Defence

31

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Taecyeon became confused. What kind of a person was Victoria exactly? And why had Yoona been so insistent that he knew about her? What was the link between the two girls? He thought hard and long pacing back and forth outside. Then he finally stopped and stared back at the apartment.

"I had this friend - my best friend, we grew up together. Our class went on a trip one weekend and one night we snuck off from the campground."

"She was taken...kidnapped before my eyes...and they disappeared that night." Yoona gritted her teeth. "I returned alone, but her parents' hearts were broken." a long pause. "I feel terrible every time I see them. They've aged so fast and it's all my fault. My friend's been gone 14 years and we still haven't found her."

"Down in Masan, I met the man who was there that night. He told me she is alive." Yoona bit onto her bottom lip. "I want to open up the case and start another investigation, another search for her."

Yoona had said she had a friend. A friend who went missing 14 years ago. That friend had been taken by some men and she'd never been found. When he ran into Victoria she kept talking as if she didn't recognize anything about the modern world. The kind of ordinary world that most normal people live in.

Suspicious? Or coincidental?

Yoona's friend had been taken and nothing had been heard of her.

Victoria seemed to know nothing...

Taecyeon felt his heart rush. Was it true?

The way Yoona had stared at Victoria looking so lost in despair. She'd asked about Victoria that morning. If she'd asked him she must have questioned Donghae about Victoria as well. What was this? What was going on that was becoming so strange?

"Do you believe me if I say I was escaping bad guys?" Victoria had asked.

Was it true? Had she really been escaping from bad guys?

The men who had taken Yoona's friend?

Rushing back inside he found Victoria sitting on the couch staring at the TV. Grabbing the remote control he turned the TV off. Victoria didn't bother to turn to look at him.

"You," Taecyeon called, "who are you?"

She still didn't respond.

"Yah!" he shouted.

Victoria still refused.

"You know Im Yoona, don't you?" he asked. "That's why you said her full name last night. You know her."

Victoria didn't reply.

"Answer me!"

Victoria slowly got off the couch and stood up looking as if she'd jump him any moment. Feeling a little afraid and cautious he took a step back ready to defend himself if she were to attack, but she just stared at him silently. It felt deathly looking at her.

"There are some times when incidences get viewed through the news. I bet about 3 out of 50 people have heard of the name Im Yoona before." Victoria replied. "Why is it such a surprise that I would know her name?"

Taecyeon's eyebrows twitched again.

"I don't want to reason with you," Victoria told reaching for the control and as she did Taecyeon found himself flinching just in case she hit him. She smiled and sat back down turning the TV on.

He didn't know how to deal with her anymore. What had happened to girl who wanted to know how to cook?

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