Eunbi was overwhelmed with joy as she stepped inside their house and took her outerwear off. The lunchbreak ended up getting more exciting than she’d ever thought and now, a few hours later, she could still barely believe what’d happened after Tao and Kai left her alone with Yixing. The memory was still fresh in mind and she felt her cheeks heaten when she remembered Yixing’s words. How he’d asked her if she wanted to do something after school on Friday. Whether it was more than just a friendly invite, Eunbi didn’t know. In fact, she hadn’t even cared because the opportunity meant alone time with Yixing. And so she’d agreed.

With a mood on top, Eunbi dropped her schoolbag on the floor and headed for the kitchen and some afternoon snacks. She’d not eaten all day and was starving to say the least. What caught her attention however, as she entered was a note and a box lying on the kitchen counter next to the refrigerator. Without thinking too much about it, she walked forward and took a hold of the paper, one that was filled with words. The mood that’d been so good dropped to the floor after she’d read through the letter. Eunbi was angry and irritated and simply disappointed with her mother, who’d, together with her husband, taken a flight over to Tokyo again. The note also said how there’d been some kind of emergency they needed to take care of. Frustrated, she crumple the paper together until it was nothing more than a ball that she moved over and discarded in the trash. The whole thing was so unfair and Eunbi couldn’t believe how her mother could be so selfish. What made her further annoyed was the fact that it felt like her mother and stepfather were running away. That they didn’t seem to know how to deal with the problems and everything that’d been brought to surface. The situation worsened all of a sudden, as Eunbi heard the front door slam open, something that had her reaching over for the box on the counter. One she brought with her as she ran up the stairs. And it was only when she’d managed to lock the bedroom door behind her that she felt somewhat safe. It didn’t take many seconds though, before she heard footsteps in the staircase. The sound sent shivers down her spine and she held her breath for a moment, thinking that whoever it was, he hadn’t taken notice of her presence yet.

“I know you’re in there.” the way he spoke, with an obvious smirk on his lips, increased her worries.

“And I know our parents are out of the country.” Luhan’s smug tone was enough to make her break down. It felt like something out of a real bad horror movie. Eunbi didn’t dare say a word. She was still hoping he would rethink and change his mind. Maybe if she kept silent he would believe he was alone. But her wishful thinking wasn’t going to work, she understood that as soon as Luhan spoke again.

“I might’ve believed it if you’d at least hid your stuff.” Eunbi found herself frown when she remembered her shoes, jacket and bag was downstairs and in total view for anyone to see. Then again, she hadn’t thought this would happen. She hadn’t expected for her mother and stepfather to have left the country. Nor had she foreseen that Luhan would get home right after school. Normally he’d dissapear off with his friends downtown and then return home when he pleased, which often was in the middle of the night. So, what’d changed this time? What’d made him come home right away? As if that wasn’t bad enough, he decided to push at her door handle. One that was locked and thus made it impossible for him to get in.

“You know what? I’m going to stand here all day and wait until you get out of there.” Eunbi wanted to cry for she couldn’t understand why he had to be so cruel and mean when she’d done nothing to deserve it. His actions were not justified just because she’d ratted him out, which he had to understand she would do one day or another. Really, Eunbi had not even told her mother everything and yet he was acting like she’d betrayed her country. He didn’t seem to realise how much pain and suffering he was inflicting upon her, how much terror she needed to live through every single day because of him. And though she’d tried to get things to change, nothing had. It was exactly like it’d always been despite her efforts. Even her mother failed.

“Believe me when I say this,” he paused, as if to add on with effect, and Eunbi felt her pulse skyrocket when he continued, “but today was no accident.” Luhan kept quiet after that, and she was sure he did it to torture her further. Eunbi was certain he wanted to make her anxious for there was no questioning he was referring to what’d happened in school. Moreover, what’d not happened. None of the students bothered her all day and even Ahbin told her she found it a bit weird and suspicious. And if Ahbin reacted, something was definitely off. Why he’d ordered everyone to back off was a question with no answer, as Eunbi couldn’t come up with a reasonable one. Not until yesterday’s family meeting made its way through her train of thoughts and messed everything up. It still didn’t make sense though, since he’d been pissed off when he left, and that was probably more than enough reason to unleash hell. But he hadn’t and Eunbi had no idea why, and she kept on returning to the same question over and over again, wondering why his actions changed so suddenly. It made absolutely no sense at all to be honest and though Eunbi wanted to ask, she remained silent. She wouldn’t allow herself to fall into his trap.

