It Started with a Small Favor

Stranger Danger

A few weeks later saw me sitting for my year-end exams. I am finishing my second year in Korea. After the boys admitted their relationship, they were more openly affectionate with each other in the apartment. I did my best to pretend that every touch, caress, or kiss didn't make me feel like my heart was breaking.

“Okay everyone, the exam begins in five minutes. Make sure your cell phones are brought up and dropped in here," the exam proctor held up a large tub. I reached into my bag to grab my phone.

As I walked to the front, I saw I had gotten a few messages.

BANGTAN + Y/N Group Chat

Yoongi: Good luck on you .r test today, kitten.
Namjoon: I know you will do great, baby girl.
Seokjin: You got this, sweetheart. Call or text us when you finish.
Jungkook: Y/Nie, kick that exam's butt!
Jimin: You got this baby!
Hoseok: My flower, you will do great. Just remember to breathe.
Taehyung: Baby bear, remember to stay calm. You are going to ace this.

I giggled at the message,  and my heart thumped at every cute name they called me. I knew they were only terms of endearment from them, nothing more. No matter how much I wanted it to be otherwise.

"Phone," I heard said to me. I looked up to see the annoyed proctor. She was one of the graduate students here. I recognized her from seeing her after meetings with my professor. I gave a small smile before turning off my phone and placing it among the other phones. I returned to my seat and waited for the tablets to be handed out. Our exam was digital.

After an hour of the three hour exam, we could hear a commotion outside. Waving at us to continue, the proctor walked over to the window. I was working through the exam quickly, which worried me. Either I know it all, or I got everything wrong.

After some more time, there was another commotion outside. I glanced up at the clock and saw there was still an hour and twenty minutes. As I clicked submit on my final exam, an alarm of sorts went off. I looked around confused as the rest of the students froze before they quickly stood up.

"Everyone, quickly in the corner!" The proctor whispered loudly. Two of the female students started to cry. A boy next to them put his arms around both of them as he looked at me anxiously. I realized I was just sitting in my seat.

"What's going on?" I asked quietly, grabbing my bag and standing up.

"No one told you? It's an alarm that indicates a dangerous person is in the building.” I turned to look at the group at the front of the room. They moved to a small door.

"In here, this is a closet, but we should all fit,” the proctor opened the door and everyone hurried into the room. I moved to join them, but I was still next to my seat at the back of the room. Before I could take a step, the door behind me burst opened. It hit with enough force it bounced off the wall.

I whirled around in shock. A man stood there, a military rifle in his hands. He was much older, with graying hair. He was also wearing a military uniform. Guns were illegal in Korea and only soldiers and the police had access to them. Which is why I stood there in shock.

"Where are all the students?" The man demanded, spittle gathering on his lower lip. I resisted the urge to shoot my eyes towards where they disappeared. “Tell me foreigner.” I was surprised. Usually, people called me foreigner to be insulting, but his voice sounded desperate instead.