A Killer's Obsession

Chapter 16

Haewon Pov:

It was time. I glanced behind me where Lily and Kyujin were seated, staring into space as Professor Jongho continued to teach the beautiful science behind apples and other fruits.

"When is it going to be lunch time?" I heard Kyujin groan.

Just as she finished there was a loud ring.

"Well, class that will do it for today. We'll continue tomorrow, you are dismissed." Jongho announced, setting us free.

I leapt up and dashed out of the room followed by my two friends.

"Kyujin, where are you going?" Lily shouted from behind me.

"To the cafeteria! I'm hungry!" I heard Kyujin reply.

"Idiot! We have to go, we have only two hours, remember?"

"Right. Right. I'm coming, I'm coming."

We soon made it out to the parking lot, where the volleyball team's car was parked nearby.

"You got the key?" Lily asked.

I nodded.

As soon as we got inside, I typed the address which Kyujin had sent me into my phone. Alright Haewon. Deep breaths. I told myself. This was it. I steeled my nerves and we were off.

"Damn look at this place!" Kyujin gasped as we arrived at the mansion.

I couldn't bring myself to smile. She was right, it was a beautiful building, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of fear and anxiety that was terrorizing my whole being.

"Let's get to searching." Lily suggested.

I nodded. According to Ryujin, we were in the clear for now as she had seen all thirteen men at the campus. That was good news. At least for now Lily, Kyujin and I now had two whole hours to search the house.

"Hey guys!" Lily called around the corner.

"What's up?" I asked her.

"I found a loose vent here." Lily spoke as she removed the metal covering.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Kyujin muttered.

Lily sighed.

"C'mon use your brain for a second. Felix said he saw Aera outside The Kangaroo 3 days ago. Which means she escaped, and if this is loose, I'm guessing she slipped out from this house through this. Vents are usually connected to rooms to ventilate air, right? All this means. . ."

We all looked up at a closed window.

"She's in that room."

"Gosh your brain can be so sexy sometimes!" Kyujin chirped, hugging her friend.

"Urgh. Uh, well thanks?"

"Kyujin, did you bring the rope and hook?" I sighed.

"Yes yes. It's in my backpack."

Moment's later, Kyujin and I watched as Lily picklocked the lock on the window.

"How's it going?" I called.

"Fine. Damn they made this really tight." Lily answered.

Then there was a slight click. Kyujin and I gasped as the window unlocked.

"Holy crap, I didn't think you could do it!" Kyujin commented, earning an insulted look from Lily.

"I told you I spent over 100+ hours studying this stuff! It wasn't all for nothing, you punk!"

"Quit fighting you two. Lily, head inside we'll be right after you." I ordered.

The room was quiet. I glanced around nervously. It looked exactly like Aera's bedroom, down to the carpeting and lights. I suddenly noticed a still figure huddled under a blanket on the bed. Cautiously, I made my way over and sat down on the mattress.

"Aera?" I asked tentatively.

"Go away, Seungkwan, I'm not interested." I heard a female croak out.

"I'm not Seungkwan." I responded.

"Aera, it's me Haewon."

A head suddenly shot out from underneath the covers, and I nearly screamed when I saw the familiar face.

"Haewon?"

"Aera! Oh my god, you're okay!" I sobbed.

"Hey don't forget we're here too!" I heard Kyujin protest.

"How did you guys get in?" Aera asked.

"Through the window. We're here to rescue you, baby!" Lily grinned.

"Really?"

"Hell yeah! So um can you walk? We got a car outside." Kyujin continued.

Aera's face fell.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

". . ."

"I can't. . ."

Kyujin shook her head.

"Nonsense, if you have a sprain or something, we can help you. C'mon arms over our shoulders!"

I watched as the younger girl took Aera's right arm and slung it over her shoulder.

"Now the other one."

Aera was quiet. She then suddenly lowered the blanket to reveal her other arm. Or what was left of it. Instead of a whole limb there was a stump cut off at the shoulder. We all screamed.

"WHAT THE FUCK?" I heard Lily yell.

Aera was silent. She continued to remove the blanket and our eyes widened when we saw the loss of her right leg.

"What happened?" I stuttered.

"Punishment for my escape attempt." She replied soulessly.

"Well you certainly are not staying here another second longer." I stated firmly.

Soon the three of us somehow made a pulley system from the rope we had and lowered Aera safely to the ground and carried her to the car.

"So what now?" Lily asked.

"I'll drop off you three at my house for now while I return the car. Then I'll call Felix and tell him we found Aera."

"What about Aera's um mobility issue? Won't Seungcheol and the dudes come after us? I know we're fit and shit but even we can't carry her forever." Kyujin sighed.

I paused. Was there anything we could do? That's when it came to me.

"What's with that smile, Haewon?" Lily commented, breaking my trance.

"I think I might have a solution. Meet me at classroom 52615 at 4:00 PM tonight."