“Jieun, where are you right now?” Although slightly surprised by Red’s exigent voice, I still smoothly replied “I’m in the mall, is-” “Go back to the house now. It’s-“ I frowned, hearing upon Red’s instruction, but what bothered me the most was the person talking to Red. “Red, there’s another group in area 42! Kr-“ I assumed that Red had covered the phone, preventing me from hearing more, however, that person’s voice couldn’t help but to keep on echoing in my mind; there was a sense of familiarity. Did I hear this voice form somewhere? “Jieun, just go back to the house for now. I will come tonight.” With that the call that did not even last for thirty seconds ended.

            “Who’s that?” Kyungsoo’s sudden question snapped me out of my trance, realizing we were standing in the middle of the entrance, I quickly went outside and climbed into the car that was waiting for us. “Back to the house.” After instructing the driver, I turned back to Kyungsoo, readied to answer his question.

            “Red. She’s the one I’m going to introduce you to. She’s my non-blood relation family. She..she has taken care of me since I was young. Don’t ask me about my parents. I just know that they are not here anymore. Red is nice, although she doesn’t look like it.” With that, I stopped, not because I was unwilling to tell Kyungsoo more, it was because I did not know what to say anymore. At this moment, I couldn’t help but to realize I did not know much about Red. Sensing my discomfort, Kyungsoo did not press any further, he just simply held my hand and lent me his shoulder to lean on.

            After the phone call from Red, I was greatly troubled by it as I thought about it more. Another group in area 42? That person sounded so urgent. It..it can’t be related to what Seungho told me..right?  

            “Hey.” I jerked when Kyungsoo tapped on my shoulder and spoke so near to my ears.

            “Wow, guilty much, little bunny?” I tried to smile at Kyungsoo’s attempt of joking, but I must have failed miserably because he looked genuinely sorry.

            “Sorry, I really did scare you back there. You okay? You know it’s not like you must bring me out to look around today. I’m perfectly fine to just stay in the house.” Truth to be told, I have completely forgotten about my promised ‘tour’ for him and at his mention of staying back in the house made it really hard for me not to agree. Even Red asked us to stay in the house.

           “I’m sorry Kyungsoo but after meeting up with Red tonight, I promise to bring you out tomorrow!” Instead of the wide grin or enthusiastic nod I expected to get from him, I got a weak smile in return.

            “It’s okay, Jieun. I really do not mind…” He seemed as if he still have words to say but he did not continue.

            “Umm, do you want to stay with me or…?” “It’s okay, you seem like you need some time on your own. I will just be around and a call away.” I was not sure I was to be disappointed or relieved that he gave me some time alone but I chose to go with the latter one.

❈❈❈

            The library in the house has always been the place where I could find comfort, but today was an exception, particularly after reading the articles dated from the past few weeks. It seemed surreal that such dreadful happenings had been going on when I was in the summer house.

DEAD BODY FOUND IN SONGPA DISTRICT

On Jul. 23, 2013, the police station in the district received a call on a horrifying discovery of  a dead body at a dump during the early morning. One of the working dumpers, Mr Park (48) was collecting the garbage as usual, but he noticed trails of blood which led him to a badly deformed body.

“It was a horrible sight. I wasn’t even sure it was a dead human body until I recognized the ripped clothes and the slippers that were not far way.”

Citizens living in that district are alarmed with such incident taken place in the most crowded district in Seoul. Police by so far are still investigating the cause of the death as well as the victim’s identity.

MISSING PERSON: GEUM HAN SHIK

Muk-dong, Jungnang District Police asked the public’s help in searching for a middle-aged man who was said to have never come back after a shopping trip on Sunday, Jul. 21, 2014.

MANGLED DEAD BODY FOUND IN SONGPA DISTRICT IDENTIFIED: GEUM HAN SHIK

Police suspected that the victim who reported to be missing since Jul. 21, 2014 was abducted and killed in another district to avoid suspicion. Police is currently investigating the closed-circuit television footage of the public transport between these two cities. Jul. 25, 2014. Reporter Hwang.

