The Shadows (Underworld 4) JH

21: About Italy

The tension in the air was thick as the Midnight gang stepped onto Italian soil, each member consumed by their own thoughts and fears. The sprawling beauty of Rome, with its ancient architecture and bustling streets, was lost on them. Their minds were elsewhere, focused on the challenges that awaited them—both in the form of old friends and potential new enemies.

Seungcheol's heart was heavy as he and Jeonghan made their way to the meeting with Wonwoo. He couldn't help but replay the events of the past few months in his mind. The fallout with Wonwoo had left a gaping wound in the gang's tight-knit group, and Seungcheol knew that this meeting could either begin the healing process or deepen the divide. Jeonghan, always the calming presence, walked beside him, his hand brushing against Seungcheol's arm in a silent gesture of support. They had been through so much together, and Seungcheol knew that no matter what happened, Jeonghan would be by his side.

Meanwhile, Junhui, Xiaojun and Jihoon  headed towards a secluded café where they were set to meet Joshua. The revelation that Joshua wanted to meet had stirred up a storm of emotions within the group, especially for Junhui. The last time they had crossed paths with Joshua, betrayal and chaos had followed. Junhui's mind was racing with the possibilities—what did Joshua want now? Could they trust him, or was this another one of his twisted games?

The café was a small, nondescript place, tucked away in a quiet corner of Rome. As they entered, the familiar sight of Joshua sitting alone at a table greeted them. His appearance was disheveled, his usual polished demeanor replaced by a haunted look in his eyes. It was clear that whatever had brought him here had taken its toll.

Junhui was the first to approach, his eyes narrowing as he took in Joshua's appearance. "You've got some nerve, calling us here after everything you did," he said, his voice laced with bitterness.

Joshua looked up, his gaze meeting Junhui's with a mixture of regret and desperation. "I know I don't deserve your trust, but I'm here because I need your help. There's something you need to know."

Jihoon and Junhui exchanged glances, both wary but curious. They took their seats, ready to hear whatever Joshua had to say. Junhui remained standing, his arms crossed as he stared down at Joshua with barely concealed disdain.

"Seokmin left me," Joshua began, his voice trembling slightly. "He received a letter... from an anonymous source. The letter accused me of something unforgivable."

Junhui leaned forward, his expression one of skepticism. "And what, exactly, were you accused of?"

Joshua took a deep breath, his hands trembling as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. He unfolded it slowly, revealing the contents to the group. "It says that I killed Lee Jisoo."

A stunned silence fell over the table. Junhui's eyes widened, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words. Jihoon, ever the analytical one, took the letter from Joshua's hands, scanning it quickly. The accusation was shocking, but what was even more alarming was the implication—if the letter was true, then Joshua had been hiding something far darker than they had ever imagined.

Jihoon's mind raced as he processed the new information. Joshua had been many things—manipulative, deceitful, even dangerous—but a murderer? That was a different level of accusation altogether, and one that didn't align with the man Jihoon had known, despite all his flaws.

"You're saying Seungcheol knew about this?" Jihoon asked, his voice taking on a sharper edge. "That you both helped Jisoo and Heesung disappear?"