Fall Down (Stray Kids Seo Changbin)

One

Paige's Story

'forgetting isn't my problem. Remembering is'

Bangkok, Thailand
Wilson's Headquarters Basement
21 January 2025
18:41

Chan stared down at the lifeless body for a good ten seconds before averting his gaze to the rest of the men wearing black suits, pointing their guns at him.

The men were outnumbered and without their leader, who now had a large bloodstain in his once-pretty-suit, had no shot of winning the fight they caused. But none of them backed down.

Chan wasn't surprised, nor were any of his gang members. That was kind of the code everyone in the business run by: pride first, fear second. No one backs down even when their future is crystal clear.

"Oh come on, boys. Just hand over the papers and you won't get your expensive suits dirty," Chan uttered as he ordered his people to circle the men. They were intimidated, obviously, but no one gave in.

Sucking on the side of his mouth as he cocked an eyebrow, the leader beckoned to one of his members and instantly one men was shot dead.

Chan simply watched as the man fell to the the floor, a pool of blood forming around him.

"So what's it going to be?" He asked, looking back up at the men.

"Kill us all you want, Chan. You'll never get your hands on those papers," one of the men, Ryan spat out.

Chan simply sighed before signaling to Felix again.

"Wrong answer," he said and with that Ryan fell to the ground.

"Anyone else want to test me?" Chan glanced around at the three other men, who were clearly freaking out.

No one answered so Chan snapped his fingers and Minho, Changbin and Hyunjin had their guns aimed at each of the men.

"One," he began to count.

"We don't have them," the man, Adam blurted.

"Then who does?" But he was met with no response so he continued to count. "Two."

"Harrison has them. They stole during their raid last year."

"Harrison?" Chan repeated. "Haven't heard that name in so long... Kinda makes sense now that I think of it. Where is he?"

"I don't know."

"Three-"

"France," Adam quickly said. "That's all I know, I swear. Please, just don't kill us."

Chan only smiled at him.

"Don't worry Adam, you gave me all the information I needed." And upon saying that, Jisung whacked all three of them with a metal rod, hard enough to knock them unconscious but not to kill them.

"Leave them where they are," Chan told the boys. "The police will find them shortly."

And with that, they all walked out with a new target in mind.

***

Dublin, Ireland
Peacock Hotel, Room 347
20 January 2025
18:41

"Good evening, Miss Davies. How was your day today?" Richard asked as he placed a cup of steaming tea on the table in front of her as she pulled off her sneakers and let her hair lay loose instead of the tight ponytail she wore daily.

"Same as always, Rich. What's on my agenda for tomorrow? Who's butt do I have to prepare to kick?" She asked, finally grabbing the tea and sipping on it.

"Tomorrow was supposed to be your rest day but Lincoln called today. He wants to meet you at eleven in the café downtown. What he wants from you, I'm not particularly sure but I do know he has a task he wants you to get on with."

"Eleven? What an odd time!" Paige spat out her tea.

"Lincoln's an odd man," Richard shrugged as he cleaned up her mess.

"Great, another sleepless night by the looks of it," she rolled her eyes.

"You still have a few hours to catch up, Miss Davies. I'll wake you when you need to get ready, okay?"

Paige simply nodded as she felt her eyes grow heavy.

She had to admit, she loved her job. The thrill of it was just something she was obsessed with and she knew with time she would have to leave it and move on to being a normal student again but she wasn't quite ready for that.

She also had to admit at times her job was too much. Sleepless night after sleepless night, hours spent staring at a computer screen and more time spent tracking people time. It was all exhausting and almost too much to handle at times.

But she was lucky to have Richard. She truly loved him like a member of her family and quite honestly, he was the last thing she had. Both her parents and all her siblings each died from the job Paige had to carry out now. Richard was her father's assistant and soon passed down the whole family line until it ended with her.

He was a loyal man. A very trustworthy man.

But he was becoming old. His hair was already a silver-grey colour and wrinkles decorated his face. He used to fight alongside her father but had to retire upon turning fifty a couple years back. So now he helped Paige sort out her life.

"Thanks, Rich," she uttered, taking another sip of her tea.

The man shrugged it off as he began to clean up the kitchen.

"Anything for you, Miss Davies. And don't be out for long. You never know what could happen."

And Paige knew he was aware of what he was saying. She was well-known in her area, and anyone could be out to get her just like they did with her family.

She had to be careful.

She was the only Davies left.

This may or may not be a confusing story because it isn't just one person's story but two. And it will be switching throughout the story.