POISONED YOUTH: TWISTED

CHAPTER 36

The location Renjun had tracked led them somewhere none of them had expected to return to. As the van moved farther away from the city, the familiar streets slowly disappeared, replaced by quieter roads and buildings that looked as though they had been forgotten by time.

Haechan sat in the front seat with his eyes fixed ahead, one hand gripping the edge of his seat while the other held his phone tightly. Yeoreum's location remained on the screen, unmoving, and with every passing second, the silence inside the van became heavier.

He didn't know what waited for them inside that building. He didn't know how many men IKON had stationed there, or what they had done to Yeoreum while he was racing against the clock.

The only thing Haechan knew was that he had to get her out, alive and safe— preferably before he lost whatever sanity he had left.

"Turn right, and you're there." Renjun's voice came through the earpiece, breaking the silence.

The van turned into an old road, and within seconds, the boys were greeted by a sight that made several of them fall quiet.

An abandoned theater stood before them.

The huge entrance doors were covered with yellow warning ribbons, while the building itself looked exactly as Haechan remembered it from the night of the Jin Corp attack. The dark windows, the worn walls, and the familiar structure were enough to make the memory of that night return all at once.

Jisung was the first to speak. "Um... is this the theater we raided before?"

"I bet it is," Jaemin replied, his eyes scanning the surrounding area carefully.

"But why did they close it?" Jeno looked toward the sealed entrance.

"That place is owned by Jin Corp. Now quit talking and go." Renjun's answer came through the earpieces, leaving no room for further discussion.

Haechan opened the van door and stepped out, immediately followed by the others.

"Chenle, stay here. We need a car for the escape."

"Got it." Chenle nodded and slid into the driver's seat.

"The back door's open." Renjun informed.

Haechan looked toward the building. "Mark, Jeno, take the back. Jisung, you're with me. And Jaemin..."

"Yeah?"

"Did you bring your knife?"

Jaemin's eyes widened. "Wha—"

"Slash them out."

A wide grin slowly spread across Jaemin's face. It had been a long time since he had been given permission to use the weapons he had once relied on so heavily, especially after Haechan had pulled him away from his position as an assassin.

"Oh, sweet! You're on."

"Good. Now split up."

The boys separated, each taking a different route into the abandoned building.

"Don't be reckless and mind your backs. Good luck." Renjun's voice came like an invisible cheerleader.