Seaside ✅

ㅇ8

I woke up and felt stiff as hell. I looked around me and saw that I had fallen asleep outside. "I'm glad I wasn't killed, but I'm upset that no one bothered to look for me." I tried standing up, forgetting that I had hurt my ankle. I sat back down then decided to call someone. Just as I was about to call Changmin, an older man had come out of his house and rushed over to me. "My, you're another victim of this god forsaken pothole. They keep saying they'll fix it. Bunch of liars. Let me help you up." I was thankful for this man's kindness, but it made me wonder why he hadn't helped the night before.

"Ah, so that's what happened." "Yeah. Sorry to bother you, Mr. Jo." "No, no, I'm sorry. If I wasn't passed out from drinking last night, I could've helped you sooner." He finished wrapping my ankle then told me to lie down. "Make sure to keep it elevated." I complied then looked around. It was a cozy home. I wondered if he lived alone. "Mr. Jo?" "Yes, sir?" "Do you live alone?" "Nope. The wife and kid are gone for the week." "Oh." I sighed and wondered how long I was going to be here. I wondered if any of them would bother to call me. I doubted it.

"Where you from?" "Ah, the city." "How's the suburb life here? Do you like it?" "It's alright. I like the scenery here." He nodded then placed food in front of me. "Oh, thank you..." I wasn't sure if I should eat it as I didn't know what kind of intentions he had. "It's fine, it's not poisoned. I'll eat it and show you." He took a bite out of all of it and he looked fine. "Thank you." I quietly ate then felt my phone vibrate. "Look who finally decided to call..." Mr. Jo seemed to have gotten the hint and left. I answered the phone and it was quiet on the other end. "Who calls someone and doesn't say anything..." I was about to hang up when I heard a sob. "I-I'm scared."

Scared? Is he joking with me? "Changmin, what's going on?" "I don't know. I woke up and it's completely dark in here. I can't move." I wanted to go and find him, but I had my ankle to worry about. "Do you hear anything?" "...leaves rustling. Birds chirping. Footsteps." He hung up and I never felt more worried in my life. He sent me a text saying he heard them getting louder. I texted him back and waited for a response. I sighed then tossed my phone to the side. I started to wish I never agreed to go on this trip.

Mr. Jo had entered and walked over to me. "We should get you home. Do you know your address?" I nodded and told him the address. I was thankful for his kindness and hoped I'd meet him again.

ㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣㅣ

"Thank you, sir." Mr. Jo left and I found myself in Sangyeon's arms. "What the hell happened...?" "Pothole. Where's Changmin?" He shook his head then sat me down on the couch. "Actually, I haven't seen any of them at all today." "Huh? No one of them were in their rooms?" He shook his head again then left for the kitchen. I started worrying about Changmin as I haven't heard back from him. As if trying to calm my worries, my phone started ringing. "Kevin. I'm okay. Haknyeon found me. I was in a trash bag..." "The fuck?" "I don't know. Haknyeon, I'm going to go over there for better signal. Kevin, I don't know how Haknyeon knew where I was and it's scaring me just as much as finding out I was in a trash bag. It had YNL on it..."

I sighed then saw Sangyeon place a cup of tea in front of me. "What's going on?" "Nothing in particular." "Well, I'll be upstairs if you need me." I gave him a smile then wondered why Changmin had been threatened twice, whereas Younghoon and Juyeon were killed on the spot.

"Why didn't you do anything...?"