Silent Echoes

.06.

Back to Ran

Ran woke up, blinking against the afternoon light that filtered through the curtains. She stretched and looked at the clock, her brow furrowing when she saw how late it was. Taeyong should have been back by now. A cold knot of anxiety formed in her stomach as she reached for her phone.
There was no message from Taeyong, but her screen lit up with a notification from an unknown number. Frowning, she
opened It:

"If you want to meet your friend alive, come to this location xx."

Her blood ran cold. The knot in her stomach tightened, twisting into a sharp pang of fear. But fear quickly morphed into something else-anger. She shot out of bed, moving with a deadly calm as she dressed and armed herself. There was no time to waste.Ran jumped on her bike, the engine roaring to life as she sped through the city streets, her mind focused on one thing: getting Taeyong back. She didn't know who was behind this, but she had a pretty good idea. Vegas. It had to be him.And if it was, he was going to regret ever touching her friend.The ride to the location was a blur, the city flashing by in a mix of colors and sounds that barely registered. She arrived at the gates of Vegas's mansion, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and fury. Two guards stood at the entrance, blocking her path.She didn't hesitate. The moment they raised their weapons, she was already in motion. Ran drew her gun, firing two quick shots that took both men down before they could even react. The gates were open now, and she stormed inside, her footsteps echoing across the courtyard. More guards appeared, emerging from the shadows and converging on her position. Ran's focus sharpened, her instincts taking over as she fired at the closest one, the bullet hitting its mark between his eyes. Another guard rushed her, but she sidestepped his attack, grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back before driving her knife into his side. He crumpled to the ground with a pained grunt. The rest of the guards opened fire, but Ran was too quick. She dove behind a stone pillar, returning fire with deadly accuracy. Each shot was precise, methodical, and she dropped one guard after another, her expression cold and unyielding. She moved like a shadow, slipping between cover and taking down anyone who dared stand in her way. The courtyard was littered with bodies by the time she reached the mansion's entrance. She kicked open the heavy wooden doors, stepping inside without hesitation. More guards were waiting for her, but she dispatched them with the same ruthless efficiency, leaving a trail of blood and destruction in her wake.The noise of the fight had clearly alerted the rest of the mansion. As Ran entered the grand hall, she heard footsteps approaching. She tensed, ready for another attack, but then she saw him-Vegas, emerging from the shadows with a calm, almost amused expression on his face. He was holding a gun, and at the end of that gun, kneeling on the floor with his hands bound, was Taeyong.Ran's heart skipped a beat. Taeyong's face was bruised, and he looked exhausted, but he was alive. For now. Vegas raised an eyebrow as he took in the carnage around him.

Vegas:- you have been busy

Ran didn't lower her weapon, her gaze locked on Vegas.

Ran;- let him go

Vegas smirked, tightening his grip on the gun pointed at Taeyong's head.

Vegas:- you're not in a position to make demands, Ran. Put the weapons down, or I'll blow your friend's head off.

Ran's heart pounded in her chest. She hesitated, her mind racing for a way out.
But she knew Vegas wasn't bluffing. If she didn't comply, Taeyong was as good as dead. Slowly, reluctantly, Ran lowered her gun, her eyes never leaving Vegas.

Ran:- don't do this

Vegas's smirk widened as he watched her drop the gun to the floor.

Vegas:- smart choice

Before she could react, Vegas's men rushed forward, grabbing her and forcing her to the ground. She struggled, but there were too many of them. They wrenched her arms behind her back, binding her wrists tightly with zip ties, the plastic biting into her skin. Vegas approached her, his footsteps slow and deliberate. He crouched down, looking her in the eyes.

Vegas:- I knew you'd come for him but now you both mine.

Ran's glare was icy, but she said nothing, her mind working furiously to find a way out of this.

Vegas stood up, nodding to his men.

Vegas:- Take them to the holding room. Make sure they're secure. I'll deal with them later.