POISONED YOUTH: TWISTED

CHAPTER 4

The dancers stood in their positions, unaware of the danger waiting beyond the stage. Their opening performance was the most important part of the night. It was the first thing the audience would see, and every movement had to be precise.

Backstage, Yeoreum took one final breath. Her heart was beating quickly, but not from fear.

This was what she had trained for.

"Please welcome Seoul's very own pride in ballet! The talented ballerinas from Seoul Ballet High!"

The theater lights dimmed.

Applause filled the hall as the thick maroon curtains slowly parted. The dancers stepped forward.

The first notes of Swan Lake began to play.

Under the bright stage lights, the ballerinas moved as one. Their bodies followed every beat, every turn and every carefully practiced movement. The audience watched in silence, completely captivated by the performance.

Yeoreum moved among them effortlessly.

For those few minutes, nothing else existed. Not the crowd, not the pressure, not the pain in her feet.

Just the music and the dance.

───────

"Ready." Hacehan's voice came through the earpiece.

One by one, the others responded.

"Ready."

"Got it."

"Yeah."

Then Jisung's voice came through. "The ballerinas are fucking sexy."

Chenle immediately answered. "The fuck, Jisung?"

"The fuck you too, Chenle."

Haechan closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair. He seriously wanted to shoot the two youngest members himself.

"Hold it, Hyuck." Mark's quiet laugh came through the earpiece.

"Don't encourage them."

"I'm not. They're just funny."

Haechan sighed.

Those two were practically inseparable, yet somehow managed to fight like they hated each other every five minutes.

"Uhh, Hyuck?" Mark's confused voice came through.

"What?"

"Your tattoo."

Haechan frowned. He followed Mark's gaze toward his wrist. The black-inked sun tattoo was glowing.

His expression immediately changed.

"What the fuck is happening?"

"She's near." Mark's voice had lost its amusement. "Hyuck, what if she's inside?"

Haechan scoffed and checked his gun. "Then that's her problem."