Innocent | k.t.h

Distance

"I told you, be careful. That school is just something else." Haneul spoke while sitting in the kitchen table.

We were eating currently, but my appetite was gone after recalling the embarrassing moments with Taehyung.

"Are you gonna keep eating? The rice is getting cold." She scolded.

I swear at times, Haneul reminds me of our mother. She was always the favorite child between her and I can see why, she always acted like our mother.

Sighing, I spoke up, "No I'm done eating." Then I preceded to put the rice back into the container before washing my plate.

"Haera, Auntie called by the way."

I stopped cleaning my plate.

"When?"

"Earlier today when I was at school, during lunch."

"What did she say?"

"Hyein is coming by because she has something to talk to us about."

Hyein?

"Jihye, but I guess you didn't hear that she came back. She finished the game and decided to go back to Hyein."

"When is she coming?"

"Tonight I was told."

Nodding, I resumed to cleaning the dishes as Haneul also finished eating.

****

The bell rang, signaling that Hyein was here already.

Opening the door, I saw her.

She never changed.

Still the pure white long blonde hair, scarred eye and jeans and a simple hoodie.

Once she saw me, her eyes widened. She hasn't seen Haneul and I since we were five years old.

"Haera, you look so good." She smirked and nodded in approval before giving me a hug.

"You haven't changed at all Unnie." I hugged her back.

"Well you know, I gotta love how I look." She rolled her eyes playfully while twirling her hair.

Staring at her in amusement, I opened the door wider to let her in, there stood a impatient Haneul who almost fell as she was leaning on the door.

"Haneul!" Hyein chuckled as she watched a surprised Haneul try to recover from her moment.

We all went to the living room where Hyein and Haneul both got situated on the couch but I, decided to sit on the floor since it was heated and warm.

"I would first like to say, I'm sorry about Jaeyong." Hyein spoke lightly while showing pity with her eyes, something I know for a fact she does not like to give.

Haneul and I both nodded our heads while I tried to keep happy thoughts clouding my mind, to make sure that I would not breakdown.

"Second, I came here to talk to both of you about a serious matter that involves a once close friend of mine, Kim Taehyung."

The hairs all over my body began to stand as I began to shiver uncontrollably.

Hyein must have noticed my sudden reaction because she let out a loud sigh, cuffing her hands around her face.

"So you have had contact with him." I nod.

"I shouldn't be happy or upset, but I need you to know a few things. After we graduated, he started to become distant. He would not respond in the groupchats and not talk that much in person, there's something wrong with him. Then, he left. He disappeared and we had no idea where he was. Jungkook and I tried looking for him but it was all not worth it, he didn't want to be found,"

"Just like me when I ran away from the game." She whispered the last sentence.

"We have traced evidence back to him being the one behind the kidnapping of girls around this area, I pray that you two don't get in his trap."

"Apparently, he-I, um requested me into the school, EXAC'T University."

Hyein's eyes widened suddenly.

"You go to that school now?"

"Today was my first day."

"Has Taehyung had any encounters with you? Any interactions?"

"A-A couple."

"Care to explain?"

Shaking my head, I began to explain the encounters I've had with him this following day.

"And also, before going to this school today, I've always walked by this alley nearby our home that I've seen his green eyes. He is always at the alley and he came to me when I was at this playground in the park. He keeps disappearing into dust every time he gets too close to me." I spoke while looking at the wooden polished floor underneath us.

"Oh my god," Hyein let out another shaky sigh, standing up.

She began to pace around the living room, starting from the edge of the living room, almost going to the front door, to the balcony thats door was slightly opened.

"It's all my fault. I knew it was a bad idea to take him with me to my very first mission, it changed him. He used to be so innocent and pure, but he quickly changed." She muttered.

"Don't blame yourself, it can't be your fault. He changed by his own will." Haneul tried to comfort her, she was always the sympathetic one.

"Hey um- can you do me a favor? Can you take me to the alley you were talking about?" Hyein stopped pacing and turned around to face us, her eyes glued on me.

"Y-Yeah sure, right now?"

She nodded her head, eyes never leaving me.

Alrighty, we're going to find Taehyung.