#mystery thriller

[theplotmage]

Murder Mystery, Occult, Paranormal & Fantasy Prompt Ideas for Writers

1. The Cursed Amulet - A wealthy collector is found dead after acquiring a cursed amulet. The protagonist must uncover the artifact’s dark history to solve the murder.

2. Blood Moon Ritual - During a blood moon, a prominent figure is sacrificed in a forbidden ritual. The investigator discovers a cult trying to summon an ancient deity.

3. Witch’s Grimoire - A renowned witch is murdered, and her grimoire is stolen. The book contains spells powerful enough to alter reality.

4. Haunted Manor - Guests at a secluded manor start dying mysteriously. It’s said the house is haunted by vengeful spirits from a tragic past.

5. Necromancer’s Revenge - A necromancer brings people back from the dead to seek revenge on those who wronged him, resulting in a string of murders.

6. Sorcerer’s Apprentice - An apprentice sorcerer is killed during a magical experiment gone wrong. The protagonist must navigate a web of magical deceit to find the killer.

7. Alchemical Poison - A series of deaths caused by an untraceable poison leads to an alchemist who’s using forbidden knowledge.

8. The Phantom Assassin - A shadowy figure with supernatural abilities is killing off members of a secret society.

9. Demon Pact - A series of murders mimic those described in an ancient text about summoning a demon. The protagonist suspects a pact with dark forces.

10. Arcane Library - A librarian is found dead in a magical library where books can come to life. The books themselves hold clues to the murder.

11. Midnight Masquerade - At a masquerade ball, a guest is killed, and the murder is linked to an ancient ritual involving the masks.

12. Sacred Relic - A sacred relic is stolen, and those connected to its theft are being murdered by a guardian spirit.

13. Time-Worn Curse - An old curse reawakens, killing the descendants of the original cursed family. The investigator must break the curse to stop the murders.

14. Vampire’s Thrall - Murders in a town coincide with the arrival of a charismatic stranger who may be a vampire seeking revenge.

15. Elemental Fury - A mage controlling elemental forces is killing people who wronged him in the past. Each murder is committed using a different element.

16. Runic Inscription - Victims are found with runic inscriptions burned into their skin, leading the protagonist to an ancient prophecy.

17. Ghost Ship - A ship thought lost at sea reappears, its crew murdered. The investigator discovers the ship’s cursed history.

18. Puppet Master - An enchanted puppet is killing those who mistreated its creator, a deceased toymaker.

19. Celestial Alignment - Murders align with celestial events, suggesting a ritualistic pattern. The protagonist races against time to prevent the next murder.

20. Shadow Realm - Victims are being dragged into a parallel shadow realm, their bodies found drained of life.

21. Enchanted Forest - People who enter a forbidden forest are found dead, their bodies entwined with enchanted vines.

22. Murderous Djinn - A djinn, bound to an artifact, is killing people who come into possession of it.

23. Spellbound Love - A love potion gone wrong leads to obsessive love and murder.

24. Seer’s Vision - A seer predicts their own murder and enlists the protagonist to prevent it, but the future seems immutable.

25. Ritual Dagger - A dagger used in ancient sacrifices is rediscovered, and each person who touches it is killed.

26. Charmed Life - A person with a charm for eternal life starts aging rapidly and dies under mysterious circumstances.

27. Mystic Tattoo - A tattoo artist’s clients are being murdered, their tattoos turning into deadly curses.

28. Dragon’s Curse - A dragon’s curse starts killing those who stole from its hoard.

29. Mirror of Truth - An enchanted mirror reveals the darkest secrets of those who look into it, leading to a series of murders.

30. Ghostly Whisperer - A medium is killed by a spirit they summoned, who continues to haunt and kill.

31. Warding Sigil - A town’s protective sigil is broken, unleashing vengeful spirits on the townspeople.

32. Sorcerer’s Duel - A duel between powerful sorcerers results in one’s death, but the victor’s life is now in danger.

33. Forbidden Love - Star-crossed lovers from rival magical factions lead to a series of revenge killings.

34. Haunted Heirloom - An heirloom brings death to the family that inherits it, linked to an ancestor’s dark pact.

35. Shapeshifter’s Hunt - A shapeshifter is targeting a specific group, blending in seamlessly until the protagonist uncovers their true nature.

