The Devil Doesn't Bargain | Daerin

27 | Moonstruck

[For a richer experience, listen to "Moonstruck" by ENHYPEN while reading this chapter]

𝐇𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐢 𝐏𝐎𝐕

The night is dense and silent.

The sound of my rapid footsteps echoes through the empty streets. My heart pounds in my chest as I run, my breath coming in ragged gasps. I don't dare look back—the fear of what's behind me drives me forward, faster and faster.

I round a corner, spotting a narrow alleyway and dart into it, pressing myself against the cold brick wall. 

I hold my breath, listening for any signs of pursuit. The darkness envelops me for a moment. I must be safe for now. I close my eyes and release a very relieved sigh.

But then, a hand grabs my arm forcefully. A startled yelp escapes my lips. Panic seizes me. I struggle and thrash as best as I can, trying to break free.

A second later, a hand clamps over my mouth, silencing my cries. My eyes widen in terror. I struggle more fiercely.

A husky voice whispers urgently in my ear, "Hanni, it's me."

Relief floods through me as I recognize the familiar voice. I stop struggling gradually, my body relaxing slightly against her.

Minji.

It's my Minji.

The sight of her calms my frazzled nerves, but I can still feel the tension in her grip. She removes her hand from my mouth. I turn to look up at her. She puts a finger to her lips, signaling for silence.

I nod, swallowing hard as I try to steady my breathing.

Minji scans the alley with her sharp and focused eyes. Her expression is serious, almost lethal. 

I watch her hand move, and my heart skips a beat as she pulls out a gun from her jacket slowly. The cold metal glinting faintly in the dim light.

My heart leaps into my throat. I quickly cover my mouth to stifle a scream.

First, I'm being chased while trying to buy tteokbokki, and now this. A gun.

Why did I ever agree to be her girlfriend in the first place? She never mentioned this in our agreement!

She whispers to me, "Stay close and quiet. We need to get out of here."

I give her a quick nod.

The sight of the gun terrifies me, but I trust Minji completely. She used to be part of the dark world—she can handle this like flicking her finger.

"Can we... go now?" I ask her.

Before she can respond, two shadowy figures appear at the mouth of the alley. My world tilts upside down. 

I step back, both of my hands clinging to Minji for dear life. My whole body shakes in fear. My legs almost giving out beneath me.

God, what now?

The men advance, their faces hidden by darkness. The taller one laughs mockingly, while the shorter one toys with a knife, flicking it between his fingers like a sinister game.

Minji steps in front of me without hesitation, her other hand gripping my wrist protectively.

"Ah, Kim Minji, Kim Minji," the taller one laughs, shaking his head as he looks at Minji with a playful expression.