𝙻𝚄𝚅 𝙻𝟶𝟶𝙺𝚂 𝙿𝚁𝟹𝚃𝚃𝚈 𝟶𝙽 𝚄

𝟷𝟾.𝚎𝚛𝚛𝟶𝚛.𝟷𝟾

Gathered in the guest house living room after only two nights of stay, the group of five and Jeni sat on the couches and watched the local news together.

Looks like JYPE has taken it to the authorities, and they are ready to arrest anyone who houses the five of them, reward anyone who finds them and turns them in, and search the homes of any suspects.

"You guys are not safe as long as you're within country borders..." Jeni told them as the TV went to commercial break.

The five members looked at one another, not knowing what to do. They didn't want to even think about what would happen to them if they were found and turned in.

"What does the internet think?" Yuna questioned towards Jeni, she was the only one who had a phone.

"It's pretty mixed, but it seems like most people would want to protect you guys. Since it got out that you are conscious and have feelings, they would label it as barbaric for JYP to shut you guys down forever or destroy you. Some are thinking about boycotting the company if they act violently against you guys.

But some don't care and are scared. They don't want conscious robots roaming the streets, they think you have too many advantages to live normal everyday lives like them."

"Dammit..." Yeji sighed. "We can't stay here."

"What?" There was a sudden uproar from the other bots towards Yeji's statement.

"Unnie, we have nowhere else." Yuna reasoned.

"I know." Yeji closed her eyes, "But we are putting Jeni and her family at risk by staying here. She could go to prison for keeping us here."

"If I get caught." Jeni added.

"Doesn't matter, it's not fair that I called you that day and pulled you into this mess."

In their own style, everyone fidgeted with their own clothes. Lia distracting stressed state with her soft pastel blue knit sweater. Chaeryeong fiddling with the buttons down her black long sleeve button up. Yuna played with the strings of her pink joggers. Yeji fixed her baseball cap on her head and Ryujin played with her fingers within the pocket of Yeji's hoodie that she was wearing.

They were all their own people now, with their own identities and auras, but at what cost can they stay this way?

"I really don't care... I want to help you guys. I was thinking that, yes... you guys shouldn't stay here anymore." Jeni started, looking into everyone's eyes as she spoke, "And by "here" I mean this country."

"You think we should leave Korea?" Ryujin questioned. It made sense but Jeni has to realize that they do not have any materials to even skip to the next city.

"Yes, it would be safest," Jeni answered, "But I know that's not easy for you guys right now. So... I contacted my aunt, she lives in America. I pitched the idea that you guys could stay with her. She was very iffy about it at first, but I made a deal and she's agreed to look after you guys for a while.

Her name is Elise, she has a husband named Aadesh and two kids. A nine year old named Bailee and a 21 year old named Alaric. Her husband is usually overseas because he is an important military personnel, so her son stays with her to help watch after her daughter while she has to work."

"Military personnel?" Yeji caught.

"... Yes, but I am certain it will be fine. He is set to not return home for the rest of the year at least. It's the best option for you guys, don't you think? Of course, you don't have to accept the offer."

The five of them looked at one another, Chaeryeong spoke first. "We have to take it. We couldn't walk for even a second in public here without being recognized. In the U.S., our chances are slimmer."