36. Arcane Academy - A student at a magical academy is killed during a spell-casting exam, and the murder is linked to a dark secret of the school.

37. Spectral Assassin - An assassin’s ghost seeks revenge on those who betrayed him in life.

38. Illusionist’s Game - An illusionist’s final trick results in real deaths, with magic and deception intertwining.

39. Golem Rampage - A golem goes on a killing spree, and the investigator must find its creator to stop it.

40. Philosopher’s Stone - A hunt for the philosopher’s stone leads to deadly competition and betrayal.

41. Mystic Caravan - A traveling caravan brings death wherever it goes, linked to an ancient curse.

42. Sealed Tomb - An ancient tomb is opened, releasing a vengeful spirit that begins killing those responsible.

43. Moonlit Beast - A werewolf’s attacks coincide with the full moon, but this werewolf is being controlled by someone with dark intentions.

44. Soul Harvest - Victims are found with their souls extracted, leading to a dark sorcerer seeking immortality.

45. Witch Hunt - A series of witch trials results in the wrongful deaths of innocents, whose spirits now seek vengeance.

46. Crystal Prophecy - A prophecy within a crystal ball foretells murders, but the seer is manipulating events to fulfill it.

47. Enchanted Theater - Actors in a theater troupe start dying in ways that mimic their cursed roles.

48. Dark Covenant - A secret society’s members are being killed off one by one, linked to a broken blood pact.

49. Doppelganger’s Curse - Victims are replaced by malevolent doppelgangers who are committing murders in their place.

50. Forgotten Sanctuary - An ancient sanctuary is disturbed, releasing an entity that begins killing those who desecrated it.

[jessread-s]

✩🕯️📜Series Review:

Core concepts

⋆ The Atlas Six - Physics

⋆ The Atlas Paradox - Psychology

⋆ The Atlas Complex - Philosophy

“The Atlas” series is so much more than dark academia or romance. This series studies what happens to human beings when they are promised access to infinite knowledge and power. It is about how quickly we turn on each other and abandon our own morals to gain. said knowledge and power. Each installment blew me away as I watched Blake’s six protagonists gradually find and/or destroy themselves. My mind was continuously expanded by her prose and it made me question my every decision. It’s a soul crushing read, but perhaps also a necessary one.

Cross-posted to: Instagram | Amazon | Goodreads | StoryGraph

@torpublishinggroup @olivieblake

[nine-frames]

Rear Window, 1954.

Dir. Alfred Hitchcock | Writ. John Michael Hayes | DOP Robert Burks

[thedramadojo]

Much awaited mystery thriller drama Under the Skin 2, starring Tan JianCi and Jin ShiJia releases new still and trailer.

[scenephile]

I'm your secret.

[akirathedramaqueen]

Ad break <3 Breaking Chains

I thought I’d indulge in a shameless (almost) self-promotion and let you know that I’m in the middle of writing a very ambitious Helluva Boss fanfiction called Breaking Chains.

Octavia’s gone. Stolas is spiraling—his pride trampled, his health deteriorating, and the sense of utter helplessness dragging him to rock bottom. Blitzø, meanwhile, isn’t doing much better—burdened by the unexpected role of caretaker and haunted by the fear of letting his loved ones down. Yet he pushes, pushes, pushes, cracks showing with every step.

It’s pitch dark in there, yes—but even in the depths, they keep chasing the light, the truth, and redemption.

The story is a neo-noir psychological thriller featuring a kidnapping (?) mystery—packed with investigation twists, legal drama, and emotional wreckage. Old acquaintances resurface, new faces emerge, and a warm smile pulls your attention just before the knife sinks into your gut.

Timeline-wise, Breaking Chains takes place several months after the events of Cage Games: Truth or Dare, which @tealvenetianmask (hewwo!) and I co-wrote. This makes it a canon-divergent AU, starting after Season 2, Episode 9 (The Apology Tour). It’s not required to read Cage Games to fully immerse yourself in Breaking Chains, but it might give you a bit more context.

As of now, I’ve released 4 chapters out of a planned 15 and am actively working on the 5th.

Thank you for giving this story a chance, despite it being far from complete. I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I’ve enjoyed creating it.

Shameless promoter, over and out.

