𝗿𝘂𝗻, 𝗯𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆, 𝗿𝘂𝗻. . . txt added member ✔

𝟯.𝟭𝟭 paranoia

❝ RUN, BUNNY, RUN... 𓏴 ♢

ᶻ 𝘇 𐰁 . . . 𝗜 𝗠𝗔𝗬 fail but i will never give up ❜ ⸝⸝

⊹ . ◌ ༚ ˳ 🕳️⠀﹒⠀ ꙳ .

🖇·˚ ≋♡

- 2020, October 9th

As the day unfolded, the routine of their upcoming comeback took center stage. Rehearsals filled the air with a mix of excitement and anticipation. The dance moves, the vocal harmonies—they all demanded precision, and the group poured their energy into perfecting every aspect.

Each day seemed to compound the weight on Mercy's shoulders. The relentless texts persisted, an unrelenting presence that left her on edge. Though she never responded, it felt as if the sender could somehow discern her thoughts, emotions, and fears. Was she that transparent with her inner turmoil?

Today was no different. The haunting feeling of being observed clung to her like a shadow. As the group made their way to their respective locker rooms after practice, Mercy couldn't shake the sense of unseen eyes following her every move. She trailed behind the others, caught up in her own world, unable to contribute to the ongoing conversation. It felt as though every gaze was directed at her, each person's eyes boring into her with an intensity that left her unsettled.

A passing lady glanced at her, eyes widening. Was she the mysterious person behind the texts? Or was it just an innocent observer, minding her own business and coincidentally crossing paths with her?

Screens were scattered throughout the practice area, raising a new set of unsettling questions in Mercy's mind. What if they were being watched? Were cameras recording her every move, capturing the most intimate moments of her life? The paranoia intensified as she considered the possibility of someone meticulously documenting each conversation she had.

Her attention was abruptly drawn to her members' enthusiastic greetings, and Mercy's head snapped up. Zico stood before them, wearing a friendly smile. Despite the seemingly harmless encounter, an uncomfortable sensation gripped Mercy. The way he smiled, the way he looked at each of them—especially at her—triggered a disquieting feeling.

'Hello sunbaenim!' her members greeted him warmly.

'Hey! On your way to practice?' Zico inquired.

The notion that he could be the mysterious sender seemed ludicrous, and yet, a nagging feeling persisted in her heart. Mercy couldn't shake off the unsettling thought that maybe, just maybe, the person behind the unknown messages was right in front of her, wearing a smile that concealed more than it revealed.

Despite Zico's apparent indifference towards her, Mercy's mind continued to spin with doubt. She scrutinized every detail of their brief encounter, analyzing his interactions with an unfounded suspicion. As he walked past them without singling her out, she breathed a sigh of relief. It couldn't be him — or anyone. Yet, the pervasive sense of paranoia persisted, as if the unseen eyes were omnipresent.

As they approached their locker rooms, Mercy found herself hesitating at the entrance to the women's facility. The fear of being alone, vulnerable to the unknown sender, gripped her heart. Unable to quell her worry, she impulsively blurted out to her members, 'Can I change with you guys?'

'Uh...?' Beomgyu uttered, visibly perplexed.

'Everything good?' Taehyun inquired.

'Yeah,' Mercy replied, forcing a smile to her lips. 'I just... it's lonely changing by myself, and the walls are thin, and sometimes I can hear you guys. So, I just wanted to, you know, be a part of it.'

'Right,' Huening Kai said suspiciously.

'I can change in the bathroom though,' Mercy reassured them, her urgency leaving no room for argument.

'Alright,' Soobin said. 'Come on in.'