TOXIC

❝ 9 ❞

     The sky was full of fluffy white clouds, the sun's rays peaking through. The wind occasionally blew, causing the leaves that laid of the sidewalk to drift away, forgotten by the trees they fell off of. People began to wonder the streets, coffee cups in their hand; labeling them as an early bird that almost forgot their worm. Their feet pounded against the sidewalk, repeating the same steps as yesterday. Crimson found herself in the warmth of another place, instead of the cruel coldness of the outdoors.
The mug in her hand containing different contents then those who roamed the street, making her feel slightly different.

And instead of her feet pounding the sidewalk, her fingers pounded against the keys of her laptop, searching for information hidden in the distance. She found it crazy how there was a secret society hidden on the internet, bound together by a single browser. Unexpected and unfound. The soft sound of padding on the floor made her pick her head up, glancing at the sight in front of her, the one and only person who could have entered the room.

Their relationship wasn't really a "relationship". Over the past couple of days they had spent together, they hadn't really discussed anything but what the plan was. Constant research and long nights spent wasting away was how they spent their time and Crimson thought it was for the best. She wasn't ready to discuss what happened a few nights ago, when she was standing on his door step drenched in rain and salty tears. He hadn't noticed the tears on her face and she was happy about that, she didn't want to show him how badly she needed him. She had already appeared on his doorstep, and that was enough.  

"How's the research coming along?" He asked, peering over her shoulder. 

"I've been staring at the same article for the last hour and have found nothing. So you can only assume how well it's going." He eyed the screen, eyes moving side to side scanning the article she was reading.  

"I see why you haven't found anything yet." He chuckles coming around the sofa to pop a seat next to her, taking the laptop away. 

"You're on the wrong website." His fingers typed away on the keyboard causing a different screen to pop up.  

"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to use Wikipedia? People can just change and make it somewhat believable." He smiled before handing her the laptop back.

"If you want some real information then I believe that's the website you want." Pointing towards the screen her attention turns to it, her eyes scanning the words displayed in bold.

"The Secret Society?" She reads the words just above questioning the title, cocking her head towards Kyungsoo, he immediately answers.  

"It's a website with information about demons and what not. I've been on here a couple times when in doubt of myself."  

"And why didn't you tell me about this website before....?"  

"I figured you would have found it by now. Besides, you look cute when you're frustrated." He said as he ruffled her hair, making her a blushing mess. Although they never really questioned their relationship, there was always a hint to something there. As he stood and walked away, she set her now lukewarm mug on the table; the aftertaste of vanilla on her tongue. Tea was always her choice of beverage in the morning, and she found herself relaxed as she settled back against the backrest of the couch.

As she read on, she came into contact with somethings that made her blink rapidly, wondering if the worlds she was reading were real and indeed true. She immediately stood, carefully placing the laptop on the couch in a rush. Her feet lead her to a room, in which Kyungsoo stood, his broad and bare back facing her. She stood there, frozen and warm in time. And before she could stop the words from coming out her mouth, she had his attention with his name leaving her lips. 

"Crimson...." He breathed before walking towards her. However, he stopped before her, his mind realizing that exactly he was doing. 

"I-I found something you might want to see." She said as she slowly backed out the room and headed down the stairs, blush creeping up on her cheeks. Kyungsoo shook his head and grabbed a shirt, pulling it over his head before following her back down the stairs. There she sat, on the couch with the laptop in her lap, eyes squinted together. 

"Okay. So I know you and your friends are apart of a little demon club."  

"More like Clan." 

"Club, clan; same thing."  

"Not really." 

"Anyway, have you noted that theirs a whole "kingdom" out there? Hiding?" She said as he eyed the screen. Reading the words appearing before his eyes, his heart began to thump hard in his chest.

'This secret society has been around for decades, unnoticeable by other clans and groupings for they remained hidden within time. Based on sudden appearances and findings within the local area as well as other parts of the world, one can only say that this clan only appears in terms of dark, destructive times.' 

"I had no idea that....".

"And im pretty sure that your fellow clan members don't know either. I suggest-". 

"lm already on it. You should probably get dressed." He said as he pulled out his phone from his jean pocket, dialing a number. Crimson stood up, heading for the stairs as her mind raced. She questioned what exactly that article meant as she got dressed and returned down the stairs, jacket in hand. 

"We can go, they're already expecting us."  

"Alrighty" She said as they both stepped out the door and headed towards the bus stop, the most unnoticeable way of transportation.

The ride was short as their destination wasn't that far. However, what freaked Crimson out was the group of guys towards the front of the bus that caught both her and Kyungsoo's eye as they passed. The look they gave sent shivers down Crimson's spin, automatically making her grab onto Kyungsoo. And he watched as the group stole looks at Crimson, making his blood boil.

As their stop appeared, he stood instantly, pulling her up and close to him. Heat washed over her face as they walked off the bus, the group of boys unknowing behind. However, when Crimson craned her neck, she could see their figures, mouths formed in smirks.

"Kyungsoo... I think they're after us..." She said and he groaned, sending goosebumps across her skin.  

"Those damned bastards.." He said as he looked back and took a glance. Turning back around, he pulled her to a stop. 

"Look, I'll make a diversion. You run and get out of here. I'll be right behind you, I promise."

"But.." She said looking at the ground. He lifted her face up with his fingers, making her look him in the eyes.  

"Trust me.." He said and slowly but shortly, she nodded her head and took off, removing her hand from his. She watched as he turned around, focusing on the group of guys in front of him. Calling upon his energy, his eyes flashed black as he casted a puff of smoke. The group of guys remained stunned as he took off, following Crimson. Grabbing her hand, he dragged her forward, looking for a way out of their situation. 

"This way."

An alleyway, dark with fear, sending shivers down their spines. She watched as the darkness crept in, the remaining figures combining into one being. And as they both watched, they waited for the figure to fully transform, get a good eye at who exactly they were facing. However, as Kyungsoo came to realize exactly what was happening, he grabbed Crimson in his arms, linking his hand with hers once again and pulled her into the shadows of time. Still, the face of their attacker flashed in her mind as his face appeared and disappeared right before her eyes.