Special shoutout to jackie99 for commenting on my last chapter! This chapter is dedicated to you!

Chan POV

I was a complete mess. Yoo - I mean Ma Ri had such a sad life story yet she told us everything. She was even taking us to her home so that we can learn what goes on in the dark side of the kingdom. I was kind of scared. She had warned us before agreeing, and I'm sure she wasn't bluffing. Yet, at the same time, adrenaline rushed through my veins. This might sound wrong, but I looked forward to what happened in the kingdom when we weren't watching.

Ma Ri claimed to be weak, yet in my eyes, she was still the strong hero who saved me from bullies the first day of school. She said that she admired her brother like how I admired her, and for her hero to have not appeared once for four, almost five years . . . . . . I'm not sure I could have handled that very well. I'm sure that she blamed herself for her brother's disappearance, but I know that we were all thinking that she wasn't to be blamed. I wanted to tell her that, I'm sure we all did, but then again, we also knew that she would reject that idea. Anyways, I'm getting sidetracked.

We were all running after Ma Ri. She was so fast. It was hard to keep up. We followed her through alleyways, tunnels, and even random stores. No one questioned it, we just put our faith in befand followed. 

After about 20 minutes, we finally came across a hill far from the kingdom but still a part of it. Ma Ri slowed down significantly and shushed us. She had us stop and took the rope from Seungcheol Hyung's hands. She pulled out a knife, god knows how she managed to hide it, and cut the rope. Then she turned to us and smiled kindly.

"Okay boys, listen to me and you won't be found out."

I smiled and nodded my head. Adventures were always more exciting when a girl takes charge.

Ma Ri smiled at me. "That's my Channie! Can you be my first volunteer?"

"Of course!"

I stood in front of her with a silly smile that I couldn't seem to remove.

"I'm going to tie your hands up okay? So please turn around for me."

I nodded and turned around. I felt the rough rope irritate my skin as Ma Ri tightened the knot. She didn't exactly tie it tightly, it was actually quite loose, but I still hated the feeling of the rope against my skin. 

I whimpered. "Ma Ri, it hurts."

"Sorry Channie, I have to make it seem like it's tied really tight."

I whined and turned around. 

"But Ma Ri~"

She sighed and pecked my cheek. I blushed instantly and the hyungs began whistling quietly.

"Just live with it for a little bit, okay?"

"Okay."

Afterwards, Ma Ri tied up the others hands, put tape over our mouths and covered a few of our eyes with blindfolds.

"Seungcheol Sunbae, you remember the path back right?"

"Of course."

"Good. So here's the plan, listen very carefully and follow my directions. I'm going to bring you guys in which will get me into a lot of trouble and cause my so-called parents to push me like how it was when I was younger. I'll get my parents to have you guys watch. That's when Junhui Sunbae and Mingyu Sunbae will start recording."

She turned towards Jisoo Sunbae. "I know how much you hate people who break the law and do inhuman things, so let me repay you for all the kindness you've shown me by helping you get evidence against my parents. Okay?"

"Thanks Ma Ri. We'll make sure that they don't hurt you anymore."

Wow. Jisoo Hyung is such a man. His words were so cool! I looked at Ma Ri for her reaction, but she forced that smile. 

"That sounds . . . . . great. I look forward to it," she replied, "but let's start moving."

We nodded and Ma Ri guided us inside. It looked exactly as you would expect it to look like. It was dark, quiet, and extremely creepy. All around us were scientific equipment. There seemed to be more sharp objects than safe ones. It was filled with jars and tubes full of strange colored liquids, no of which I wanted to find out about. With the few steps I had taken into the place, I already knew I hated it.  It didn't feel like anything human lived here. 

However, despite the large space, there was only one room. It was white, almost too white that it hurt my eyes. Spotless, as though no one had ever used it. Perfectly bright, not too bright and not too dim, just right. And the only thing inside was a chair with straps for the neck, wrists, waist, and ankles. 

When I saw that, my heart sank because I knew . . . . . that's where they torture Ma Ri.

How easily I could imagine Ma Ri screaming out in pain while being strapped to that chair scared me. It was wrong to think that, but I couldn't help it. You couldn't help but think that that room was full of terrible memories. 

Jisoo POV

This was bad. I was scared. I didn't want to be here anymore. It felt like I was going to be in pain any moment, and I didn't want that. The thought was cowardly of me. I hated myself for it, but one couldn't help but be afraid of the place. 

I was going to call out to Ma Ri, but someone else beat me to it.

"Hey, you !"

It was a female's voice.

I was startled by the sudden sound and looked to Ma Ri for help but froze. Ma Ri looked like a completely different person.

Ah, it's happening again. Ma Ri changed characters.

