“Woah, it’s so pretty!” Nara pointed out as she looked out the window. They’d landed already and were headed towards the arrival gate of the airport.

Nayeon smiled at her daughter’s enthusiasm, glad that she liked this new place they’d be calling home. Everyone shuffled out of the plane slowly and felt the San Francisco air for a few seconds, making Nayeon shudder. She should’ve worn something warmer when she boarded the plane. Nara seemed to be fine, still laughing as she looked outside.

“Hey Ma, I need to go the bathroom!” Nara pleaded, pulling on Nayeon’s hand.

“Just a few minutes, sweetheart. We’ll find a bathroom soon.” Nayeon pointed out, gripping onto Nara’s hand tightly.

“Ah, there’s one there.” Sana said, pointing to a lavatory sign.

Nayeon smiled, thanking her and bowing. She was about to head that way when she thought about the situation. She didn’t want Sana and Tzuyu to wait for a longer time than necessary. They’d already been alongside each other throughout the plane ride; surely, they would be leaving to more important things.

“I don’t want to hold you guys here so you should head on out. Thank you for everything. Especially you, Tzuyu. It’s the first time I’ve seen my daughter so happy and clingy with someone. And also, thank you for listening to my story. I didn’t realise I needed to get it off my chest.” Nayeon said with full sincerity.

“The pleasure is all mine. She’s an absolute wonder. You brought her up well. As for your story, we all know that sometimes, talking about things we hold deep inside is the best thing to do.” Tzuyu nodded, giving Nara a big smile.

“Thank you for allowing us to listen in to your story. And thank you for the trip; it was nice to make a friend on a flight.” Sana giggled, waving towards them as they started to walk away.

“Oh wait, Tzuyu!” Nayeon called out, making them both turn around. Sana was frowning as Tzuyu jogged up to her, the fire present in her eyes again.

“Yes?” Tzuyu asked.

“Don’t forget what I told you about Sana. The earlier you do it, the better. I promise, you won’t regret it a single bit.” Nayeon advised, patting Tzuyu’s head as the taller one chuckled, nodding before she walked back to Sana.

Nayeon followed the sign to the bathroom, humming to herself as Nara walked by her side. Unlike the other airport, at this time, there weren’t a lot of people around that area. She didn’t need to fear that Nara will get lost from her side.

“Ma, do you think we’ll meet them again?” Nara asked.

“Hmm… I don’t know. Why, would you like to meet them again?” Nayeon teased.

“Yes! They’re fun to be around! Totally cool.” Nara giggled, giving Nayeon a thumbs up.

“Then I hope we meet again.” Nayeon nodded, pushing Nara in front of her as the reached the bathroom. She helped her into one of the stalls, glad the bathroom was empty other than one other person.

Nayeon waited for Nara outside, running a hand through her hair to soothe the messiness. It sure looked like a bird’s nest. Suddenly, the ground shook below her and she had to grip on to the basin in front for support.

“Ma?” Nara called out in worry.

“It’s okay sweetheart. It’s probably just a plane.” Nayeon comforted, quelling her worries.

Meanwhile, the occupant in the other stall could only freeze at the words that escaped Nayeon’s mouth. It was impossible not to be able to recognise that voice, no matter how long it’s been since it had last been heard. Though, it was more worrying that the floor beneath them had just shaken like an earthquake had hit the airport. This couldn’t be a plane, it was something much, much bigger. The occupant left the stall, realising that Nayeon had already left the bathroom. Leaving the basin and headed towards the dryer, a familiar scream echoed through to the stalls.

Nayeon had frozen when she’d stepped out of the bathroom; the place was majorly in rubble and there was not a single sign of anyone else present in the area. A scream escaped her lips before she could stop herself and Nara looked up at her with fear. Footsteps could be heard behind them and Nayeon pulled Nara behind her, searching for some kind of weapon she could use against potential harm.

The person was not who she expected and Nayeon gasped at the sight. She would have never thought she’d see the person again after high school, yet here they were, standing in front of each other. Though, the person across from her wasn’t looking at Nayeon, but surveying the area around them in concern. Nayeon had only ever seen fear in that person’s eyes once before, and she was seeing it in them once again. Those eyes had landed on Nayeon, lingering for a few moments before they’d looked over at the girl gripping tightly onto Nayeon’s right leg.

“M-Mina.” Nayeon stuttered.

“Nayeon.” Mina replied coldly. Though, Nayeon could clearly see the difference in her tone and the emotions that were reflected in her eyes.

Before the two could say anything further, Mina’s walkie talkie had buzzed with static and the girl had disappeared.

Why did Nayeon have a little bit of hope that their reunion would possibly be better than the one they’d just had? Sure, she didn’t expect sunshine and rainbows but maybe something better than this?

“Ma!” Nara shouted, gaining Nayeon’s attention. She whipped her head to where Nara was pointing and she pushed her daughter out of the way. The pillar behind them was crumbling and she had to prioritise Nara over anything else. Nayeon pointed for her daughter to run, as she heard the final cracks of the stone next to her. She felt as if each moment passing was eternally slow, the pillar turning into rubble little by little.

