Step by Step [TO1 ROMEYOU 1]

CHAPTER 15

     He checked beneath the table once again in despair. »I'm here. Behind the shelf.« Minsu's terrified voice startled Jaeyun abruptly. Letting out a silent sigh, he placed his hand on his chest in relief.

»Are you crazy?!« He hissed. »I thought something happened to you.« He added while dragging Minsu with him under the table. It was, indeed, unpleasant to wait alone in darkness, shivering from the chilly atmosphere and hoping to be able to escape as soon as possible. But Jaeyun was sure it wouldn't take long for Kyungho to leave the basement, as he would assume they already escaped.

»Did he see you?« Jaeyun asked Minsu with a concerned voice.

»No. I hid behind Jisu.« He answered quietly.

»I just wanted to talk!« Kyungho's voice sounded muffled through all three hallways. »I know I did something wrong...« He added in disappointment.

Minsu twitched with his shoulders, his heart sending a piercing pain. »Great. It doesn't change anything.« His fingers started drawing through the dust on the floor. A loud squeak emerged from the top of the staircase, with a short beam of light illuminating the corridors. Minsu wanted to stand up but was pushed down by Jaeyun beside him. »Wait until we know he isn't faking.« He whispered.

Jerome slid their door open, peeking into the darkness. From the corner of his eye, he saw movement to his left. Woonggi's fluffy hair sticking out of the doorway startled him for a second. They looked at each other before exchanging diverse signs whether to go out or not. Jaeyun joined their little noiseless conversation as he opened the door as well. Minsu sticking his head out behind Jaeyun's shoulder.

»Let's go.« Jaeyun whispered. Finally, being together once again, they tried to look for a light switch to be able to navigate their way into the second building. Jisu ended up pressing a few buttons, making the hallways light up one by one, like in a movie.

»Shall we still try to get out through the other building?« Chihoon leaned on the wall and let himself sink onto the cold floor. Now they needed time to think about their next actions.

»I don't think so. What if he goes to search the gym now? We would pop up out of the blue and meet him again.« Jaeyun said with his gaze drifting away.

»But what if he comes back here because he thinks we took the bait? ...Which we did.« Jerome inspected a few paintings on the wall. Some of them torn apart, some still looking as if they were freshly painted.

»Let's just go up there...« Minsu's voice sounded weak.

»You really want to risk it?« Jisu placed himself between Minsu and the staircase. Everyone glanced over at Minsu with concerned eyes, trying to find the reason for his sudden decision.

»I am sure he won't come back. No worries.« He assured after giving them a comforting smile. A short pause of looking at each other for assurance, they decided to follow Minsu and trust him. He was the one who knew Kyungho the best, after all.

As they opened the door to the basement, strong light caused them to shield their eyes and whine for a second. Woonggi stepped out on a few unfamiliar students happily chatting in the hallways, waiting for their guiders, the juniors of the school, to show them around campus. Music sounded through the speakers and the prepared cookies were handed out. Jisu closed the basement door behind them.

The classroom they previously locked themselves in seemed lifeless. Tables completely empty, beside a plastic bag with left over fried chicken placed on the nearest table. Each took their backpack and even though they felt less stressed and nervous than before, the atmosphere was still tense.