Her face was blank, and she stood tall. Her eyes focused on nothing and yet they seemed to see everything.

Coming toward us was a lady in a lab coat who I assumed was her mother. She was the same lady who was in tears at the party, but just like her daughter, she seemed like a completely different person.

She walked right up to Ma Ri and slapped her.

"How dare you let yourself get captured by amateurs? And then you bring these people with you? Who do you think you are? You're only a dog. Don't act like you have any other value than that!"

Ma Ri smirked. "Thanks for welcoming me home, mother."

The way she said mother seemed like an insult. All of us remained as still as statues in fear of being noticed.

"Such shameful behavior in front of guests. You're making them feel uncomfortable," Ma Ri taunted.

Her mother turned red and pulled Ma Ri close and whispered something in her ear. I couldn't hear what she said but it made Ma Ri stiffen upon hearing it. Nevertheless, Ma Ri shook it off and gestured towards us.

"If you're going to punish me, might as well have them watch. Who knows, maybe they'll get their families to support your research. Oh and while you're at it, you might as well give me your worst, mother dear."

"If that's what you ask, I don't mind giving it to you, oh daughter of mine. Go prepare."

Ma Ri nodded and bowed before leaving. Her mother looked at us and smiled wickedly.

"Come boys, I'll let you guys have front row seats to the entertainment."

We followed Ma Ri's mom into a door that led to an observation room for the 'torture chamber'. 

Yes, I'm calling it the torture chamber. The name seemed fitting, so you can't judge me.

A few minutes later, Ma Ri came back in a hospital gown accompanied with a dazzling smile. I'm kidding, she was frowning. She strapped herself onto that damn chair and looked at us. A small smile played on her face. By then, I knew that we were already looking at her with horrified expressions, but her smile tugged at my heart. We all knew that she was going to experience a lot of pain while we could only watch. She winked at us, signaling for us to start recording.

Junhui and Mingyu looked at me with worried looks as if they were silently asking if it was okay. I bit my inner lip and nodded.

"Here ," said Ma Ri's mom as she injected some liquid into said person's arm. 

Ma Ri put on a pained expression. Anyone could tell that she was great deal of pain, but instead of crying, she smirked at her mother. She was so strong, I don't know if I could do that if I were in her shoes.

"Do your worst, Mrs. Min," she threatened through heavy breaths.

Mrs. Min looked unfazed and smirked back. "Oh don't worry, I will." 

" . . . . . ."

Chan leaned in next to me, not taking his eyes off Ma Ri, "Hyung . . . . . . is this really happening? Or am I just having a nightmare? Either way, I don't think I can bear to look anymore."

"Don't avert your gaze, Chan. Face it. This is the world that Ma Ri has had to live with. Don't forget that she's doing this for us so that we can help stop this and hopefully help other people in similar situations. Stay strong, for Ma Ri."

What was I saying? Where are these words coming from? God, I sound so cliché it's cringeworthy. Someone stop me before I die of embarrassment. Ma Ri must be rubbing off on me.

Ma Ri POV

The pain was nostalgic. It had been so long since I was in this kind of pain. About 4 years wasn't it? 4 years, huh? That sounds so distant. 4 years ago, my brother was still here. I could feel the aching pain in my heart despite the serum injected into my body.

Then I remembered Jisoo and Chan. They were watching. Oh the rest of Seventeen was watching too. Right now, I wasn't alone. I had to stay strong, but despite my efforts, I could feel a tear escape and roll down my cheek. It hurt. The pain was absolutely unbearable. I don't know how I did it 4 years ago.

I looked through the glass. My parents were writing down their observations for I was only a test subject to them. Junhui and Mingyu were silently recording. Everyone else stared at me with concern and sympathy written all over their faces. They probably wanted to look away but felt it would be rude if they didn't watch my suffering. However, Jisoo looked at me with strong eyes, as if he were saying, Don't give in.

How far I have fallen, but strangely enough, I felt fine without the need to feel any stronger. It was calming and filled me with relief, but I was still scared. In the corner of my mind, I was still the ten-year-old girl who was afraid of losing her beloved older brother.

I looked at Jisoo, tears b my eyes, and mouthed, Help me. 

The next thing I knew, I was out like a light.

Hello guys, Moozie here~

Finally another update! Sorry for making you guys wait so long. I hope you guys liked this chapter and I apologize for making you read such cringeworthy lines. I swear I had better intentions, but thanks to you all who have read each and every chapter. I love you all for being so loyal. And as always, please leave comments down below! Comment if you want anyone's POV and I'll do my best to include them! Also, if you guys want to make any scene requests, feel free to do so. I'd love to include scenes that you guys want!