my silly kpop non-idols au

The Mall (💙SUJU)

"Leeteuk, are you sure this is the right place?" Heechul squinted through the foggy windshield, wiping the condensation with his sleeve.

Leeteuk nodded confidently, his eyes fixed on the GPS. "It should be just up ahead."

The moment they stepped out of the car, the cool evening breeze swept over them, carrying with it the distant chatter and laughter of a bustling mall. The parking lot was a sea of glossy cars and gleaming lights, stretching out like a modern-day colosseum. They all made their way through the throng of shoppers, each with their own agendas and stories unfurling like invisible threads in the fabric of the night. The mall's grand entrance loomed before them, a bastion of consumerism with its gleaming floors and towering atrium.

Ryeowook's eyes widened at the sight of the giant Christmas tree in the center of the mall, a beacon of festivity in a world of commerce. Its lights twinkled in a rainbow of colors, reflecting off the silver and gold decorations that adorned every available surface. "This is amazing," he breathed, taking a step closer to the tree. The scent of pine mingled with the smell of freshly baked cookies from the nearby gourmet shop, tickling his nostrils and conjuring memories of winters past.

As he marveled at the tree's grandeur, Ryeowook felt a gentle tug on his sleeve. He turned to see Kyuhyun pointing to a kiosk that had caught his eye. "Look, they're selling those phone cases we saw online!" Kyuhyun's excitement was contagious, and Ryeowook allowed himself to be drawn into the quest for the perfect accessory. But in the blink of an eye, the group was swallowed by the river of shoppers, and Ryeowook was left standing alone.

Panic set in as he scanned the crowd for any sign of his friends. The sea of faces and the cacophony of sounds grew overwhelming, a stark contrast to the serene quietness of their car ride. He fumbled for his phone, dialing Leeteuk's number with trembling fingers. It went straight to voicemail. "Guys, where are you?" he murmured, his voice lost in the din of holiday music and chatter.

The mall was a labyrinth of twinkling lights and garland-covered rafters, each turn revealing a new corridor of shops and people. Kyuhyun's eyes darted from the glittering storefronts to the faces of the shoppers, hoping to catch a glimpse of the familiar. His heart pounded in his chest, echoing the rhythm of his footsteps as he quickened his pace. The scent of pine from the Christmas tree grew faint as he moved further away, replaced by the smells of popcorn and pretzels wafting from a food court.

The cacophony grew louder as Ryeowook approached the central area, where children giggled and parents shouted over the sound of arcade games. The lights grew brighter, casting a warm glow on the faces of passersby. He spotted a group of teenagers huddled around a giant teddy bear, all vying for the perfect selfie. For a brief moment, he felt a pang of envy for their carefree abandon before the weight of his situation settled back in. He needed to find his friends, and fast.

As the crowd thinned, Ryeowook's gaze fell upon a narrow corridor, dimly lit compared to the main thoroughfare. At the end of it, a green "Fire Exit" sign beckoned. With a deep breath, he took a step into the shadow, the cool air brushing against his cheeks as he left the warmth of the mall behind. The stairs grew steeper, each step echoing in the silence as he climbed, his heart racing. The emergency lights flickered ominously above, casting eerie shadows that danced along the cinderblock walls.

Finally, on the second floor, the stairs spat him out into a deserted hallway. Ryeowook's eyes scanned the doors for any sign of life, his breaths coming in short bursts. The quiet was a stark contrast to the festive chaos just moments ago. His heart skipped a beat as he heard a distant shout, and he sprinted towards the sound. The corridor opened up to a small convenience store, nestled between two vacant shops. Through the window, he could see Kyuhyun rummaging through a rack of snacks, his eyes lighting up when he found a bag of their favorite chips.

Relief washed over Ryeowook as he pushed open the door, the chime ringing through the silence. Kyuhyun's head snapped up, his expression a mix of surprise and relief. "Ryeowook, you scared me!" He held up the chips. "Found these, they're on sale."

Ryeowook couldn't help but laugh, the tension dissipating. "Looks like we're not the only ones who got separated," he said, nodding towards the back of the store. There, in a corner, Donghae sat slumped on a bench, his head buried in his hands. He looked up, his eyes red-rimmed and his cheeks flushed. "What's wrong?" Kyuhyun asked, his smile fading as he took in their friend's distress.

"I lost my wallet," Donghae said, his voice muffled. "It's got everything in it. My ID, my cash, everything."

Ryeowook's chuckles faded, replaced by concern. "We'll find it," he assured, placing a comforting hand on Donghae's shoulder. Kyuhyun nodded in agreement, his earlier excitement now forgotten. They retraced their steps through the mall, asking store clerks and security if anyone had turned in a lost wallet. The search was a blur of faces and shelves, but they remained determined.

As they neared the mall's exit, a flash of light reflected off something on the ground. Kyuhyun bent down and picked up a crumpled piece of leather. "Is this it?" He held up the wallet, and Donghae's eyes widened. It was indeed his, the contents untouched. They let out a collective sigh of relief, and Donghae's face broke into a grateful smile.

They stepped out into the cool night air, the sounds of the mall's festivities now a distant hum. The parking lot lights cast long, stretching shadows, making the area seem even more desolate than the quiet corridor they'd just left. Ryeowook checked his phone for messages. There were several missed calls and texts from Leeteuk, who was probably worried sick. He quickly tapped out a reply: "Found Donghae's wallet. On our way back."

As they approached the spot where they had parked, they spotted the rest of the group huddled together, their faces a mix of relief and irritation. Leeteuk spotted them first, waving frantically. "Thank goodness!" he called out, jogging over. The others followed suit, their expressions mirroring his. The reunion was a flurry of questions and explanations, but the most important thing was that they were all together again.