ᵍᵒᵈᵈᵉˢˢ | ᵈᵘᵇᶜʰᵃᵉⁿᵍ

022

"Momo, can I ask you a question?" Glancing over at the girl, she only nodded in response.

"What does it usually mean whenever a gang follows someone?"

Momo's eyes lifted from her weapon that she was previously polishing, staring straight ahead as if not knowing how to respond.

She remained silent for a moment before finally speaking, "It's usually not good."

I nodded, biting my lip as I went back to cleaning the counters.

I still don't understand why they'd want to follow Chae and I. We aren't gang members and we haven't bothered anybody.

The bell on the door rang, and as Momo and I looked over, we noticed it was Chaeyoung. "Chae?"

The blonde smiled at the both as she strolled closer. "Nayeon wanted me to come hang out."

Momo sat up straight, placing her weapon on the floor beside her. "Has Nayeon found any leads?"

Chae glanced between Momo and I, a look of concern in her eyes as she responded, "She has a couple of ideas, but no leads. She's going to have Jeongyeon contact Ryujin."

"Ryujin? She's not an informant anymore, how do we know we can trust her?" Momo almost sounded angry at Nayeon's decision. I, on the other hand, was wondering who Ryujin was.

Chaeyoung shrugged, shoving her hands into her pockets. "She said we have to trust her. We have no other option right now. Ryujin can tell us which group is out of Japan and that could tell us who is here."

Silence fell over the three of us, Momo radiating anger while Chaeyoung seemed to be radiating discomfort.

"Are you okay?" I questioned softly, earning both girls' attention.

Chae smiled softly at me before nodding, "I'm okay. How are you?"

"I'm scared." I admitted, watching both girls' eyes go soft.

"Nothing is going to happen, I promise." Chaeyoung stepped forward to take hold of my hand, smiling her warm and comforting smile.

I trust her words. I feel safe with her.

Our sweet moment was interrupted as a group of girls entered the store, giggling and holding onto each other.

All five girls had different shades of blonde hair, which to me is very odd, but maybe it's a friendship thing.

"Must be a group of high schoolers." Momo mumbled, Chae and I only nodding in response.

Momo stood up, earning our attention once more as she stated, "Well, I'm going out front to smoke. Chae?"

The blonde looked between Momo and I, worry written on her face.

I sighed, pushing the two towards the front door. "I'll be fine. You don't have to watch me like a hawk."

Both girls nodded, Chae turning towards me as I pushed the two out the door. "Scream if you need us."

I smiled at the two, "Will do. Have fun."

As I walked back to the counter, I couldn't help but notice that the group of girls was awfully silent.

They were all standing in the snack aisle, pointing at stuff and whispering to each other, maybe about what to buy.

But if they were so loud when they walked in, why be quiet now?

Shrugging it off, I walked to the backroom, putting up my cleaning supplies. I think I'll just hang out the rest of the night. All I've done today is stress clean.

Turning around to leave the backroom, I was met with the same five high schoolers.

"Can I help you girls?" I questioned, weary of how they were all staring at me. They all had this look of murder in their eyes.

"Dahyun, is it?" One girl questioned rhetorically, stepping forward.

She had short platinum blonde hair and a small face. Her eyes were sharp, her tone laced with excitement. It's almost as if this were thrilling for her.

Furrowing my brows, I gulped. "Yes. How...How did you know my name?" My voice trailed off, fear overtaking my mind.

These girls aren't high schoolers.

The one who had stepped forward grinned, stepping just inches away from me. She was so close that I could smell her rose scented perfume.

"You're coming with us, beautiful."

I started to open my mouth to scream for Momo and Chae, but she pulled out a knife, holding it against my throat.

Everything happened so quickly that I was left in shock. Where did she get a knife? And how did she take it out so quickly?

"If you scream, I will have to cut your pretty little throat. And I'd hate to see you bleed out on a floor that isn't mine."

One of the other girls stepped forward, a soft smile on her face as she held up a rag, apologizing before placing it over my nose and mouth.

As I breathed in the fumes, everything slowly becoming dark, all I could think about was Chaeyoung.

You promised.