P.S. For reader discretion, please check the tags for potential trigger warnings before diving in.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/59703142/chapters/152277142

^ by some ridiculous reason, tumblr refuses to properly show the link, sorry :( but it's clickable!

[hotpotdragon]

Laura (1944)

[polarity-of-the-stars]

First book I’ve read of 2025 and it was a super interesting mystery thriller that I highly recommend. What’s so unique about this book is that it’s not a regular format and instead is a group of complied documents from an author who wrote a true crime book about a murder suicide cult killing some 20ish years ago. It’s almost like found footage but in a reading format.

Funnily enough it reminded me of Dracula in a way because of how Dracula was written in letters. Frankenstein as well since it’s a letter of a recounting in a recounting kinda thing. It’s very interesting to see a classic idea like a second hand narrator and apply that to today with all the different mediums like email and texting, etc.

Also this is going to be the format for my book posts going forward. A picture, a little description and anything else I’d like to say. Nothing to crazy but still something fun and creative for my 2025 reading.

[breserker]

JACKRABBIT BRUJO IS OUT

OKAY okay now that many of the jitters have passed maybe i can type a proper post! My book is out! What's a book? That's irrelevant! What's in the book? Jackrabbit Brujo is a mystery series steeped in magical realism more than casting spells. It takes place in Tucson, Arizona, with a mixed race Mexican-but-doesn't-speak-Spanish private investigator who goes by the name of Vel.

Book 1, Jackrabbit and the Beast, introduces us to Vel at the height of grief at the sudden murder of his longtime girlfriend, Laura. If that sounds familiar, yes, it is absolutely an unabashed Twin Peaks reference. Among other inspirations are the Dresden Files and classic MacGyver; with a magic system based on the poetry of the much beloved dead, Gloria Anzaldúa.

If that's intriguing, you can read the first chapter for free here! Please be aware, this series is geared towards adults and has blood/violence and mild sexual content (most of the latter is contained in the first chapter)

Purchase the PDF/EPUB here for only $3.50!

[her-stars]

I need a sapphic ice skating x hockey movie broken trust, friends-to-strangers-enemies-to-lovers, horror/murder mystery. trying to solve the increasing disappearances of students stranded at their cabin resort.

[theselkiesea]

The Only One Left

By Riley Sager

[theplotmage]

Murder Mystery Tropes with Paranormal Fantasy, Horror, Whodunit and Slasher for Writers

The Detective - The main investigator of the crime, possibly with a supernatural edge.

The Red Herring - False clues or suspects designed to mislead.

The Locked Room Mystery - A crime committed under seemingly impossible circumstances.

The Butler Did It - A classic misdirection where a seemingly minor character is suspected.

The Femme Fatale - A seductive woman with potential hidden motives.

The Alibi - Evidence of suspects' whereabouts during the crime.

The Gathering of Suspects - Bringing all suspects together for the final reveal.

The Amateur Sleuth - An ordinary person drawn into solving the mystery.

The Police Inspector - A professional law enforcement officer involved in the investigation.

The Mysterious Stranger - A new arrival with unknown motives.

The Hidden Motive - Characters with secret reasons for their actions.

The Unreliable Witness - Witnesses with contradictory or biased testimonies.

The Hidden Clue - Seemingly insignificant details that are key to solving the mystery.

The Confession - A character admitting to the crime, often under false pretenses.

The Final Twist - An unexpected revelation at the end of the story.

The False Confession - A confession made to protect someone else.

The Cover-Up - Characters attempting to hide their involvement in the crime.

The Intimate Setting - A small, closed environment where everyone is connected.

The Victim's Secret - The murdered person had a hidden past or secret.

The Revelation Scene - The detective explains the solution to the mystery.

Paranormal/Horror Elements

The Cursed Object - An artifact tied to the victim that brings misfortune.

The Haunted House - The murder site known for ghostly occurrences.

The Vengeful Spirit - The ghost of a previous victim seeking revenge.

The Demon Possession - Indications that the victim or suspect was possessed.

The Shapeshifter - Rumors of a creature changing forms, adding confusion.

The Supernatural Detective - An investigator with paranormal abilities.

The Blood Moon - A rare celestial event coinciding with the murder.

The Psychic Medium - A medium providing cryptic clues from the spirit world.

