SIREN | Newjeans

Seven

The door slammed shut behind Haerin with a resounding thud, sealing the room in a tense silence. Dani flinched slightly, her heart quickening in her chest as she stood just inside the doorway. The room was cloaked in darkness, with only the soft glow of moonlight spilling in from the open balcony doors. It cast long, silvery shadows across the cold, empty space, barely illuminating the large double bed in the center and an old, outdated wall clock ticking softly on the far wall. There was an eerie stillness in the air, and Dani couldn't shake the feeling of unease that crept over her.

"Why is it so dark in here?" Dani wondered to herself, her eyes scanning the empty room. She took in the barren surroundings, her confusion growing. "And why does it feel so... empty?" The curious expression on her face deepened as she searched for anything to ground her in this strange, uncomfortable space. It was just the bed, the clock, and the heavy atmosphere. A hollow emptiness echoed in her chest as she took a cautious step further into the room, the hem of her long gown brushing against the cold floor.

She turned slowly, the weight of the night pressing down on her, and her gaze finally landed on the girl she had just married — Haerin. The sight of her sent a wave of conflicting emotions through Dani's body. The girl stood near the bed, tiredly removing her dark red royal jacket, the gold embroidery catching the faint light from the moon. Her movements were slow, almost mechanical, and her face betrayed no emotion.

Haerin, with her sharp, catlike eyes, didn't so much as glance at Dani as she tossed the jacket onto the bed with an air of indifference. She began rolling up the sleeves of her black button-up shirt, her demeanor cold and unreadable as she sat down on the bed. There was something about the way she moved that unsettled Dani, something about the way she carried herself that hinted at the darkness lurking beneath her calm exterior.

Dani stood awkwardly a few feet away, unsure of what to say or do. She felt out of place, like an intruder in this room, in this marriage, in Haerin's life. Her heart raced, and she fidgeted nervously with the fabric of her gown.

"Um..." she began, her voice small and hesitant, desperate to break the oppressive silence that hung between them. But before she could finish, Haerin cut her off, her voice sharp and commanding.

"Danielle," Haerin said, her tone deceptively soft, a cold smile curving her lips. Her eyes flicked toward Dani, but the smile didn't reach them. There was an unsettling darkness in Haerin's gaze, something dangerous that made Dani's pulse quicken with fear. "Come here."she patted the spot next to her.

The words were simple, but the command behind them was impossible to ignore. Dani hesitated for a moment, her body frozen in place. But the force of Haerin's presence, the weight of her gaze, compelled her to obey. With shaky legs and a racing heart, Dani slowly walked over to the bed and sat beside Haerin, feeling a growing sense of unease.

She turned her head to meet Haerin's gaze, her own wide with nervous anticipation. Haerin's eyes bore into hers, and Dani could feel the power radiating from the other girl, the way she seemed to dominate the space around her without even trying.

"Let's get a few rules straight," Haerin said, her voice low and filled with authority. Dani frowned slightly, her brows furrowing in confusion as she processed the words.

"Rules?" Dani asked, her voice a mix of uncertainty and curiosity. Her question was met with a cold, humorless smile from Haerin. But before Dani could say anything else, Haerin pressed a finger against her lips, silencing her instantly.

"Shh," Haerin whispered, her finger firm against Dani's lips. Her smile widened, but there was nothing kind in it. It was the smile of someone who enjoyed having control, who enjoyed the fear they could instill. "Don't talk back when I'm talking."