The Price Of Redemption

25.

Haerin stood at the edge of the old, rusted fence, peeking through its gaps at the worn-down house in front of her. The place was practically falling apart, with its crumbling walls and broken windows, giving the eerie impression that it had been abandoned for decades. Yet, she couldn't shake the hope that Irene was inside, despite the obvious. Dani sat on the trunk of the car, arms crossed, silently watching Haerin with a raised brow, clearly skeptical of the whole situation.

"Hello?" Haerin called out, her voice sounding small against the hollow wind that whistled through the desolate yard. She tried again, louder this time. "Miss Irene? Are you in there?" But the only answer was the wind's lonely howl, carrying no hint of life from the inside.

Haerin let out a deep, frustrated groan, ruffling her hair in irritation. "Fuck it," she muttered under her breath. She had been chasing Irene for a month now, desperately trying to find her, convinced she held the answers to the truth Haerin had been seeking. And now, when she was finally so close, her hope seemed to be crumbling around her like the house itself.

Dani, still perched on the trunk, rolled her eyes. "Like I said, no one lives in this dungeon. It's a miracle the place is even still standing," she remarked with a tone that said she was stating the obvious.

Haerin tilted her head back, staring up at the sky. She felt a cool drop hit her face, and she knew instantly that the weather wasn't on her side either. Great. The rain began to fall, soft at first, but steadily increasing with each second.

She rushed over to the car, grabbing the door handle. It was locked. "Jihye," she called, her patience wearing thin. "Give me the keys or unlock this."

Dani checked her jacket, patting around her pockets, then gave Haerin an awkward smile. "Uh... I think I left them inside," she said sheepishly, taking a hesitant step forward.

Haerin's frustration hit its peak. She groaned loudly and leaned her forehead against the car, letting the cold metal press against her skin. To any passerby, it would've looked like she'd lost her mind. "Stupid car. Stupid Irene. Stupid Jihye. Why is everyone so stupid?" she yelled, throwing her hands up in exasperation just as the rain began to pour harder, soaking them both.

Dani flinched but managed to keep her calm, though she wasn't thrilled about being called stupid. She couldn't understand why Haerin was making such a big deal over something as simple as forgotten keys. "Chill Haerin, it's not the end of the world," she muttered, trying to remain composed despite the storm of emotions swirling around her friend.

"Let's go inside before we're drenched to death," Dani suggested, grabbing Haerin's arm and tugging her toward the house. The irony of seeking shelter in a place she had just called a dungeon wasn't lost on her. Thankfully, the main door was unlocked. Haerin didn't resist but shrugged off Dani's hand with a grumpy huff as they entered.

The inside of the house wasn't much better than the outside—dust coated every surface, and the air was thick with age. But at least the roof wasn't leaking, which was a small mercy. Each step they took made the wooden floor creak beneath their feet, echoing through the otherwise silent space.

They walked into what looked like a lounge area, though everything was covered in white sheets, giving the place a ghostly vibe. Haerin ripped the cloth off one of the couches, sending dust swirling into the air. She coughed as it invaded her nostrils, while Dani, always quick to avoid a mess, covered her face with her sleeve.

Haerin, clearly done with the day, collapsed onto the couch with a heavy sigh. Her white t-shirt was clinging to her body, soaked from the rain, turning almost transparent against her skin. Dani's eyes wandered where they shouldn't, taking in the sight of Haerin's now-defined abs. She swallowed, mentally scolding herself for getting distracted.