The Ancient Ritual - The murder tied to a forbidden dark ritual.

The Disappearing Body - The victim's body vanishes, leaving eerie evidence.

The Doppelgänger - A sinister double causing confusion and fear.

The Possessed Doll - A creepy doll inhabited by an evil spirit.

The Time Loop - The murder repeating itself in a time loop.

The Night Terrors - Horrific nightmares providing clues to the murder.

The Sinister Prophecy - An old prophecy predicting the murder.

The Evil Twin - A malevolent twin emerging, complicating the investigation.

The Necromancer - A character raising the dead to manipulate events.

The Shape-Shifter - A creature changing forms, difficult to track.

The Forbidden Book - A dark magic tome found at the crime scene.

The Mysterious Fog - Supernatural fog hiding crucial evidence.

The Living Portrait - A portrait that moves, providing eerie clues.

The Witch's Familiar - An animal linked to a witch, influencing events.

Slasher Whodunit Elements

The Masked Killer - The murderer hides their identity behind a mask, creating fear and mystery.

The Final Girl - A trope where one girl, often resourceful and strong, survives the killer's rampage.

The Isolated Location - The setting is cut off from the outside world, increasing tension and fear.

The High Body Count - Multiple victims are killed throughout the story, each death more gruesome than the last.

The Survivor's Guilt - Characters who survive the killer's attacks feel intense guilt and paranoia.

The Urban Legend - The murders are connected to a local legend or myth that many believed to be just a story.

The Creepy Warning - A strange character gives a foreboding warning about the danger that lies ahead.

The Phone Call - The killer taunts the victims or the detective with eerie phone calls.

The Chase Scene - Thrilling sequences where characters are pursued by the killer, creating high tension.

The Brutal Weapon - The killer uses a distinctive, often gruesome weapon, like a machete or chainsaw.

The False Safety - Characters believe they are safe, only to find out the killer is still near.

The Dark Past - The killer's motives are tied to a traumatic event in their history.

The Power Outage - A sudden loss of power plunges the setting into darkness, heightening fear.

The Split Up - Characters decide to split up to cover more ground, often leading to their doom.

The Hidden Lair - The killer has a hidden lair where they plot and prepare for their attacks.

The Betrayal - A trusted character is revealed to be an accomplice or the killer.

The Fake-Out Death - A character appears to be dead but later reveals they survived.

The Booby Traps - The killer sets traps to catch and kill the victims in inventive ways.

The Creepy Clue - An unsettling object or message left by the killer, serving as a taunt or clue.

The Frantic Escape - Desperate attempts to escape the killer, often through dangerous or narrow paths.

Occult Fantasy Elements

The Magical Artifact - A powerful item with dark magical properties, central to the plot.

The Enchanted Forest - A mystical forest where occult rituals and creatures reside.

The Coven - A secret group of witches or warlocks practicing dark arts.

The Prophecy - A foretold event involving dark forces and mystical events.

The Secret Society - A hidden group with its own occult agenda, influencing events from the shadows.

The Sorcerer - A powerful magic user who may be an ally or an antagonist, often dabbling in forbidden magic.

The Occult Creature - Beings like demons, dark fairies, or shadowy entities that play a role in the story.

The Cursed Bloodline - A family with a dark curse affecting their fate, passed down through generations.

The Forbidden Spell - A dangerous spell that holds the key to solving the mystery or defeating the antagonist.

The Hidden Realm - A secret world or dimension that characters can access through occult means.

The Quest for the Dark Grimoire - A journey undertaken by the characters to find an important book of dark magic.

The Ancient Rune - Mystical symbols that provide clues or have magical effects.

The Time Portal - A gateway that allows characters to travel through time, often tied to occult practices.

The Occult Warrior - A skilled fighter who protects others using magical abilities and knowledge of the dark arts.

The Healer with Forbidden Knowledge - A character with the ability to heal using dark or forbidden magic.

The Shape-Shifting Demon - A being that can change its form at will, adding layers of deception.

The Enchanted Weapon - A weapon imbued with dark magical properties, essential for defeating the antagonist.

The Book of Shadows - A book containing powerful spells and rituals that characters seek or use.

The Dark Oracle - A seer who provides cryptic prophecies and guidance, often with a sinister twist.

