The Gifted (Txt x Itzy)

三十五

"Okay," Yeji said, as they gathered together after a handful of them went for a quick scouting journey, "It was quite nice that we have casually strolled right into military territory, and on the bright side they are probably there-" "What if they aren't?" Ryujin questioned. Jisu's eyebrows scrunched together.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there."

"Yeah, so they're pretty well guarded, there are only two exits plus on for emergencies-"

"-which are thankfully less guarded," Yeonjun continued, and the two oldest smiled at each other. Yeonjun looked a lot happier with Yeji back, he laughed and talked more, he had more energy and fewer mood swings. And best of all, no dead squirrels.

"Anyways, we'll kick in from the back door, the corridors look complicated but they're actually just square grids," Kai explained, looking the most serious he's ever been. "The prisons are on the basement floor, which is smart because we would likely be trapped."

"So is the goal to escape or kill?" Ryujin asked.

"Which one would you prefer?"

"Yeonjun no."

"Try to reduce as many casualties as possible."

"But if really necessary..."

Grim silence hung in the air, and they studied each other, wondering if those faces really looked like the faces of murderers. "We'll have to move fast, so who's going?"
Kai straightened. "Me." Everyone eyed his wounds but kept silent. "I'll go," Yeji volunteered, and so did Yeonjun and Jisu. Ryujin opted to go and Taehyun was already in. "Has Chaeryeong woken up?" Jisu asked worriedly. Beomgyu stood at a side looking dejected, but he glanced up and said, "I'll stay here and take care of Chaeryeong. I won't be much help in battle anyway." He stared at the floor. With that settled, they were ready.

-

The trees provided decent cover for them, and they slipped through the gate no problem, nothing a little gravity, or the lack of it, couldn't stop. The dirt crunched under their feet, and they were suddenly very aware of the security cameras. And then an alarm blared out.

"Fuck-" Yeonjun muttered.

"Language!" Yeji hissed.

"So...do we split up?"

Yeji and Yeonjun darted to the left, where the soldiers were approaching. Taehyun sighed. "I'll take that as yes." The four of them ran to the door.

They burst through it and were greeted by a dozen guns aimed at them. "Tight space," Ryujin remarked, "Would be a pity if someone missed-"

Then everything went wrong.

Ryujin's hands shot to a side and one soldier twisted back to his friends, then havoc ensued, gunshots and bullets ricocheted with cheerful ping ping sounds. The other three rushed for cover, and when they finally peeked from above their shelter Ryujin was standing there over a mass of bodies. "Did you have to kill them?" Jisu whispered, horrified. "They're not dead," Kai said quickly, "Let's go."

They snaked down the corridors and stairs, occasionally sending a soldier flying up or on fire. Cool air conditioning air puffed through the hallways, the four sneaking quietly through. "Soobin!" Jisu gasped, and they raced to the cell. The boy's eyes were filled with terror and panic, a ragged piece of cloth over his mouth. Taehyun stopped. "Wait guys this is too easy-" Kai broke the lock and Jisu slipped in. She untied his hands and the boy immediately choked out, "Trap, it's a trap-" The lights flickered off, a jet of something began trickling in. "What-" Kai muttered. "It's some sort of poison, hold your breath," Taehyun warned. No one moved. They felt suffocated, but they refused to take a breath. It seemed as if only five seconds passed, but then the lights blinked back on and the room was cleared off the toxic air. The door swung open, revealing Yeji and Yeonjun beaming at them. "You guys," Yeji chided, "Didn't even think if-" "I did !" Taehyun protested. "How long were we there?" Ryujin asked in amazement. Yeonjun shrugged, "Ten minutes? Let's get Yuna."

-

About three winding corridors later, they reached yet another cell. "She's there," Kai breathed, and she was, except she didn't look like herself, her eyes were glassy and unfocused, she sat with incredibly good posture on a stool in the middle of a white empty room, no bindings, no gags, just her and a chair. Kai rushed forward. "Kai, wait-" Taehyun managed, and for the second time of the day, Taehyun's words of warnings were ignored. The younger shifted the glass blocking him into air and hurried to her side. "Yuna," He started, shaking her lightly. Yuna simply stared into the distance. "What happened to her?" Kai asked. "I'm sorry," A voice piped up from the cell next to hers. Everyone twisted to see a pale skinny boy, dressed in baggy clothes and seated cross-legged on the ground, with a cell similar to Yuna's, but furnished with a bed. "I did that," The boy whispered hoarsely. "Why-" Kai demanded, but Jisu blocked his path. "That's your power," Jisu guessed, "Hypnosis." The corners of the boy's mouth quirked up. "You're like her?" He asked, gesturing to Yuna. "She was difficult for the guards to handle. They had to plug their ears and close their eyes before they went near her." Yeji stepped forward. "We can get you out of here. What's your name?" The boy shook his head slightly, "I'm Wonwoo, but you can't get me out of here. My friends are captured too, and I can't risk leaving and getting them hurt. I can let your friend go, though." Taehyun felt his chest tighten in sympathy. "We can help them too! If you could tell us-" Wonwoo laughed. "There's twelve of them and too much hassle. It's fine, we'll get out on our own. I suggest you leave now." He turned and blinked at Yuna through the window, who collapsed but was promptly caught by Kai. "Quick, you should get out," Wonwoo urged, "They'll be coming to check on her soon." "Thank you," Kai whispered, and then they jumped out of the window.