Shadows: The Black Star

Chapter One

Another sleepless night.

Joohyun got up, hugging her knees and rocking herself back and forth to stop herself from crying, as her actions woke the others in the so called "Leader Room".

"Eonnie...?" Yewon said, worried for the eldest leader, Joohyun managing a small smile as she shook her head at the youngest.

"That dream again, Eonnie?" Sojung asked, Joohyun nodding as Yerim also got up and hugged the eldest.

"It is a new year. We have to screen the new members of every team. Sojung, did you take new ones?"

"Ani. I'm used to my team now, any new recruits can mess up our order. Your team has the most recruits, Eonnie." Sojung commented, as they got up and got ready for screening.

"Also, I think there is a new team coming. The names are in a folder in the meeting room, and I've got to check." Yerim said, as the four of them got out, chuckling to themselves as they saw the aftermath of their new year party last night.

"Let's have the juniors clean them up later. Let's go to the meeting room and scan the names, maybe we know someone in the new teams and members." Joohyun said, as they proceeded to the meeting room and unlocked the door.

"So we have three recruits in my team, since a lot has happened last year. The names are Lalisa Manoban, Kim Jennie and Park Sooyoung--"

Joohyun noticed Yerim tense up, her eyes focusing on the file that was on the eldest leader's hands, as if she knew someone from the names, but Joohyun decided that the interrogation would go later, as she picked up the next file.

"The new team is from Haejung Agency in Busan, they trained there and they tracked down and caught the biggest syndicate in Busan, and President-nim enlisted their help in--"

Joohyun didn't finish, just tossing the file to the center and letting Sojung and the others finish reading, just nodding as they learned that the new team's present case was to help them catch the syndicate that killed Kang Seulgi.

"So when are they coming here?" Yewon asked, as Joohyun sighed andread the file again, taking her gaze away from the hurtful details and smiled as she located the date.

"Tomorrow. Or rather, today, ten am. Should we have a welcoming party for them?" Joohyun asked, Yewon cheering as she brought out her phone and got to work, Sojung chuckling at the youngest's adorable actions.

"Sojung-ah, can we talk? Everyone, dismissed." Joohyun said, Sojung obeying as she closed the door and let the eldest cry.

"I understand that it is still fresh to you, eonnie. Two girls died that night, and we couldn't do anything about it. I know you are having a hard time--"

"I want to be the one in charge for that syndicate again." Joohyun said, Sojung sighing as she sat down.

"Yong Sun eonnie already explained that your personal feelings might get in the way of catching the syndicate. The President is right, eonnie. Yong Sun eonnie knows what she's doing--"

"It is my responsibility, Sojung. Seungwan and... and Seulgi died that night because of my insistence to finish the mission, and Yerim was lucky that Seulgi sent her home. This is a chance to do everything again--"

The TV on the wall of the meeting room turned on, and Yong Sun's tired face showed, smiling slightly at the two who was still talking.

["I understand your perseverance to finish the case, Joohyun-ssi. Our fourth best team, Firelight, fell wounded to the syndicate's gangs, and are unable to continue their present mission. Haseul and Heejin are the only girls who can currently stand up and report to you today. They are already on their way."] Yong Sun said, as the monitor flashed a video recording.

Heejin panted as she gripped her gun tight, the video shot becoming unsteady as Heejin and Haseul ran towards the end of the block.

"Who's holding the camera? Why is this filmed?" Sojung asked, the video pausing and Olivia coming in view, together with Yong Sun, smiling despite of the bandage on her temple and chin.

["Annyeong, eonnies. Sorry if I couldn't go there personally, but to tell you I was the one filming the incident. It was just for fun, we were doing a vlog and I was going to post it to my channel. But a gang ambushed us, and Haseul eonnie told me to continue filming."]

"Sol! Take cover---"

Jung Jin Sol got shot on her leg, falling down as Kim Hyunjin moved towards her and helped her up, but she got shot on her shoulder. Hyunjin still helped Jin Sol up, and helped each other as Heejin, Haseul and Hye Joo continued to fire.

Soon they reached the end of the alley, but another group cornered them and beat them up, Hye Joo discreetly changing the angle, the faces showing as they beat the girls up.

With a last blow, the gang left, Haseul and Heejin managing to get up as Heejin picked up Hye Joo's camera and ended the video.

["With the help of the new team that will be coming, we reached the headquarters and Jinsoul and Hyunjin were treated immediately. Firelight will be dissolved until the injuries are healed. Haseul and Heejin will help you with the case, and I will also help when I am already well."] Olivia said, as she disappeared from the screen, Yong Sun appearing.

["Notify me when you have a solid plan. Involve the new ones, and train them however you wish to. Over and out."]

The TV switched off, Joohyun sighing as she massaged her temple and picked up the files.

"Eonnie? The new ones are here already, with Haseul eonnie and Heejin." Yewon said, as Sojung opened the door and nodded, looking back to Joohyun.

"Shall we meet them, eonnie? Are you ready?" Sojung asked, Joohyun nodding half heartedly.

"You're not going to face this alone, eonnie. You have me, you have Yerim, you have my whole team and your new members in support. You can do this. We can do this."

Sojung left first, leaving Joohyun inside as she fiddled with her fingers.

"You can do this, Joohyun." she said to herself, and left the room, ready to dig up the past again.