Cryptic Crimes - AU

chapter five - shriveled roses

"I'm just kidding."

"Oh my god, seriously?" Dahlia groans. Yeosang laughs in amusement, "You should've seen your face."

"That wasn't funny," Zara says.

"Oh, come on!" Yeosang frowns. "I actually saw something- well someone- behind you."

Dahlia's annoyed expression turned into curiosity. "Really? What was it?"

"I'm not sure, but it looked like a person- just the lower half of them, though. They looked away as soon as I made eye contact."

"Let's follow them, the note says so," Dahlia suggests.

"Wait- that's too risky," Taylor interrupts nervously.

Dahlia shrugs, "And?"

"We can get killed," Allison says, agreeing with Taylor. Allison looks over to Daniel, hoping for some kind of support. He doesn't say anything.

"I want to die, anyway," Kaiden adds.

Allison doesn't say anything. She turns her head slightly, the awkward tension getting to her.

Dahlia sighs heavily, "Come on." 

"Fine, I'm too lazy to argue right now."

---

The group follows Yeosang, they lost the person, but they had left shriveled rose petals on a path leading to somewhere.

Zara picks one up, examining it.

"It's crispy," Zara comments.

"Why did you use that word to describe it?" Taylor cringes. Zara puts her arms up, crossing them.

"Cause' I can."

"Fair enough."

"Uh, guys?" Yeosang whispers.

Taylor notices his sudden change of tone, "What's wrong?" 

"Look up."

She looks up to find what seems like an abandoned cabin. She thinks of those cliché haunted houses from books and movies.

"No way in hell I'm going in there," Dahlia squeals.

"Such a pussy," Yeosang huffs. He walks in without hesitation.

"Don't worry, I'll fight off the monsters," Zara laughs.

"Too far," Dahlia frowns. She walks in with Taylor by her side.

"Allison and Daniel, you coming?" Dahlia asks.

"Well, if Daniel's going," Allison smiles slightly.

"I don't wanna," Daniel answers with boredom. Allison seems a little disappointed, but her smile doesn't go away.

 "Daniel this, Daniel that," Dahlia teases.

"Stop," Allison scoffs.

Taylor steps on one of the shriveled rose petals again, "Where are they even leading to?"

"That's for us to find out," Yeosang responds.

The five leave Allison and Daniel outside.

"Don't get too excited," Yeosang smirks at the two.

"Shut up," Allison shakes her head vigorously. Daniel rolls his eyes, he doesn't seem to care. Allison finds herself wishing he did care, but of course, she doesn't say that.

The five then actually left the two alone outside.