SIREN | Newjeans

Fifth

"So... how's everything going so far?" A soft voice slipped out from beneath the shadow of a long black hood, masking the face of a girl no older than seventeen. She moved through the bustling market streets of Aurelis with an air of quiet purpose, her steps measured as she navigated through the crowd. Her shopping basket, light but purposeful, hung from her arm as if she was just another passerby out to buy her daily groceries. But behind her, following close and watchful, was Haerin, ever the silent guardian. Her stoic gaze never wavered from the girl, her presence unspoken but known.

Haerin's sharp eyes caught the subtle tension in the girl's shoulders, and without a word, she reached forward to relieve her of the basket, cradling it in her own hands with that same, steady demeanor. "It's going well so far. They accepted the proposal today," Haerin answered, her voice flat but firm as always.

The girl, whose identity was hidden by the hood, turned slightly, just enough to reveal a sliver of her face—her sharp jawline, pink lips, and a single curl of black hair falling over her cheek. "That's great then, Haerinah!" she said brightly, her voice holding a warmth that contrasted with Haerin's cold formality.

They continued walking, weaving through the lively streets of Aurelis. The air was filled with the hum of cheerful voices, the clinking of coins, the scent of baked goods, and the soft glow of an afternoon sun settling over the prosperous kingdom. It seemed as though the world itself was smiling, though the two women remained quiet

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a drunken man stumbled into the girl, knocking her off balance. She fell onto the cobblestone ground, her basket tipping over as she landed with a soft thud. The man, reeking of alcohol and arrogance, sneered down at her. "Hey, woman! Watch where you're going!" he slurred, spit flying with each word. Ella—now more exposed without her hood—simply sat there, her expression calm, as though she was more annoyed by the dirt on her clothes than the man's aggression.

"Are you deaf or just stupid?" the man barked again, raising his hand as if to grab her. But before he could get any closer, Haerin moved with lightning speed. Her fist collided with the side of his face, the force knocking him off his drunken feet. The man staggered back, his eyes wide with shock and pain, a bruise already forming on his cheek. Fear flickered in his gaze as he stared up at Haerin, whose dark eyes glowed with dangerous intent.

"Why don't you watch where you're going?" Haerin's voice was a low growl, her hand gripping the collar of his shirt tightly.

The man, still trembling, spat back, "That—that witch should've watched her steps!" He pointed a shaking finger at Ella, who had stood up and was calmly dusting off her clothes, as if completely unfazed by the chaos.

Haerin's lips curled into a wicked smirk, her grip tightening on the man's collar. "Oh? Is that so? Well, how about this... from now on, everyone will watch their steps. But you... you won't be able to." Before he could comprehend what she meant, Haerin grabbed a fistful of his hair, yanked his head back, and pressed her thumb against his eye.

His scream echoed through the crowded marketplace, the sound raw and horrifying. Blood streamed from his eye as Haerin twisted her thumb deeper, her face twisted into a cold, remorseless grin. The crowd, once lively and cheerful, fell into a stunned silence. Not a single person dared to intervene as they watched the scene unfold, transfixed by the brutality before them. The man writhed on the ground, clutching his bleeding eye, his voice broken by sobs of pain.

Haerin finally let him go, her thumb now dripping with his blood. With a dark, twisted smile, she brought it to her lips and licked it clean, her eyes gleaming with something dangerous, something primal.