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Everyone stands at the open entrance of the museum, hesitant, not wanting to be the brave one who ventures into the unknown dangers that await us.
A short girl with raven hair, a black leather jacket, and a sword strapped to her back is the first of us to make a move. No one dares speak a word, the anxiety we all feel and the beating of our hearts being too loud to bear any other noise. We watch the brave girl walk inside. I swallow nervously, wishing that I wasn't just standing here, motionless as the poor girl goes into the building on her own. I wish I could walk right beside her, a reasurring smile on my face, one that tells her we'll all get through this. No one deserves to do this alone, but I just can't get my brain to force my legs to move forward.
I wish I could be like the girl with raven hair. I wish I could be as fearless as her. She's a warrior, a hero.
The sound of her boots hitting the marble floor is the only sound cutting through the cold air. After a few steps, she turns on her heels to address the crowd eyeing her every move.
"I think it's safe." Her voice surprises me. Even though she has a small and soft frame, her voice carries well, not a trace of fear. No trembling, no shaking. The strength in her voice is almost loud enough to quiet the anxious whispers and murmers in my head. I take a deep breath and wipe my sweaty hands on the fabric of my jeans. As I start to walk towards the girl, I can feel Namjoon reach out to stop me, but I don't let him. We can't give up now.
The girl turns her head slightly to look at me as the sound of my footsteps slowly approach her. I clench my fists, roll my shoulders, and clench my jaw, trying to look as fierce as her. I don't feel fierce. I feel small, I feel exposed, I feel like I'm in danger, just by walking into the building with stale air.
The girl smirks at me when I stand next to her, she extends her hand for me to shake. "You can call me Yani. I think you're someone I want to stick with."
"I'm nothing special," I reply.
"Nonsense," she waves me off, grabbing the sword from her back, "you have guts to be one of the first to come in here."
I don't agree, but I don't argue. I'm not brave. The bile I feel in the back of my throat says I'm a coward. The voice in my head telling me to turn back and run says anything but brave or heroic. This situation seems to give Yani a rush of excitement, but for me, I feel nothing but unadulterated panic and fear.
Yani starts to walk further into the building, stepping on the path of light that guides our way. I force myself to follow her, not wanting to let her go alone.
Eventually, others from outside start to follow. Once every one is inside, I hear the creak of the rusty door hinges turning. I spin around to see the light from outside fading away as the door swings shut. I feel my heart drop to my stomach when the door slams, closing us off from the outside.