A sudden sound caused her to jump and she nearly tossed the box in her hands to the ground. It arrived as a shock and she could feel her pulse increase all over again. The signal sounded much like one emitted from a phone when someone was calling, and without thinking, Eunbi peered the lid off and stared at the content. Indeed. The object was a brand new cell phone accompanied by a small note that stated how the said phone was hers. She picked it up, flipped it every other way, before turning the screen towards herself. It was already silent by then and Eunbi couldn’t care less about who’d called and made no attempt to find out either, as she went through the different features. Time needed to be killed and her new cell phone was a good candidate for the job. Unfortunately, the battery, having not been charged completely, ran out pretty quick and there were only ten percent left after two hours, something that now left her without anything else to do. The games she’d played served yet another purpose than just killing time though, for it took attention away from her empty stomach that now growled. She was hungry and wanted nothing more than to eat. An ordeal Eunbi would have to wait with as she feared Luhan was lurking just outside the bedroom door. That Sehun hadn’t returned home either, made it more nerve-wracking and she glanced over at the clock on her night table. Eight thirty pm. She hadn’t eaten in twenty four hours and the consequences were starting to become more obvious as time ticked on. It didn’t take a genius to understand she couldn’t stay put in there any longer, and in an ever so careful manner, Eunbi slipped off the bed and tiptoed her way over to the door, one she pressed her ear to in an attempt to find out where Luhan was. The whole house was dead silent and there was no chance she could pinpoint where he could be. To her, it almost seemed like he’d left, which she found rather odd and unimaginable after everything he’d said and all. But what if he’d actually done that? It wouldn’t exactly surprised her seeing how he normally spent his evenings and nights out. There was a part of her that still hesitated though, and it took her every ounce of willpower to open the door and stick her head out. Luhan was nowhere in sight, at least not that Eunbi could see, and she decided to push the door open a little more.

“Luhan?” his name rolled off her tongue all the whilst she took a step forward. Standing in the middle of the hallway could be dangerous and Eunbi knew she needed to pay attention in case he came charging towards her, something that didn’t seem to happen for the whole house was quiet. The longer she stood there, the more she began to believe he’d left. And without further ado, Eunbi walked downstairs and entered the kitchen in search for food. Practically anything eatable would do. Much to her disappointment though, was the refrigerator close to empty and she couldn’t help but frown as she glanced between the container with milk and a box with some unfamiliar food. It was safe to say it was one of those moments were Eunbi didn’t understand her mother. How was she supposed to feed herself when there was nothing to eat and no money to buy food with?

“So you’ve finally found your way out of your room.” Eunbi spun around to face the owner of the voice, her blood running cold as she saw him standing in the doorway, a smirk visible on his lips. She found herself inch back and away from him after she’d shut the refrigerator door close. Luhan however, remained at the same place.

“Did you really think I’d left?” he laughed, an action that bothered Eunbi greatly for she didn’t find it the slightest amusing. The way he behaved only served as a reminder of how disturbing he could act and be. Horror engulfed her soon enough, because Luhan headed into the kitchen, his eyes fixed on her. By doing so, Eunbi reached out and grabbed a hold of a frying pan, one she then swung at him when he got too close.

“I’m going to slam this in your head if you come closer.” she swung the object at him yet again, only to watch as it missed his head by a mere meter or so. The thought of actually planting the heavy pan into his oh so precious face sent waves of adrenaline through her system, and without thinking twice, she shouted at him to move back. It was either that or a bruised face. Therefore did it make her considerably uneasy when he wouldn’t move, something she’d been pretty sure he would.

“I’m serious.” the braveness was slowly decreasing even though she’d been fueled up by the adrenaline. But it only worked for so long and she could feel the fear beginning to overpower the courage. Luhan must’ve seen the terror written on her face, for he took one step forward. The gap between the two became smaller in an instant and Eunbi panicked, tossed the frying pan at him, and then made a dash for the staircase and the safety of her bedroom. A loud crash could be heard about the same time she was halfway up the stairs, which in turn probably meant Luhan was coming after her. But whatever he was trying to accomplish, Eunbi was not going to allow herself to be caught. Reality was different though, and the cruelty of life struck her like lightning when she grabbed onto the door handle and noticed the door was locked. The whole situation changed in the split of a second and Eunbi needed to do something quick before Luhan caught up with her. A drastic decision had to be made, one the said girl didn’t favour but nonetheless had to go through with if she wanted to live to see the next day. It was also a decision that, with most certainty, were going to cause problems later on. A certain calmness overwhelmed her after she’d managed to slip inside and lock Sehun’s bedroom door. The latter was not going to be happy with her and the fact that she’d once again intruded on his property. Then again, there wasn’t much else she could do when Luhan was coming after her and she had nowhere else to hide.

