Sasaeng Sister [In big roles: Sunghoon, Lee Know, skz, Ateez, Jungkook]

Chapter 54

The focus turned to Minho and his soon-to-start simulation video.

No one paid attention to me and Sunghoon, so I grabbed his hand.

He squeezed back.

My heart thumped as if it was the first time we held hands.

Overly aware of the cameras, I shifted my arm, preparing to let go of him, but I hesitated, especially after his hopeful eyes locked onto mine, urging me to maintain the connection.

Luckily, the kidnappers who cut the footage for the livestream didn't notice our linked fingers. Instead of exposing our moment, they zoomed in on Minho, who looked paler than ever.

His virtual reality video started playing on the screen.

The plague doctor flipped a remote control, pausing Minho's video before the picture sharpened.

"Do you want to electrocute your most important people or watch this video?"

Minho's most important people were Bang Chan, Han, and me.

I let go of Sunghoon's hand before sharing my opinion.

"We can take the electric shocks. At least I can."

Han nodded, and Bang Chan seemed to agree.

"Yeah, we don't have to watch your video," the Stray Kids leader said, though he barely had enough energy to finish the sentence.

As I assessed Bang Chan's condition, I regretted advocating for the electric shocks. His eyelids grew heavy, and a nod nearly transformed into a nap. The snake poison had weakened his heart. In his current state, any form of shock could have proven fatal.

Minho gulped, glancing at Bang Chan.

"I can't. I can't risk it with the snake bite and all... I- I'll. I'll watch the video," he stammered as if the words were physically demanding to say out loud.

The plague doctor hummed and played the video.

Minho's virtual reality experience started like all the other simulations; in the darkness.

A sudden impact stung Minho's cheek, causing him to instinctively recoil.

A faceless man slapped him.

Repeatedly.

Adapting to the brutality, Minho discovered that freezing in place was the only defense against the attacker.

Even the slightest motion, like a blink, invited punishment.

After enduring a relentless series of blows, Minho resorted to keeping his eyes closed, hoping to minimize any provocation. However, the assailant persisted, seemingly triggered by the rhythmic rise and fall of Minho's chest as he breathed. Trapped in this vicious cycle, Minho had no respite.

A powerful strike left Minho seeing stars.

Minho's eyes flickered open to a dazzling stage, spotlights piercing through the dark. The arena echoed with deafening screams. He was standing before thousands of shouting fans.

The other Stray Kids members danced in the right choreographical formation, but Minho found himself out of place, standing at the forefront where he didn't belong for that part of the song.

The snug shirt he wore, clearly a size too small, grated on Minho's nerves. He tugged at the sleeves, which fell short of their intended length. A forceful yank resulted in torn fabric, exposing bruising on his arm. The purple marks near his wrist hinted at a painful grip as if someone had dug all five nails into his flesh.