𝐍𝐂𝐓 𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒 ✦

𝟯𝟱: 𝗡𝗰𝘁 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 [𝗠]

Escape

Sypnopsis:

Mark, Chenle, Jisung, Haechan, Jaemin, Jeno, and Renjun had been strangers, thrust into a nightmarish game with no explanation.

Will they be able to make it out alive?

✦

Mark's eyes fluttered open to darkness and disorientation. The last thing he remembered was walking home from work under the glow of the city lights. Now, he lay on a cold, hard floor in an unfamiliar room. A dull ache throbbed at the back of his head, and panic gnawed at the edges of his consciousness.

Dim, flickering lights illuminated the room, casting eerie shadows on the stone walls. The air was heavy with the scent of mildew and something metallic. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, he noticed six other figures stirring on the ground around him, each as disoriented as he was.

Mark's heart pounded as he took in the scene. To his left was a wiry young man with sharp eyes, blinking rapidly as he sat up. Across from him, a calm-looking young man pushed himself to his feet, his eyes scanning the room. A tall, athletic figure lay nearby, his eyes darting around in confusion. Another man, muscular and intense, was already assessing the situation, his fists clenched tightly. Two younger boys huddled together, their faces pale with fear. Lastly, there was a tall, broad-shouldered figure with a determined look in his eyes, standing off to the side.

❝What the hell is this place?❞ the wiry young man, Haechan, muttered, his voice trembling slightly.

The calm-looking young man, Renjun, looked around, his demeanor steady. ❝Does anyone remember how they got here?❞

The athletic figure, Jaemin, shook his head, his expression dark. ❝I was just going home. Then, nothing. This doesn't make any sense.❞

The muscular man, Jeno, glared at the others, suspicion in his eyes. ❝We need to find out who did this and why.❞

Mark looked at the metal bracelet on his wrist, identical to the ones the others were wearing. Each bracelet had a timer, currently set to zero. He opened his mouth to say something when the broad-shouldered figure, Juyeon, standing off to the side, suddenly sprang into action.

❝I'm not sticking around to find out,❞ Juyeon declared, his voice filled with determination. ❝There has to be a way out of here.❞

Ignoring the others, he strode towards the large wooden door on the far side of the room. Mark felt a surge of unease as he watched him. The door looked ominous, heavy with age and neglect. Juyeon reached out, his hand closing around the tarnished brass handle.

❝Wait, don't-❞ Mark started, but it was too late.

The moment Juyeon touched the door handle, a deafening crack echoed through the room. His body jerked violently, and he collapsed to the ground, a bullet wound clean through his forehead. Blood pooled quickly around his head, his eyes wide open in shock.

The room plunged into chaos. One of the younger boys, Chenle, screamed, and the other, Jisung, staggered back, eyes wide with horror. Haechan and Jaemin froze, their faces pale, while Jeno rushed to Juyeon's side, only to pull back, realizing there was nothing he could do.

❝What the hell just happened?❞ Renjun's voice cut through the panic, sharp and urgent.

Mark's mind raced, the reality of their situation sinking in. Whoever had put them here had deadly traps in place. Juyeon's lifeless body was a grim reminder of the danger they were in.