A Wind Of Change [1] || EXO ✓

008: Carpe Diem

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A haze of wintery cold wind breezed past Hazel's golden tresses as she placed her chin into her palms, her elbows resting on the window sill. Night life, especially in urban areas, had tall apartments twinkling in a far distance like stars almost as if challenging the heavenly bodies shimmering in the stygian sky and the moon that shied away behind the clouds. Teenagers would find it amusing to attend night clubs and parties, friends might even have a sleepover. However, in Hazel's boring life, all this was never bound to happen. The thought made her sigh. Alas, she was only going to be a Rapunzel stuck in her tall, lonely tower.

While it is the time for weary humans to rest, it is also the time for most others to start their actual business.

White fumes of smoke arose from below a neon lamppost. Peering intently into the dark, she saw a boy with a lit cigarette hanging between his lips, standing across her street, leaning against the wall of a neighbouring house.

Something was shady about him.

The yellow light fell on his face, illuminating his familiar form; it was Kai. Her eyes widened as she saw Kai being approached by another boy donning a white hoodie, his hands stuffed into his pant pockets - the boy whom she dubiously presumed as Baekhyun. Her heart began racing as she watched the duo retreat further into the dark streets.

They're going! They're going! Of course they'd go! She thought, restlessness chewing at her, curiosity gnawing her mind, her breath hitching. Must do something. Something... she jumped up and down in a frenzy. What can I do? Her eyes fell on the ladder. Follow them. Internal conflict followed right after. What! No!? Mom, would butcher me! But a decision had to soon be made, time was ticking, their figures were obscuring.

Now or never!

And before she'd known, she had climbed down the ladder, landed on the prickly grass lawn in her pink, fuzzy bedroom slippers and escaped into the dimly lit streets. She ran to catch up with their pace and then walked, walked and walked following them like a spy undercover until she was no longer sure where she was heading to. It was night and the streets of Seoul were still alien to her. Was it 9'o clock? 10? Or 11? She didn't know what time it was. The streets were dead empty, save for one or two motorbikes passing by in a flash. Sure, she wouldn't remember her way back home; she had come way too far in the night. Even worse, she didn't have her phone.

"Crap," she mumbled under her breath as thoughts of regret slowly crept her mind; this time it wasn't a restaurant that they'd came to. It was instead a road bridge subway - an underground tunnel - that was illuminated by blinding orange lights. There stood gothic looking guys near fancy motorcycles and skimpily clothed girls, all chattering and making noise. It took her a while to realize that it was a drag race that probably involved a ransom betting. She had come with the thought of prying on their conversation but unlike last time, she wouldn't get to eavesdrop a sappy restaurant conversation. Heck, what was she even expecting?

She took a right about turn. Head home.

"Where are you going, pretty girl?" A stranger's voice called out.

A cold shiver ran up her spine.

"Yo! Stop right there." A group of gang members blocked her way.

A cold drop of sweat slid down her forehead. She felt like a prey being ambushed by a pack of wild wolves, her fight or flight instincts kicked in and she chose the latter, trying to sneakily run away.

The guy caught her by an arm, "There's no way back, chick."

She tried to get out of his clutches but none of her struggles paid off as the other guys gathered around, chuckling and laughing while attempting to grope her at the wrong places. Her eyes were brimming with frightful tears - she had willingly dived into the devil's den.

"You there! Leave her!" Resounded Kai's sharp voice.

"Here comes the hero." Scoffed the guy. "Is she your girlfriend?" He asked, letting go of her grip.

She ran and stood behind Kai peeking at those creeps from his shoulder.

"That's none of your business."

"Well, this chick is too precious to let go," said the guy scanning her from head to toe. "Let's make a deal." Quipped the guy, "If I win, I get to spend a night with her."

A loud cheer followed, Hazel's heart almost stopped beating.

"And what if you lose?" Smirked Kai, challengingly.

"You get the double and I'll leave the girl as well."

"Deal." Kai sealed the 'deal' with a nod and turned back right after to glare at her. "Who are you? Why are you following us since yesterday? Are you a stalker?" he spat out questions all at once.

Baekhyun eyed at her in an air of disbelief at her stupidity while she hung her head low in shame.

Stealth had never been her area of expertise. Kai's malicious eyes were always observant of his surroundings; the encounter she'd had at his shop, slyly recording his dance video through their class window, prying on their conversation in the restaurant...Kai had noticed it all.

"I-I'm not a stalker," was all she could manage to muster as she stood perplexed, gauging the severity of the situation.

Kai facepalmed himself in dismay. For all he knew, the girl's safety, now rested upon his shoulders.

"That guy is DK. Short for Demon King. He has never once lost a race." Baekhyun provided.

As the trio stood exchanging glances, DK called out, "Yo guys! Brace up. The match is now set to begin."

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A/N: I apologize for the short update. But aren't you all excited?

Here's a picture for better visualization of the place:

[Revised - Feb 16, 2021]