𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ 𝐧𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 - 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐮

⇛ 𝐂𝐇. 𝟕𝟕

the five departed from the house and began their journey to find the underground train route. jungwoo had said they'd probably have to go through one of the manholes to get there.

"there are peacekeepers all over the place." renjun said, peering around the corner of the wall they were hiding behind. jaemin had pointed out a manhole ahead but it was seeming impossible to get to.

"surely there must be another one somewhere." jisung said.

"no, we don't have time to find it and it could be just as difficult to get to. we need to create a distraction or something." jihyun said.

"i'll do it." jungwoo said, reaching his gun.

"do what?" she asked, her eyes wide.

"i'll go out there and start shooting so they follow me. then you all will get to the manhole immediately."

"you'll get caught." she hissed, grabbing his gun to stop him.

"it'll allow you to get your friends back."

"but then we'll have to save you as well." haechan said.

"no. no, you won't." he shook his head. "it doesn't matter if they capture me and take me to snow. you mustn't come save me until you've done what's needed. we've already strayed from the original plan, doing it anymore will get you all killed. save your friends and keep going."

"but what about getting through the capitol? you came with us on this mission to guide us." renjun said.

"i guess i'm making myself useful in another way." he shrugged. "listen, you'll be fine. you know the way through the underground and you have the map. once you get into the capitol, there's this tattoo shop. its hard to miss. it's owned by my sister. tell her jungwoo sent you and she'll help."

"jungwoo, no. we can't leave you." jihyun argued.

"i'll be fine."

"that's a lie and you know it."

"it doesn't matter. i have to. it's your only chance."

"i don't want to do this." she balled her hands into fists. she knew this was the only option they had in that moment and she wished they could come up with something else but they were running out of time. they couldn't risk losing their other friends as well.

"you have to."

jihyun embraced him, her eyebrows furrowed and lips quivering. she didn't want him to sacrifice himself and she didn't want to leave him behind either. she had lost and nearly lost so many people already.

"you've always been like a brother to me. i love you." her arms tightened around him, squeezing him and not wanting to let go.

"and you're the little sister i never had. i love you too." he replied, a tear rolling down his cheek. he quickly wiped it before anyone could see and then stepped back to hug the others. "i'll go now."

"jungwoo..."

"don't even hesitate for a second and don't look back."

"okay. we'll see you soon."

he ran out into the open and shot one of the peacekeepers then ran away from where the manhole was, firing bullets everywhere. the peacekeepers followed after him, yelling to catch him.

"go, go!" jaemin shouted, urging his friends to move. they ran over to the cover on the floor and together pulled it off.

"jisung." jihyun pushed him to go down the ladder first and then renjun followed.