Code 9 ↬ [ P.SH ]

Chapter 41:

Yunho finally let his tears flow. He sat in the middle of an isolated hallway, completely defeated. The bomb wrapped around him was now showing the digits, 15:00. Although he still hoped that his friends would come and save him, he isn't a character in a movie, nor a book.

"There, there. Don't cry." he heard a deep rumbling voice behind him. He immediately scowled, arms tense with veins showing, teeth gritted. His breath became heavier, hinting that he was absolutely furious.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on my friends." Yunho's voice was dark.

The voice then chuckled. "Oh, you innocent boy. I won't touch them don't worry,"

Yunho slightly relaxed with those words being said. He cared about them deeply. Please live freely for me.

"— let's see them suffer, first." A screen was suddenly brought onto his face. The bright light blinded him for a few seconds. The time when his eyes finally adjusted, the battle ground is shown.

Each of the trainees looked uneasy, lost. Yoona is sitting on a chair, tired from all the sobbing. Haneul sat beside the girl, she gently patted her back.

The boys formed a circle, all looking at Hongjoong who was discussing something serious, guessing from the faces of the others.

"Hm.. What do you think, boy?" The screen was snatched from his view.

Another beep was heard. Yunho looked down on the wires. 14:00.

The voice laughed once again. "Ah, your so-called friends are too slow. Don't they want to save their friend?"

Yunho slumped back on the chair, making it squeak. "You talk too much." He provoked the man.

"Do you want to die?" the voice growled in anger. Yunho did nothing but chuckle. "As if I have a choice."

"Of course, there goes your brain." Yunho felt nothing but the ropes against his body. Wrapped around several times in his arms, legs and torso. He had accepted his faith, faith of death.

"Let's just hope that your friends will take the bait,"

"especially Haneul."

⋆⋆⋆

They're obviously disoriented, their frowns from their faces says it all. Haneul stood up from her seat beside a now sleeping Yoona. She looked around, all the trainees we're chatting with each other, wondering if they're going to continue the plan to escape.

"Haneul," a voice made the girl turn around. She spotted San, looking extremely stressed.

"San, what's wrong?" She went to him, comforting the boy was already in her mind.

"The team went out and tried to find where Yunho is," Haneul remained silent, San assumed that this was a signal for him to continue.

"I'm certain that they can at least locate him." San scanned Haneul's face, looking for any reactions. However, to his dismay, she just sighed and rubbed her face with her palms.

"San, I don't know 'bout you but," she inhaled. "— I'm not trusting Yeonmi anymore."

San snapped his head to her. "Haneul, what are you talking about?" he knew Chaelin is feeling the same way about Yeonmi, he heard her whispers.

"Don't get mad!" Haneul furrowed her brows. She felt like she was accusing someone innocent but she needs to be more careful.

San pinched his nosebridge, "I'm not mad!"

"Then why are you shouting?"

"You shouted first!"

Haneul shook her head. "Off-topic. What I'm saying is that she appears and disappears in times where we're in an urgent situation, doesn't she?" Haneul looked up in anticipation.

"That doesn't prove that she's backstabbing us." San didn't understand the explanation at all. Maybe Yeonmi was really doing her job and keeping them safe.

"Look,—"

"Chaelin is gone!"

⋆⋆⋆

Chaelin walked through the hallway, all alone. She left her supposed to be buddy, Jongho. That boy just annoyed her to the core. And it didn't help her frustrations.

"If we're on a mission to find Yunho, then we'll find Yunho." she clutched her knife tightly.

She exhibited almost all the halls in building A. Still no trace of Yunho. Chaelin grunted as she felt her legs throb. "I really need to increase my stamina." she continued to search for her friend in building B, still no sign of him.

She gripped her hair in frustration, with her arms lighting up on fire. — caused by her anger. She strutted out of the hallway ready to give up, until she heard a noise.

"Make sure to monitor their movements, we can't afford to fail our plan." An oddly familiar voice echoed in her ears.

What the..?

She hid behind a wall, still gripping her weapon. "Who's voice is that?" she murmured. It made her brain hurt.

"Yes, of course." This time, it was the first time she heard the tone.

She peeked through the corner of the wall. She held her breath once she saw them converse.

"How many minutes left?"

"We still have 13:00."

"Great. I'm getting impatient. When will those toppies get here?"

"Minutes?" Chaelin thought.