A Killer's Obsession

Chapter 27

Aera Pov:

All around me were rows and rows of corn. I sighed. This was it. The final round. I had to be very careful now, as everyone was now deadhook. And yes since it was the final round, all the members were out on the prowl. Or so it was supposed to be.

"Okay guys. Look sharp!" I thought, sending the message to my friends across the map.

"It's the last round, right?" Haewon asked.

"Yeah. We're all dead hook and still have one generator left." Lily muttered.

"Shouldn't be too hard. Just fix the last gen, stay alive, rescue the boys, and escape!" Kyujin added.

"Speaking of the boys. . . where are they?

I paused. It was a valid question. Despite running around all over each area, there had been no signs of Felix, Chris, Jaemin, or Jun.

"Keep calm you three. You guys focus on fixing the machine, and I'll look for the guys." I spoke calmly.

"Alrighty! Got it boss."

A few minutes later I received another update from Kyujin.

"All finished, Aera! What should we do now?"

"Head on over to an exit gate, and try 99% it."

"On it!"

"Hey Aera. . ." Haewon called out.

"Yeah?" I replied.

"Isn't it a little weird that we haven't seen any of the Seventeen members yet? Like aren't they supposed to be trying to kill us right now?"

I chewed my bottom lip in worry. Haewon had a point. I hadn't seen any of them since the four of us had been dropped into the new map area, which was a little strange to say the least.

"Focus on the gate. I'll deal with them." I sighed.

"Sure. Sure."

I watched as Kyujin, Lily, and Haewon left towards one of the large exit gates before making my way towards the killer's shack. As I peeked through the rows of corn, I noticed a familiar flight of stairs heading down into the darkness. Sure enough it was the basement. If Jun and the others were anywhere, it would be there. As I prepared to descend, I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Who- AHHH MINGHAO?"

"Aera."

I gasped as the Chinese male released his hold on me and stepped back.

"Um. Aren't you going to kill me?" I asked.

Minghao shook his head and dropped his knife onto the ground before taking a seat on the ground.

"Nah. Take a seat. I wanna talk to you."

Hesitantly, I complied, sitting across from the despondent male.

"What's up? And where the hell are the others?"

"They're not here." Minghao replied.

"What? I told you that all of you were allowed to chase us in the last round!"

"Well. . . you see a little before you called us to give your ultimatum, I was talking to Jun. Hoshi saw me, and reported my actions to the others. They're testing me whether I'm loyal enough to kill you guys, or if I'm a traitor."

"And so? What's your decision?" I asked gently.

"Aera, are you happy?"

"Well, I was much happier on Earth than when I was the Entity's captive. And yeah, that's why I'm fighting so hard to keep that life by participating in this trial." I answered.

"So. You are happier without us."

"That's not quite it. I would be very happy to be with you, but only if you could see my point of view and respect my wants and needs. Especially the dream to be free. That wish means a lot to me, Minghao."

With that, I pressed my hand into his and clasped his hand with mine.

"I know you can't see right now, but I wish you'd try. Like Jun."

"I hate this." Minghao finally whispered.

"Hmm?"

"I hate this feeling, Aera. I'm torn on whether I should be loyal to my members, Jun, or you. What should I do? I don't want to pick a side, but I know I'll have to. I'm scared."

I sighed and wrapped my arms around Minghao's quivering shoulders.

"It's going to be okay Minghao. If you want to continue to be in the killing business I won't stop you, but then please refrain from being near me and my friends. If you want to quit, I'll gladly take you along with me back to Earth."

"You'll take me with you?" He murmured.

"Of course!"

"Okay. I've made my decision."

I blinked as the male stood and began to head inside into the killer shack.

"Where are you going?"

"You want to rescue the boys right? They're down here. Hurry up. We don't have much time."

I smiled.

"Thanks Minghao."

When I arrived downstairs, I nearly burst into tears at the sight of the four guys. Felix, Chris, and Jaemin were pale with blood dripping from their left shoulders, and panting in short painful breaths. I immediately grabbed Felix, while Minghao lowered Chris and Jaemin to the ground.

"Fuck. That hurt. Huh? Aera?" Felix choked out.

"Yeah. It's me. Can you stand? We need to leave." I asked.

"Yeah. . ."

I glanced at Minghao who was treating Chris and Jaemin.

"Aera. Get Jun." Minghao ordered, not taking his eye off the moaning Australian.

"Oh right."

I gently unhooked Jun, and smiled sadly as the male's eyes fluttered open.

"Aera."

"Jun."

I gasped as the male gently pulled my chin closer to his before merging our lips together.

"I missed you. . . and I'm glad you're okay." He whispered as we broke the kiss.

"Jun. . ."

"Okay you two. Break it up. We still gotta escape." Minghao muttered but I noticed a small smile creeping up his face.

"Right. Right."

We soon arrived at the gate where Haewon, Lily, and Kyujin were waiting. Nevertheless, they were quite surprised.

"JAEMIN!" Haewon screamed.

"Haewon!"

I chuckled and laced my arm through Jun's watching as the couple hugged passionately.

"Come on guys we can celebrate later. Grab your boyfriend, Haewon and let's get out of here." Kyujin exclaimed, before running out of the gate.

I smiled and waited for Chris and Felix, who also happily left the area.

Lily glanced at Minghao questioningly before staring at me.

"He's coming with us. He's a changed man, right Minghao?"

"Right."

"Well then. Let's leave!"

As soon as the four of us scaped there was a clap of thunder and then a deep voice announced across the plains,

"Game End. Survivors Win."