Killer in The Dark

7

3:15 PM April 6

I stare at my phone as my classmates rush past me. I looked up ahead put my phone in my pocket and walked down the steps. A chilly breeze sent shivers down my spine. A hand stopped me in my tracks. I turned around and smiled at the sight of my classmate.

"Where's Kim Junho?" Kang Dareum asked.

My eyes drifted to the side, and the unwanted sight of his death appeared in my head. "I don't know, why would you ask me?" I lie.

He shrugged. "You're always with him... I thought you'd know," he replied. "See you," he waved as he sprinted down the steps and entered his car before driving off.

I sighed. Ding! My phone buzzed. I quickly took it out and clicked on the notification. I stepped back. Someone sent me a picture of Kim Junho's bloody uniform.

We've met, haven't we?

I looked to my side, luckily no one was there. I bit my nails and stared at the message. How did they know?

Do as I say if you want to live.

First, come to the black van.

I looked up and saw a black van parked across the street. Cautiously I walked down the steps and across the street. My palms were sweating. I walked up to the van. The tinted window rolled down, revealing a man covered in tattoos.

I gulped and thought of the best response. "How can I help you, sir?"

He nudged his head back. "Get in," his voice was deep and husky. It was obvious that he smoked.

I nodded and opened the door to the back seat, sat down, and buckled up. The guy I remembered from last night was sitting next to me. What was his name? Minu? He glanced at me and looked at me up and down. I turned my head away from his cold eyes, placed my hands on my lap, and kept my head down.

"Minu..." the tattooed man said. Minu perked up.

"Yes, sir?"

"Check his name tag," he instructed.

Minu bent over me and grabbed the name tag off my blazer before reading it out loud. "Im Jaeyoul..." His voice was rich yet uncertain. He scoffed. "Is this you?" He turned to me holding the name tag in the air. I nodded. He looked back at it and smirked.

"Im Jaeyoul..." the tattooed man murmured. He stepped on the pedal and moved the car out of the parking spot. My heart stopped.

"Wh-where are we going?" My voice shook.

Minu sighed and shook his head. "Shut up," he hissed.

My hand started shaking as my heartbeat slowed. If only I were more careful. The car turned onto an expressway. My head perked up as I watched him take an exit into Seoul. He drove off the highway and continued his way into Seoul. The orange sunset reflected in the car. My mind raced with possibilities as to why the tattooed man was taking me to Seoul. Was he seeking to kill me? Did he want something out of me? No matter how hard I thought I still couldn't figure out which was right. I finally gained the courage to speak.

"Is this because of last night?" I asked, still I couldn't keep a steady voice.

Minu scoffed. "Duh, why else would we want you?" he japed.

"Still--" I murmured.

The tattooed man drove into a tunnel leading underground. "Lee Minu," he looked up in the mirror. "Make sure the chairman knows we've got him," he ordered.

"Yes, Mr. Park," Minu replied and quickly pulled out his phone.