Living With Stray Kids?

Chapter 7: A Near Death Experience

Stepping out into the hallway of the building, I quickly noticed there was nobody around due to the loud echo of my every step. "I guess he was right, nothing to worry about Areum" I reassured myself.

 I leisurely skipped over the elevators, enjoying my time and taking in the surroundings. The hard tiled floors, the bright lighting, it was really pretty. It seemed surreal that Stray Kids spent many of their days normally in this place. 

As I arrived at the two elevators, I shifted all the items I was holding into my left hand, ready to press the button to go down. But the second my finger grazed over the cool metal, a loud DING almost knocked me off my feet. Coming to the quick realization that this couldn't be good, I dashed over to the stairwell, prying open the door and dragging myself in.

OMG, that could've been so bad. Who even is that?

I opened up the door a creak, just enough to see who had arrived. Eyeing the man who had just stepped out of the elevator, I noticed him take a turn towards the dorm.

Shit, how do I go back now?

I panicked internally, but continued regardless. After all, how could I let Felix down now? Regaining a sense of confidence, I entered the elevator and pressed the button that would take me to the ground floor. As the metal doors closed in front of me, I couldn't help but think of Lee Know's warning before he left. 

It couldn't go wrong, right? I wasn't THAT dumb, to get myself caught and in trouble and get Stray Kids in trouble and get kicked out and-

My heart dropped as I reached my stop. Feeling frozen, not a muscle in my body moved as I faced him in front of the elevator.

Speak of the devil

"Heyyyy Minho, what are you doing here?" I gulped, still stuck in between the back of the elevator and the man standing in front of me.

A stern expression covered his face, eyes darkening with frustration and annoyance. "WHAT are you doing here?!" he whisper shouted, grabbing my arm and dragging me out of the elevator. He pulled me aside, hushing me and handing me a mask. I silently covered my face with the black piece of cloth, confusion and panic taking over me.

Why was he here?? Wasn't he on vacation?

Seemingly reading my thoughts, he offered "I don't care what questions you have, it's okay for me to be here. YOU on the other hand, have no business exiting the dorm". He took a deep breath, and looked at me intently, finally noticing the cash in my hand. "Don't tell me, brownie boy sent you here?"

I awkwardly nodded, a sheepish smile hiding my embarrassment. What I didn't expect however, was for him to grab the cash out of my hand, and guide me to exit the building. Pulling up his mask, he smiled. "Well, I can't very well blame you for that now can I? We might as well get the job done". 

I smiled, as I looked at him, clearly not expecting this outcome to me putting myself in danger. But who was I to complain? Complacently following Minho, I exited the building into the cool and crisp Seoul air. The rumble of cars and vehicles in the distance sounded, with lights and other building that seemed to reach the sky surrounding us.