Breaking the habit (SEVENTEEN FANFIC)

GABRIELLE

"I'm sorry about cancelling dinner yesterday. Nana was sick"

I looked away from my phone and smiled at Ji Han "is Nana okay now?"

"yes, but she's looking forward to see you"

Ji Han narrowed his eyes at my silent nod. He smirked "in a bad mood, aren't we?"

I just shrugged, not bothering to say anything as I sat on his couch. The phone rang. He glanced at the cell before holding up a hand and signaling for me to wait while he goes outside to answer his business call.

I glanced at my phone once again.

8:00 pm

I can't believe Hansol never even bothered to visit me in the hospital to apologize.

The nerve of that kid. I am the one who ran to Ji Han, ran to the crime scene, hypnotized him again to see the thing happen with my very own eyes, and took a month-long absence just to see my boyfriend go mad.

And he calls me a flirt because I treat Ji Soo's brother like a friend?!

Oh, wait. There's more. He's insisting that Ji Han's a psychopath!

I checked my phone for what seems like the hundredth time. No messages. No voicemails. Not even a single missed call.

Screw him then. I don't need his apology.

I heard something slam on the second floor. I yelped and narrowed my eyes at the ceiling as the first slam was followed by a series of scrapings.

I silently grabbed the knife on the kitchen. I crept upstairs, careful enough to make no sounds.

The last thing I needed to do is notify the robber of my presence.

The slamming was getting louder and louder the more that I approached the attic. My heart pounded against my ribs. I held my breath and took a step back. I'm going to kick that door down and overpower the intruder. Shock is on my side.

He won't have time to react.

I shut my eyes and kicked the door open,  screaming bloody murder as I sent all my strength to the kick. The door instantly flew open.

My scream stuck on my throat. My eyes widened at the sight that greeted me. A chill ran through my spine. I stared at the gigantic computer screens that showed me every nook and cranny of my home.

I do like one girl though.

Ji Han's words came hurtling towards me like a meteor.

Pictures. MY pictures. Hundreds of them were plastered all over the room. They featured every single moment in my life and they were all taken either under the confines of bushes or behind me.

She seemed to be oblivious to my advances.

No. please. No. that was all I could think as I took the whole room in, struck dumb by sheer terror.

Hansol's muffled yell woke me up from my daze. I turned to him, his body tied up and bruised. Blood was trickling down his forehead. He shot me a pointed glare and I nodded vigorously.

Right. this is no time to act like this.

I rushed to him and began slicing through the ropes that were holding him down, my hands sweating and trembling whilst I silently prayed for Ji Han's call to last longer.

Once free, he took the gag off his mouth. I heard footsteps on the stairs. Hansol grabbed my wrist "Let's go—"

"now, where do you think you're going?"

I jumped and stared at Ji Han. I took a step back, clutching the knife tightly in my hands as she smiled at me.

"it's crazy how you still look beautiful when surprised"

He's insane.

Hansol's right.

My eyes darted to the corners of the room then at the open door, frantically looking for an escape route that we can run to.

Act like nothing's wrong. Smile. Fool him. be patient.

"let's go down. Dinner's ready. We should leave Hansol here"

I can't move. I can't even speak. I took a deep breath, about to say something when Hansol growled "why are you doing this?! He's your brother!"

"I was nothing but his shadow!"

Ji Han then turned his gaze back to me, the corners of his mouth turned up. "but then, you, my angel appeared"

He walked towards me. I stood my ground. I have to act like nothing's wrong.

Years of training as a psychologist prepared me for this situation. It's just a bit regretful how no one even managed to give a lecture about how to escape from a madman's house when they corner you.

That would've been useful right now.

He caressed my cheek whilst his other hand slowly wrestled the knife out my grip "come on Angel, you don't really want to stab me, don't you?"

I do. I really, really, really would love to. It took everything that I could to not take the opportunity to stab him to death.

But that wasn't the case for Hansol. He erupted with a guttural roar. He lunged at the psychotic madman, throwing punches and kicks whilst miserably hitting and missing.

Grunts slipped through their lips. Ji Han grabbed the knife and tried to stab Hansol.

I need to call the police.

I sped towards the open door, almost tripping through the stairs. I grabbed my phone, my hands still shaking

"119. What is your emergency?"

"help me. There's a killer in my house. He's coming after us. Please hurry"