The Elemental Forces - Characters or creatures that control the elements (fire, water, earth, air) through occult means.

[jessread-s]

hello I just wanted to ask if you have any good book recommendations that are thriller ,suspense and murder mystery for example the inheritance games or haunting adeline if you do know any books like these two please tell me thank you 😊.

Hello @lila-216 ! Thank you so much for your ask! 🫶📖✨🌷 I LOVE giving recommendations. If you need more individualized recommendations (ex: by trope) please let me know and I'd be happy to fulfill your request!

My favorite YA mystery/thriller books ₊˚ʚ 🔍₊˚✧ ﾟ.

The Naturals series by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley

A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

The Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson

The Stalking Jack the Ripper Series by Kerri Maniscalco

One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus

Six Months Later by Natalie D. Richards

My favorite Adult mystery/thriller books ₊˚ʚ 🔍₊˚✧ ﾟ.

The Alex Stern series by Leigh Bardugo

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

In the Woods by Tana French

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

A Dark and Drowning Tide by Allison Saft

The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

[nine-frames]

"See his, uh, fascinating act, The Vanishing Lady."

The Lady Vanishes, 1938.

Dir. Alfred Hitchcock | Writ. Sidney Gilliat & Frank Launder, based on the novel "The Wheel Spins" by Ethel Lina White | DOP Jack E. Cox

[pviscelle]

Your Devil: A Doomed Catastrophe | MasterPost

Pairing: Jungkook x Female Character x Jimin

Genre/Tags: Dark, Mystery-Thriller, Love Triangle

Word Count: 60.9k

Status: Ongoing

Rating: Explicit

Content Warning: Explicit sexual content, graphic depiction of violence, mental health issues, character death, LGBT characters, mutual pining, and angst.

Synopsis: After eleven years since the haunting night at Winter Fest, fate once again weaves the story of Han Aera with that of Jeon Jungkook, an interior architect at Kim Enterprises. As lingering mysteries strain to emerge, their lives are upended when their past catches up, intertwining with the present and risking their future.

PROLOGUE

Sunlight gleamed through the drawn blinds, teasing her skin as she resisted waking against the sweet melody of birdsong filling the lazy winter morning. The night before had been incredible. A lingering ache pulsed through her body as she lay still on the king-sized bed—the same bed whose creaking wood had echoed their passion, carrying their sinful act through the room. Their fates were now intertwined, sealed by the intimacy they had shared, both bound by the moment of their mutual surrender.

A shy smile ghosted over her lips.

She nestled deeper into the blanket, clutching it to her bare torso. The sun was about to wash over her, but the warmth of the duvet held her in place, tempting her to stay. Yet what she craved more was the comfort of her partner’s embrace—his strong, tattooed chest pressed against her back, fulfilling her desire for quiet domesticity.

“I love how you smell like me,” she remembered him saying, his voice husky and raw from the night’s intensity. She had teased him about his obsession with the scent of her hair, but the memory of him burying his nose in the crook of her neck sent a spark of longing through her body.

Her heart silently thudded inside her cage, stirred by the thought of him.

Unknown to her, he had smiled at the evidence of her reaction. “You belong to me,” he’d whispered, his breath heavy and labored.

Though nine hours had passed since his declaration of claiming her, the imagery remained vivid, still driving her to the edge of reason. Flashes of how he had moved between her legs for the second time that night flooded her thoughts. Slow, deliberate, yet overwhelming. He had stolen her breath and replaced it with a bliss that unraveled her from the inside out. She wanted to feel that again.

Consciously, her fingers trailed down her stomach, pausing at her most intimate place. Her touch there was slow, teasing, until her bundle of nerves throbbed under the attention. If he were to catch her like this, she’d place the blame entirely on him. His insatiable hunger had ignited a fire in her, and now he had to deal with it. Sweet and simple.

She rubbed her fingers in delicate circles, her breath hitching as she drifted lower, teasing her nether lips before finally dipping a digit inside. A year ago, the thought of touching herself so shamelessly would have embarrassed her, but now, she didn’t care. The urge to soak the already ruined sheets was undeniable. She wanted nothing more than to chase that high again. 

Her eyes squeezed shut as she focused, seeking that sweet spot he had so effortlessly found on his first glide. How he had mastered the skill in a single night was beyond her imagination—but she wasn’t about to complain.

