Alligator Eyes

Chapter 2

Mark returns the next night, hesitantly. He had thought about abandoning Jinyoung, even though he had asked for his help, but after remembering that Jinyoung took his map, he decides he'd better go. He is wearing the leathers that Jinyoung gave him. The pants are a little long and the shirt is a bit too big, but he wasn't kidding when he said his alligator skins draw too much attention. In the leathers, hardly anyone looks his way.

Jinyoung and Jaebum are leaning against crates by the door to the bar, talking with four other men. Jaebum waves him over when he spots him, effectively stopping the conversation so that all six of them are watching him approach. Mark is really regretting not just taking his chances and guessing on his path. These men look dangerous, and he knows he can't trust Jinyoung with anything.

"Mark," Jinyoung pushes away from the crates and gestures towards the other four. "Meet the team."

Mark bows to them in greeting and two of them laugh, although he doesn't see which ones. "Nice to meet you all"

"Sure" A short man steps forward, and Mark steps back out of habit. He has two axes on his belt and a nasty scar across his cheek that spreads back to a missing ear. "I'm Jackson" He offers his hand but Mark doesn't take it, eyeing it suspiciously.

"I'm BamBam" Another kid pipes up, waving to Mark with an impish smile on his young face.

"And that's Youngjae and Yugyeom, we won't bore you with their sad lives" Jinyoung says, clearly irritated by how long it's taking them to introduce themselves. "It's time to go"

Mark stares at Youngjae a moment longer as everyone starts to grab things. Its unusual to see people with blonde hair in these parts, so he wonders why there are blonde streaks running through his dark brown hair. He wonders if he's from another country, despite having no accent.

Jaebum easily picks up a heavy looking crate himself while Yugyeom and Youngjae have to double up. Jaebum only sets the first crate into the cart, but it spooks the horse tied to it so he goes to calm it.

They load the rest of the crates before piling into the back, Jinyoung and Jaebum sit on the seat in the front of the cart. Jaebum lights a torch and places it in a holster next to him. It offers little light to the rest of them. Mark jumps in the back of the cart last, closing and latching it shut. He hears the crack of the reins, grimacing as the cart moves. He can feel the others eyes on him but he looks out the back of the cart only, watching as the torches of the village fade to specks before disappearing completely, reminded of the trek from his own village. Its silent for a long time, with only the creak of the wheels and the beat of the horses hooves to break it.

"So like, what are you?"Jackson asks and Mark turns to look at him, noticing that his head is turned at an odd angle, his only ear nearly completely facing him. He looks almost handsome at this angle with his sharp jaw and large eyes.

"What?" Mark asks, ignoring his own realization.

"Don't you people have like second skins? Like animals?"

"Excuse me?"

"Like a shapeshifter?" BamBam asks, looking over his shoulder at him.

"No, it's a myth" Mark doesn't look away from Jackson, watching his expression carefully. A myth, a legend, that idiots tell their kids so they don't go wandering into the woods. Men disguised as animals to lure you into the dark and eat you.

"Jinyoung said you were wearing alligator skins when he found you, so..."

"You are currently wearing cow skins, so..."

Jackson frowns turning his head to glare at Mark as Youngjae laughs out loud. Mark hadn't thought he was listening, but now him and Yugyeom are turned towards him, twin grins on their lips.