Vengeance Is Mine

chapter 36. angel

"Hey," Jin said softly when I came out of J-Hope's room. I gave him a small smile and hugged him. "Right on time. Dinner is ready," he said. I nodded and we walked to the table. Everyone was eating, but Ian was still missing—probably still asleep.

"Come on, try this. It's amazing," Tae said, pulling me into a seat. He gave me a taste of the noodles. I closed my eyes as the warmth hit me. "Perfect," I whispered, looking at Jin. "Eat up, Bun," he said gently.

Jimin was feeding Yoongi because he was hurt, while RM and Jungkook talked quietly. We talked about what happened earlier, but just as we were about to go to our rooms, RM's phone rang. "What is it now?" RM asked, sounding exhausted. "Alright... I see... Got it." He hung up and rubbed his face.

"What happened?" Jin asked. "Our source," RM sighed. "Trucks are moving tonight. Drugs. This is our only chance to stop them." "Let's go," Yoongi and I said, standing up fast. "No way. Sit down," Jimin told Yoongi. "You're bleeding." "And you too," Tae said, pushing me back down. "What?" I asked, confused. "Jungkook is too hurt to go, and so are you," I said, looking at Tae with worry. "Neither should you," Jungkook snapped back. "It's late, and you need rest," Joon added.

I scoffed. "Am I five years old? Joon, I'm fine. I rested. I didn't even fight much this morning." It was a lie. My head was throbbing and my muscles felt like lead. But I was better off than the guys sitting on this couch. "You're outnumbered. You need me," I stated. He had no choice but to agree.

"Kook, watch over Ian," I said softly. He nodded. Joon, Tae, Jimin, and I headed out. "Joon, can we take my car?" I asked, trying to look cute. He stopped, thinking for a second. "Please? I promise it's a better ride." He saw my face and laughed, his dimples showing. "Fine. How can I say no to those eyes?" "Someone knows how to handle him," Tae teased.

Tae drove, Joon sat up front, and Jimin and I were in the back. "Thanks, Joon. I've always wanted to take you in this car," I said. "It's a nice car, Ellie. Next time, you drive." I talked about the car's features for a while. I loved these guys. I loved the attention and the care they gave me. They made me feel safe.

"Jarvis is smart. He knows everything," Joon said, impressed by the AI. "I have to disagree, RM. The person who made me is the smart one," Jarvis spoke up. Joon's eyes went wide. "You're right, Jarvis," he laughed.

We opened the roof and felt the wind. We grabbed shakes on the way, and for a moment, it felt like a road trip instead of a mission. But when we reached the coast at 12:30 AM, everything changed. We put on our gear and loaded our guns.

"Ellie, please be careful. Tell us if you feel sick," Joon begged. I nodded. Tae came up behind me and put earmuffs on me. He booped my nose and smiled. "Stay with Jimin. Joon and I will take the other side," he whispered.

Jimin and I hid behind some scrap metal. A sharp pain shot through my head. I let out a small sound and closed my eyes tight. "Are you okay, Angel?" Jimin asked, touching my knee. "Just a headache. I'm okay," I said. The smell of the sea was making me want to throw up. "Here," he guided my head to his shoulder. "Rest until it's time."

Later, a tap woke me up. "It's time, Angel," he whispered. "You're the angel, Jimin. Not me," I joked. "You are to me," he said seriously.

We started the cameras. We saw a ship and a truck. Men were taking out white packets. Then, a car pulled up. Five young men were dragged out. Their hands were in chains. They looked broken. "They're trading the drugs for the boys," Joon said through the earbud. "We're saving them," I whispered.

On Joon's signal, we jumped out. The fight was messy. Joon and Jimin went for the dealers while Tae and I ran to the boys. They were shaking. "Hey, we won't hurt you," Tae told them. I shot a man who tried to grab one of them. "See? She's protecting you. We're the good guys." They looked at me and nodded. "Can you fight? Use the chains," Tae said. They joined in.