The tightness of her pussy clenched around her finger, and she understood why he had murmured, “So incredibly tight,” as his cock had nudged into her. But just as the missionary position hadn’t satisfied him, one finger wasn’t enough for her. She added another, stretching herself further. Her hips moved in sync, grinding against her palm, any sense of modesty long discarded.

If Hedone could witness the filthy scenarios playing in her mind, she would have flushed with embarrassment.

“You’re mine to devour, Aera. Only mine,” his voice had growled in her ear, dark and possessive, just as it had the night before.

She groaned in response, the sound escaping her lips—wanton and unrestrained. It was loud enough to stir the man beside her if he wasn’t already awake, silently enjoying her morning show. His fist gripped his throbbing erection, inflicting a sharp bite of pain on himself for a twisted pleasure as he held off his release, savoring the wet, obscene sounds she created.

The mere thought sent a surge of heat through her, arousing her to no end.

She imagined two wide, ravenous eyes burning holes into the back of her skull, their hunger infinitely bottomless. A shiver ran down her spine.

Another finger joined in, pushing her higher. Her thrusts quickened to a frenzied pace, and she let out a moan, her body tensing and trembling until violent spasms overtook her. The ring of muscle clenched and unclenched around her fingers in rhythm, her body gripping them with unrelenting pressure. Goosebumps erupted across her skin as the orgasm tore through her, leaving her breath in ragged, desperate gasps.

She panted, her chest rising and falling like a wild mare, nostrils flared and skin flushed. The strange comparison brought her back to reality. As a child, she had always dreamed of petting a horse. How innocent and foolish that dream seemed now, when the only thing she desired was to fuck Jungkook one more time.

Gradually, the sensitivity of her orgasm subsided, the strain in her brows smoothing into a relaxed, straight line. She blinked once, twice, exhaling slowly as the events of the past twenty-four hours settled heavily in her mind.

Look what you made me, Jungkook, she thought with a sarcastic smile.

As if summoned by her thoughts, his voice echoed in her memory, low and sinister, repeating the warning he had given her.

“I told you, Aera. This is just the beginning. I'm the devil you shouldn’t have danced with. But there’s no turning back now.”

The silence that followed was almost deafening, like a restless ring pulsing in her ears. Her throat felt dry, as if she had swallowed the desert air.

Aera licked her lips, preparing herself for what she knew she had to do next. She turned slowly to her left, her heart pounding as if it might burst from anticipation. She expected to see Jungkook’s familiar smirk, the menace always lurking in his dark eyes. But instead, her gaze landed on an empty spot where his body had been. The sheets were tousled, his presence lingering only in the faint imprint he had left behind.

Her head fell back onto the pillow with a soft, defeated thud.

For a moment, relief washed over her—a strange but welcome weight on her chest. At least he hadn’t been there to see her morning madness and tease her about losing control. For now, the silent and unjudging monochrome walls of his room would keep her secret, she thought.

Her gaze shifted to the walls, narrowing her eyes as she took in the room’s decor. It was just like his office: gray walls, brown furniture, and black equipment—all typical of modern masculinity. Aera thought Jungkook could use a splash of color, something to reflect the light she sensed in him. But just as the thought crossed her mind, the bedside lamp flickered to life, its light stuttering on and off, almost as if mocking her.

Aera glared at it, and the flickering abruptly stopped.

Jungkook had once confided that he preferred the darkness, believing he was better off in the shadows than dragging someone down with his sorrow. She wanted to prove him wrong. The Jungkook of the past month was nothing like the man who barely acknowledged her when she first joined Kim Enterprises. His attentive gaze, the tenderness in his small gestures, the understanding in his onyx eyes were all traits that revealed the true, precious soul he was.

To label Jungkook as a simple black-and-white figure would be unfair. To hell with the office gossip. They had nothing better to do than spread false rumors about him, and they didn’t know him as well as she did. She was 10,000% sure of that.

Emotions swirled within her as Aera picked up her clothes from the floor and headed to the bathroom. She took her time washing away the exhaustion of yesterday’s events.

“Aah,” she hissed, kneading her sore hips and lower back.

