Day6 || Hunt

Part III

"Keep your head down and don't draw attention from anybody."

"If anyone with a snake tattoo approaches you..."

Young K's warning rings in your ears. Looking at the stranger before you, you weigh your options carefully. Rationally, you know nothing about him apart from his designer good looks, charismatic manners, and tattoo choices. However, just moments ago, he stepped in to save you from a very sticky situation. Should you trust him?

Lifting your gaze to his, you stare deep into his eyes, looking for a sign, a hidden clue, or some tell-tale emotion, but he's entirely unreadable. His presence is calm, his lips turned up into a nonchalant smile, but you can't shake the feeling that it's just a mask. Underneath that unruffled exterior you sense something darker, deeper. The fact that his flawless, handsome face induces fear and obedience in even the sketchiest people is exactly what you find most terrifying.

Taking a cautious step back, you keep your eyes trained on his as you shake your head gently.

"No, thanks. I can manage," you say evenly.

The handsome man's smile only deepens as he cocks an eyebrow in mild amusement.

"Are you sure you won't regret it?" he asks lightly, but you can't help but hear it as a challenge.

"I'm sure," you say, resolutely.

The man doesn't respond, but simply grins, turning his hand over, palm extended as he gestures towards the exit graciously, as if to say, "The club is all yours."

As you square your shoulders, take in a deep breath, and move away you hear him chuckle to himself, the amusement on his face growing.

After scanning all of the booths and searching through the thick crowd of bodies dancing, you decide to try one of the higher floors. This club has multiple levels, all of them facing a large, open center, kind of like a stadium. Spying the staircase directly ahead, you fight your way through a large group circling two men playing some sort of drinking game. You barely have time to take it in as you pass, but the glint of a knife doesn't escape you. 

You've almost reached the first step when, out of the corner of your eye, you see Young K. He's standing on the second floor, flocked by two large men on either side, arms pinned behind his back tightly. Watching intently, you stifle a gasp as you watch him struggling savagely. The man on his right gives him a rough shove, half pushing, half dragging him down the hallway.

Heart pounding, you desperately push your way past a couple loitering on the stairs, but it's no use. By the time you clear the top step he's already disappeared. Fear and dread filling your mind, you glance around frantically. Young K was your last connection to Jae's disappearance. Without him you may never see your brother again.

Biting your lip, trying to ignore the tight feeling in your chest, you jump as a familiar chuckle fills your ears. Glancing to the side, you see the handsome man from before standing serenely, as if he'd been waiting there the whole time.

"My offer still stands. I don't suppose you've changed your mind?" he says smoothly, amusement still fresh on his face.

Gritting your teeth, you swallow down an urge to curse as you realize you've played right into his hands. His ruse before of letting you decide was all just a game. The choice was clearly never yours.

As much as it annoys you, you know it's time to admit defeat. Setting your jaw and glaring at his attractive, taunting smile, you agree, wondering if Young K or you will survive this.

/-/

You follow the man with the tattoo down the second floor hallway until you reach a pair of large doors. Nodding to a tall man in a dark suit and sunglasses, he punches in a code before leading you through to a corridor. You're feeling incredibly uneasy as you travel further and further into the maze of hallways. The dimness of the lighting makes it difficult to see more than twenty feet ahead, and the temperature seems to have dropped by several degrees.