"We have to go! NOW!" Joon shouted. We ran for the car. I handed out water to the boys. They looked like they hadn't eaten in days. Tae found an old car for them to use and we led them to the officers halfway home. They thanked us with tears in their eyes.

We slumped in our seats, exhausted. "How's the head, Angel?" Jimin asked. "It's breaking. I just want to sleep," I replied. Tae took my hands. "Why didn't you tell me it was that bad?" I smiled at him. "It's okay." He started rubbing my temples. "Look at the best boyfriend over here," Joon teased. I felt my face turn red. "It's not like that," I whined. "Sure it isn't, Angel," Jimin joined in.

The car was quiet until a call came through the dashboard. SWEET HOME. I frowned. "Leo?" Jimin answered it. All we heard was a broken sob. My heart dropped. I heard things breaking in the background. Screaming. "E-Ellie..." A sob came through. It was Leo. "Leo! What happened?" I yelled. "E-Ellie... he won't open the door. I'm scared."

I knew. Shelly was having an episode. He had locked himself in. "Leo, breathe. I'm here," I said, though I was shaking. Tae gripped my hand. "Tell him to stop hurting himself!" Leo cried. "Which room?" I asked. "The second wing." "Jarvis, connect me to the speakers in the second wing. Now."

"Shelly," I spoke softly into the car's mic. No answer. "Shelly!" I yelled. The crashing stopped. "Shelly, it's me." "E-Ellie? Is that you?" he asked, his voice sounding like glass. "Yes, brother. It's me. Your Ellie." I was crying now. "Princess... where are you? Why did you leave?" "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I'm not there," I sobbed quietly. "I miss you... I miss you and... IZZY!" he screamed.

My breath hitched. Izzy. He was thinking of her. "Izzy... I need her... please," he wailed. I had to save him. Even if it meant lying. "Shelly, listen. You forgot? We went camping. Me, Izzy, and Dad. We're at the farm." "Camping? Dads? Izzy?" "Yes. We're having a great time, but you're crying like a baby," I said, forcing a laugh through my tears. "You're happy? Is Izzy there? I see red... so much red." "Shelly, it's just a bad dream. Izzy is fine."

My heart felt like it was being ripped out. She wasn't fine. She was dead. She died twelve years ago. "She's fine? I want to talk to her." "Shelly... look at the time." "It's 3 AM," he whispered. "Exactly. Good girls are asleep. Izzy is sleeping." She's been sleeping in a coffin for twelve years. "Is she with you?" "Yes. She's right next to me. She looks so cute. Remember those pajamas you bought her? She's wearing them. She told me to tell you she'll see you soon."

Lies. All lies. It hurt so much I could barely breathe. "Really?" he asked like a child. "Yes. Now, calm down. Take a breath. Open the door for Leo. He's worried." I heard the door click open. I disconnected the call and broke down. The car was silent. The guys were staring at me, tears in their eyes.

"Jarvis, call Alex," I whispered. He picked up. "Hello, Ell—" "Shelly. He had an episode." "I'm on my way, Bean," Alex said, his voice turning serious. "You and Ian be careful. It's that time of year." "I know." "I'll take care of them. You take care of yourself."

It was 4 AM when we got home. My head felt like it was exploding. My heart was heavy. I couldn't carry it anymore. Tae helped me out of the car. Jin was at the door. Suddenly, everything went dark. I heard their voices, but I couldn't answer. "ELLIE!" That was the last thing I heard before I hit the ground.

Taehyung caught Ellie before she hit the floor. Jin ran over, checking her pulse. It was low. They rushed her inside. Tae watched them help her, his heart breaking. "Hyung," Tae cried, hugging Joon. "Why is this happening? I can't see her like this." "I know, Tae. We'll find out," Joon said, holding him tight. "But we have to be strong for her." "What did Alex mean?" Tae asked. "That time of year?" Joon looked away, lost in thought. "I think that's where we start looking for answers."