𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐙𝐈𝐀: 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 | Kang Yeosang

Chapter 05: Decision

After the endless awkward silent moments, Y/n explained that they followed them to their place to make sure they weren't a threat.

Dawon: "Now that you found out what we are. You can leave"

Jiu: "Dawon this is not your..."

Y/n interrupted her by agreeing.

Y/n: "He's right. You got what you wanted, now leave"

Y/n said harshly while crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at the guys.

Wooyoung: "Wow, you're welcome."

Hongjoong sighed and nodded slowly.

Wonho stepped beside y/n and rubbed her shoulder.

Wonho: "I will go after them to make sure they leave"

Y/n: "You don't have to..."

Wonho shook his head and followed them out of the building.

Y/n sighed and turned back to walk to the small destroyed room.

She sat on the dusty bed and watched the floor, lost in her thoughts.

Jiu walked and sat next to her. She gently rubbed her back for comfort.

Jiu: "I'm glad you're okay. Thanks for keeping my baby safe."

Y/n: "I'm not. And GahYeon isn't a baby anymore."

Y/n spoke the truth and Jiu smiled sadly understanding what she really meant by what she said.

Later that night, as everyone sat around the small fire in order to stay warm. Y/n decided to say what she's been thinking about.

Y/n: "We should move out of here"

All eyes were on her.

Dylan: "I agree, we don't know when they will come back and do something to us"

Jiu:" But they don't look like they would do something to us. We have nothing for them to take."

GahYeon: "They are good people. Right, mommy?"

Y/n: "Don't make this hard for me"

She sighed and closed her eyes. Her head started hurting from the overthinking.

Dawon: "I don't understand how come Y/n let her guards down and showed them our place. That's her fault"

Wonho was about to say something back but Y/n held his hand.

Y/n: "I know, it's my fault. We're leaving anyway. We need to find a better place. A safer one at least."

Dylan: "I don't think we'll find a safe place but we can make it"

Everybody nodded agreeing on what he said. They have been moving from place to place for a long time now.

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On the other side, Hongjoong called for an immediate meeting the moment they arrived.

As everyone took their seats, Hongjoong started the talk.

Hongjoong: "They're staying inside a building for now. There are 3 armed guys. The kid and her mother and Y/n. They don't look like a threat but we should keep an eye on them."

Seonghwa: "That kid shouldn't be out there anymore. I have an idea. How about we let them in? They'll be safer here and surely they will help"

Yeosang: "Seonghwa, you can't just say that"

Hongjoong stood at the head of the table, his arms crossed over his chest.

Hongjoong: "Alright, we need to decide what we're going to do about Y/n and her group. They seem genuine, but bringing more people inside our walls is a big risk. We can't just let anyone in."

Wooyoung leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

Wooyoung: "Y/n seemed sincere, and if what she said about that group hunting GahYeon is true, we're all in danger whether we let them in or not. If they're willing to fight alongside us, that could be useful."

"I agree," Yunho chimed in, his eyes flicking around the table.

"But we don't know anything about them other than what GahYeon told us. For all we know, this could be a trap to get inside our walls. We need to be cautious."

Hongjoong nodded.

"Caution is definitely key here. But we can't ignore the fact that desperate people do dangerous things."

Jongho, who had been silently watching the conversation unfold, finally spoke up.

"I've been thinking about that, too. If they're really being hunted, turning them away might put all of us in even more danger. They know where we are now, and if they get desperate, they could try to force their way in. Or worse, lead those hunters right to us."

San, who had been unusually quiet, drummed his fingers on the table.

"So what do we do? Bring them in and risk them turning on us, or send them away and risk them becoming a threat?"

Mingi, arms crossed and a frown on his face, sighed.

"It's a damned if you do, damned if you don't situation. But we're survivors. We've made it this far by trusting our instincts and each other. We can't just turn them away without knowing more."

Seonghwa, who had been listening to each point carefully, finally spoke.

"We've all raised good points. Here's what I think: we bring them in, but under strict conditions. They stay under surveillance until we're sure we can trust them. They contribute to the community - no freeloaders. And most importantly, they have to share everything they know about this group that's after GahYeon and Y/n. If they're hiding anything, they're out. Agreed?"

There was a murmur of agreement around the table, each of the men nodding in turn.

Yeosang spoke:

"And if they try anything funny, we're prepared to act. No one puts us or those kids in danger."

Seonghwa looked around at the group, his gaze steady.

“Here’s what we do: We offer them shelter and protection, but we make it clear that they need to earn our trust. Y/N might be cold, but she’s not reckless. She wants to protect Gahyeon, and she’ll do whatever it takes to make sure that happens. If she thinks we’re the safest option, she’ll stay.”

San spoke up again, his voice thoughtful. “And if she doesn’t? What if she decides she’d rather go it alone?”

“Then we let her,” Yeosang replied.

“We’re not going to force anyone to stay here against their will. But we make sure she knows the risks of being out there on her own. And we keep a close watch. If she’s hiding something, we’ll find out.”

"Agreed," Hongjoong affirmed.

"We'll make sure they understand the rules. They're either with us all the way, or not at all."

With the decision made, the men rose from the table, each of them heading to their assigned tasks.

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