.

Perfect. Right where she wanted him. She let him linger right in front of her, so close they were almost touching. Almost.

“I have a better idea,” her lips quirked up at the corners, reminiscent of the man standing in front of her. James’s eyebrows rose momentarily before he began to wiggle them. She had to suppress a laugh and waited a few seconds, letting him hang on the edge. James lingered just on the precipice of seduction before Lily changed her demeanor entirely. Just as he made a move to close off any space between them, she turned her head quickly so his advance landed on her cheek instead. He may have wanted a kiss on the lips, but he would have to, what were his words? He would have to be pretty lucky to make that mark. “James,” Lily said in a sugary sweet tone, “I was going to suggest we make a blanket and pillow fort, what kind of woman do you take me for?” She placed her hand over her heart to complete the dramatic remark.

Lily watched as about a dozen different emotions flashed across his face in only a matter of seconds before settling on something a bit more guarded. “I am so sorry if I have dishonored you. I thought I was fulfilling your wishes. I hope you do go easy on me.”

He knew just what heart strings he was tugging on, but Lily was not going to dwell on that or her plan would completely crumble. “Yeah, okay, Mr. Darcy, now go get changed. Also while you’re up there, can you look through the box in our room for extra blankets?” James flashed his signature sideways grin at her, back to his normal self.

“As you wish.” James swept into a deep bow before turning and heading up the stairs towards their bedroom.

“That’s from The Princess Bride!” Lily called after him. Though he was already in their bedroom, she still heard his laughter carry down the stairs. She smiled to herself, wondering how she ever got so lucky to have James as her boyfriend. Not that she would ever say that aloud. He doesn’t need a bigger head. While he was preoccupied, she busied herself with pulling the cushions off the couch to prepare for the inside of their fortress. Just like when she was a kid. Grabbing her wand off the coffee table beside the sofa, Lily shot a couple sparks into the fireplace: a skill she didn’t have as a kid. She tucked it into her hair for easy access, just in case she would need it inside the fort.

The thud thud thud thud of James bounding down the stairs caught her off guard. She popped her head up, squealing at the sight of him. James’s tower of blankets peaked over his head. Only his fleece pajama bottoms from Euphemia distinguished him as a human as opposed to a blanket monster.

“How many blankets does a full grown woman need?” She could hear the jest in his tone. He then unceremoniously dropped the blankets into a pile on the now cushionless sofa.

“I get cold.” Lily rubbed her hands together in excitement, overlooking their supplies.

“Yeah well, considering the circumstances I don’t think you’ll need this many blankets. I am the human equivalent of a heater.” That pulled her away from her plans for a moment, looking up at him with glee on her face.

“Maybe, if you’re lucky tonight,” she repeated the phrase from earlier, quirking one eyebrow at him.

“With the amount of blankets you have, my deer, you may need to be the lucky one. I’ll be just fine.” Lily rolled her eyes at the wink he sent her way, and took his hand so he could stand next to her and overlook their supplies together. How his arm made its way around her waist, she wasn’t quite sure. Lily gave in just a bit, leaning into his side.

After a moment of reflection, Lily set to work by draping blankets over the sofa to build the foundation of the external walls. James quickly followed suit.

“Hey, love, can you get the chairs from the dining room?” She pointed, scratching her head as she built the pillow fort in her mind. Something was missing, but she couldn’t place her finger on what exactly.

“Of course, Master Lily.” James made to bow again, so Lily threw a cushion at his head. Which he promptly caught before dropping it and leaving the room with way too much of a skip in his step. Damn those Quidditch reflexes.

James brought in the first two chairs, acting as if he was returning from some great battle with his pride in holding one on either side of him. Pretending she didn’t notice her show-off of a boyfriend, Lily kept focused on the sheets. Only when he returned and set down the last two chairs did she look up.

“What’s next, my princess?”

“It’s queen, actually.” The smile he shot her was bright enough to light up the whole planet, completely and utterly blinding. Queen. She and Petunia would pretend their pillow forts were castles. Her smile turned bittersweet, to which James scrambled to sit beside her.

Lily blinked at his gesture. Poor James was all worried over nothing. Sitting up a little straighter, Lily took his hands in her own. “James, have I ever told you about what me and Tuney would do on rainy days?” James shook his head. She took a deep breath and continued on.

“Before I knew about magic, Tuney and I were best friends. I’m pretty sure I mentioned that?” She looked at him for affirmation. He nodded his head. “When it was storming bad, I’d always get a little bit scared, but Tuney always knew that getting my hands busy would keep my mind off what was raging on outside. She would run and grab all the extra blankets and sheets from our linen closet and we would build fortressesses.

“At first, they were small, but as we grew they would take over the entire living room. We would spend most of the day constructing them.” Lily laughed, looking around their new living room. It seemed such a tall order now. “Building the walls with different sheets and blankets, padding the inside with sofa cushions and pillows. Then when we were done, we liked to pretend they were our castles and we were princesses like from the fairytales. I would always bring our favorite stories in and she would create magical worlds filled with every creature imaginable. I would completely forget about the storm raging around us. Eventually as it got later, my mum and dad joined us, and would take over the storytelling. We would end up camping out in the living room, falling asleep after cuddles and bedtime stories. Sometimes Dad would wake us up with cinnamon hot cocoa.” A quiet laugh escaped through her lips. “It’s funny, I was scared, but these are some of my fondest memories.”

Lily looked up from her lap a little misty eyed, that same bittersweet look from before gracing her features. James leaned over to kiss the one tear that slipped down her cheek away. She pulled him closer into a tight hug. Although claps of thunder sounded outside, she didn’t even feel him flinch.

As the silence settled James blurted out,“Have I ever mentioned I love you?” Lily rolled her eyes in exasperation. What a sap, right? She kissed his cheek and pulled him up from the floor.

“Hmmm….I don't recall. It doesn’t sound familiar. What was it again?” Lily’s eyes crinkled as he tackled her with a bunch of kisses all over her face.Catching herself with one hand, the other landed on his chest, and she gave him a gentle push to create more space between them, much to the disappointment of both parties, so that they could return their focus to the task at hand.

“Hey, I’d say you’re thoroughly distracted, but this fort still needs some work, so get back to it!”

James stood at attention and saluted. The two lovebirds began setting the chairs a good distance apart, smiles blossomed on their faces as they worked in comfortable silence. They graduated to padding the inside with the cushions. As they were nearing the end, the draped blankets just weren't staying in place like they should. They kept slipping down from where they hung them. It hit her like a ton of bricks: she'd forgotten the most important part!

“Hold up!” She darted towards the stairs, the biggest, goofiest grin on her face. James was left to catch the end of the blanket she’d dropped when she left. “I know just what we need to finish this off!”

Lily raced up the stairs, towards the bedroom, on a mission to acquire her secret ingredient. The mahogany nightstand’s top drawer had been claimed as their junk drawer, slowly filling up with odds and ends from both Lily and James over time. During this move, the junk seemed to accumulate much faster. She tugged open the drawer harshly, excited to get back to her project with James when she spotted it. A little blue velvet box.

Her breath hitched. What was this doing in the junk drawer? If Lily’s heart hammered any faster she was afraid it was going to explode. Now she needed the distraction. She reached a shaky hand out and grabbed the box. Why was this in the junk drawer?

This better not be what she thought it was.

Still debating if she should open it or not, she jumped at the sound of James’s voice. It was incomprehensible over the blood pumping in her ears.

“What?” She didn’t turn around, focusing on the feeling of the velvet box moving between her fingers. Why was this in the junk drawer?

“Lils? Are you okay? I thought you knew what you were grabbing, want me to come up and help you find it?”

“No!” she yelped, far too fast of a response. Far too panicked. Just as she heard James scramble up to check on her, she spotted the barrettes, snagged them before racing down to see her boyfriend before he could find her at the junk drawer.

Why would you put a ring box in the junk drawer?

“Hi,” she breathed, moving to wave her hand but realizing she was still holding the box! She smiled sheepishly, quickly hiding the box behind her back.

“Hey…” James narrowed, his eyes, leaning to the side to try and see just what Lily was holding.

“Found the barrettes,” she said, holding up her other hand. Like a magician, the idea of distraction would work.. Right? Lily laid the hand with the barrettes on his shoulder, giving him a nudge to turn around and move towards the living room again.

Another thunderclap and this time he truly has no reaction at all. Well at least she managed to keep his mind off the storm. Lily tried for a reassuring smile, giving his shoulder another nudge. He was silent, but he actually turned around and went down the stairs.

Said silence lasted a lifetime. Finally, he whipped around with a blazing look in his eyes. She was not off the hook. Perhaps if she decided to start the conversation, she could gauge his reaction.

“Funny story...So I found the strangest thing while looking for my barrettes upstairs…” Lily unfolded her hand to show him the small velvet box. “Any idea why this was in the junk drawer?”

The color drained from James’s face as he realized what she’d discovered. Lily could practically hear his internal monologue.

Okay so I have two options here: pretend I have no idea what she is talking about, or fess up. Though the former is looking more appealing at the moment because she does not seem happy. Oh god. What if she isn’t happy? What if she doesn’t want to marry me? What if-

“James, do you not plan to use this?” She decided to go easy on him seeing the doubt and fear creep into his face. He really was an open book, at least to her. The longer they were together, the more fluent in James Potter she became.

