CHAPTER9 Carefully they opened the front door, peeking out in case anything was creeping about outside. Seeing nothing, the three walked out into the foggy air.   “Is it safe to be out here? What if one of those…things pop out?” Junggie asked, clinging to Miah's arm.   The girl couldn’t help but agree with him, but she didn’t want to be a coward anymore. “Junggie we need to find your sister and get the hell out of here,” she said steeling her voice. His eyes widened in realization; he popped up, standing straighter. “Noona!?” he worried, still slightly holding onto her sleeve.   “Don’t worry so much. She’s with Kris remember? We just got to find them, and then we can leave,” Suho advised.   Agreed, they began heading out of the neighborhood they were in, toward the main street from before.   It was bright out, brighter than it was when they had first arrived. It’s probably early morning, Miah guessed. But, she noticed that no matter how much light there seemed to be, the world around them was still hazy with a grey mist. It was like it never let up.   After a few minutes of walking, Junggie decided to voice what they were all thinking, “Why haven’t we seen any monsters?”   “I don’t know, but let’s just count our blessings,” Miah replied just as suspicious.   The trio reached a street with businesses instead of homes, but itt was different than the one they had been on the day before. It must be near the same area though, It didn’t seem like that big of a town online, Miah pondered. They had found faster than it took them to runaway from the other street yesterday. She wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not.   “Should we holler for them?” Junggie asked referring to his sister and Kris.   “Mmmm, that may alert any monsters around. Maybe we should go inside each of the buildings and search. Knowing Kris, he’s probably bunkered out somewhere thinking of a plan,” Suho countered.   “Plan for what?” Junggie asked.   “How to get of here alive?”   Junggie noticeably gulped, “Alive? You think we could…d-die here?”   “You saw that thing shoot acid at me yesterday. What do you think?” Suho replied.   “There’s no need to be so sarcastic. He was only asking!” Miah snapped not liking the tone he took.   “Miah..” Junggie whispered, pulling her away from the male. He was worried she'd hit the guy….which she was considering if he didn't watch the way he talked to them. She didn't like violence, but that didn't mean she'd run from it or that she wouldn't defend herself.   Miah let him pull her to his side, but she refused to apologize or say anything more. Instead she crossed her arms and frowned at the uneasy Suho who refused to meet her eyes.       A few hours passed in almost complete silence as they searched each building they passed. It was a slow task seeing as none of them wanted to travel alone. By what they guessed was noon they were tried and starving from having walked so much. What's more, they were beyond agitated. They hadn’t eaten since lunch the day before and with most of the fear from yesterday out of their system, they were really starting to feel it.   Miah sighed as they exited another shop where they found no sign of life whatsoever. It was the third place they looked in the past hour. Before that we had searched at least ten other little stores, including: a thrift shop, an antique store, a pharmacy, and few other places. None of them held Kris, Jae, food, or anything that could be used to defend themselves if need be. This place really was a ghost town.   Miah heard a low gurgle, and when she looked over she saw Junggie rubbing his stomach with a grimace on his face. Aish! This kid is older than me, so why does it seem like I’m always taking care of him, she almost laughed aloud.   “Guys hold up a moment.” They stopped and looked toward her. She reached in her front pocket, and pulled out an item that glinted in the light.   “Omo! Miah where did you get that!” Junggie pointed to the silver wrapped, mint patty she held in her palm.   “I had it in my pocket since lunch yesterday. I was saving it for later.”   Suho frowned at her, “When were you going to tell us about it?”   “I just did,” she glared back, “Besides, I wasn’t sure how long we’d be stuck here. I wanted to wait until I thought we really needed it. And I don’t know about you but I really feel like I’m dying right now. So if you’re as hungry as I am, I suggest you shut your trap and be grateful I was smart enough to save it.”   “It’s not so much smart, as lucky,” He grumbled back.   Ignoring him, she gently opened the foil wrapper. “It’s a little squished,” she pouted at the chocolates cracked surface.   “Aish, who cares! Just give me some!” Junggie exclaimed, jumping from foot to foot.   Laughing Miah split the candy into three, handing a piece to each boy. Junggie, like the child he was, scared it down without a second thought. While Suho just turned it over and examined it.   “It’s not poisoned. You saw me open it,” Miah grunted toward him.   He raised an eyebrow in her direction, “Why would I think you poisoned it? I was just thinking.”   Heating up at his statement and the fact that she probably did overreact, she looked