Scalpel [EXO Gang AU] DISCONTINUED

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Ji Ah felt suffocated in the hot leather of the van. She was sweating hard when the car rolled to a stop. She frantically unbuckled her seatbelt and threw the door open, running outside and catching her breath.

The sun was beginning to set, and an orange haze fell over the sky. Dust crept up to her ankles and bit the ends of her black jeans. Nature seemed to be tapping her shoulder, expressing caution with every movement.

She felt someone pat her back lightly. "You'll be alright, Ji Ah. We're just going inside to be briefed, that's all," Jongin said.

She turned around to face him, his arm awkwardly dropping from her shoulder and to his side.

"Oh, thanks," she muttered, still unaware of where she stood in the group. Could she thank him for such a gesture? Or was she simply a pawn for them to use?

The group had driven through a remote forest near Wakayama to a run down, abandoned building.

"This is only where we are meeting them. In actuality, each member lives in the provinces of Osaka," Luhan murmured to Yixing.

Ji Ah stood and waited with Jongin by the vans, but couldn't help overhearing their conversation.

"So do you have any addresses?" Yixing asked.

"They move about every 2-3 months. All I know is that right now, they live in Osaka."

"So is the operation even an option?"

"If we can find those addresses, yes. Just keep it on the back burner for now."

Yixing sighed. "Alright."

Operation?

Luhan turned to face the rest of the gang. "Okay, everyone remember," he shouted, "to be respectful. Don't speak unless spoken to. Yixing," he said, nudging him with his elbow, "you stay with Ji Ah."

Yixing walked up to her and grabbed her hand, holding it in his. "Just stay close to me," he whispered. "It'll be fine, okay?"

Ji Ah nodded. She didn't know what to expect, but wasn't going to let her curiosity or recklessness distract her from obeying Luhan's instructions.

Luhan lead the group to the entrance. When they reached the sliding door, he paused, pulling out his phone and dialing a phone number. He held it up to his ear and said two words that commenced their work in Japan. "We're here."

He nodded at something that was said on the other line. Luhan set his hand on the rusty metal handle of the door and pulled. It creaked and moaned, but let in.

Ji Ah stood on her tiptoes to get a better look. All she could see was three men standing in the middle of the abandoned building, two duffel bags sitting to their right.

They wore suits and stood still, like something out of a movie. The light that came in from the glass windows glinted off their slicked back hair.

The one in the middle wore a smirk. His hands were shoved in his pockets, radiating an arrogant energy from his slouched stance. He caught Ji Ah's eye and winked. She looked away, squeezing Yixing's hand harder than before.

He looks like a horror movie villain, Ji Ah thought as a shudder ran down her spine.

"Exo, how kind of you to visit us, we've heard a lot about you from Luhan," said the one in the middle. He ran his hands through his deep blue hair and took a few steps forward.

The boys said nothing, but heeded Luhan's advice. The silence held Ji Ah hostage, and her heart stopped beating as it continued.

"What do you need us to do?" Luhan bellowed, crossing his arms and puffing out his chest.