Time ➳ BTS

27 | Assassination

Tick, tick, tick, tick.

The rhythmic ticking of the clock echoed through the room, each second stretching into an eternity of anticipation. Eyes darted nervously from face to face, each person waiting for someone else to shatter the oppressive silence that hung in the air like a heavy fog.

Tick, tick, tick, tick.

Her body remained rigid, every muscle tensed with apprehension. Stepping into the room had been like wading into a pool of uncertainty, the tension palpable and growing with each passing moment. She silently prayed that the impending arrival would be delayed, hoping against hope for a reprieve from the unexpected meeting that had caught her completely off guard.

Tick, tick, tick, tick.

Glancing at the person seated to her right, she observed his nervous agitation, fingers fidgeting restlessly on the table. Around the conference table, others mirrored her unease, their collective anxiety casting a shadow over the room.

Tick, tick, tick, tick.

Leaning back slightly in her chair, she released a weary sigh. The days leading up to this moment had been consumed by a singular focus, her efforts tirelessly directed towards understanding the situation involving a young woman. Even her initially reluctant friend had joined in, piecing together details about the woman's current whereabouts.

According to their information, she was enjoying a week-long vacation in Malta, a fact known to all. Her departure had been meticulously tracked, confirming she was still there, nestled in the heart of the city, unwinding in her hotel.

Tick, tick, tick—

The room was gripped by a tense silence, broken only by the steady beat of the clock. Everyone sat on edge, waiting for the inevitable moment when the door would swing open.

And swing open it did, with a resounding bang that startled everyone in their seats. Instantly, they rose, their postures straightening automatically as they bowed in deference. Their eyes followed him as he strode purposefully to his seat at the head of the room, his presence commanding respect as he settled in, hands folded calmly on the table before him.

She couldn't suppress the tremor in her breath when she saw his stern countenance, weathered by years of command. His deep voice reverberated off the walls, cutting through the silence like a knife. "I've been informed of a girl repeatedly saving the lives of the renowned Seven. How is it possible that an untrained civilian could outmaneuver seasoned assassins?"

His piercing blue eyes scanned the room, locking onto her without hesitation. Frozen under his gaze, she felt exposed. "Tell me, Lil," he demanded, his voice sharp and unwavering. "Explain this anomaly to me."

She swallowed hard, a lump forming in her throat. The weight of his scrutiny bore down on her, and she struggled to maintain composure. "I... I don't know, sir," she managed to utter, her voice betraying her fear despite her best efforts to appear composed under the spotlight of his scrutiny.

He sighed heavily, the sound laden with a hint of cynical amusement. "How unfortunate," he murmured, the sarcasm evident in his tone. His gaze shifted to the men stationed around the room, his voice brisk and commanding. "Regardless. Men, locate this girl and eliminate her."

Her eyes widened in shock. "No, you can't!" Her friend beside her flinched at the directive, squeezing her hand gently in an attempt to offer reassurance.

The man arched an eyebrow at her unexpected defiance. "And why not?" he queried, his voice cool and calculating.

She stammered, desperation evident in her voice. "Because... because she's my friend."