Red Moon | kim taehyung

Chapter 1 ~ Fate

You couldn't help but worry as you clutched your phone in your hands.
"Are you there? Are you alright?!" You shouted in the device but no answer came. Your little sister was on the other end but after a scream, she never answered back. The girl was at the other side of the city with her friends when the incident occurred.
She was your little sister, almost 13 years old. Her birthday was dangerously close, but something more dangerous was out there. Waiting for their victims, hiding behind the shadows.
You struggled to make the right decision, while you looked at your phone. As you stared out of the window from the 6th floor, a picture of your smiling sister appeared before you. Grinning and playing with her long hair. Every 13 year-old wanted long hair, but still, Kamilla was special. She was smarter than any other student from her school. She was pretty, thoughtful and always positive. Sometimes you felt like she was the older one in the family. Of course, there were times when you argued and screamed at each other but that's what sibling do, right?

The moon, colored red, looked down on the city. It painted the streets and houses an intimidating color. The roads were empty, as the cookie jar on the table, everyone was in their house, hiding from the bad. Even inside the safety of your home, you could feel the eternal anger and the vindictiveness sneak around.
You knew the risks perfectly. The consequences of going out. But what was more important? Your life or your sister's? Who had more to lose? You or your sister?
Your parents' warnings came to your mind. They had to go abroad but made you promise that no matter what, you stay with your sister and never go out.
You regretted letting Kamilla go to her friend's house. But now, you had to make up for your mistake and break the most important rule: never go out.

You went to your room and changed into warmer clothes as fast as possible.
You broke your promise and failed to protect her. But you can still make it right.

You ran down on the stairs, not bothering to use the elevator. As you reached the front door of the apartment house you looked on the floor. There, you could see a line, made from a special herb mixed with sea salt. It protected the people, because no dead could cross those lines.
You took a deep breath and stepped out of the circle, which protected the building you lived in.
First, you looked around but saw no one. Can you even see ghosts? You asked yourself, but then you heard it.

Laughter. Multiple ones. If you could hear them, you were sure you could also catch a glimpse of them. They weren't far from you and although you couldn't see them yet, you knew it. You shivered in the cold night. Or was it because of the fear? No, you were not allowed to be afraid.
You looked into a shop window and could see yourself in the reflection of the glass. Your cheeks were flushed because of the cold and your form was painted red from the moon. Your hands were trembling but you didn't turn back. It was a long walk but you couldn't let any harm happen to you sister.

A few moments later you spotted five figures in the shade. They were dressed in black and were covered in dirt. Some of them had big chains on their hands, the others were handcuffed. But it seemed like they weren't bothered by that.
You immediately tried to search for a place where you can hide. However, you only saw thin trees. In the end, you ran behind one of the boles. As the dead people came closer and closer your breathing turned quicker and your heart raced like crazy.
You stood there for a little longer, until everything turned quiet again and it was just you and the shining Red Moon. You reluctantly stepped out, still afraid what would happen.

"Hello, little girl." a middle-aged man smiled at you and slowly other four appeared too.
"Y/N, right?" That's what you are called." his voice, like it was soaked in venom, in his eyes revenge burned.
You were frightened. They all smelled rotten and looked like they haven't showered for a long time.
You were still in shock when you legs started to move instinctively. Without a thought, you leaned forward and rushed for you life. You heard the warning sounds of the chains colliding but your heart was louder. After less than a minute, your body started to feel heavy and your knees hurt too. You couldn't help but slow down. And that's when you felt it. Ice cold chains around your neck, pulling back you hard without mercy.
"I think from now on, you come with us." whispered the man and you could hear the chuckles from the rest of them. "But you don't have to be afraid. There are levels lower than ours."
"N-no!" you managed to say out loud. You felt like drowning. Your lungs were on fire and your head almost exploded. However, in the next second, you were released by the guilty soul and you took an uncertain step, your hands still in your throat, where the chains had been. As you regained your consciousness, you turned back to them. They were all smiling with a gloating look.
"There's nowhere to escape, little girl."
There is. There must be. Just as the saying goes, 'hope dies last'.
You collected the little power left in you and started running again.
"It's useless!" shouted one of them but you only concentrated on your legs. One after another. You passed streets where you had never been before and shops you have never visited.
When you reached an unfamiliar ally, an arm grabbed you out of the blue and pulled you in the darkness. You struggled against the stranger's hold but with no use. They held your body with their right arm and their left hand covered your mouth, so you couldn't say a word.
The five men, who chased after you, passed by with loud swears.
They did not notice you.
"Promise not to scream?" the stranger asked and as you had no other choice, you simply nodded. They released you and while you turned around, they grabbed your wrist.
You stared at the man in front of you, surprised. He had dark black hair, just like a night without stars, which was in perfect contrast with his all-white clothing. His face and body was clean, without any dirt. Could he be a human? No... His brown eyes had nothing but pain and sorrow in them. His skin had an unhealthy white color and his lips had lost their redness too. You just realized how cold his hands were.
"What was this?" you asked the undeniably handsome man, who still hadn't let you go, suspiciously.
"They couldn't feel your living soul, because I touched you." He said and you slowly looked down and he intertwined his fingers with yours.
Did you trust him? Absolutely not. But at least he didn't tie you with chains, nor he chased after you with hungriness.
You could hear that the streets were slowly occupied by other souls. There was no chance of surviving if you simply ran away.
"But the more important question. Why are you out here?" The man asked you with curiosity in his voice.
"Something happened with my sister and it's my fault. I need to get to her!" You raised you voice but his cold stare shut your mouth. He had so much sadness in those beautiful eyes. You looked down and observed your shoes.
"It's okay. I understand." The man said with a small smile. "Family is important."
"Who are you?" you lifted your head up.
"Your fate from now on." He smiled at you, but you could feel that something was out of space and wrong. "I decide whether you live or die. My name is Kim Taehyung and I willingly help you if you accept my conditions."