Silent Echoes

.17.

Ran and Taeyong had been scouring through maps, files, and digital footprints to track down Mr. Kim's location. The atmosphere was tense, and the air in the room thickened with anticipation.

Taeyong: You should really get some rest, Ran. You've been at this for hours.

Ran, with unwavering focus, didn't take her eyes off the computer screen.
Ran:- I'm fine.

Then, suddenly, her face lit up.

Ran:- Yes! I found him!

Taeyong leaned in with a sigh of relief.

Taeyong:-Finally.

Ran stood up, immediately reloading her gun.

Ran:- We need to go now. If we leave right away, we can get there before midnight!

Taeyong: Got it.

He stood and pulled out a suitcase from under the table, placing it on the bed and flipping it open. Inside was a collection of guns and tactical gear.
Ran nodded appreciatively.

Ran:-Nice.

Before leaving, Ran grabbed a small framed picture of her mother, gazing at it for a moment. Her voice softened.

Ran:- Don't worry, Mom. I love you. This is for you.

They both geared up and jumped into the car, driving through the night with nothing but the adrenaline fueling them. The end of this long road was near, but it would be a bloody night.
Taeyong glanced over.

Taeyong:-All set?

Ran nodded, eyes steely with determination. They stepped out of the car as the compound loomed in the distance.

Ran: According to the plan, we need to split up now.

Taeyong: Yeah. Be careful, Ran.

Ran hugged him tightly.

Ran:-You too.

With a final glance, they parted ways.
Ran studied the map she had on her phone, realizing there was a shortcut through the dense forest. It was risky, but it would get her to Mr. Kim quicker.Determined, she headed into the trees, each step heightening her resolve.
Her senses were sharp, and halfway through the woods, she felt someone behind her. She immediately grabbed her gun, spinning around to aim, but was met with Vegas, emerging from the shadows.

Ran: What the hell are you doing here?

Vegas smirked.

Vegas:- Did you really think I'd let you do this alone?

Ran: How did you even find me?

Vegas: That doesn't matter.

Ran: Where's Johnny?

Vegas: He's already with Taeyong, securing the other entrance.

Vegas stepped closer, his expression serious.

Vegas:- I'Il answer all your questions later. For now, let's finish this.

They moved together through the compound, cutting down the guards that stood in their way. Ran moved like a shadow, lethal and precise. Every man who tried to stop them was met with swift and brutal force. Vegas watched her in awe; there was something fierce and unrelenting about the way she fought. It was as if rage fueled every strike, and yet she was eerily calm-methodical.

They moved together through the compound, cutting down the guards that stood in their way. Ran moved like a shadow, lethal and precise. Every man who tried to stop them was met with swift and brutal force. Vegas watched her in awe; there was something fierce and unrelenting about the way she fought. It was as if rage fueled every strike, and yet she was eerily calm-methodical.
The two of them reached Mr. Kim's office door, finding it locked. Without hesitation, Ran kicked it open. Inside, Mr. Kim and Tin were already waiting, guns drawn.

Mr. Kim sneered. I can't believe you're my daughter.

Ran laughed, a dark, bitter sound.

Ran:-Yeah, I'm not your daughter. Not anymore.

Mr. Kim's face twisted in anger.

Mr.kim:- Is this how you treat your father?

Ran's voice dropped coldly :- I haven't even started yet.

The tension in the room was palpable.
Mr. Kim knew it was going to be impossible to overpower Ran now. She had come too far, and there was no stopping her.The fight erupted, a whirlwind of violence and gunfire. Ran moved quickly, disarming Tin in a blur of motion. Vegas shot down two more guards trying to enter the room, but stayed back, watching Ran take control.Tin tried to raise his gun again, but Ran grabbed a knife from her belt and threw it across the room. It lodged in his chest, sending him collapsing to the floor. Mr. Kim tried to run, but Ran was faster. She grabbed him by the collar, throwing him to the ground.
Ran, looming over him, voice filled with venom.

Ran:- Where are you going? We're not finished.

She crouched down to his level, their faces inches apart.

Mr. Kim whimpered.

Mr.kim:- I'Il give you money. I'll give you anything. Just let me go.

Ran shook her head, standing up straight.

Ran:- Money can't fix this.

She raised her gun and aimed it at his head.

Ran:- When you meet the devil, tell him I said hi.

The gunshot echoed through the room as Mr. Kim's lifeless body slumped over.Ran exhaled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
Vegas, still stunned by the ferocity he'd witnessed, stared at her.

Vegas:- What the hell was that?

Ran, wiping the sweat from her brow, glanced at him.

Ran:- What are you looking at?

Vegas shrugged.

Vegas:- Nothing. Just... damn.

Taeyong burst into the room, out of breath. His eyes widened when he saw Mr. Kim's body.

Taeyong:- Holy shit.

Ran holstered her gun.

Ran:-I'm going for a drive.

Taeyong: Want me to come?

Ran shook her head.

Ran:-No. I need to be alone.

She left them behind, getting into her car and driving without direction, her mind racing. She eventually stopped at a familiar bridge, getting out to look at the river beneath her. The reflection of the city lights danced across the water, but her thoughts were far from peaceful.
As she lit a cigarette, Vegas appeared beside her, casually leaning on the railing.

Vegas: What a day, huh? Want another smoke?

Ran nodded, taking the cigarette from him.
They stood in silence for a moment, watching the water flow.

Ran, voice soft and distant:

Ran:-Life is full of surprises, huh?

Vegas: Yeah, I'd say so.

Ran:I don't know why, but I feel like everything's my fault.

Without warning, Vegas pulled her closer to him, his voice low and sincere.

Vegas:-Listen, none of this is your fault. You did what you had to do. You're stronger than you think.

They stood there, their eyes meeting, the weight of everything that had happened between them hanging in the air. Slowly, as if drawn together by some invisible force, their lips met. The kiss was soft but intense, an unspoken connection between them. Ran realized what she was doing. Ran pushed Vegas away from her

Ran:- um I have to go

Before Vegas Cloud say anything Ran went.