SUSPECT FOR KILLING GEUM IS NOT A MATTER OF WHO BUT WHAT? ANOTHER DEAD BODY FOUND IN AGAIN SONGPA; CITIZENS THROWN INTO FEAR.

Jul. 27, 2014. It is reported that the result of the autopsy on the victim is concluded as an animal attack. Experts said that teeth and claw marks were found on the victim, no weapons could make such wounds. “We are currently trying to find the remains of the animal to determine its identity, but judging from the wounds on the victim, there is a big possibility that it was done by species of big cat.” Said Officer Meun.

This time, a female body found not too far away from the back alley of a club. One of the workers working in the club nearby said that he smelled something rotten, hence went to check out the source of the smell. He immediately called the local police after seeing a female’s lower body that was seen underneath an abandoned car.

“I was already shocked at the sight of the nearly ruined car. The windows were broken, the top of the car was dented badly, like something really heavy jumped on it. I don’t think that could be a work of pranksters.” Shin (20).

THE DEATH OF CHOI AN HEE: SUFFERED SERIOUS HEAD INJURY AND DIED UNDER AN ABANDONED AND DESTROYED CAR.

Jul. 28, 2014. The 21- year-old university student was found dead under an abandoned car. She was said to have died on the spot when the car, which the investigators believed that she hid under was crushed by a heavy force. Police are on the search of the rightful owner of the car as well as the cause of the damaged car. However, citizens are speculating this may be the mysterious animal cause. Pictures of the wrecked car are circulating the multimedia social sites, causing many people to guess what could have done such damage to a four-wheel drive car other than a big animal. However, the main question is still unanswered: A wild and mysterious animal roaming in the city of Seoul? Or is there more than one?

           My hands were cold by the time I switched off the tablet. There were more missing and dead body reports, but I have seen enough. It did not take long for me to guess what had been the cause of those deaths. Animals…killing in the city.. Should I say I was lucky to have stayed in the summer house? Wait! I tapped onto the tablet again and checked on the news that first mentioned about the incident. July 23^rd… I racked my brain, recalling one certain date. 20^th? No, 21^st of July, that day was the day I reached Uljin. I checked the news again; the first victim was missing since 21^st and the body was found on 23^rd. I gulped when a thought crossed my mind. It couldn’t be Red knew about this.. Sighing in frustration, I stood up, an attempt to clear my head. But Sopang district is not far from here…So, let’s say Red tries to keep me safe because she knows something is going on..

            “Ugh, you think too much Lee Ji Eun. Even if she knows something is happening, she wouldn’t know the body will be found in Sapong.” I knuckled my head, trying to knock some sense into myself. “What’s with the occasion?” I jumped and immediately reaching for the table for support. “Kyun-Kyungoo!” Albeit a few seconds late, I realized it was him that slipped into the library without me knowing. In a haste, I grabbed the tablet, holding it to my chest. He cannot know about this. If those are the doings of his pursuers… I could not even bear to think about what will happen next, hence I shot him a wide smile, hoping to cover my anxiety. “Hmm, I caught you doing something you shouldn’t be doing?” Kyungsoo rubbed his chin like a detective in a deep thought.  “N-No.. I was just planning the places I’m going to bring you to. I want it to be a surprise..” I mumbled and looking at everywhere except him.

            My heart was racing, but I was not sure if it was because of my white lie or it was his firm gaze on me to the extent I could feel it. Kyungsoo came closer, tugging a loose strand of hair behind my ear and he whispered into it. “Thank you. I really appreciate what you do.” I did not know how to react other than squeaking a ‘You’re welcome.’, then my eyes caught on the camera along with my guitar that were on the table that was in the corner. “He-hey! Want to print out the pictures you’ve taken?” Not even waiting for his answer, I made my way towards it. However, my fluster was gone when I was reminded of the state of my guitar upon the sight of it. I sighed as I picked up the guitar, the neck angles went bad and the wood swelled tremendously; the aftermath of being under the rain. “I’m really sorry about that.” I spun towards him, shaking my head. “No! It was unavoidable! Better than not being able to keep my life!” The moment the words died on my tongue, I felt as if the fire spread in my mouth because Kyungsoo’s face noticeably fell.