“I-uh planned to use it eventually?”

“It was in our junk drawer,” Lily deadpanned.

“I was kinda hoping it would get buried and you wouldn’t notice…” His hand flew up to his hair in an attempt to subdue the wince creeping onto his features.

“How long have you had this, James?” Instead of looking at him, she was entirely focused on the blue box. She hadn’t even opened it yet.

“Uh.. Do you want the truth? Or like an answer that will make you comfortable?” His hand still had yet to leave his locks alone.

Despite the whirlwind inside her, Lily managed to choke out a laugh, dragging his hand from his hair and into her own.

“The truth, please.”

“So you remember that time you came over and met my parents for the first time?” Lily nodded. Of course. She’d been so nervous, and Euphemia and Fleamont had treated her as if she was the daughter they’d never had. “Christmas break, seventh year?” A smile tugged at Lily’s cheeks.

“You made me cookies the muggle way and burnt them to a crisp. I remember.” James let out a little chuckle.

“Well Mum loved you, and after you left she told me, ‘You better marry that girl James,’ and gave me the ring.” He took the box from her still outstretched hand, hesitating for just a moment before kneeling in front of her. Inside the box was an ornate ring, with a gold band and emeralds instead of diamonds.

“Lily, I knew from the moment I met you that you were it for me. Although, it was nice to hear Mum felt similarly. This was my grandmum’s engagement ring; her and my grandfather were married for seventy-six years. Mum said it would bring us good luck, and really, what I was trying to get at before I got side tracked with the ring’s history is...You have bewitched me body and soul. You are the greatest adventure I’ve had thus far, and I do not wish for it to end.”

Lily dropped the barrettes she had been gripping so tightly, covering her mouth with her hand as she felt the prickle of wetness start to form in her eyes.

“I love you. I want to wake up next to you every morning and kiss you goodnight-if I’m lucky-every evening. I want this to be only the first of the many, many places we live together. I want to travel the world with you. I want to win this war with you by my side. I want to explore new places, new things with you, only with you.

I want to start a family with you. I want to grow old with you. I want to live every waking moment with you by my side. And it would be the greatest honour of my life, if you, Lily Marie Evans, would agree to be my wife. ”

Lily’s lips quivered, tears slipping down her cheeks as she looked down at him. She slipped down to his level and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Yes,” she breathed. “Yes, yes, a hundred million times, yes. James Potter, I want to marry you.”

James stood, his arms snaking around Lily’s waist and spinning her with him, snug against his chest. Lily squealed, hugging James tighter, as her tears turned into laughter. He spun her around and around until they both were dizzy. When he eventually placed her back on the ground, Lily refused to let go. Whether it was due to affection or the room spinning was still up in the air. All she knew was she’d never felt this way before. Never in her life had Lily experienced this much joy, this much peace. Not even those nights camping in her living room. He was her home, and she his.

James stared down at his fiancée-his fiancée!- in total adoration. His thumb rubbed along her cheek in a tender caress.

“I feel pretty lucky tonight, James.” He smirked, and pressed his lips to hers briefly. Lily met his eyes, glancing towards the ring box to which he happily slid the ring onto her finger.

“Have I ever mentioned I love you?” Lily whispered, a smile far too similar to James’s signature lopsided grin toying on her lips.

“Hmmm….I don't recall. It doesn’t sound familiar. What was it again?” Lily threw her head back in laughter, pulling him in close for a passionate kiss. Only when they both were breathless did she pull away. “Why don’t we make good use of that fort we built?”

His lips brushed against hers ever so slightly. “I suppose I do feel lucky.”

Lily and James disappeared behind the entrance to their dilapidating castle, the barrettes lay on the ground forgotten.

#Jily #Jily*#MWPP #marauders #James Potter #Lily Evans #Lily Evans Potter #jessica #melissa #writing

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happy-meo · 7 years ago

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Save Me. (Yoongi x Reader) PART 8.

“It swallowed me, this lunatic. Please save me tonight. Within this childish madness, you will save me tonight.” - [“Save Me” - BTS]

Summary: It was an unprecedented love that bloomed within the halls of your high school, until secret words were overheard, and shattered the budding romance. It changed your life forever, leading you down a path you had never thought you would be on– training to become a secret agent. You chose it to escape Yoongi and the results of how things ended between you two, but as fate would have it, that very same choice ended up leading you right back to him. Will you be able to save your clients and solve mysteries together despite your history? Will you be able to save each other? Will you able to save yourself…from yourself?

Yoongi x Reader (ft. Jin & all the other BTS members)

Secret Agent AU

Mystery, Action, Angst, & Fluff (contains some violence, mentions of murder, death, harassment, and bullying)

PARTS: Prologue | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 (Finale) | Bonus: The Letter

A/N: I must confess that this story is coming to an end soon (1-2 parts), so I am both excited and nervous about sharing the rest of it with everyone :) I apologize for releasing this when BigHit released the comeback trailer too -- I promise we’re not in cahoots :3 haha all kidding aside, I hope you all enjoy this update! :DD

"Y/N." Yoongi called out as he pulled your covers.

But you didn't budge from your blanket fort.

"Y/N. Let me see you."

"No." You sniffled.

"Y/N." he softened as he sat beside your form. "It's not your fault."

"I should've kept an eye on her. I should've..." You wept.

"We thought she was one of the culprits, Y/N. We didn't know she would be a target." Yoongi finally pried the blankets off of you.

While he had changed out of his dress and wig, you remained in your dress. He slipped beside you gently.

"A lot of things happened, and it was beyond our control. We didn't know they had students as accomplices."

"I should've known." You lifted your head up, and Yoongi threw a tissue at you.

"How would you have known?"

"The previous victim was a baseball player." You wiped your face messily. "And those students that attacked us and broke the window did so with his baseball bat. I should've put two and two together then."

Yoongi took the tissue from you and started wiping your face with much more finesse than you did. "And even if we knew that beforehand, how would we have known that Braids would be a victim?"

"I don't know." You exhaled as you sat up to face him fully. "Maybe come up with a different plan?"

"You're a mess." he smiled gently as he wiped the tear stains off your cheeks with his fingers.

"Shut up." You pouted.

"Who would think you were a secret agent, hm?"

"She was the first person who was nice to me here." You frowned. "Even before I was 'cool'."

"And what about me?"

You looked down, "Yoongi. I was never cool back then."

His lips curled up, "You were to me."

You glanced up at him, "No I wasn't."

Yoongi studied your face lovingly. "Please don't beat yourself up over this, alright?"

You looked down at your hands guiltily. Yoongi tilted your chin up, forcing you to look at him straightly. "Hm?"

"I have to solve this, Yoongi." You confessed.

He nodded. "I know."

"Will you help me?" You whispered.

He grinned, "What're partners for?"

"Will you trust me?"

Yoongi gazed at you worriedly. You grabbed his hand on your face and squeezed it.

"Will you?"

He nodded. "I will."

"I trust you." You admitted. "That's why I can be so fearless in trying to solve this case."

Yoongi chuckled, "Yet why am I the one getting fearful because you're so fearless?"

"Cause you don't trust me." You giggled.

He shook his head. "No. I just don't trust myself as much as you trust me."

You smiled and cupped his cheek. "But I know you'll save me."

"Y/N." Yoongi sighed. "Please don't put yourself in a situation that needs saving."

"Would you believe me if I told you that I have a feeling that I'm too deep into this already that I'm going to be involved eventually?" You looked at him sadly.

"Yes." he chuckled as he fixed your hair. "Cause I've had the same feeling for a long time."

"Yoongi. I really think I can solve this. I need you to let me." You urged.

He stared at you. "I don't know if I have a choice in this."

"You don't." You grinned. "But I wanted you to know ahead of time."

"Well I guess...I'll just have to keep a close eye on you as usual. Since you're such a troublemaker."

You exhaled, satisfied with his answer, and then changed the subject. "Would you judge me if I slept in this dress?"

Yoongi snorted, "I mean...you should probably remove the weapons first."

"Nah." You pulled a blow dart from your chest playfully. "You never know what'll happen."

"Don't ever do that in front of any other guy." He scolded. "Unless they're enemies. Then you can, and shoot 'em before they can oggle at you."

You cracked up. "You are crazy."

"Says the one sleeping in a formal dress." he rolled his eyes.

You shoved him. "If you're judging, get off."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow, "So if I don't judge, you'll let me stay here? I didn't know you were so easy."

"You want me to stun you?" You threatened.

"I'm just as skilled as you, Ms. #1." he smirked.

You were about to retort when suddenly, there was a knock at your dorm door. You two stilled.

You pressed your earpiece. "Jimin."

"Hm?"

"Someone's in front of our dorm..."

"It's Jin." he replied shortly.

You and Yoongi glanced at each other, surprised.

"Get under the blankets." You told Yoongi. "He can't see you...well, as you."

"But --"

You glared at him and he sighed, following your instructions obediently. Hurriedly, you marched to your door, and opened it slightly.

"Jin?"

"I'm sorry. I know it's so late." Jin frowned. "I just feel like this might be the safest place right now."

"Safest place?"

"Can I...come in?"

"Um sure." You stepped back hesitantly.

