𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙨 || 𝘑𝘢𝘺𝘩𝘰𝘰𝘯 & 𝘞𝘰𝘯𝘬𝘪

13

Sunoo returned that afternoon, the air in the room seemed heavier, as if it carried the weight of unspoken emotions. He gathered everyone around, his usual bright demeanor replaced by a more serious expression.

"Alright, listen up," Sunoo began, his voice firm. "We need to head back to the building, but Sunghoon hyung, you'll have to stay here. The vampires there will recognize you immediately, and that's a risk we can't afford right now. Although Lin can hide you, Youngjae probably has more powerful witches, and you. . . .you cannot protect yourself."

Sunghoon's face fell slightly, but he nodded in understanding. He had expected this, but it still stung. Just as Sunoo was about to finalize the plan, Ni-Ki interjected.

"Sunoo hyung, maybe Jay hyung should stay too," Ni-Ki suggested, glancing at Jay, who was still simmering with the frustration from earlier. "He's. . . .not in the best headspace right now."

Sunoo looked at Jay, who was staring at the floor, his expression a storm of emotions. With a thoughtful nod, Sunoo agreed. "Alright, Jay hyung, you can stay back with Sunghoon hyung. We'll handle things at the building. Just. . . .try to rest, okay?"

Jay gave a slight nod but didn't say anything. As the others prepared to leave, Sunghoon watched them go, feeling slightly concerned, but it was for the better if he didn't leave. 

I would be useless anyway, just causing trouble.

He wasn't sure how the day would unfold with just him and Jay left behind, but he knew it wouldn't be easy.

---------------

Lin used her magic to help them through the main building. She drew symbols on papers and gave one each to Ni-Ki and Jungwon and held one herself, causing them to remain invisible to the other eyes. They were supposed to just follow Sunoo.

They saw as Sunoo bowed to several people on their way inside.

The building was modern in every way and didn't look like it had ever been here in the hunter's centre before.

Sunoo led them to a dimly lit corridor and stopped infront of the last door, and sighed before opening it. There he was, 

Heeseung, a blindfold tied on his eyes and hands cuffed to the bed, Jungwon's heart dropped at the sight of his hyung in so much pain as he glared at Sunoo who couldn't see his expression.

The oldest, in his disoriented state, flinched at the sound of the door opening, his voice hoarse and desperate as he yelled out, "I don't know anymore, kill me if you want! I don't know where he is!"

Heeseung's voice cracked with despair, and it was clear that he was completely broken, his spirit shattered by the torment he had endured. He had no idea who had just entered the room, his mind too clouded with fear and confusion to recognize his own friends.

Jungwon's heart broke at the sound of Heeseung's pleas. 

Sunoo quickly moved closer, his voice gentle but urgent. "Hyung, it's me, Sunoo. It's us. Jungwon, Ni-Ki, and Lin are here too."

Heeseung didn't respond right away, his breathing ragged as he struggled to comprehend Sunoo's words. The fear that had gripped him for so long was not easy to shake off, and for a moment, it seemed as though he was too far gone to believe he was truly safe.

Sunoo turned to Jungwon, Ni-Ki, and Lin, his expression serious. "Let go of the paper," he instructed, referring to the spell Lin had used to cloak their presence. "We need to break Lin's spell so that Heeseung can see us."