Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Aiko
Aiko's eyes fluttered open, her head throbbing with a dull, persistent ache. The metallic tang of blood lingered in her mouth, and as she gingerly touched her temple, her fingers came away sticky and red. She winced, trying to piece together her fragmented memories.
Heeseung's lifeless body in her arms, his final breath whispering her name—it had felt so real. Panic surged through her as she sat up abruptly, her heart racing. But as she took in her surroundings, confusion settled in. She was back in the lab, the same sterile room where she had confronted Jihoon. The overturned chair, the scattered papers—it was all as she remembered before she lost consciousness.
"Was it... a dream?" she murmured to herself, her voice hoarse.
Desperation clawed at her chest. She needed to know if Heeseung was safe. Her hand instinctively reached for her belt, where her walkie-talkie should have been, but her fingers grasped at empty air. The realization hit her like a cold wave—Jihoon had taken all her equipment.
"Dammit!" she cursed, slamming her fist against the floor. She couldn't afford to waste time. If there was any chance that Heeseung was in danger, she had to act now.
Pushing herself to her feet, Aiko scanned the room for anything she could use. Her eyes landed on a metal rod, part of a broken equipment stand. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing. She gripped it tightly, feeling a semblance of control return.
"I have to get to the lab," she reminded herself. The cure she had been working on, the research—it was all there. If Heeseung was infected, that vial was his only hope.
Steeling herself, Aiko approached the door, pressing her ear against it. The corridor outside was eerily silent, but she knew better than to trust the quiet. Taking a deep breath, she eased the door open and slipped into the hallway, every sense on high alert.
Meanwhile, in another part of the facility, Heeseung paced back and forth, his face etched with worry. He clutched the walkie-talkie in his hand, his knuckles white.
"Aiko, do you copy? Please respond," he called out for what felt like the hundredth time. Static was his only reply.
"She'll be okay, Heeseung," Jay said, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Aiko's tough. She can handle herself."
Heeseung shook his head, frustration evident in his eyes. "You don't understand, Jay. She should have checked in by now. What if something's happened to her?"
"Panicking won't help her," Jay replied calmly. "We need to stay focused. Remember the plan—we regroup at the lab. She knows that. She'll head there."
Heeseung took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing thoughts. "You're right. We stick to the plan. But if we don't hear from her soon..."
"Then we go find her," Jay finished, meeting his gaze. "Together."
