√ mask on | lee haechan

33

5 days after breathing in the small room, you decided to go to the nearest 7 eleven to buy some food stock and drinks.

Jisung was unconscious out of boredom. Leaving a note about your whereabouts and you laid it on his face, not wanting him to worry about you when he woke up. You slipped in your coat and wore a black cap before leaving the room carefully.

As of now, you didn't even know why you were still hiding because last night's news hadn't shown anything about hunting you but to consider going back to your old house with a big possibility to meet Jaehyun or Taeyong, makes you think trillion times to go back.

You had also thought about dropping by the hideout but you didn't want to explain your family situation to them, they were busy with the exam. Right, the exam that you once took seriously in your life.

It's meaningless now that your mum is in jail.

You saw the news, about illegal drug trafficking, bribes, and how Jaehyun's father's company flopped into a mess now. It was a big mess, it all happened just because of your parents.

Had they been quiet enough and didn't involve a big company, it wouldn't turn out this bad.

You were afraid of the police ever finding out they have a child who had been always helping them by delivering it smartly and quietly.

If, if they found it out and you had to rot in jail, you didn't even dare to lay your eyes on Jisung anymore, you bet he would be balling his eyes out.

You had enough of being a useless sister to him.

The doorbell rang, alerting your presence in the store. You grabbed some snacks, instant rice, sausages, bread, and some milk for Jisung. Quickly, you made your way to the counter and the boy who was at the cashier was very slow to check out your items.

You sighed, glancing over at the tv that was on the news channel.

Almost choking on your saliva, your eyes widened when you finally saw it.

Your picture and Jisung were on display as missing children and in need of the police investigation.

Shit, after 5 days they have found out about you. You lowered your cap instantly, hiding your face from the CCTV.

"Thank you," the boy said lazily as he returned your card. Cold sweats running down your back when you realized you shouldn't be using your card right now but it was already too late. You quickly made your way out with two plastic bags.

Out of panic, you ran into someone and accidentally dropped Jisung's milk. 'Out of all times,' You muttered under your breath. The boy helped you pick it up and you grabbed it hastily, bowing to say thanks and wanting to leave as soon as possible.

But he was fast to hold your wrist, making you turn to face him. He was trying to see under the cap and you avoided it. "Yoojin?" You froze. Gulping, you slowly looked up at his face.

Lee Haechan. It was him.

He gasped, engulfing you into a tight embrace."I was searching for you this whole time!" He exclaimed, almost crying as he slowly stroked your hair softly, your face buried in his chest, inhaling his scent.

"What are you doing here?" You pulled away.

In disbelief, Haechan stared at you, his eyes softening. "I was on the way to my uncle's club to check if you were there. I mean I've seen you there once." He rubbed his nape in a shy manner.

"Did you check for me everywhere you've seen me?"

"It's because you wouldn't answer your goddamn phone!" He rested his palms on your shoulder. Oh, you forgot to bring your charger along and it was left with no battery ever since.

Haechan lowered his height to match your eyes "So, mind telling me about all this?" He tilted his head to one side.

You sighed, chewing on your bottom lip, not really wanting to tell but Haechan owed an explanation. He loves you after all and of course, he's worried.

Pulling him to the bench at the playground, both of you looked around. There was no one and it seemed not in a good condition for children to play. Haechan scooted closer to you as he held your hands, afraid of letting it go.

Your fingers played with his, fond of his warmth. You've been missing him too. "Did you see the news?"

"Yeah, what's all that about? Why are they looking for you?" Haechan asked.

"The news about illegal drug trafficking was about my parents and the bribes were about Jaehyun's father." You paused, swallowing all your hesitation into your stomach. He deserved to know.

"When I get investigated, they might arrest me as well. I've been helping my dad with the drugs before I ran away to your house with Jisung,"

His heart clenched. The fact that Haechan didn't know about this hurt him.

"The bruises you saw the first day I was at your house, it was my father's doing. But I don't want him to get punished for abusing me, it would only worsen his charge." You sighed before looking into his eyes directly.

"If ever, anything happens to me, please take care of Jisung. That boy doesn't know how to feed himself good food." You tried to pull out a smile when you clearly saw how tears filled his eyes,

he was mad about the truth he didn't know about and at the same time felt sad that you had to go through a hard time.

"It shouldn't be like that, you were being used. Why do you think you'll get arrested?" His breath was shaky. "If-if you get arrested, I'll just pay them to get you released. Please, you don't have to leave me or Jisung like this. Not in jail,"

He was sincere when he said he would pay them to release you, but you were almost pissed off. Yanking your hand away from his, he immediately averted his gaze to their once intertwined hands.

"You'll get into the bad side of your dad, Haechan. Besides, Taeyong would make a big fuss about it." You reached to his face, wiping his tears. "There's a limit to how you should treat me. I've owed you too many things as of now and I would feel bad about it." You forced a smile.

He slowly raised his head, looking back at you "Did you just doubt how much I would sacrifice for you?" Haechan's eyebrows knitted together.

"Haechan, I didn't mean it like th-"

"Then, let's go. To the police station." Haechan was firm about it. Sighing, you nodded, "I'll think about it,"

You know it's useless to go against him. He's determined to have you back in his arms.

"Good, we'll go through this together. Just as you wanted." He whispered, reminiscing about the day you spent when he was sick. He once again engulfed you in a tight hug, stroking your back soothingly as if telling you he'll always be there for you.

"We'll be okay," He whispered as you leaned into his warmth. "We'll be okay," He repeated.

They didn't know, just a few meters away from them. There's a man dressed all black was on the phone, "Taeyong, I found her, "

edited.