Number 9 |jaewoo|

8

Taeyong turned around to look at them. He gestured for the strangers to be calm since they were turning heads and asking him questions. He stepped over to Jungwoo and grinned. "Hello, my friend. It seems like curiosity got the best of you. Did Donghyuck influence you?" he asked, just to be a tease.

"Now isn't the time for jokes!" Donghyuck growled and stomped his foot.

Jungwoo walked right past him, heading towards that thing. It had Jungwoo's exact features; his hair, his skin, his height. Everything was the same, except for a tattoo on the thing's wrist that read number 9. Jungwoo felt his eyes welling up again. "Taeyong... what is this? Please, don't lie to me, and say it! What is happening?!"

Taeyong looked at one of the strangers against the wall. Then he watched the floor. "I suppose it's out in the open now. Jungwoo... do you remember when I told you about how we made a prototype before the anarchy happened?" he paused, waiting for a response. Jungwoo held his breath, and the thing which looked identical to him opened its eyes. Jungwoo backed away as it looked at him curiously.

"When it happened," Taeyong continued. "We lost everything. We barely had any money left to pay for all of the damage done. We needed to do something... so, we called someone underground... and they told us they'd donate a bunch of money for us. As long as they receive our project to use as a weapon- you. So, as we were saving you, we worked on the prototype that originally started all of this mess. And we... cloned you. However, it has no emotions. It cannot think for itself. It only does what its told, sensing danger. We wanted to keep you, the real you, with us so you can start over again. That's why you were hidden with Hyuck."

Donghyuck gave Taeyong and incredulous look. The other friends didn't seem to be surprised, not even Jaehyun. "Wait! So you... built that thing anyway? You told me you scrapped it to focus on saving Jungwoo! All of you! You all kept this from me!" Donghyuck shouted. He glanced at each one of his friends, who faced the floor, filled with intense guilt.

"We knew it hurt you the most." Taeyong said with a frown.

"And lying makes it even better?!" Donghyuck raised his voice even louder.

Jungwoo felt tears streaming down his face. He felt anxious, and he tugged on his hair. "I don't believe this! That meeting was a complete act then, wasn't it? Siding with the enemy... making a dangerous monster in our home! After all they did to you!" Jungwoo shook his head, and Jaehyun went over to calm him. He took his shoulders and said, "Jungwoo, it's not what it seems."

"No!" Jungwoo pushed him on purpose, so hard that he was sent to the window. It cracked on impact, and Jaehyun fell to his knees completely winded. Jungwoo gasped, quickly regretting it, and all of his friends were covering their mouths.

"Well, now I can see that the truth is out." One of the strange men stepped forward, who seemed to be the leader of them all. "Honestly, Taeyong, I'm not happy that you attempted to give us a fake, when you promised the real deal."

"I know," Taeyong replied to the man. "But please understand... we needed him. And we couldn't bear to give him up against his will. Because he's still human, partial or not. This clone will do everything you ask. Please, just let Jungwoo stay."

"I don't know. A deals a deal. We gave you that money, and now we need something in return. Hm... how about this. We'll take this 'clone' if it can prove its worthy of being a weapon. What I'm trying to say is... I want to see these two in action."

Jungwoo, kneeling with Jaehyun, heard what the man said. He turned his head slowly at Taeyong, who pled with the man to just take the clone.

But the man refused. "If you can't prove it to me, I'll just call the government and tell them about your little friend."

"I'll do it." Jungwoo stood up and walked over to the clone. "I'm upset... but I don't want you hurt. So I'll do it... I'll fight it."

"No," Taeyong cupped Jungwoo's cheeks and frowned, his saddened eyes glistening in the light. "I can't let you do this. I know I messed up... but please don't hurt yourself for me. Please."

"Despite all of this... you all saved my life. You made me feel at home. It's the least I can do."

"No, not again." Jaehyun began sobbing. "He's doing it again!" Jaehyun covered his face. Donghyuck helped him back up and pulled him to an embrace. Jungwoo lovingly glanced back at Jaehyun, not sure of what he meant.

The man chuckled and agreed with his mates. "Then its settled. Let's see if you really deserve freedom."

Donghyuck growled under his breath and tried to jump at the man like an angry lion. But Mark, who was nearby, grabbed him and held him back. "You can't make him do this! How about I kick your ass instead?!" Donghyuck pointed at the man, ready for any chance to attack him.

"Everyone leave." Jungwoo said, glaring at the clone. With no other choice, his friends hesitantly walked into the room behind the one-way window,along with the strange men and their leader.

Soon, he was left alone with his clone, which hadn't moved from its spot. He had no idea how he would pull this off; either way, it was a lose-lose situation. If he beat the clone, the men would take him. But if he let the clone win, they'll leave with it, not knowing if he'll even be alive to see it.

Jaehyun, Donghyuck and Taeyong watched intensely, along with the rest of their friend group. Everyone was in silence, thinking of many horrible outcomes that could come out of this fight. Jaehyun shielded his eyes again and whimpered softly, suffering from intrusive thoughts, and Taeyong came over to hold him.

Jungwoo and his clone had a staring contest. Feeling his hands trembling, Jungwoo took a deep breath. The clone tilted its head. He came over to it, raised his hand, and so did the clone. They locked their hands together. "What even are you?" Jungwoo spoke in a low voice, so he wouldn't provoke it. But it snapped anyway. The clone used its other hand and grabbed Jungwoo's neck. He clutched onto the clone's arm and scratched it, struggling to breathe. Suddenly, out of instinct, Jungwoo kneed the clone right into its abdomen with such force that it collapsed.

Released, Jungwoo took a few steps back. And when he saw the clone again, itwas already storming at him. He shielded his head and flinched.

A vision flashed before his eyes.