"I'm sorry. I'm just...a little...shaken? I guess?"

You glanced down to see Jin's hands were shaking despite him trying to be still.

"Would you like some tea?" You offered.

"Please." he smiled weakly. "I know it's inappropriate to come into a student's dorm...but after I saw your skills earlier, I feel safest with you at the moment."

You chuckled. "Doesn't it make you feel bad that you're using a girl to protect yourself?"

"Why would that make me feel bad?" he argued. "You have talents to protect someone and I like being protected! What's wrong with that?"

You giggled.

"Are you okay though?" Jin glanced over. "I know you and Braids were fairly close...."

You handed him tea, "I'd be lying if I said I was okay."

"Then I'll be straight with you Y/N." Jin sipped his tea then winced.

You fought back your laughter. "It's still hot, Jin."

"I forgot." he coughed.

You handed him a paper towel. "So you were being straight with me?"

He wiped his mouth. "Things are going to be hard from now on for you. Since Braids was particularly close to you."

"But why?"

"People begin to look for a scapegoat in times of helplessness. They begin to lose their reason, and they latch onto the thing that doesn't fit in." Jin explained. "And in this matter, it's you."

"Me? Why?"

"You're popular, but don't act like it. Nor are you part of 'the group'. You're clearly erm...desired by the Student Council President, and that makes you an object of envy on top of everything."

"But why would that make me the target?"

"Because they want you to have a fatal flaw, and they want these killings to stop. And they will want nothing more than to have these two coincidentally related. It's the easiest. They will begin morphing their mentalities so that everything you do appears guilty and suspicious."

"So the bullying will start again?"

"Most probably." Jin exhaled. "I overheard a lot as I was ushering students back. I felt unsettled so I decided to come here to warn you...plus talking to you always seems to put me at ease."

You studied Jin curiously, lounging around in his sweats, sipping tea in your kitchen.

"Do you normally visit students' dorms?" You questioned.

He chuckled. "No, you'd be the first."

"Because it was urgent?"

"Yeah. And cause I wanted to check up on you. I didn't want you drowning in worries and doubts over the events that happened." he stated. "There are a lot of things that are out of our control in this world...as much as we try to maintain tight reins."

You looked at him surprised. How did he still have you down to a tee?

"And where is Yoonji? For some reason, I expected her to be the one opening the door and yelling at me that this was an invasion of privacy." Jin laughed.

"So you are aware that this is odd behavior for a teacher." Yoongi stepped out, his wig back on, looking peeved.

"There she is." Jin grinned.

"You don't have to worry about Y/N. I'll take care of her as usual."

Jin snorted.

Yoongi glared, "Something funny?"

"Yoonji." You scolded.

Jin shook his head. "Sorry. I was just wondering how all this happened when you were taking care of her."

"It's my fault." You stepped between them. "I attract misfortune is all."

Jin's and Yoongi's eyes never left each other.

"So it seems." Jin's lips curled up, backing off first. "Just be careful, Y/N. I'll try my best to contain the bullying inside the classroom, but out of the classroom, will be difficult for me."

"I really appreciate your visit, Jin." You smiled. "Are you alright too? I'm sure this all has been shocking to come back to after vacation."

"To be honest, there's always an unsettling feeling in my stomach nowadays." he studied you intently. "And I'm always worried."

"Well, you should stop giving us tests so you could be at ease." Yoongi sassed.

"Thank you, Jin. I'll try to heed your warning." You cut in.

"Well, I shall take my leave now." Jin grinned as he finished his tea. "Thanks for the drink!"

"Anytime." You waved.

"No, not any time." Yoongi intervened.

Jin laughed, "Don't worry. I won't make too many unexpected visits."

"Don't make any..." Yoongi mumbled and you nudged him.

"Only expected visits then? Wow." Jin teased. "I didn't know you liked me so much."

�� "Please leave." Yoongi bluntly stated, but Jin hardly seemed fazed.

"Oh and you look lovely in that dress by the way." Jin patted your head gently, before making his exit. You blushed at his sincere compliment.

Yoongi turned to you, his arms crossed.

"I can't believe you just let him in here."

"And what was I supposed to do, hm?" You chuckled. "It was nice of him to come warn me."

"But how did he know?"

"You heard that he heard the students talking." You shrugged.

"Still suspicious." Yoongi shook his head.

"You'll have your suspicions and I'll have mine."

"You don't seem to have any at the moment." Yoongi rolled his eyes.

"Because I need facts, Yoongi. Having a set suspect will make me force all evidence to fit that mold to incriminate that person I want it to be. And I don't want that."

Yoongi fell silent, and you nudged him.

"Let's go. We need to keep our wits about us from now on. We can't be exhausted."

He snorted, "Well, I'm always exhausted, but I still always have my wits about me."

"Then don't sleep." You hissed as you shut the bedroom door on his face.

He grinned as he followed after you.

"Oh. Y/N, the Counselor asked you to see him in his office before homeroom starts." Jin smiled as you entered the classroom a few days later.

"Oh? But we just saw him stepping out of the campus?" You hummed.

"What? He just came here and told me to let you know." Jin raised an eyebrow. "Maybe he needed to get something out of his car."

You glanced at Yoongi, who gestured for you to go anyway.

"I'll be back then, Mr. Kim." You bowed.

Jin waved happily.

On your way, you were so absorbed in your thoughts that you accidentally bumped into someone and caused them to stumble back.

"I'm sorry!" You gushed.

"I-i-it's okay."

You fought back a gasp as you took in the sight of the Science Teacher in front of you. His condition was obviously not good; his skin was pale, his eyes sunken in, and although he had always been lean, he was now frail and brittle.

"Science Teacher..." You called worriedly.

"Ah Y/N. Hello." he gave you a worn-out smile.

"Are you um...alright?"

"Uh yeah. It seems like I caught something." he coughed. "Not to worry."

"You should probably see Nurse Park...would you like me to take you?" You offered.

"Hm...that sounds like a good idea. Would you mind?" Science Teacher nodded.

You hurried to wrap an arm around his waist, worried that he would blow over if he took a step on his own.

"Your skin is cold, Science Teacher." Your heart thumped in your chest.

"Well, yes." he sighed. "I am terribly under the weather."

"Nurse Park!" You called out, knowing either Jungkook or Hoseok would contact him.

"Y/N." The Counselor appeared. "There you are!"

"Um hi." You couldn't turn around to face him without whipping the Science Teacher around. "I'll be back Counselor. Let me just take him to Nurse Park. He really doesn't look well."

"I'm afraid I have a limited time here today. I have a seminar to attend to."

"It's alright. I can go on my--" Science Teacher began.

"Oh? What's going on here?" Librarian showed up. "Oh hey! I was just looking for --"

"Ah, perfect. Librarian, would you mind taking Science Teacher to the Nurses' Office?"

"Oh dear. Of course." she hurriedly held onto him.

"Come, Y/N." Counselor called.

"Y/N." Librarian smiled.

"Yes?"

"I'll see you later?"

You nodded, flashing her a grin. "Yes, of course."

She nodded and began slowly making her way down the hall with Science Teacher. You looked back worriedly before turning your attention to the Counselor.

"Are you okay?" You wondered as you looked at his furrowed brow and tense demeanor.

"Yeah." he smiled. "Just...so much happened recently, and you know, my head..."

You glanced up to see his bandaged wound. "Does it still hurt?"

"A little headache here and there, but manageable." he chuckled. "I'm more concerned about you. I wanted to see you before the day started."

"Why is that?" You mumbled.

"Well, Braids, I've noticed, was one of your only friends. She recently spoke to me about a dilemma...have you heard of it?"

You shook your head.

"She asked me whether she should follow her heart or head when it comes to making really tough decisions." Counselor gestured for you to take a seat, once you two entered his office. "Which would you have advised her?"

"I would do nothing until they both agreed with each other." You answered. "If you go with simply logic, your heart will lose a piece of itself. But if you go with your heart, you could be hurting yourself."

"And if you were being forced to make a quick decision?"

You stared at him curiously. "Was someone forcing her to do something?"

Counselor sighed. "It just sounded to me, from the way she was trying to get a straight answer from me hurriedly, that she had a deadline for this decision. But I told her I'm here to offer counsel, not make decisions for her."

"Do you know what she was debating on doing?"

"Sadly no." he shook his head. "I was hoping you would have. I thought she might've confided in you."

"She didn't." You frowned. "We hadn't been talking too much lately."

"Oh how unfortunate. And how about the Student Council President?"

"What about him?" You blinked.

"Well he was another victim...and someone else you were particularly close to. Did he speak with you about anything beforehand or afterwards?"

"No, nothing in particular." You lied.

"Will you be visiting him in the hospital?"

"If I can spare time." You answered hesitantly, finding the whole interrogation a little odd. "Sorry, did you need to ask me anything about myself? Or will you be asking me about the victims? Because if it's latter, I can assure you I didn't have any peculiar conversations with any of them."

"I'm sorry." The Counselor smiled sadly. "I just really want to get to the bottom of this. There are just no leads. Don't you think?"

"Of course everyone wants the killings to stop." You hummed. "But this is the work for adults...not for kids."

"Very true. It's our duty to protect the wonderful students of this school as adults." He nodded. "Well, enough of that, I mainly just wanted to let you know that my doors are always open for you. Don't be shy about talking to me about anything."

