The Box (A Twice AU)

Chapter 8 - Regroup and Recuperate

"We'll go first." Jeongyeon said. "We found nothing extraordinary. Only a confirmation that a part of the Eye painting is a camera lens possibly connected somewhere." she finished.

"Same with us" Sana began. The black part of the Mouth painting is actually a foam padding. The type you put in a mic to filter environmental sounds." She smiled at the knowledge she learned from Dahyun.

"We may have bigger findings. You see the black part or I guess 'the hole' on the Ear painting, actually has another hidden hole. It seems to be a locking mechanism." Jihyo reported.

"That's... actually a big find." Jeongyeon replied. "We just need a key... Or something similar to unlock it."

"What about you guys?" Dahyun asked Mina and Chaeyoung. "I saw Mina enter that hole."

"Yeah we found that the hole is actually kind of like a vent. That's all I know, Mina insisted to be the one to go crawl in." Chaeyoung replied.

"It goes around actually. And the system was lower than the paintings so I didn't see any wires or microphones inside or anything." Mina answered. "Though I found these." she added as she put down a screwdriver and what seems to be a pendant.

"It's a pocket watch. I don't know how accurate the time is, but 11:30pm seems right since I feel sleepy already." Mina continued and showing them the pocket watch.

"We have a solution to the lock problem now since we didn't find a key." Chaeyoung spoke.

"Yeah, with the knife and the screwdriver we could make an improvised lockpick!" Dahyun exclaimed. She and Chaeng fist bumped at that.

"Okay. But does anyone know how to pick locks here?" Nayeon asked.

"I learned it as a child" Jihyo answered.

"I did too as part of police training." Jeongyeon answered as well.

"I learned the basics from our stunt coordinators, I should try too." Tzuyu volunteered.

"Anyone else?" Jeongyeon asked. Nothing. "Alright give me the knife please" Mina gave it to her. And then she picked up the screwdriver and pocket watch. "Here's the plan. You guys get some rest. Jihyo, Tzuyu and I will take turns to take a crack at picking the locking mechanism on that wall. I will go first. Jihyo and Tzuyu, you sleep. After 1 hour, I'll wake Jihyo to pick the locks. Jihyo after 1 hour you wake up Tzuyu so she could pick the lock. And then start over with me after 1 hour. Is that clear?" Jeongyeon explained. No one protested. "Alright, you guys sleep. We'll take care of the lock. Hopefully it's our way out."

Mina couldn't sleep that night she can't stop thinking about what she heard when she was in the 'vents'. Tzuyu and Jihyo's conversation was loud and clear to her considering how close they were apparently to the wall when they were talking. Tzuyu was suspicious towards Chae. And that didn't sit right with Mina. The actress' attitude ever since they awakened were cordial at best and antagonistic at worst. And now overly suspicious of someone just because they were kind or too kind in her eyes. The fact that Tzuyu jumped to conclusions based on little evidence didn't sit well with Mina either.

Overly suspicious and impulsive nature to Mina is a dangerous combination. Either way. I must protect my cub... MY CUB HUH? Looks like I am finally healthy enough to like... Possibly love someone again. She hugged Chaeyoung's sleeping form protectively. Yes, maybe Chaeyoung is a new chance for her to move on. She looked at the sleeping Tzuyu on the other side. She looked peaceful and angelic, a far cry from the attitude she has exuded so far. Mina wondered which one is the facade and the true face. Eventually Mina's eyes drooped heavily. No... No sleep... Must... Protect... cub.

Chaeyoung was having the time of her life. She was standing in front of the altar waiting for something... For someone. The door to the room opened and there she was. The most beautiful bride she has ever seen. Her ethereal glow putting the sun to shame. Mina. I'm getting married to Mina. She thought. She was smiling at Chaeyoung. And God, did Chaeyoung's heart skip a few hundred beats. A true heart shaker, this Myoui Mina she thought lovingly.

But as Mina got closer, Chaeyoung felt something painful on her chest. She looked down and saw the bloody tip of the blade. She looked back at Mina, her eye makeup were smeared on her face, dried tears on it too. She looked to her right and saw a figure in black hood, atop a pale horse, holding the scythe that pierced her. The horse roared and instead of whinnying. And began galloping, scythe still connected to her causing her to be dragged away. She wanted to scream but she found that she can't. And so she could only stare as she gets dragged farther and farther away from Mina...

Chaeyoung's eyes snapped as she woke up. It was a fucking nightmare. But the nightmare has to be processed later as a real danger was happening. Someone was ABOUT TO STAB HER. As the knife was brought down she slapped it away from the hands of her assailant and it clanged on impact. She stood up and tackled the person to the ground. She knew this one.

"Tzuyu wh-"

She didn't get to continue as Tzuyu's right hook connected with her jaw. And she was sent stumbling backwards. Tzuyu walked towards her but Chaeyoung kicked her on the shin and the tall girl stumbled forwards. Chae immediately got on top and retaliated by punching Tzuyu's jaw just like she did.

"What's wrong with you?" Chae asked, sleepiness gone.

"You're the murderer, you set us all up!" Tzuyu screamed as she turned them around trying to choke Chaeyoung. But Chaeyoung kept fighting and loosening her grip.

"You're- fucking- delusional!" Chae managed in between breaths.

"I'm not. This is nothing personal Chaeyoung. But we must survive." Tzuyu said as she tightened her grip.

"You. Bastard" Chae tried. Chaeyoung felt her true death incoming. Is that what my dream meant or something else?

Tzuyu continued to choke the life out of Chaeyoung until she heard the safety of a gun being switched off. She looked up and saw Mina, holding a gun pointed at her.

Chaeyoung gasped when she was released, she immediately moved away from Tzuyu. Everyone has woken up at this point.

"Why are you pointing the gun at me? She's the murderer surely you've seen the signs." Tzuyu reasoned with Mina

"Yeah sure I've heard your 'signs' Tzuyu. You confessed them pretty loudly to Jihyo. Good thing I just happened to be at the wall you were occupying. I've heard your accusations based on the conclusions you made. All unfounded." Mina replied.

"I'm telling you. Everyone! Chaeyoung is the murderer among us." Tzuyu said to no one in particular.

"Yeah sure, I'm the murderer, you bitch. You were the one about to stab me while I was sleeping!" Chaeyoung exclaimed.

"You set this all up. The paintings on the walls. The way you 'accidentally discovered' the secret stash where surprise surprise there's a fucking knife. A deadly weapon. Not to mention you've been cozying it up with Ms. Psychiatrist over there from the moment we woke up. Further improving the facade of how 'goody two shoes' you are when in truth you're a goddamn killer!" Tzuyu spat.

"And you've been nothing short of an arrogant cunt and antagonistic bitch all throughout! You treat everyone disrespectfully, EVEN A POLICE LIEUTENANT! The only one you seem to tolerate here is Jihyo, and the closest friendship I can describe the one between you is acquainted! NEWSFLASH TO YOU 'MS. I'M A BUDDING ACTRESS'. This isn't showbusiness where everyone's show of kindness have ulterior motives. In the real world, when people express who they truly are, they mean it. Because we have this thing called affection!" Chaeyoung spat with as much venom.

Everyone kept looking between the two who were having a shouting match. Wondering whether it will end in peace eventually or it will be violence that solves it. Mina's hand was shaking, her knees were weak. She doesn't know what to do. Jihyo who has heard Tzuyu's side didn't know what to think either. She has cautioned Tzuyu, but the girl proceeded to try and kill someone in their sleep. Yet she was also suspicious of Chaeyoung after everything.