POISONED YOUTH: TWISTED

CHAPTER 11

"Clear," Haechan mumbled into his earpiece as he crouched behind a stack of boxes, keeping himself hidden in the shadows.

"Hyuck, there's a door five steps to your right. That should be the secretary's office." Renjun's voice came through their earpiece.

"And Jeno, can you kill Jaemin? He's so fucking loud."

"Ouch, Jeno! The fuck?" Jaemin's voice echoed right after.

Haechan sighed for what felt like the hundredth time and decided to focus on the mission instead.

They were currently investigating a possible connection between Jin Finance Corporation and several other gangs. Although Jin Corp had already been shut down, there was still a chance that the corporation had been working with other groups behind the scenes. Their job tonight was to raid one of the corporation's abandoned buildings and search for anything that could lead them to the people involved.

"Jisung, where are you?"

"Vice is with Chenle."

"Mark?"

"Waiting at the van. Where else?"

Haechan snorted, barely holding back a laugh as Mark's irritated voice filled his earpiece.

The man had been ordered to stay behind because Haechan claimed he was too loud. Mark had been continuously scolding him ever since their encounter with Yeoreum, especially because of how cold and harsh Haechan had been toward her.

Apparently, everyone expected him to suddenly become some perfect soulmate after meeting her.

But what did they expect from Lee Donghyuck? Ever since he turned eighteen and the tattoo appeared on his wrist, he had hated the sight of it.

He hated knowing there was someone out there who was supposedly meant for him. Someone he was supposed to find, care for, and protect.

Hell, he could barely take care of himself.

For someone like him, life had always been about trouble, missions, blood, and survival. He wasn't the kind of person who had time to worry about love, much less some person fate had decided belonged beside him.

But the moment that sun tattoo appeared on his wrist, one thought had stayed in the back of his mind.

My soulmate deserves better.

That was the part he hated the most.

The tattoo didn't belong on him.

His life was dark, not bright.

Cold, not warm.

Dangerous, not comfortable.

He hated bright lights inside the house. He hated the light in his own room. He hated summer, especially the way everything seemed too warm and alive.

So why the sun?

Why was something so bright tied to someone like him?

"Hey, does anyone know what this barcode symbol means?"

Chenle's voice pulled Haechan out of his thoughts.

He straightened from his crouched position beside the secretary's desk and frowned.