"Of course. Thank you." You bowed.

"Oh and Y/N." Counselor glanced up at you. "I hear you're particularly skilled at martial arts."

"Oh um...well I studied when I was younger." You smiled weakly. "I'm not that skilled."

He chuckled. "I hope you stay as wonderful as you are."

You bowed your head once again gratefully and stepped out of the office. With continued confusion, you hurried to your homeroom. All eyes immediately latched onto you with malicious intent and judgment as you entered, and you knew for sure now, that Jin was right.

You were once again the victim.

"Have the bodies all been kept in the Science Teacher's room?"

"Why haven't they arrested him for being an aid to murder?"

"I can't even look at him the same now."

"He gives me the creeps."

"Look at him acting sick to get our sympathy. He thinks that'll distract us from the truth."

You scribbled in your notebook intently as the Science Teacher did his best to continue teaching despite the audible gossip taunting him. Your patience was thinning with the extraneous noise of those who knew nothing. But right when you were about to say something, Yoongi slammed his hand down onto his desk, causing everyone to flinch.

"If ya'll got something to say, stop being pussies and say it to his face!" he growled. "I can't concentrate with snakes hissing around me."

You fought back a giggle at his comment, but it worked, because the rest of the class was held in silence.

"Thank you Y/N for earlier. And thank you too, Yoonji." Science Teacher smiled weakly as the class cleared out quickly, and you two were left with him.

"Did you find Nurse Park alright?" You asked.

"Yes. He took a few samples of my blood to examine. He also gave me special medication, so I feel a little better."

You nodded, "I'm glad. Please stay well."

"Well you shouldn't hang around me too much or you'll get caught up in bad rumors." he flustered and ushered you two out.

"Too late." You mumbled under your breath as you stepped into the hallway.

Yoongi smiled and placed a hand on your shoulder reassuringly.

"As much as I like your support, no you still can't come with me to the hospital." You chuckled.

Yoongi groaned. "WHY?"

"Stop being needy." You stuck your tongue out. "You said you'd trust me."

"I do. I don't trust him."

You rolled your eyes. "Bye Yoonji."

"Oh good! You're here." Librarian beamed as you found Prez's hospital room. "He's been excited to see you!"

You blushed and stepped in. "Is he sleeping?"

"Not at all. He's doing something or other with his computer. Go in." Librarian waved. "Thank you for agreeing to come."

"No problem. I was going to ask you if you hadn't asked me first." You smiled.

She urged you in happily.

"Knock, knock." You called out.

"Y/N!" Prez was beaming as you moved closer to his bedside. He put away his iPad, and pulled up his blankets to cover up his thin night gown.

"You look good for someone who got stabbed and lost a lot of blood." You laughed. "Here, I got you a fruit basket. It was the number 1 suggestion for a get well gift."

"Why, thank you." he chuckled.

"Anddd..." You pulled his book out of your bag. "I kept this safe for you, as promised."

He grabbed the book and stroked the pages fondly.

"It's precious to you, isn't it? Because of her?" You smiled warmly.

His lips curled up. "Yeah. Did you see what was written in it?"

You nodded.

"That was the last thing she wrote I think."

"But...it was a bunch of numbers? And the sentence, 'Think simply, but look deeply'?"

"Have a seat." Prez gestured.

You settled down comfortably in the chair beside him.

"Y/N." he sighed, and stared at you wearily. "My VP seemed to know who the culprit was. This was the book she was supposedly going back to get the night that she died...but she had put it into my backpack earlier that same day. And she's not one to forget things easily."

"So..." You put the pieces together. "You think she knew she was going to be killed?"

He nodded. "It eats me up every day knowing that she knew, but didn't confide in me or in anyone. She dealt with it herself."

"But why didn't she just stay in her room??" You furrowed your brows.

"I wish I knew." he smiled sadly. "Unfortunately, we might never know. Did you make a copy of the numbers by the way? Two heads are better than one."

"Yeah...I thought it was page numbers but nothing..."

"Me too." he sighed.

After a few seconds of silence, you spoke. "How did you know Librarian was going to be a target?"

"I didn't." he smiled. "I'm just always constantly protecting her is all."

"Why?"

"I wonder." he chuckled as he glanced out the window.

You looked at him curiously, sensing that he wanted to end the topic there. Of course there are things both of you would rather keep to yourself, so you remained silent.

"Aren't you nervous I'm the killer?" he looked back at you.

"Aren't you nervous I am?" You retorted. "Why do you trust me with your findings?"

He laughed, "Because I know you, Y/N."

"What?"

"I know you're trustworthy. And you've proved it countless of times already." he wagged his finger. "You can't force me to run away from you now."

"Don't you ever wish VP just gave you a direct clue?" You mumbled.

"All the time." he stretched. "But I think that she was protecting me."

You looked at him sadly.

"That's how she was. Always a few steps ahead of me, but still always supporting me from behind."

"Did you love her?" You grinned.

He stared at you for a bit. "We never thought about things like that I guess."

"How mature."

"We were never in a position for romance." he shrugged. "But I guess I did. She was my best friend."

"I know what you mean." You empathized, but decided now to pry any further at a clearly sensitive topic. "So when will you be returning to school?"

"Why? You miss me already?" he teased.

You rolled your eyes. "Please."

"They said maybe another week if I'm good. I'll be back to play with you soon enough."

You nodded. "I'll look forward to it."

"Y/N. Please stay safe." he gazed at you intently. "And please...protect the Librarian too."

"I can only promise the Librarian will be safe." You smiled wryly.

He exhaled. "Fair enough."

"I'll see you soon, Prez."

"See you soon, Y/N."

And so you returned to the drawing board.

It was when you were at another dead end in your research a few days later that help came in the most unexpected form.

Your phone rang and Hoseok's sister's face appeared on your screen.

"Hello?" You picked up curiously.

"Y/N, hi!"

"How are you?" You smiled.

"I'm busy-busy as always. I'm so sorry that I haven't reached out to you after the dress incident. But now that I have time to breathe, I finally looked into it." she started. "We went through our cameras, and found the culprit who ripped up your dress."

"Who was it?" You asked. You had honestly forgotten about it entirely, what with everything that had happened afterwards.

"That girl with the braids."

Your mind blanked out.

"The one who was acting like you were best friends or something. When no one was looking, she took your dress to the back and ripped it up then put it back in the suit bag. I fired those girls for their carelessness. Half of my store could've been stolen with that kind of half-assed vigilance. Hello? Y/N? You still there?" Dawon rambled.

You coughed, "Uh yes. Wow...I didn't expect that."

"Yeah, well. Just wanted to let you know. We're not going to press charges 'cause it was your dress at that point, not the store's. But if you want to, you can."

"I uh--" You couldn't tell her that there was no point of pressing charges because Braids was dead, so you commented. "Yeah, I'll think about it. Thanks for working so hard to find the culprit."

"No problem."

"Dawon." You called out.

"Hm?"

"Was there anyone else suspicious in the store at that same time? Or even outside? Or was there some sort of computer bug?"

"Not that I know of ...but I'll check. Why?"

"Is it possible that someone else witnessed what she did?"

"Hmm...not unless they had another camera on the girl or planted another one in the dressing room? I mean I guess it's possible to secretly hack the camera system. But they would have to know that she was going to do that at that exact time, wouldn't they? I'll ask my workers if they remember anyone suspicious. We'll also check the footage again."

"Thanks."

"No problem. I'm not sure what exactly is happening, Y/N. But please be careful." Dawon sighed.

"You're an angel. Thank you for everything." You grinned.

"I know." she giggled. "I'll be in touch."

"Bye."

You held your phone tightly and stared at your notes. Thanks to Hoseok's sister, you had just found a different angle to look at, and things were starting to clip together.

You activated your silencer and then pressed your earpiece, "Guys. Can we find footage of the victims a few days before their disappearances?"

"Wow...that's a lot of footage to go through...what exactly are we looking for?" Tae questioned.

Your gears were turning. "Any sort of evil act...if you can...maybe...look at what they were doing in the spot their bodies were found in?"

"What?"

"Like..." You looked through your notes. "I'm going off a limb here...what if the spots they were placed in...weren't random at all? What if they were --"

"-- the spots they committed a sin in." Namjoon finished. "Y/N, that's brilliant!"

You smiled shyly. "It's just a conjecture."

"It makes sense. It may seem random, but only because they were so intricately planned. No two places have been used yet." Namjoon gushed. "It also explains why they had to preserve the bodies and wait for the right time to be able to get the bodies to that specific location to be seen. How did you figure it out?"

"Dawon just called me, and told me Braids was the one that tore up my dress. The Counselor the other day also told me she had come to him with a dilemma that was eating her up."

"Do you think she was torn between being your friend and being part of the popular group she hung out with?" Jimin questioned.

"We heard them badmouthing you the other day." Tae claimed.

"It...probably has something to do with that..." You mumbled.

"Where are you, Y/N?" Yoongi's voice came through.

"Library. Why?"

"I'll come pick you up. People are getting antsy during break, and it doesn't feel right. The atmosphere."

"Are they still thinking it's me?" You sighed.

"They think it's related to you, so if they get rid of you...then..." Yoongi trailed.

