The Party That Killed || Hyunlix

55 🕸️

3rd person pov.
Chan and Jungmin are in one of the rooms of the mansion, discussing the details of their plan against the sect. They are unaware that someone is listening in on them. Mid-conversation, the door cracks open, and Chan’s brother enters with a smile that sends chills down their spines.

“Well, well... what’s going on here?” The guy closes the door behind him and leans against the wall. “A little conspiracy against our family?”

Chan quickly changes his tone, trying to buy time.
“Don’t be ridiculous. We were just reminiscing about the old days. You know how it is... Memories come flooding back.”

The guy crosses his arms and tilts his head.
“Old times, huh? That’s interesting, because I thought I heard something about our family and some... plans.”

Jungmin intervenes, trying to remain calm.
“Really, it’s nothing important. We were just wondering what the hierarchy in the sect looks like now.”

The guy steps closer, his gaze turning sharp.
“Do you think I’m stupid? Chan, you’ve always been the smarter one, the one who knew how to manipulate people. But you know what? Our family taught me how to spot traitors.”

Chan raises an eyebrow, trying not to betray his unease.
“And what if we are traitors? Are you going to tell them everything?”

The guy chuckles softly, his laughter echoing in the room.
“I don’t need to. Betraying the sect is a death sentence. I don’t need to say a word; they’ll find you on their own. But you know what? I’m curious as to why you’re even bothering. This is a fight doomed to fail.”

Jungmin steps forward.
“You really don’t get it, do you? You think this sect is family? They use us, then throw us away when we’re no longer useful.”

Chan’s brother goes silent for a moment but then steps closer.
“I’m not like you. They need me. I’m one of the most important pieces in their plans.”

Chan crosses his arms, looking at his brother with clear disappointment.
“They need you? Or is that just what you want to believe? How many times do you need to tell yourself that before you start believing it?”

The guy narrows his eyes, his face turning to stone.
“We’ll see who’s right. But I suggest you be careful. They know more than you think.”

He leaves, leaving Chan and Jungmin in tense silence. After a moment, Jungmin turns to Chan.
“Do you think he really knows something, or is he just bluffing?”

Chan clenches his jaw.
“It doesn’t matter. We need to act faster. Time is running out.”

≈🎃≈

Jungmin sat on the edge of his bed, nervously fiddling with the hem of his shirt. The night was calm, and the city lights in the distance flickered like stars. He knew Chan would be coming soon – he had asked for a talk.

When the door creaked open quietly, Jungmin looked up and saw Chan, who entered with an uncertain look on his face. He closed the door behind him, leaning against it for a moment as if weighing whether to stay or leave.

“Tell me what you wanted to say” Chan said, crossing his arms. His voice sounded dry, but Jungmin knew him well enough to know it was just a mask.

“We can’t leave it like this” Jungmin said, standing up from the bed. “I know you’re afraid of what will happen if something goes wrong. I’m scared too. But... if we do nothing, they win.”

Chan sighed heavily and walked a few steps further into the room, as if trying to escape Jungmin’s words.

“And if something goes wrong? What if we provoke them, and they...” Chan stopped, slamming his fist on the table. “This isn’t a game, Jungmin! They won’t hesitate to do something we can’t undo.”

Jungmin stepped closer, his gaze determined, almost pleading.
“I know it’s not easy. I know the sect is strong, that we’re risking everything we have. But, Chan...” his voice cracked for a moment. “If we don’t try, we’ll never know if we could’ve changed anything. And I can’t live with the thought that we gave up before we even started fighting.”

Chan looked at him, his eyes filled with a mix of anger, sadness, and resignation. For a moment, neither of them said anything, and the tension in the room was almost palpable.

“Do you have a plan?” Chan asked finally, his tone indicating that he was already tired of this conversation.

Jungmin took a deep breath, feeling that he had taken a step toward convincing his friend.
“Not yet. But we can come up with one together. Just like we always do.” He gave a faint smile, trying to reassure Chan. “If not now, then when?”

Chan shook his head but finally sighed in resignation.
“You have five minutes to convince me. If what you say makes sense, I’ll do it with you. If not...” Chan didn’t finish the sentence, but his voice held a threat.

Jungmin nodded, preparing for the most important argument of his life.

≈🎃≈

Seungmin looked at Jungmin with a confused gaze, his voice trembling but full of tension.
“What’s going on with you? We were so close, remember? And now... now you barely say anything. You know something’s changing, right? You know I treat you like a brother, but I don’t understand what’s going on.”

Jungmin remained silent, staring at the floor, still unable to find the words he could say. He wanted to tell him everything, to explain what had happened, why he had changed. But he couldn’t. Not now. Not like this.

“You’re not yourself” Seungmin added, his voice becoming more frustrated with each word. “We used to talk about everything, there were no secrets between us. And now, now... you look at me like I’m a stranger.”

Jungmin felt his heart race.
“You don’t understand” he whispered, but he didn’t lift his gaze.

Seungmin just shook his head, anger beginning to outweigh his concern.
“What’s going on, Jungmin? Why are you shutting me out? Why can’t you just tell me what happened? You don’t have to be afraid. We’re family.”

Family. That word sounded different now. Too heavy. Too empty.

“I can’t tell you” Jungmin replied softly, his voice breaking at the end of the sentence. “Not now. I can’t... not like this.”

Seungmin looked at him for a moment, not knowing what to say.
“It’s fine” he finally replied, bitterness in his voice. “It’s fine. If you don’t want to, then don’t. But remember, I don’t know how long I’ll last if you keep... like this.”

Before Jungmin could respond, Seungmin turned and left, leaving him alone with the weight of his own thoughts.

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Movie suggestion: Halloween (2018)