𝑴𝒂𝒈𝒊𝒄 - lookism

029

———————————————————————

It was Samuel..

Samuel's expression remained cold and distant as he moved toward you, snipping the ropes that bound you. The sudden release caused you to almost slump forward, but you quickly steadied yourself. You opened your mouth to thank him, but before you could say anything, he was already halfway out of the room, his back to you.

"Wait..." you managed to croak out, your voice weak from disuse and fear. But Samuel didn't stop, didn't even turn his head. He exited the room without a word, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.

You were free from the ropes, but the uncertainty of the situation still weighed heavily on you. Why had he untied you? Was it a test, or did he have some other motive? You rubbed your wrists, trying to get the circulation back, and glanced at the door. This might be your only chance to escape.

With no time to waste, you pushed yourself up from the chair, your leg still throbbing painfully. You limped toward the door, pausing briefly to listen for any sounds outside. The corridor beyond was eerily silent, but you couldn't afford to hesitate any longer. You had to move, and quickly.

Peering out, you found the hallway empty. Taking a deep breath, you stepped out, leaning against the wall for support. Every step sent a jolt of pain through your leg, but you gritted your teeth and pushed through it. You had to find a way out before anyone realized you were loose.

As you limped through the dimly lit hallway, trying to stay as quiet as possible, you suddenly heard the sound of hurried footsteps. Your heart raced, fearing you'd been caught, but then you saw a familiar figure—Zack.

His eyes widened when he saw you, relief and concern flooding his expression. "Y/N!" he shouted , rushing over to you. Without hesitation, he slid his arm under your shoulder, supporting your weight as you leaned on him.

"Let's get you out of here," Zack said, his voice firm yet gentle. You nodded, too exhausted to speak, and allowed him to guide you down the corridor. Your injured leg throbbed with each step, but Zack's presence kept you moving forward.

As you reached the exit, the cold air hit your face. The others—Daniel and Vasco—were waiting outside, along with a few others. Their faces lit up with relief when they saw you.

But your eyes were immediately drawn to Goo. He stood a little apart from the group, his usual playful demeanor replaced with something more serious. As soon as he saw you.

As Goo approached, his expression unreadable, you saw the boys tense up, ready to intervene. Zack, Daniel, and Vasco instinctively moved closer, their protective instincts kicking in. They didn't know Goo and weren't about to let a stranger take you away without a fight.

But before they could act, you raised your hand, signaling them to stop. "It's okay," you said softly, your voice strained but clear. "I'm fine. He's... he's with me."

The boys hesitated, glancing between you and Goo, their concern evident. But they trusted you enough to stand down, albeit reluctantly. You offered them a small, grateful smile. "Thank you. Really. For everything."

Goo, still silent, gently scooped you up into his arms, cradling you as if you weighed nothing. You could feel the tension in his body, the controlled anger simmering just beneath the surface, but his hold on you was careful, almost tender.

With you securely in his arms, Goo turned and began walking away from the warehouse, his strides purposeful. The boys watched, their expressions a mix of confusion and concern, but they didn't follow. They knew this wasn't their fight anymore.

You rested your head against Goo's chest, the rhythm of his heartbeat steady and strong beneath your ear. As you were carried away, you couldn't help but feel a wave of relief wash over you. Despite everything, you felt safe in his arms, and for now, that was enough.

———————————————————————