"Let's meet halfway. They might follow you to where I am. I don't want you to get involved."

"We'll take care of the footage on our end. You take care of narrowing suspects in the meanwhile. Any luck with the clues left behind by the VP?" Namjoon asked.

"None. The numbers are throwing me off." You exhaled.

"It'll come to you." Jimin encouraged. "You're the only one with the same print edition of the book, so it might not work with the ones we have."

"I'll keep at it. Thanks everyone. Yoongi, I'll come to you."

"I'll be waiting. Don't make me come get you."

You glanced around to make sure the coast was clear before tiptoeing out of the library. But as soon as you turned the corner, you were met with a crowd of students.

"See? Told you she would come this way." One of the girls in your class smirked. "She's always trying to seduce Prez by visiting him in the library."

"Except you know...he's not even there right now." You snorted.

"Shut up bitch. We all know you're behind the killings!"

"How could it be me if I transferred in the middle of all this mess?"

You raised your head up confidently this time as you were surrounded by fellow students, a mixture of familiar and unfamiliar faces. You weren't going to cower anymore. Because you knew that being "popular" didn't mean true acceptance like you had always imagined. Being embraced for who you truly were was something much better than a title. And you knew that well now.

"Look at her trying to act tough. Let's see how she likes it when she's the one getting beaten up like she did to the victims!"

Someone pulled your hair, but before you could twist their arm, their grip was pulled off.

"That is enough. All of you. To class. Now." Jin's stern voice shocked everyone, and they guiltily dispersed into their classroom.

He glanced down at you exasperatedly. "I can't do this anymore."

You looked at him curiously, but instead of answering, he grabbed your wrist tightly and led you to a secluded hallway.

"Mr. Kim..." You called as he looked around carefully before stepping in closer proximity to you.

"I know it's you...Y/N."

You glanced around trying to play it cool. "Um yes, Mr. Kim. It's me, Y/N. Why --"

"No." Jin sighed. "It's been years, yes. But I would be stupid not to recognize you. Y/N. Both you and Yoonji."

You fell silent, your heart beating wildly. So he knew...

"This whole time?" You whispered, astounded.

"Yes." he stated with a sad smile. "This whole time."

"Then why?" You glanced at him, confused. Why had he kept up with this facade then?

"There is a reason why you're here that I'm not supposed to ask about, isn't there?" he furrowed his brow. "To be honest though, more surprising than seeing you here was seeing you here with him."

You averted your eyes knowingly. "But that doesn't tell me why you hid it?"

"It's not my place to. And you're my friend." Jin smiled. "Friends don't sell each other out."

"And why are you coming clean now?" Your eyes traveled to his face, so close to yours to ensure no one else would overhear.

"Because I can't stand watching from the sidelines anymore." he gritted his teeth. "I can't take watching you from afar and not being able to do anything again."

"And how does you acknowledging me change that?"

"Because now I can protect you openly and you won't confuse my intentions." He shifted closer.

You felt your back hit the wall as you tried to step back, only to find that you were cornered. You inhaled sharply, hyperaware of how your bodies were almost touching. "Wh-what are your intentions? Why are you always protecting me?"

"Was it never obvious? Or were you just not looking at me long enough to notice?" he whispered.

"What?"

"Please. Y/N. If there is a way for you to transfer out, to leave this place, can you do it? There's no telling how far they'll go to hurt you." he pleaded.

"You're asking me to leave everything behind again?" You spoke softly. "Even after years have passed, you want me to run away and let them dictate my life again?"

"Y/N..."

"No, Jin. Not anymore." Your eyes started watering. "Do you know how much it hurt to sit in fear every day? To see my parents get the brutal retaliation when they tried to protect me? To see people I have never talked to in my life, trash my house and call me names when they didn't even know me? Do you know how hard it was to live in constant fear that every single person I met would be just the same?"

Jin frowned.

"But you know what hurt the most?"

"What..." Jin breathed, already knowing the answer.

You glanced up at him as tears began falling. "I didn't have anyone to turn to. You left me too, Jin. It was so lonely."

"Y/N. I'm so sorry. There wasn't a day that went by that I didn't regret how I handled our friendship." He shakily reached out to wipe your tears. "I'm so sorry that I left you alone."

"Y/N?"

You and Jin stilled at the sound of the all-too familiar voice.

Yoonji stepped into the hallway looking intensely serious. Hurriedly, you wiped away your tears and gazed at Jin.

"Don't tell Yoongi you know." You stated. "He already doesn't have a good feeling about you."

"Well the feeling is mutual." Jin stuffed his hands in his pocket.

You were surprised. You had never heard Jin admitting that he disliked someone. Before you could ask, Yoongi grabbed onto your wrist.

"Mr. Kim. People would get highly suspicious of you taking a female student to a secluded hallway." Yoongi warned.

"Thank you for your concern, Ms. Yoonji." Jin smirked. "I'll leave her in your care...for now."

Yoongi blinked as Jin walked past him nonchalantly.

"What happened?" he turned to you.

"Just bullying stuff." You chuckled.

"And you're crying because of that?" Yoongi questioned.

"No, of course not." You smiled. "I just...I had something in my eye."

Yoongi snorted and shook his head. "They didn't touch you though right?"

"Jin stopped them before they could. My hair got pulled a little and I was about to rip their arm off so he actually saved them per se." You grinned.

Yoongi ruffled your hair. "Don't push yourself, okay? If it gets hard, tell me."

You nodded.

"I swear. I get a heart attack every time you take too long to meet me." he grumbled. "Let's go."

You smiled as you let him lead you back to the classroom.

As promised, the Student Council President returned after a week and a half. His status was pushed further to the title of "hero" for his action of sacrificing himself to protect someone else.

You chuckled from afar as he was mobbed upon his entrance. He glanced up at you and warmly smiled in your direction, mouthing "Hi". Simply, you nodded in acknowledgement before making your way to your classroom.

But before you could make it to your room, once again, a bloodcurdling shriek resounded throughout the hallway. Instinctively, your feet raced to the origin of the sound with other students and teachers beside you.

"What happened?" the Principal was the first to arrive.

"I-I have morning duty and I saw that he was in...but when I went to say my greetings, he didn't say anything so I shook him but then, but then..." the student cried.

The Principal swallowed as he approached the ever still body of the Science Teacher. You covered your mouth in shock. Why? Didn't the killer need him to frame?

"I'll do it, Principal." Jimin stepped out of the crowd and felt for a pulse with a frown.

Glancing at the Principal, he shook his head.

"He's gone."

"But what happened...?" Principal exhaled as he looked around the room. "There's no quote, no blood."

Jimin glanced around and found an open medicine container with no pills left. "Do you think...?"

Everyone murmured at the possibility.

"Was it overdose?" Principal questioned.

"He was taking those questionable sleeping pills." Jin walked to the front lines. "Who knows what could have been in them?"

Everyone fell silent, mulling over the questionable death. It wasn't flashy, and there was no "X". It seemed different, yet no one could be sure.

Slicing through the stillness, the English Teacher suddenly ran into the room, yelling. "Principal! This is horrible! This is absolutely horrible!"

"What is it?" the Principal asked.

The English Teacher was pale as she held up her phone, showing the morning news.

"They found the Gym Teacher's body in the middle of the road...it looked like he was run over multiple times...his body is barely recognizable. And the reporters confirmed there was an 'X' found slashed around his inner thighs."

"Oh dear." Secretary breathed.

The English Teacher screamed as she realized the presence of the Science Teacher's body, and everyone tried to calm her down from her hysterics. In the midst of the chaos, you felt someone slip beside you.

"What was the quote with Braids body?" Prez whispered to you.

“Be sure thy sin will find thee out.” You replied, expecting his question already.

"Y/N." Namjoon spoke into your earpiece.

You coughed to clarify that you were listening.

"The Gym Teacher...his body was in the same exact place where his wife was run over."

You felt a shiver crawl up your entire body, and you flinched when you felt Yoongi's hand slide accidentally against yours.

"And the quote on his body is...' But it does come! The blessed relief when you know that you’ve done with it all—that you haven’t got to carry the burden any longer ...' and one more..."

"One more?" You whispered.

"Another note was found on his person saying 'Ten Little Indians'."

You swallowed thickly, knowing that that confirmed your suspicions that there was indeed going to be 10 victims from this school. Were there two notes because there were two deaths? And the fact that there were still notes on the body like the previous murders meant that the Gym Teacher's death was made public purposely and strategically, so did that mean there was a larger plan than calculated killing sprees? They pulled off two deaths in one day, most probably at the same time to ensure that no one would be able to catch them in the act. But you were still at a loss with how...

You glanced at the pills at the table and recalled the Science Teacher's gaunt physique just days prior. It dawned on you. Months ago, you had first encountered the power of the "sleeping pills" that someone had given Science Teacher. But what if they weren't just sleeping pills? And what if they were made to be so powerful that someone would be able to drag in dead bodies to store in his freezers without him flinching an inch for hours?

If your theory was correct that the places where their bodies were found were the exact locations where they committed their sins, the fact that the Gym Teacher was found in the same place his wife died meant...

"Did they ever catch the person who had hit the Gym Teacher's late wife?" You softly asked Prez as you pressed your earpiece twice to let the others listen in.