“Sehun’s not going to be happy if he finds you in there again.” he sounded annoyed.

“Maybe.” but I’d rather face him than you, she added in her head. Eunbi didn’t want to give him the benefit of knowing how scared she actually was.

“Maybe?” he laughed, though it didn’t sound like he was the slightest amused, “well, how did it go last time?” why did he have to mention that? Why did he always have to make her feel anxious and bothered about everything that escaped his lips? And it sure didn’t get better when she finally remembered Sehun’s words from back then. How he’d threatened her, saying that Luhan would be the least of her concern if she ever showed up in his room again. The memory left Eunbi breathless and terrified and completely drained of energy.

“Just leave me alone.” she slid down the wall and buried her face in her hands and began to sob. She wanted nothing more than for him to leave, for him to leave her alone in the misery he’d so nicely created. Tears rolled down her cheek, ones she let be as her stomach growled again. It hurt in a way she’d never experienced before and Eunbi cursed Luhan for that he wouldn’t let her eat. Not that there’d been much food in the refrigerator. But still. Anything was better than nothing. And as if her stomach pains weren’t enough, she heard the front door slam shut in a rather violent manner. She couldn’t know for sure though, who it was and that made her tense in worry. One part of her wanted it to be Sehun whilst the other didn’t since she felt uneasy about what he’d do if he found her in his room. Then again, what would be worse? Having to face Sehun or Luhan?

“Eunbi look who got home.” in pure instinct, she moved away from the door and hid herself in the corner. It wouldn’t exactly matter where she hid because Sehun would, with most certainty, find her anyway. But it was one of those things she’d do automatically and without thinking, she reached out and grabbed a hold of his duvet and threw it over herself. The action was unnecessary and stupid, but nonetheless something that made her somewhat calmer despite the fact that she could hear the two brothers argumenting downstairs. The two weren’t yelling and screaming at each other, but she understood by the tone they were using that it wasn’t a friendly conversation. And it sure reached a when she heard Sehun snap.

“JUST LEAVE HER THE ALONE.” she gulped down, her heart thudding away in a rather fast phase. His outburst didn’t make much sense to Eunbi, who panicked all over again when footsteps echoed in the stairs. Whoever was heading up seemed mad, for the steps were heavy and the wood creaked now and then. The person, when reaching the top, turned in her direction and made way over to the door. A moment of complete utter silence followed and Eunbi felt her breath quicken a second or two later, when the lock clicked. The door was unlocked and for anyone to push open, something it also was.

“I know you’re in here. Luhan told me.” of course, it wasn’t like she’d expected for the older male to keep quiet. He’d probably taken the first opportunity to spill the information. Another low click sounded all of a sudden, only to be followed by light flooding the room. Eunbi knew she was screwed even though she tried to remain still and unsuspicious. A duvet wasn’t going to make her invisible though, she came to understand that pretty fast after Sehun got a hold of it. He tossed the duvet back on his bed once he’d pulled it away from Eunbi, who stared up at him with red eyes and tear stained cheeks.

“Are you not going to get up?” she shook her head. She refused to go out there and face the possibility of having to see Luhan. Sehun didn’t seem to care, for he reached for her hands, took a steady hold of them, and then helped her up on her feet. Eunbi recoiled back quite instantly, fear evident as she let her gaze roam about. She would have nowhere to hide if Sehun decided to kick her out. She couldn’t even take cover in her own bedroom since Luhan managed to lock her out of it. Sehun’s next action surprised her and she glanced down just in time to see him press the key to her bedroom door into the palm of her hand. He must’ve retrieved it from Luhan, for there were only one key to the lock on her door.

“He won’t bother you.” she didn’t believe him and instead pressed herself back against the wall behind her. As she did, her stomach growled once more. Sehun must’ve heard it and if she didn’t know better, she could’ve sworn she saw him frown for a second. It didn’t make sense though, why he’d do that seeing how she was the one experiencing the pain.

“Next time, instead of skipping lunch to hang out with boys. Eat.” what did he mean? That he’d seen her together with Yixing?

“Whether I want to eat or not is my problem. Not yours.” Eunbi brushed past him, a slight feeling of irritation obvious. Completely ignoring the fact that Luhan could be lurking around the corner, she unlocked her bedroom door, grabbed her phone that she put to charge earlier, and then took the stairs down to the first floor. If Sehun was one to believe in, the oldest male wouldn’t be bothering her, something that meant she could rummage through Sehun’s jacket undisturbed. A smile became evident on her lips when she found his wallet. One she took and shoved down the pocket on her own jacket before she put it on and slipped into her shoes. And just like that, Eunbi disappeared out the door without Luhan or Sehun knowing where she was going.