            “No. Don’t say a word.” Sighing for the umpteenth time on this day, I went to him, grabbing his hands.  “Can we just not say anything about that today?” I don’t want to think about the high possibility of those seven..people may be nearer than I thought or anything… anything about wolves.. Kyungsoo did not answer my question. Instead, I let it go and took the camera, fumbling with it to take out the memory card. When the computer monitor showed the notification of detecting the memory card, I turned to look at him for a brief moment before facing the monitor again.

            “So, are you helping me with the pictures or not?” I thought he left when I heard nothing so it was unexpected when I felt a pair of arms that s around my waist. I felt his breath against my cheek as he spoke.

            “I will help you with everything you want me to.”

❈❈❈

            The woman ran along with the brown haired guy in front right after she ended the call in a rush. “The victims?” The male jumped straight down while the woman slid down using the pole, running again immediately the moment their feet touched the ground. “Died.” Hearing the reply from the sharp jawed man, the woman cursed before climbing into a black Maserati GranCabrio and sped off to their destination.

            As soon as they reached the alley, gunshots were heard with collapsing sounds following shortly, but the atmosphere there was still tense and filled with an eerie silence. “I couldn’t feel anything except that one, heart still beating.” The woman pulled out a Fabrique Nationale Five-seveN and shot right in the chest of the creature, announcing the end of its life with a grunt. “So?” The woman cocked an eyebrow at a blonde hair guy that had his eyes closed. When the man opened his eyes, a striking similarity to doe eyes were shown, nodded at the woman. In that instant,  all seven of them, including the four in the shadow immediately had their own respective weapons ready, putting up a fighting stance.

            There were several taunting shadows leaping from buildings to buildings, which those from below were following its movement with their eyes, careful not to make a reckless move. Then, one dropped on the ground right behind the woman, whom right away aimed her gun to behind, pulling a shot, but the bullet made an impact with the ground. “This place is too cramped for all of us to fight here.” The shortest guy among them with slight fleshy cheeks grumbled while the sharp jawed one only rolled his eyes to him in response.

            “Then we go somewhere we can fight.” The tallest one among them ascended in the air with much ease, reaching the top of the building to have wider space. On cue with that, the others also sprang to their feet and shot upwards with several jumps, and finally on the rooftop too, but a slight cry from below divert their attention. Yet, at that moment, there were six half human, half beast creatures attacked them.

            “Red!” A black haired guy with really dark eyes shouted. Not only him, but the other five as well knew whose cry was that. As much as they wanted to go after the woman that had disappeared into the darkness after being grabbed by one of the creatures, they had to deal with those who were attacking them at the moment. “!” The shortest one cursed out loud while staggering backward in time to avoid the deadly claws of the creature that was growling at him.

            “If only we did not fight for days in straight, I will gladly burst their intestines instead of slashing at them with swords.” For such a gentle looking guy with a deep dimple on the right, it was almost unbelievable that he said such words.

            “Just finish the hell up here and go after Red!” The tallest one shouted, showing the demeanour that he was the head among six of them. Then, a few gunshots echoed throughout the ominous looking alleys that were nearby. The one that cursed earlier managed to kick off the creature of the rooftop and he sneaked a glance towards the direction of the gunshots.

           “Heck, asked me to promise you we will stay alive while you yourself barely able to do so.” He darkly muttered before aiding his mates to kill off the creatures which he hated so much even though they are one of them too.

-A/N-

I kinda rushed this chapter because I was getting frustrated with myself for not being able to finish up this story fast.. =,= *band my head to the table* But yea here it is.. I hope it's readable.. maybe will try to edit later or tomorrow..

Anyway, so I introduced several new characters in the end of the story.. I bet you readers know very well who are them right? yeaa~ haha!

OMG, KYUNGSOO you are so freaking cute!

AND IU & HYUNWOO

I know they just went out as friends but still :)) very happy with their interactions! hehe