He looked at you curiously. "No...supposedly it was a hit-and-run, and no cameras, no black boxes from nearby cars had picked up the accident. They didn't have any leads, and no one else but the victim was in the car."

You frowned.

"What're you thinking?"

"I'm not sure yet." You sighed. "But I feel like I'm possibly onto something."

"We'll get on researching that death." Tae stated through the earpiece.

You glanced at Yoongi then at the Prez. "Keep an eye on who you're protecting."

Prez nodded knowingly and glanced at you intently, "Although there are two of them now."

You smiled shyly.

"Mr. Kim, Mr. Park...would you mind staying with the Science Teacher until the officers come?" Principal coughed. "It seems I'm going to have to start gathering our media and social media connections."

Jimin and Jin looked at each other and nodded.

"Prez, would you mind taking my homeroom to their class and keeping an eye on them?" Jin questioned. "Sorry to ask this of you when you just returned."

"No problem." Prez ruffled your hair. "I don't mind keep a close eye on these troublemakers. Ms. Librarian has to come with me though, because we need adult supervision."

"Where is she?" Jin questioned.

"Back of the crowd." Prez gestured, and you saw her jumping up and down, trying to see what was happening.

"The Science Teacher's homeroom, join my class." Jin instructed. "Wait patiently in the classrooms until further instructions."

Your lips curled up, admiring the way Jin was taking charge more than the others. And of course, the students all valued and respected him, so without complaints, they moseyed back to their classrooms.

So you spent the time quietly, with your eyes closed in deep thought. You mulled over the facts while they were still fresh and your theories while they were beginning to piece together.

If the locations the bodies are being placed are connected to sins that they've done, that meant the Gym Teacher had something to do with his wife's death. But why was Braids found in the freezer? Had the killers not expected the interference that your team pulled through that night? Had they wanted to attack the Counselor and the Librarian as decoys so they could successfully place the body in the freezer? But when that fell through, they wanted her to be found? Did your team somehow alter the plan? But you did notice that the way her body was mangled and her clothes tattered, resembled the very state your dress had been at the shop. If you hadn't interfered, would her body have been placed in the Meijiwoo store?

The first victim, Queen Bee, was found trampled/stomped in the hallway, which is highly likely where she would show off her power and authority to bully others. The second VP, who supposedly knew she was going to die, was found in the gym locker room. What had she seen or heard there? What did she do?

You scratched your head frustrated. There were still too many holes in your knowledge to make a legitimate connection.

The male student who was sexually harassing people was found in the dumpster, which is where he usually did the deed. The Science Teacher...

You looked up to where the Librarian and Prez were chatting in front of the classroom. What if his involvement in human experiment wasn't unrelated to his daughter's death?

So far, a good amount of the victims had done some sort of evil act that they had gotten away with. Was that it? Was that the criteria to become a victim?

You gasped at the realization.

The original Nurse...had she not cheated on the Gym Teacher? Could it have been under the cherry blossom tree she was found hanging from?

So...your eyes widened. What sins did the Counselor and Librarian do? They were clearly being targeted, so did that mean they were the last two victims in the list of ten?

You looked outside your window, intensely focused. Did Prez know what the Librarian committed? Why was he constantly protecting her?

Suddenly, a crumpled piece of paper was chucked at the back of your head, pulling you out of your train of thought. You turned around to find Yoongi ripping another piece of paper out of his notebook with a mischievous grin behind you.

"What?" You rolled your eyes.

"I thought you had gone to sleep with your eyes open." he teased as he chucked another balled up scrap paper at your face.

"Haha." You sassed.

"Don't think too hard." he poked your forehead.

"Thinking is my middle name." You stuck your tongue out.

"Your mom has interesting taste in middle names then." he snorted. "Oh, right."

"Hm?"

"I got invited to a party this weeked and they asked me to bring you along." he yawned.

"A party?"

"Yeah, supposedly a surprise 'Welcome Back Prez' party. They said you had to be there to complete the surprise." he flicked a few pieces of eraser remains off of his desk with a slightly pout forming on his lips.

"Hmm..." you pondered. "Sure. I'll go."

There couldn't have been a more perfect time. It was in that moment, you decided to test your theory on the day of the party. Just how far could these killers' see? Just how much were they going to know? If you betrayed the person who had supported and was close to you this whole time, would you become a victim too?

So, for the next few days, you thought about how to execute it and what exactly to do. You weren't sure exactly how drastic your sin had to be to get their radar on you. But regardless, whoever was watching, you wanted to convince them. The spot you chose to carry the plan out was right in front of your dorm room, so in the event that things do go as planned and worst comes to worst, the killers would have no choice but to put you in that spot to continue their trend. Little would they know that secret cameras had been installed there by your team, so they would know who they were and would capture them as soon they even tried to put you there.

The entire week, when no one was around, you playfully pretended to be talking to old friends from high school. You made it convincing that Jungkook had asked you out, and that you were now a taken person. If Jungkook and Hoseok overheard while they were watching you, they didn't question you in the least. They must've known you were up to something related to the mission.

The day of the party arrived, and you had lied to Yoongi, forcing him to head out first to the party. You needed time to fully prepare your ammunition. You dressed up in a tight, short black dress, and threw on your seductively maroon lipstick. Mission start.

You stepped out of your dorm, once again playing pretend on your phone.

"Yeah, I'm heading out to a big party. No, I didn't tell my boyfriend. He doesn't have to know! Yeah, I'm wearing that black dress you recommended. You know, trying to get some action now that I've become popular. Oh it's fine. Jungkook won't find out. Yoonji? Pfft. She's just someone I hang out with to make myself look good. Like with her crabby personality, won't I look like the better option? Like he would believe her if she ratted me out." You cackled. "Well, I'm heading out. I'll catch you later."

Nervously, you shut your phone. The stage was set. Now, you had to put it into action.

You arrived to the party, right before they were getting ready for the big surprise. Yoongi gaped at you from afar, as he was sitting by a group of guys, babysitting a beer. You smirked at him, knowing that he was going to scold you for your attire, but you didn't care. You had a purpose. Although, being oggled at by those in attendance, was a lovely bonus.

"Wow...Y/N." one of the girls marveled. "You look so good. I love that lipstick!"

"You want to try some?" You flashed a warm smile and showed it to her.

"Really?" she beamed as she swiped a finger over the color to add it to her own.

"Yeah, it really stays on even after a long make out session." You commented with a wink.

She seemed surprised by your unexpected statement.

"Ooo! A drink!" Your eyes lit up as you grabbed a shot glass on a tray that was passing by. You downed it to calm your nerves.

As expected, you found a hand at your waist.

"What the hell, Y/N?" Yoongi hissed in your ear.

"What?" You smiled, and grabbed the beer can from his hand, chugging it down.

He glared at you. "What are you wearing? And what are you doing?"

"Living a little." You shrugged as you glanced down the loose blouse and skirt Yoongi was wearing. "It's not every day I can flaunt myself."

He exhaled and grabbed your wrist. "We're going home."

"No." You firmly pulled away. "I'm getting another drink."

"Y/N, tell me what's going on."

"Stop being needy, Yoonji. Gosh." You whined as you grabbed another shot from a nearby table.

"Y/N --"

"He's coming! Hide!" The lookout whispered excitedly.

The lights turned off and everyone hid behind furniture. The door creaked open, and when the lights flickered back on, you all jumped out yelling, "SURPRISE!!"

Prez blinked, stunned at the unexpected gathering. His eyes found you amongst the crowd immediately and lingered. You brought the cup to your lips with a shy smile and averted your eyes flirtatiously.

"Wow, I-- what's the occasion?" he seemed to regain his composure and asked good-naturedly.

"Silly Prez! It's your welcome back party!" his roommates chimed. "We asked our sunbae here, to lead you to his house, so we can celebrate! Now let's drink!"

He chuckled, "Normally I wouldn't condone this as Student Council President. Most of us are under-age."

Everyone laughed at his feigned scolding. Prez soon joined the crowd, gratefully taking the drinks that were being passed onto him.

In the meanwhile, you were a couple of shots in and holding a cup of a mixed drink, which you were chugging at a fast speed. The alcohol drumming into your system allowed your body to move to the music that started playing. Thankfully it was loud enough to drown out Yoongi's protests to your behavior. You needed him to trust you, but you also couldn't clue him into the plan. The man only had limited acting skills, and you needed this to be as realistic and convincing as possible.

"Didn't think I'd see you at one of these."

Your lips curled up. Let the game begin.

Prez's hands settled at your waist as the two of you began dancing together. You turned yourself around so you could answer him.

"Well, I figured letting myself go once in awhile shouldn't be too bad." You whispered into his ear so he heard you clearly through the music.

He smiled as he spun you around playfully then once again danced in close proximity to your body.

"I'm glad you're here though. It makes the party more bearable." he softly spoke into the shell of your ear.

Luckily, he couldn't see your face because you were sure you had turned a shade of red at his genuine compliment.

A little later into the party, everyone gathered around for a few drinking games, which left you, needless to say, pretty out of sorts. But your plan was working regardless, because Prez never left your side the entire night. However, Yoongi was right there as well, being your Black Knight, knowing your tolerance was dwindling.

"Y/N, maybe we should go..." he worriedly grabbed your hand, as your eyes were spinning and your voice getting louder, your actions getting more wild.

