Supreme Freedom

SK Cartel - Setting the Stage

Hyungnim was away doing his day job but had called to give instructions to Joon about what was to be taken care of.

Joon: "Why are you entrusting this job to the kids?"

Hyungnim: "Why are you questioning me?"

Joon: "If this job is so important, why not let ours take care of it?"

Hyungnim: "Stop questioning it and get it done!"

He hung up and Joon had no choice but to send the file to Sanghyuk and Zuho. Just then there was a knock on his door and Irene and Somin walked in.

Irene: "What is he thinking? Why weren't we given the job?!"

Joon: "Do you seriously think he would tell me?"

Somin: "He's up to something. I guess the others will be happy that the kids will be set up."

Joon and Irene turned to look at her, unsure of what she meant. Somin walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. She leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees.

Somin: "Think about it. Such a high profile, risky target... I bet he wanted something to go wrong. He never does anything reckless."

Joon: "Careful with what you say."

Somin: "I'm not saying anything wrong. He's a very smart and cautious man, isn't he?"

Irene rolled her eyes and exhaled sharply. She hated everything about the leader and her life but she had no choice, being raised into this lifestyle. She was always looking for the opportunity to leave but knew it would be impossible as long as Hyungnim was alive. Joon was the only one who understood her but he couldn't help even if he tried. There was no escape for him either. Joon received a text and got to work again. Irene and Somin bowed their heads and left him to work in peace. He called to have the guards pick up the others and take them to the safe house. He gathered his things and left to meet up with them there. Meanwhile, the others were having a meeting of their own after Irene and Somin arrived.

Jongwoon: "So, does he know anything?"

Irene: "Of course not. Changmin, don't you know something?"

Changmin: "Me? Why?"

Irene: "You're the lawyer."

Changmin: "True, but I guess he believes this won't come back to him."

Gikwang: "How?"

Somin: "Wait, Changmin has a point. They were acquaintances and worked together often, there's no motive for him to want to kill her. Then, he really is setting them up."

TOP: "Huh? Explain it clearly."

Somin: "I'm not sure who exactly he's trying to set up or how... But we all know the tensions between Hyungnim and Huta, this has to be connected somehow. I just have a bad feeling about all of this."

Jongwoon: "I think you're just overreacting. She must have crossed the line somehow."

Irene: "No, they had an exclusive contract, she's worked with us for years, why -"

Gikwang: "It happens all the time in the movies, you can't trust anyone."

TOP: "Then, why are we all here?"

Changmin: "Good question. Then, if there's nothing else, I'll be off."

He put his hands in his pockets and left. The others started leaving one by one. Irene went out to the backyard and spotted a rabbit near her garden. She approached it slowly and caught it. She held it up and admired it before smiling as she pet it. She went back inside and headed back down to the basement. She stood in front of a cell and opened the small slot.

Irene: "오빠... Look what I found."

She put the rabbit through the slot and sat down on the floor as she heard it scurrying around the cement floor inside the cell. The sudden sound of bones breaking echoed through the silence. Irene smiled to herself as a tear fell down her cheek.

Irene: "I wish you could feel love... How could I love a monster like you?"