Silent Echoes

.16.

The next morning, the mansion was buzzing with chaos. Men ran through the halls, arming themselves with guns and knives, their faces steeled with determination. Ran stepped out of her room, bewildered by the sudden activity.

Ran: What's happening?

Taeyong appeared from around the corner, a somber expression on his face.

Taeyong:- Ran, they're gearing up to attack Vegas.

Ran: Why didn't they tell me?

Taeyong: We're not part of the mission this time. Your father left us out of it.

Her brows furrowed in disbelief.

Taeyong:-What?

Taeyong sighed.

Taeyong;-Ran, maybe it's for the best. Staying out of this could save you a lot of pain.

She nodded absentmindedly, though the storm brewing inside her said otherwise. She retreated to her room, but no matter how hard she tried to distract herself, her mind kept racing.Thoughts of her mother and the anger boiling inside her wouldn't leave her alone.Ran sat on her bed, fists clenched, until finally, she couldn't take it anymore. She stormed out of her room,
determination blazing in her eyes as she found Taeyong, who was sitting in the common area cleaning his gun.

Ran: Did Dad go with them?

Taeyong: Yeah, they're all out there!

Ran: Get ready.

Taeyong blinked, confused.

Taeyong:- For what?

Ran: We're going to Vegas's compound.

Taeyong: Ran, that's a bad idea. It's not safe.

Ran's voice was sharp, her gaze intense.

Ran:-I don't care.

Taeyong: But-

Ran cut him off, her voice cracking with raw emotion.

Ran:-Am I supposed to let the man who killed my mother walk free? He raped and murdered her. And now he's out there with them! If you don't want to help me, fine, but don't you dare stand in my way.

Taeyong hesitated for a moment, then grabbed his gun.

Taeyong:-Let's go.

They marched toward the exit, but were stopped by guards stationed at the door.

Guard: You're not allowed to leave. It's an order from Mr. Kim.

Ran (coldly): Move.

Guard: I can't. I'm under strict orders-

Before he could finish, Ran pulled out her gun and shot him in the leg, sending him collapsing to the floor.

Ran: I said move!

Without a second glance, she and Taeyong slipped through the doors, jumping into a nearby car. Ran drove recklessly, the engine roaring as she pushed the pedal to the floor. Her mind was torn between her thirst for revenge against her father and her unwillingness to let Vegas die, despite the complicated mess between them.
When they arrived at Vegas's compound, the gates had already been shattered. The aftermath of the attack was apparent, debris scattered everywhere. Ran and Taeyong grabbed their guns, swiftly moving through the eerily empty halls, clearing room after room, but there was no sign of anyone.

Taeyong: I can't find your dad anywhere.

Ran: Same here. He's always one step ahead.

Suddenly, she felt eyes on her. She whipped around, gun raised, only to see Vegas and his men standing in the shadows of the compound, watching them.

Vegas (smirking): Did you come here to save me, or just to find your dad?

Ran (coldly): "I'm here for my father, nothing else.

Vegas: Well, you're out of luck. He already run off.

Ran's jaw clenched in frustration.

Ran:- Damn it.

Vegas: I could help you find him, you know.

Ran: No thanks. We can handle it.

She turned her back on him, walking back toward the car, her frustration boiling over. As she walked away, Taeyong raised his middle finger at Vegas, not bothering to hide his contempt.
Vegas chuckled darkly, his eyes never leaving Ran.

He turned to Johnny, his second-in-command.

Vegas:-Keep an eye on them.

Johnny nodded silently, watching as Ran and Taeyong drove off into the distance.