"Spin the bottle! Let's go!" One of the students called out.

"I'M IN!" You yelled and giggled. You swayed in the spot you were sitting on on the floor, and immediately, Yoongi's and Prez's hands were on either side of you to steady your body. "Whoa. Did you guys feel that earthquake?!"

Prez glanced at Yoongi, amused. "She doesn't drink much, huh?"

"Oh. She had a lot to drink before you arrived." He groaned as he propped you back up.

"The bottle points to...." Everyone drummed on their thighs.

Yoongi forced down a profanity as it landed straight at you.

"Y/N!" Everyone cheered. "Y/N has to kiss someone!"

"Me?" You blushed and smiled brightly. "Kiss someone? I don't know who to kiss!"

"Since it's his party, kiss Prez!"

"Oh, I think she has a boyf-- I --" Prez flustered and waved his hands.

"It's okay." You giggled as you leaned closer to him. "It's a game, right?"

You noticed the way he glanced down at your darkly, alluring lips, and gulped. However, the alcohol seemed to have also lowered his inhibitions and his sense of chivalry and justice, because his face began moving closer to yours as well. You shut your eyes, ready to feel his lips on yours.

But suddenly, your body was turned around roughly, and before you could protest, your lips were hungrily captured by someone else's.

"Shit!" Everyone screamed enthusiastically, and cameras were heard taking pictures and most probably recording.

You couldn't process what was happening, but you knew your body enjoyed the way this person was kissing you, passionately yet gently. Their hands pulling you closer, to get sucked into you deeper. You reciprocated the intensity. All logic and reasoning disappearing as you let your body just do whatever the hell it felt like doing. You gripped at their shirt then wrapped your arms around their neck. Whoever was kissing you...it was a familiar yet novel feeling. It excited you, yet it felt comfortable, like home. You wanted more. It was addicting. You gasped for air, and the kiss was broken. Your vision blurred as you tried to focus on the person in front of you, but then you felt the world tilting.

And it all became dark.

Yoongi caught your body before it hit the ground, and pulled you to his chest, heaving from the lack of oxygen. He didn't care that your maroon lipstick was smudged on his lips. He didn't care that everyone had recorded you two making out, being that you were two girls in their eyes. His mind was reeling with the intensity that you returned his kiss with, and he was shy to admit he had almost lost himself in it. He had almost forgotten about the mission, and where you two were. Picking up your limp body, he stood up.

"I'll be taking her home now." he glanced at the Prez, who also seemed to be in shock like everyone else. "I hope you have a good rest of the night."

"I uh--" Prez scrambled up. "I'll call you two a cab."

"No, need. We have a ride." Yoongi tried to smile non-chalantly, but his heart was racing feverishly.

"Alright." Prez nodded, dejectedly. "Please get her back safely."

Yoongi nodded and headed towards the door. Luckily, he had called Hoseok to come and serve as their escape vehicle a little while ago, so his best friend was waiting outside in the car.

"What happened?" Hoseok blinked as he helped get you to his backseat. "And why do you have....ohhh..."

Hoseok glanced at your lips and Yoongi's, piecing the events together. He smirked, "Ohhhh ~"

"Shut up." Yoongi grumbled. "She was acting so out of it today. What was she thinking?"

Hoseok's lips curled up gently, as he jumped into the driver's seat. "I'm not sure. But she's been carrying out some sort of plan all week."

"Has she?"

Hoseok nodded. "We don't go into your dorm cause it's the safest place, but we do watch outside. And all the time, she steps out, pretending to have a conversation with someone."

Yoongi raised an eyebrow. "What does she say?"

"Well for one, she was claiming her and Jungkook are now boyfriend and girlfriend. Then it was odd because before she left, she like dissed you...." Hoseok frowned.

"Dissed me?"

"Maybe she had alcohol in her system already?"

"Seriously, what is this girl up to?" Yoongi sighed as he glanced back at your figure, sleeping soundly.

"So...how was the kiss?" Hoseok grinned.

Yoongi shoved him. "Shut up."

"That good, huh?" he smirked.

"I told you to shut up." Yoongi grumbled but had to turn away to hide his smile. He couldn't help but hope that you returning his kiss this time meant that you felt something for him. But another part of him, also was trying not to get his hopes up, and kept yelling that it was just the alcohol or maybe you had thought he was the Prez.

He groaned and ruffled his hair, as Hoseok smiled sadly at his friend's visible frustration.

"Yoongi, she has a plan, so trust her."

"I know." Yoongi snapped. "That's why I left her alone at the party and just kept watch. But there's only so much I can handle her doing in front of me."

Hoseok chuckled. "That's why I told you to just tell her how you feel."

"You know I can't do that." Yoongi exhaled.

Hoseok sighed and shook his head. "Keeping it in won't get you anywhere."

"I don't want to go anywhere. Right here is good." Yoongi replied sourly.

"Sure. Sure it is." Hoseok hummed.

"We tried to go somewhere before, and look how that ended up." he mumbled.

You groaned as you woke up; your head felt like a ton of bricks, and everything was too intensely bright for your eyes. You stuffed your head under your pillows, trying to figure out why the hell you felt so horrible.

"How's Miss Hangover?" Yoongi closed the curtains to block off the sunlight.

"Hangover?" You croaked, finding your throat was extremely dry.

"I made you hangover soup. Can you sit up?"

You felt the bed dip beside you, and the pillow over your head disappeared.

"What happened?" You willed yourself up, and with Yoongi's help, you were able to sit, leaning your back against your headboard. "I haven't felt like this since college."

He chuckled. "Eat something. You don't have anything in you right now."

"I can't remember much...did I do something embarrassing?" You sipped the soup, and smiled. "I remember this."

His lips curled up. "Do you?"

"You made me this when I first tried alcohol with you and your family. We played a game and I had such a low tolerance." You laughed at the recollection.

"You still seem to have a low tolerance." he teased.

"I just drank way too fast." You sighed.

"You think you'll be able to make it to class?" Yoongi questioned.

"I'll let you know after I finish this soup." You continued to ingest it in little sips.

"Well, I'm going to shower then. I still smell like yesterday's party. Eat up, and drink that entire glass of water."

You nodded. "Thanks for this. And thanks for getting me back home in one piece."

"What're partners for?" Yoongi threw a towel over his shoulder with a warm smile before disappearing to the bathroom.

As soon as you heard the shower turn on, you scrambled for your phone. While you two had been conversing, bits and pieces of memories from last night began flooding in. But you had to maintain your cool and not panic as much as you wanted to outwardly. You could recall dancing and flirting with the Prez successfully, and you remembered starting "Spin the Bottle", people calling for you and Prez to kiss, but...did you do it?

Touching your lips, you felt the feeling lingering, although your mind seemed hazy. Your body could recall the intensity and the way it craved for more from the person, but who had it been?

You gulped as you found that your video had been posted on social media, as well as sent to you by Jimin with a smirk. Nervously, you pressed play and hurriedly covered your mouth to stop yourself from screaming as you watched yourself make out with Yoongi.

"Oh my god. Oh my god. Oh my god." You stopped the video and chucked your phone away, as if that would make the evidence disappear.

How did...why did...? Your entire body turned warm with the realization. He had turned you around to stop you from kissing the Prez, and you would be lying if the hope hadn't crossed your mind that he would interfere. But it had only been very wishful thinking and certainly something you never thought would happen.

You got light headed and your heart raced. You certainly felt worse than when you had woken up. How were you to face Yoongi? And the entire school?

"Ugh." You curled back up in your blankets. You were exhausted.

"Y/N?" Yoongi came out freshly showered, and you peeked out from your huddle, your eyes immediately landing on his lips. You fought back a squeal by retracting back into your fort. This certainly wasn't the time to be conscious of him. "You okay?"

"I'm not feeling too good still." You mumbled.

"You want to stay in then?" he sighed.

"Yeah. I think I just need to rest."

He patted your head lightly. "Alright. You've been working hard. Take today off."

You nodded.

"Let me get you some medicine. It's strong so it'll make you sleep, but it really makes you feel better once you wake up." he padded his way out of the room.

You watched his figure disappear. He hardly ever took care of people so openly, so it warmed your heart to see him tend to you so unabashedly. But before you could hide your face again, he returned to the room.

"You're all red." He blinked worriedly. "Should I take your temperature?"

"I-it's alright. It's probably just the soup and being under the blankets..." You muttered.

"Here. Take this before you sleep." he urged. "I'll feel better leaving you in this state after you take it. Sadly, we can't both be absent when the mission is still in full swing."

You smiled as you emerged from your cocoon. He handed you a pill and a cup of water, which you took gratefully.

"You'll be alright? Should I call someone to watch you?" Yoongi asked.

You chuckled, "I don't need a babysitter."

He studied you intently before complying. "Alright. Rest up, Y/N."

"Have a good day, Yoongi." You smiled sleepily.

Yoongi seemed hesitant on leaving your side. You looked at him expectantly, wondering if he would bring up last night or if you were both going to pretend it never happened.

"Shower and get dressed comfortably." he rubbed your arm. "And I'd feel better if you rested with some weapons on you...if that's not weird."

You laughed. "I will. Just for you."

He grinned. "Thank you."

