The Box (A Twice AU)

Chapter 6 - Phone Calls

Nayeon held the biscuits and water in her hand, contemplating whether or not to do it. Jihyo put a hand on her shoulder.

"You okay?" Jihyo asked.

"Y-yeah. I just, I hope she accepts." she replied

"If you're too nervous I could..." Jihyo started

"No... I... I can do it. Thank you." she quickly put on a straight face.

"Alright. I'd set Mina on the task but... She's busy on her phone call." Jihyo said.

"It's fine really." Nayeon eased her worries.

"Okay"

She looked at the items in her hand and at the girl on the far side of the room. How the hell do I even break the ice? She contemplated. But the time for contemplation has stopped as her feet had betrayed her and started walking towards her. Do I say Hi? She stopped a short distance in front of her, she was busy staring at the floor.

"Hey... uhm... Lieutenant Yoo." Nayeon greeted. Jeongyeon looked up. She looked significantly more tired than ever. God, she looks really down. I wish I could just... Hug her pain away. She lamented.

"What is it?" Jeongyeon's voice was hoarse. God she must've been crying... one of those silent criers I'm guessing.

"Uhm we found a secret package..." Nayeon began

"I know."

"Oh then uhm... Here" she handed the biscuits and water. "You need this. Especially the water. It sounds like... YourYour throat has dried up." she added shyly. If being honest, she expected Jeongyeon to turn it down right away. But was surprised when she reached out and gently took the bottle and biscuits from her hand.

"Thank you, Nayeon." Jeongyeon softly replied.

"Oh no problem." Nayeon stood there for a few seconds before awkwardly turning around and start to walk away. But...

"Hey!" she heard Jeong call. She turned around.

"Yeah?"

"Do you wanna... sit down and talk while eating?" Jeongyeon asked. Nayeon lightened up at that. Her bunny like teeth showing.

"I'd love to! Ehem." Nayeon adjusted herself. "I- I mean. Sure." and she sat down beside Jeongyeon.

Jihyo observed the interaction from afar. She didn't hear all of what was said. But seeing the bunny smile was a good sign. So she just nodded to herself.

"Yeah dad. I'm sorry I can't be there for your birthday. Things have been... Pretty busy here." She heard Mina say, looking sad. "No! I am lesbianing it up with my girlfriend! I don't even have a girlfriend." She exclaimed. Horrified. She slapped Chae's arm, who was silently giggling beside her mouthing "lesbianing it up" to Mina.

Jihyo is actually thankful with Chaeyoung's levity. It makes her forget that they're essentially in a death trap until they kill the murderer. Whether that is a good thing or not, she doesn't care anymore. For her, any bit of humor is welcome in this impending doom.

Despite Jihyo's positive thoughts, another observer didn't share her line of thinking when it comes to Chaeyoung's attempt at humor. She doesn't hate her, in fact Chaeyoung seems like the type of girl you'll meet on a cafe, typing or sketching while drinking whatever latte she chooses that day. A go with the flow type of girl. Ready to go where the current takes her. That is what makes her suspicious to Tzuyu. She looked innocent. A little too innocent. She remembered how Chaeyoung has been cozying up with Dr. Myoui who she just met. Always staying close. She seemed protective of her. Or was it a two way protection? No one would suspect her if she's kind. But then, she's not as kind to everyone, Mina seems to be a special case. But doesn't that make the case against her more? Tzuyu's brows furrowed as she analyzed the smaller girl. The discovery of the stash just made her even more suspicious. And the way she knew so much about that 'balisong' even the way she handled it. Sure she fucked up the twirling of the knife. But that could also be a ruse. Arggghh.

"Alright I'm finished with my call. Who wants to go next?" Mina alerted everyone.

"May I have a go?" a familiar voice made them look up. And there she was, Jeongyeon, standing near them, Nayeon beside her seemingly happy. "If... That's okay with you guys." she followed up.

Jihyo looked at everyone and one by one they nodded.

"Yeah sure." Jihyo replied with a smile. She doesn't know Yoo, but even with the short time she was with her in this hell, seeing her trying to reach out was uplifting.

Jeongyeon took the phone and called.

"Hey sis. How are you? No no I'm fine. What about the dogs? That's good to hear. Listen I'm sorry I can't go home tomorrow on the weekend, I've been pretty busy... WHAT?!" Jeongyeon's sudden explanation made everyone look. She put the phone on speaker. "What do you mean, you know where I am?" she asked.

"I said. I know where you are. Well... your situation at least. You're inside a giant box. And the walls threaten to crush you unless you find the murderer among you." Her sister - Jihyo assumed - replied. Jeongyeon looked in shock

"H-how..." she asked the question in everyone's mind.

"You are being streamed, our Police station was the first to receive the signal. 12 hours ago. It seems that every device in the world received it as well. We don't know how many are watching. The signal is hard to triangulate, but we are doing everything we can to find you." The voice on the other line replied. "I'm so sorry we can't find you sooner. But these phone calls you made are certainly helping just hold on a little longe-"

"Hello? SEUNGYEON!" Jeongyeon looked at the phone. "Battery's dead. I'm sorry everyone."

No one was in any situation to reply. They've just learned that they're being watched. Not just by one person.

"That's why I felt more uncomfortable than usual, I think." Dahyun whispered to Sana.

Sana just tried to suppress her shiver.