Jungkook had certainly worked her over. Her limbs felt frail and weak, like thread and jelly, desperately in need of revival. If she didn’t regain her strength, she feared she might break at least two bones—clumsiness had always been her unwelcome companion. When she was done, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror and smoothed down her wild hair and wrinkled clothes.

Once satisfied with her appearance, she spun on her heels and left the room, making sure to switch off the bedside lamp.

She had hoped to find a world-class Jungkook in the kitchen, whipping up something delicious for her. Instead, she was met with a glass of banana milk on the counter and the remnants of their date night dishes piled in the sink. The steady hum of the refrigerator only heightened the unease settling in her stomach.

She was alone in his apartment. Completely alone.

Disappointment washed over her, thick and unspoken, clinging to the air like resentment, especially when her eyes landed on a note tucked beneath the glass.

I’ll be gone. Don’t wait for me.

Your Devil,

Jk.

What. The. Hell, Jungkook?

Starting the day with an unexpected disappearance after such an eventful night wasn’t ideal. Didn’t he realize that? He should have known better, especially after the last time he had bailed on her. This habit of his was becoming infuriating and utterly unacceptable. Aera exhaled sharply, her brows knitting in frustration.

Her gaze wandered around Jungkook’s kitchen until it landed on the sink, piled high with dirty dishes. A surge of irritation bubbled up inside her, and for a brief moment, she considered taking it out on them.

It was obvious he had left in a hurry. If he hadn’t, the dust motes wouldn’t still be floating lazily in the air. Jungkook was usually meticulous, always cleaning up after himself. So what had been so urgent that he’d vanished without a word?

For a fleeting moment, Aera wondered if she—or their date—had anything to do with Jungkook’s sudden departure. He had never been one for romantic gestures, so why had he been so perfect last night?

Before she could dwell on it, a voice rang out.

“Rhea is here, Jungkook! Time to wake up.”

The name sent a ripple of curiosity through her. Rhea was another enigma in Jungkook’s life. With her long, slender legs and effortless charm, she looked like she belonged on the cover of a magazine. So why was she acting as Jungkook’s caretaker?

“He isn’t home,” Aera called out, drying her hands on a kitchen towel.

A soft shuffle echoed down the hallway before Rhea finally came into view, her expression shifting into one of surprise—and something else. Recognition.

“What? Wait, why are you here?” Rhea asked, her frown deepening as suspicion crept into her gaze. Then, suddenly, realization flickered across her face.

“Oh. . . so you’re the one Jungkook coaxed me into setting up the candlelight dinner for last night.” She placed her hands on her hips, her tone thoughtful. “Never would have guessed it would be you of all people.”

Aera folded her arms, feeling a tightness in her chest. “You know I’m not like the others,” she sighed.

Rhea’s words stirred a mix of emotions—delight at the lengths Jungkook had gone to for their date, and irritation at whatever impression she had left on Rhea. It wasn’t as if she had planned for things to turn out this way.

“Yeah, whatever.” Rhea rolled her eyes, gathering her hair into a bun before slipping on an apron. “If you’re done doing half my job, let me handle the rest, okay? I assume you have somewhere to be. . . Can you step aside? You’re blocking the cabinet.”

“Oh, right. Sorry. I’ll go. Thank you.”

With six hurried steps, Aera was already at the door. Rhea failed to notice the embarrassment flickering behind her closed eyes.

As she stepped out of the apartment, a timid “Goodbye” slipped from her lips—unaware of the kind of day that awaited her.

Once home, Aera went through her usual routine—finishing her chores and ending the day with a long, hot bubble bath. Yet, no matter how much she tried to unwind, her thoughts kept circling back to Jungkook, his behavior, and his sudden departure.

By now, she should have been used to his unpredictability. But she wasn’t.

Instead, nagging worries gnawed at her. Why had he left so abruptly? What was he hiding? Why hadn’t he at least told her?

Any explanation—any hint—would have been better than the two measly sentences he’d left behind. The least he could have done was make a phone call, show some basic decency. But no. He had vanished without a word, leaving her alone with nothing but her spiraling thoughts.

Her patience was wearing thin. And she was dangerously close to the breaking point.

Aera sank deeper into the bathtub, frustration knitting her brow. Tomorrow at work, Jungkook had better have some answers.