You squeezed his hand. "I'll be fine. Go. You'll be late."

He nodded. "I'll come back here for lunch."

"Mhm. I'll be here." You yawned. "I'll just shower and head to sleep."

Three classes into the school day, Prez interrupted Jin's class with a panicked expression.

"Can I help you, Prez?" Jin furrowed his brow, worriedly.

"Can I see Yoonji? It's urgent."

"Um... sure..." Jin's eyes wandered to Yoongi, who stood up and walked out of the class.

"Y/N..." Prez breathed. "I saw the roster. She's absent?"

"She wasn't feeling well after yesterday's fiasco so she stayed in today." Yoongi replied. "Why is that any of your concern?"

"Take me to your dorm. Now."

Yoongi furrowed his brow. "No. Why would I--"

"She might be the next victim!"

"What-- why?" Yoongi questioned with wide eyes.

"Think about how she acted last night. That's not her. It bothered me, and now that I've thought about it with a sober mind, I think she was trying to test something." he whispered. "Didn't you notice?"

At the realization, Yoongi's legs started sprinting without hesitation, and Prez was right on his trail. Nervously, he fumbled to open the room.

"Please be there. Please be there." he chanted as he flung the door open, and raced to the bedroom.

Only to find it empty.

Hurriedly, he searched the bathroom, but everything in the dorm was left untouched, save your bed, where your blankets and pillow were now residing on the floor. Angrily, he lunged at the Prez.

"WHO ARE YOU?" he hissed, grabbing a fistful of his shirt. "How did you know that she would be next?!"

"Yoonji? Prez?" Jin's voice was heard at the entrance. "How's Y/N?"

He crept to the bedroom cautiously, only to find the two staring each other down, and you nowhere to be found. The color drained from his face as the situation dawned on him.

"Is she...is she..."

Yoongi shoved Prez away and kicked your bed frustratedly.

"She's gone. Shit."

"Maybe she's in the library?" Jin questioned.

"I checked before coming to your class." Prez shook his head. "When she wouldn't answer my calls or texts, I had a bad feeling."

"Shouldn't we alert someone? Should we call the police?" Jin suggested worriedly.

"No." Yoongi exhaled. "We don't do anything."

"What?" Jin gasped.

"For now." Yoongi grabbed your cellphone, which remained at your nightstand. "We'll wait for nightfall, and stop them from moving her around the school."

"But what if she's...what if they..." Jin breathed.

Yoongi glared at him as he checked your drawers, which thankfully were empty. You had been armed when you were taken. "She won't be."

"What do we do now?" Prez questioned.

"We act normal. We act ignorant." Yoongi exhaled. "I still don't trust you two. But...I do trust that you care for Y/N in your own ways. So only this once will I trust you to help me. We'll meet back here when the skies darken."

The two nodded in understanding.

"Oh, and Mr. Kim." Yoongi scanned the rest of the room with a vigilant eye.

"Yes?"

"I'll be taking the rest of the day off as well." he stated seriously.

Jin nodded. "Very well."

"Don't let it show to anyone that there's a problem. Please."

"We won't." Prez confidently spoke.

"It's what I've been doing for years so it shouldn't be hard." Jin tried to lighten the situation, but the other two weren't amused. "Sorry...bad habit. But I know we'll get her back, for sure."

Yoongi nodded, already in deep contemplation, so the other two slipped out of the room without another word. As soon as the door shut, Yoongi pressed his earpiece and spoke solemnly.

"Y/N's been captured. All hands on deck for pending rescue mission."

When you came to, your body immediately sprung into high alert. It was pitch black and your hands and legs were tied tightly. What had happened? You were sleeping soundly. Furrowing your brows, you tried to remember the bits and pieces of your hazy slumber. You did remember hearing your door being opened, but had assumed it was Yoongi. Sleep had still been pulling you in thanks to the strong effects of the medication, and your body felt too heavy to move at the time. You exhaled, wondering how you hadn't foreseen this. This was what you had hoped would happen to confirm your theory in the first place.

"No, you carry her! Getting her here was already so hard! We have to get her to our master's hideout tonight while everyone's asleep!"

You heard whispers echoing from afar. Young voices. Most probably the students who had somehow become accomplices.

"The others will make sure we get the victim out safely. The boss is a bit angry because someone's been ruining the plans."

You furrowed your brow. The others?

Wriggling around, you found that the knife you had stored in your back pocket was still there.

You could escape.

Your hands worked expertly, as your training had done, to loosen the ropes on your wrists and ankles. You placed your night vision contacts on, and stealthily, began moving about the room.

"We need to split up." Yoongi instructed as he pulled a mask over his mouth. "Mr. Kim, come with me. Prez, someone will be in the shadows searching with you."

"The shadows?" Jin blinked as he covered his face as well. "What?"

"There's no time to lose." Prez nodded curtly.

"Let's go." Yoongi chucked an earpiece to Jin and one to Prez. "Put this on so we can communicate."

Jin fumbled to put it into his ear as they ran.

"Yoongi, her radar is back!" Tae stated.

"Which way?" Yoongi's heart leapt out of his chest. You were still alive.

You ran at full force as soon as you found a way to escape that secret room within the school. Once you recognized the surroundings, you breathed a sigh of relief, but didn't stop running. You weren't sure where you could go or who was coming after you, but you knew you needed to gain more distance.

You had handled the students that stood in your way delicately, and simply knocked them unconscious using pressure points. But unfortunately, there were other accomplices apart from the students, and those men were far more dangerous. They were well-built and their aura alone distinguished them as skilled killers. You had fought your way out to get back to the main part of school, knowing that Yoongi and the others would be somewhere waiting to rescue you. Glancing down at your hands, you counted and took note that you hardly had any weapons left. You had to be careful and use them wisely.

You were about to press your earpiece, when you screeched to a halt. Up ahead, another group of men were waiting for you. Biting your lip, you displayed your dagger, poised for battle.

"She's close, Mr. Kim!" Yoongi was in hand-to-hand combat with a group of men as well. "Run ahead! Go to her!"

Jin punched and kicked a few of the men down with sheer strength.

"But Yoon--"

"Go!" Yoongi yelled as he sliced down enemy. "I'll be right behind you!"

Jin clenched his fists and sprinted down the hall as fast he could.

You wiped your sweat as you glanced around at the unconscious bodies that lay around you. Where could the others be? Hopefully, they weren't having a difficult time, and you wished they could find you sooner. You smiled, feeling accomplished at all the people you had defeated on your own.

But your body stilled as you heard an all too familiar click from behind you.

A gun.

Immediately, you prayed that your body would be found and the killer captured. All the regrets, all the things you wish you had said, the things you haven't said or done yet, rushed to your mind in that moment. Your body turned cold at the impending attack, and subsequently, you heard them fire the shot without hesitation.

"Y/N!"

A familiar voice called out, and you gasped as you felt a presence come up behind you, protecting you.

"No!" You screamed.

But it was too late.

You watched as his body began to descend, slowly in your eyes, and you reached out to hold him in your arms. Your eyes began watering.

"Y/N! Shit!" Yoongi threw a knife at the gunman and managed to knock the gun out of his hands. Once he was weaponless, the man made a run for it. Yoongi cursed again and dashed after the enemy.

"J-jin. Jin..." You shook him then began applying pressure against the wound to try to stop the bleeding. The bullet was lodged inside his chest. "Jin...please. Why're you even here? You shouldn't be here!"

You cried as your hands were being stained by his blood. He coughed, and gave a weak smile.

"I told you..." he breathed. "I couldn't stand...watching you get hurt...from afar anymore..."

You sobbed. "Not like this though. Why did you do this?"

He chuckled. "I've always wondered how it would feel like to get shot. I saw the chance...and took it...to my chest apparently."

"This is not the time for your puns." You whined.

"Jungkook." Yoongi called.

"I've got the target." Jungkook spoke.

"I'm going to go back to make sure no one else gets to Y/N." he explained.

"We're on our way too." Hoseok spoke. "Prez heard your message and has been making his way."

Yoongi rushed back and found you weeping over Jin's body. His heart panged. Why did he think sending Jin ahead was a good idea? He clenched his fists, annoyed at himself.

"Namjoon." he called.

"On it. They ambulance is on its way." Namjoon replied.

"Y/N..." Jin smiled. "I'm glad we found you."

"Shhh..." You shook your head. "Don't talk like that. You're going to be okay."

"I'm okay now."

"No, no you're not. Don't say something cheesy like you can rest in peace now that you've found me or I'll kill you myself."

Jin laughed. "I thought this wasn't the time for wit."

"The ambulance is on their way." Yoongi placed a hand on your shoulder reassuringly.

You looked up at him helplessly, tears pooling in your eyes.

"He'll be fine. Everything will be alright." Yoongi tried his best to sound confident and convincing, but his voice wavered.

Jin sighed. "Y/N."

"Hm?"

"Can you..." he coughed. "hold my hand?"

You immediately took it, and his lips curled up, his face filled with satisfaction and content. But it only lasted a few seconds before his face began relaxing, becoming devoid of any emotion. You were losing him.

"Jin. Stay with us. Stay awake." You called out.

"Y/N...I'm sorry..." he whispered as his eyes languidly shut and his grip on your hand loosened.

"Jin!!"

PART 9

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