Ji Hyo walked home, her mind puzzling over what had just happened. 

Minho still hadn't messaged, called or in any way communicated with her since he ran off, and now ... 

She sighed, quickening her pace as she hurried back home. Pulling out her keys, she unlocked the door, looked around once, and carefully slipped in, firmly locking the door behind her. Staring up into the  darkness of her home, she quietly called out, "Joong Ki?"

She heard footsteps on the stairs, and relaxed as her little brother came running into view. His hair was tangled and he looked half-asleep. Ji Hyo chuckled at the sight, running towards him and scooping him up into a hug. 

"Noona! Where were you?" Joong Ki pouted as she let him go, walking into the kitchen. Ji Hyo started up the lighter after checking that everything was still where she had left it before. Ji Hyo turned up the heat, pulling a pan out of the old cupboard. "I was with Minho."

"Minho hyung? Is he here too?" Joong Ki brightened up. Ji Hyo shook her head, cracking some eggs into the pan. "No, Minho oppa had to go home and do sommething with his appa."

"Oh ... okay." Joong Ki sighed, then slipped back into the living room. Ji Hyo followed him, watching until she was sure that nothing was here apart from them. Joong Ki started to read a book on the sofa, and the crackling of the eggs drew Ji Hyo back towards the kitchen. 

At nightfall, Ji Hyo started to panic slightly. Minho wasn't picking up on any of her calls, or replying to any of her texts. Had something happened to him? Was he hurt somewhere?

"Noona?" Joong Ki popped up at her shoulder. "Is there anything wrong?"

Ji Hyo took a deep breath, shaking her head. "No Joong. Nothing's wrong. Go and set up the table, yeah?" she ushered him towards the living room.

Walking over to the window, she pulled down the blinds, tying them in place. She fiddled with the small black box in the hinges, setting it up again, before jogging around the house, closing shutters and locking doors. Joong Ki bolted the front door and turned off the porch light.

"Noona, I think we're done for now ..." he trailed off. "They can't find us now can they?"

***

Gary sat back on his bed, staring at his phone. The group's chat was now filled with rumors. 

"Stay away from him ..." Jessica's message. WHy did he have a nagging feeling that it was directed towards Ji Hyo? Even though she had replied as if she didn't know what she was talking about ... he