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

Chapter 58

Sunghoon looked at me, silently asking me to trust him.

I met his gaze, discerning whether he had a viable escape plan or just a desperate wish to try anything.

"Are you sure you will be okay?" I asked to ensure he wouldn't take too great of a risk.

Sunghoon's eyes shifted downward. He blinked, then let go of my hands.

"Don't worry. I can take pain."

He rolled his left sleeve high, almost up to his shoulder.

A breath caught in my throat.

He hadn't been sure about escaping. He wouldn't do it, which meant I had to burn him...

"The arm?" I asked, seeking confirmation. "Are you sure...?"

"Yeah. I'll be fine."

One of the masked men gripped Sunghoon's wrist, holding his arm in place, while the other kidnapper stood behind him, preventing him from stepping back.

Sunghoon allowed the man behind him to secure a firm hold, knowing he couldn't remain steady without someone restraining him.

I switched on the lighter.

The flame wavered as my hand shook.

"How should I do this?" I asked, my voice trembling.

Was it better to burn a smaller area badly or a wide area not so severely?

"I'll let you know if it's too much. Then you should move the flame," Sunghoon replied, acting calm, although his last words quivered.

I nodded, unable to find my voice.

Tears blurred my vision.

"Hey. Don't cry. I'm okay. It's my fault anyway," Sunghoon reassured me.

It wasn't his fault. He wouldn't have been in that situation if it weren't for me.

I sniffed, commanding myself to stay composed because my suffering only added to Sunghoon's pain.

As I moved the flame closer to his skin, Sunghoon flinched.

I embraced myself for the longest minute of my life.

The flame burned his arm hair.

I wanted to squeeze my eyes shut, but I couldn't afford to. I had to ensure the flame remained as far from Sunghoon's skin as possible while maintaining contact.

His muscles tensed as he instinctively pulled away from the heat.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

"Huuhh... Move it," he exhaled.

"Sorry... I'll try something," I mumbled, moving the lighter faster, brushing the flame up and down his arm so that the fire barely grazed his skin on the way.

The air was thick with the rank odor of burnt hair. It smelled repulsive, a scent of disregarded human value.

A minute was too much. I had to move my hand up and down countless times, watching Sunghoon's skin redden behind the flame.

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring my vision.

Sunghoon didn't scream, though the pain must have been excruciating. Sweat beads formed on his forehead. He bit his lip, breathing heavily.

The sight of him suffering in my hands seared into my memory. The guilt would haunt me. My conscience already blamed me for obeying the kidnappers so willingly, even if it meant hurting my boyfriend.