But to her growing dismay, the days passed with no sign of him. Her patience, once unwavering, slowly eroded into doubt. Pessimism gnawed at her as she strode toward the office of the one person who knew Jungkook better than anyone—Kim Seokjin.

“Aera!” Seokjin greeted her warmly, but his eyes betrayed his unease. “Take a seat. What brings you here?”

“Jungkook.”

Just one word. One name. Yet it was enough to make Seokjin pause. The ever-composed CEO, the man who could charm his way through any situation, faltered at the mere mention of him. That was the kind of hold Jungkook had—on all of them.

Seokjin forced a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “What did that troublemaker do this time?” He flipped through the pages of a file, though it was clear his focus had shifted.

“He disappeared. Again.” Aera’s voice was tight with frustration. “And I thought maybe you’d know where he went.”

Seokjin exhaled slowly, setting the file aside. “I wish I did, Aera. Trust me, I’m just as annoyed as you are. But. . . it’s possible he took some time off after the Jeju Project. It was exhausting for all of us. You know how he is—he values his solitude.”

It wasn’t the answer she had come for, but it made sense. Jungkook had always retreated into silence when things became overwhelming. After the whirlwind of the past month—and the intensity of last night—maybe he needed that solitude more than ever.

“I’ll let you know if he contacts me,” Seokjin said, his voice softer now.

Aera swallowed hard. “Okay,” she whispered, though the lump in her throat said otherwise.

Seokjin offered a sympathetic smile. “Anything else I can help with?”

She shook her head, not wanting to linger longer than necessary. “Thank you, Mr. Kim. Have a nice day.”

Seokjin wished her the same, watching as she left. The door clicked shut behind her, and after a brief hesitation, he pulled out his phone.

Seokjin:

Aera came looking for you. I had to lie.

He expected silence, like so many times before. But to his surprise, three dots appeared. Seokjin straightened in his seat.

Jungkook:

Good.

Seokjin’s heart pounded. He started to type a question—Are you okay?—but before he could hit send, Jungkook’s “online” status vanished. Just like he had.

“Shit,” Seokjin muttered, pressing his palms to his face as a dull headache pulsed behind his eyes. He hunched over his desk, peeking through his fingers when a knock sounded.

“Did I just hear you curse, Jinnie?”

“Not now, Namjoon,” Seokjin grumbled. “I’m stressed.”

“Hmmm, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed today.”

“My morning was fine until you interrupted it with your amazing BJ skills.”

Namjoon’s footsteps drew closer, warmth radiating off him.

“You know,” he murmured, voice teasing, “I could demonstrate those skills right now if you’d like.”

“Fuck you.”

“You have my permission.”

Seokjin shot him a mock glare. “How dare you suggest that in our workplace?”

“Says the one who ate my ass on my thirteenth day of employment.” Namjoon’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “That was so nice of you. Did your last assistant get the same luxury?”

Seokjin exhaled, shoulders loosening. He stepped closer, cupping Namjoon’s face before pressing a soft kiss to his lips. “No. That’s strictly reserved for my husband.”

Namjoon’s grin widened as he pulled Seokjin into a warm embrace, planting a kiss on his raven hair. “I love you.”

“Love you too, dear husband.” Seokjin squeezed Namjoon’s ass, earning a laugh.

“Naughty.”

For a brief moment, peace settled between them. Namjoon traced slow circles on Seokjin’s back, grounding him. But then—

“He’ll be okay, Seokjin,” Namjoon murmured. “Jungkook knows how to handle himself. Don’t worry too much.”

Seokjin stiffened. His concern was painfully obvious, wasn’t it? But how could he not worry? Even now, he still saw the broken boy he had met years ago in the Daegu Psychiatric Ward.

“I’m fine, Jin,” Jungkook always insisted.

But Seokjin had long since learned to see past that facade, the quiet agony behind those innocent eyes.

He took a slow breath, tightening his hold on Namjoon. Then, he nodded.

Seokjin surrendered to the moment, knowing it wouldn’t last. Because any second now, a notification could appear on his phone—one that would steal his breath away.

“Everything okay, baby?” Namjoon asked, sensing the shift in his posture. “What is it?”

Seokjin’s stomach twisted. His phone screen lit up.

“He did what he said,” he whispered.

Then, heart pounding, he broke the embrace and bolted from the office.

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