StarCross

Volunteer

After an hour of detailed report and interrogation Amanda believed me. She is also a major and handles tasks in headquarters in absence of Chief General Jang Ji Yoon. She is very strict and doesn't spare anyone who goes against the orders. Besides she doesn't like me very much so I wasn't surprised when she ordered me to punishment chambers.

The chambers are in the farthest corner of the headquarters. After a long walk we reached here.

"You have a minute." She informed me.
"Roger." I answered taking off my jacket along with all the weapons I had on me. I was left with only my clothes. I tied up my hair in a bun and knelt on the cross mark, waiting for it.

The room was empty except for a table and a chair. Amanda pressed the button on the wall and a shelf revealed itself. It had all kinds of tools to do the work. Amanda walked the length of it, deciding what should she choose. I didn't even bother to see I knew what she would pick.

Amanda stood in front of me with a whip in her hand. I looked up at her, at the malicious smile she has. Her long wish of doing it with me is now coming true, there is no way she can be happier than today.

"Agent Cross, you have gone against the orders and killed 40 Doom Mafia today, do you agree?"

She asked in a judgemental voice.
"Yes. I agree."

"Do you confess that you knew by killing them you would be denying us evidences?"

"Yes." I answered robotically.

"That's a serious crime Agent Cross. I am afraid it cannot be overlooked." She said masking her excitement in fake sympathy. I don't fall for that anymore.

"Ofcourse Madam. Those who break the rules must be punished. I accept the consequences, whatever they may be." I looked at her in determination. Disappointing her to beg for mercy. Her lower lip twitches.

"One last thing, Agent Cross do you have any one to volunteer in your place?"

A volunteer is someone who is willing to take the punishment in your place. It was supposed to be a way out for agents who are injured or simply can't stand it.

A mercy.
A lie.

No one volunteers for others and those who do are very close to your heart. Someone who will be willing to die with you. And letting that person volunteer will leave a scar on your soul. It is the worst kind of punishment one could receive. A twofold punishment.

I shook my head.
"No." She raised her brown eyebrows in surprise.

"I believed agent Liu will. To be frank I thought he will be here even before you."
"He is still injured and is in the infirmary." I didn't tell her that I knocked him out. He was not expecting that and I just needed to prick a syringe in him.

She nodded utterly pleased.

"Then agent Cross are you ready for your punishment?" I can hear the smile in her voice.
I nodded, "Yes."

As soon as the words left my lips she raised her right hand with the whip. Taking in a deep breath I braced myself for the upcoming impact and pain. I closed my eyes and waited and waited.

I heard the sharp sound of whip cutting through the air, I prepared myself for it, but the impact never came. Instead I felt a strong body crash into me and engulf me in the arms.

The arms I know very well.

The sickening sound of whip hitting a back echoed in the air and the body holding me jerked in response. His grip on my arms tightened. My eyes widened and my breath stopped. I felt my heart in my throat.

"Chanyeol.." I whispered in disbelief.

It was him. But why?

"What's the meaning of this?" Amanda asked clearly annoyed to be interrupted. I on the other hand am horrified. I got out of his arms and turned to him. He is gritting his teeth.

"What are you doing here?" I asked him not knowing what to do. My voice barely a whisper. He took in a deep breath and stood up. His movements casual and elegant. You won't be able to tell that he has just received one hit from whip.

However I didn't have it in me to stand up. My knees felt weak.

He turned to Amanda and fixed her with a glare. I have never seen a look so disdainful.

And then he spoke, spoke the words that will scar me forever.

"I volunteer for Agent Cross."

Voice loud and clear filled with determination leaving no place for objection.

"What?!"
"WHAT!???"

Came a shocked response from me and all of his exo members. I didn't know when they came here but they all are present here looking at him with the same horror and shock as I am.

On the other hand Amanda is looking at him with a strange look. As if seeing him for the first time.

Oh no it's bad.

I have to do something.

"Cha- Mr. Park this isn't something you should be concerned with. I can take it."

But he was not listening to me at all. He was still looking at Amanda.

"Why would you do that?" Amanda asked him tapping the tip of whip in palm of her left haln.

"No reason." He answered.

Amanda chuckled, "Do you know what you are agreeing to Mr. Park?" She inquired just to be sure, a formality. She is enjoying it too much.

"I am." He replied.

"Fair enough. Then shall we begin." She spoke standing in her position. Chanyeol nodded and started to take off his blazer.

"No. You are not doing it." My voice getting higher.

"Are you crazy Chanyeol? Don't do it. You have already taken one. Not anymore." I held his hand as he took off his blazer.

"Don't worry agent Cross. It's no big deal." He told me and kneeled on the ground where I was few minutes ago.
"Go ahead." He directed Amanda.

I looked around panicked. I saw his members standing in shock but silence. No one said a word. How can they let this happen and not do anything about it.

"You don't have anything to say? Stop him!!" But they didn't say anything. Their eyes had pain in them but they chose to let him do it.

"Nothing can change his mind agent Cross." Chen spoke in a restrained voice. I was surprised. Seeing that they won't help I turned to Chanyeol again, kneeling in front of him.

"Don't be foolish Chanyeol. Don't do it. Please." I begged. He held my hand which was holding his arm. He looked at me with a calm gaze. How could he be so calm.

"Agent Cross it'll be fine. I have made up my mind and you should know better than anyone I won't change it."

I was about to object but Amanda cut me off.

"Agent Cross you are interfering with my work. If you continue to do so I am afraid Mr. Park will have to face the consequences." She said harshly. I looked at her and then I saw it. A smile and light in her eyes. She is enjoying this all and she won't change it. She wants this to happen. The more I'll oppose the harder she will make it for him.

So I stood up and walked to where everyone was and stood there.

And I watched.

I watched as she raised her hand high and brought that whip hard on his back with a sickening sound. And I watched how his body flinched with every hit. The whip tore through his clothes and red blood started to drench the white of his tattered shirt. I watched as his breathing increase, sweat broke on his face and he clenched his fists. I watched as Amanda hit him twenty times.

And I watched him fall unconscious to the ground after the last hit.

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