And then all of a sudden, she was pulled back harshly, the pillar crashing down heavily behind her. It turned into rubble, exploding into pieces as it hit the floor. Nayeon felt it pierce her skin but she was more worried about the person who’d pulled back.

Realising that she’d shut her eyes in fear, Nayeon hesitantly opened them, looking into worried and angry eyes. She’d recognise those eyes anywhere, no matter what emotion they displayed. Why wouldn’t she be able to? After all, she’d pined after her for years. Mina was Nayeon’s crush, before she’d found the challenger.

“M-Mina.” Nayeon stuttered for a second time.

“Are you insane!” Mina scolded, pulling back to check on Nayeon for injuries. “You could have easily been hurt!”

“Mina.” Nayeon said sternly, holding on to Mina’s arms. “How did you get here? You were going in the other way.”

“Your daughter found me first.” Mina mumbled, pointing behind her to Nara, sobbing uncontrollably. Nayeon gasped, running towards Nara and engulfing her in a hug.

“Ma!” Nara sobbed, holding on to Nayeon tightly.

“Thank you sweetheart.” Nayeon cried, kissing her head.

“I’m sorry to cut your moment short but we need to get out of here. We need to find a safe place.” Mina warned, earning confused glances from the other two.

“What do you mean safe place?” Nayeon willed to ask.

“Come on, I’ll explain better once we’re more secure.” Mina declined, slipping her hand into Nayeon’s as she guided the two away from the rubble of the airport. Working at the airport gave Mina an upper edge on the place; she knew the hidden spots and she knew the entire floor plan.

Nayeon simply followed on, trusting Mina. Sure, her trust hadn’t taken her to far places but it was always different with Mina. She was the only one she talked to after Nayeon had gotten married, even if it had been a few months. Nayeon took the time to observe Mina, noticing how she hasn’t changed much at all from the last time she’d seen her. The only difference was that she looked more refined, more serious and definitely more distant. It seemed like the Mina she once knew, was gone; the friendly, bubbly football captain who never failed to give a smile to everyone around her.

She always thought that Mina never liked her in the way she did. All the times that she’d approached her and tried to woo her, all failed. Nayeon didn’t know the reason but she knew it was bigger than a mere rejection. There was something Mina wasn’t telling her when she gave a reason for her rejection but Nayeon never pushed her. She didn’t notice how Mina had changed when Nayeon had pursued someone else and found herself in a relationship with the new transfer student. Mina was left behind in Nayeon’s thoughts after so much rejection. It was a few weeks after the news of their relationship, that Mina had finally figured things through. But by then, it was too late for her to say yes. So Mina did what she could to stay by Nayeon’s side; even as just a friend.

To recall, Mina was the one who knew the most about Nayeon’s life. She was the one who tried to stop the relationship but Nayeon at that time had shrugged it off as Mina being regretful of her lost chance of dating Nayeon. She warned Nayeon that her partner was not who they seemed to be but Nayeon never believed her. Mina told her about the fact that Nayeon was being controlled in her relationship, that she was being changed but Nayeon had denied it all. Mina wasn’t someone who knew the new transfer student better than Nayeon did.

But, somewhere, at the back of Nayeon’s mind, Mina’s words were always present. She’d ignored it when the words came up in her thoughts again; the times where she’d doubt her partner. Nayeon blamed Mina for her suspicion of her partner. She blamed her for creating doubt in her mind. It was only until after their marriage that she had contemplated what she’d said.

Starting from the lack of contact from her friends and the bullying she went through to the change in how she was treated at home. Nayeon never labelled it as suspicious when her friends had all disappeared from her side. Why? Because she’d received the reassurance that they were missing out on someone precious and that she shouldn’t think about it. She’d been fooled into someone’s sweet words and never realised what she was getting herself into. Now, she was suffering from the consequences.

The three of them had finally reached a hidden room and the surprise was evident on Nayeon’s face as Mina entered it with ease. Of course, Mina must work at the airport. The clothes were a giveaway and the lanyard with her ID was an addition. Nothing much has changed; Nayeon was still as unobservant as ever.

“Can you explain now?” Nayeon asked in worry.

“The airport suffered three explosions. The exits are all closed and there is no way to get out. I’ve received information that the place is hijacked. Someone is in control of the entire airport. Whoever it is, are intelligent. It can’t be a single person job. There have also been many deaths already. Though, majority of them are from the head security area near the control room.” Mina rushed out.

Nayeon’s thoughts had immediately gone to Sana and Tzuyu at the mention of deaths. She hoped they weren’t part of it. She hoped they escaped.

“H-hijacked?” Nayeon stammered. “So, we’re stuck here?”

“Yes, we are.” Mina replied, getting worried with paleness of Nayeon’s face.

She would ensure nothing happens to the two of them.

Never again.

A/N: Ay, Mina's in the picure :D
I hope you're all ready for what's to come :]

I'm sorry for any typos~
Hope you enjoyed the update!