Identity Shift

The two men perked up immediately as Eunbyul entered. The redhead tried to hide his joy, while the blonde simply gave her a radiant smile.
"You came..... We thought you wouldn't."

"I don't go back on my word."
Eunbyul assured them. She sat back down. 

Their smile faltered slightly as they assessed her mood. She looked.... Broken, but she tried to hide it. She tried to keep herself from falling apart.
Eunbyul hid her weakness well, but she couldn't put on the mask forever.

"What's wrong miss?"
His blue eyes softened with concern as he sat near the glass. 

Eunbyul gave him a flat smirk, but it didn't fool him.
"It's nothing...... I just ran into someone."

"That person must have quite the affect on you....."

"..... Something like that......"
Eunbyul tried to brush off recent events, but the weight of it all still was crushing her.

"There's no need..... You can stop."
The emerald eyes looked at her with a perceptive gaze.

Eunbyul raised an eyebrow as she tilted her head like a puzzled cat.

"Drop the guard with us...... We won't judge you. You can trust us....."
A rare sincerity was in his voice as he laid on his bed.

Eunbyul continued to stare at him with her keen eyes, and slowly, she began to relax. Her shoulders had been tense since her encounter with Kevin.
She let the pieces reveal themselves and they saw the weariness and sheer loss in her. She looked worn.

"That person...... Is he an enemy?"
Aden asked as he looked at her from his bedpost.

"No."
Eunbyul's eyes softened at the thought of Kevin. It wasn't unnoticed.

"....... So he is someone important to you."
Lucas remarked gently as he looked at the young woman.

That was an understatement. He was the one that brought light into her world.
Eunbyul remained silent, uncomfortable with the subject.

"I'm sorry... I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable miss."
The blonde looked utterly sweet and sincere.

"Its fine.... There's no need for the miss. Call me Stella."

"Well then miss Stella. Do you have a name in mindyet?"
She didn't know whether he was trying to tease her, but she let it slide with a snort.

She looked at them carefully. The blonde one was gentle. He was warm and bright, sincere and soft. It reminded her of a bright light, especially with the way his hair glowed in the sunlight. His eyes were noble, long eyelashes emphasizing his regality.

The other one was different. His light was erratic and almost jittery. Quick to react, much more hard and rough. Yet he had a warmth undeniable to her. The way his hair seemed to be, like frozen fire. It's red locks curved in a vey flame like way, similar to his reactions. His eyes were stern and undeniably strong, almost in a permanent frown.

Her head suddenly forged two names that seemed to fit them. She muttered them under her breath.
"....... Your names...... I think I have one-"

The door suddenly beeped, unlocking.
The trio turned around to see Sanara, followed by a few doctors. They were surprised at Eunbyul's attendance and some frowned in displeasure.
"You're not allowed here. This is a restricted area-"

"She is their handler... Or will be. So she does have authorization."
Sanara snapped at the doctor.
"And she is doing a fine job of getting them social."

The two men seemed to go introvert as they glared at the doctors. Lucas became as broody as Aden, and Eunbyul was surprised at their mood swing.

"Well done, Eunbyul. You've gotten them to say more in an hour than they had in a week."
One of the doctors remarked. She made the two men glower slightly.

Eunbyul's face was stoic as she stared at them with displeasure. They seemed to treat these two like lab rats more than patients.

One of the doctors simply shoved out of the way. Her thick dyed blonde locked bouncing around her. Her heels brought her to the red head's cage, and he immediately stiffened.
She batted her eyelashes at him, the mascara and foundation evident as her glassy blue eyes eyed him like an expensive brand of clothing.
"So, Daemon, how are you feeling today?"
She clicked her pen, ready to scribble.

Eunbyul raised an eyebrow at the lady. She had a curvy hourglass figure, and tried emphasizing it with short skirts and a tight lab coat. She gave Sanara a look.
Sanara frowned and whispered sheepishly.
"They voted on a different approach to these two. Trying to appeal to their.... Male sense of sight. We haven't been able to get much from them.... In fact, it was rare for them to even acknowledge us."
 

The fire in his green eyes burned as he glared at the curvy woman.
"My name isn't Daemon."

"Well, that is your alias, it says here in your profile."
The blonde replied somewhat vainly.

"Well, you can take your profile and shove it up your large ass."
He snapped as he glared at her. The room was filled with small gasps as the lady bristled.
"You are making this harder on yourself, Daemon."
 

The crimson man darkened as he walked up to the glass wall. His eyes were like green fire. He stared at the lady with such eyes that she faltered slightly. He stood tall and terrible in silence and in one quick movement he slammed his powerful fist into the glass. The pounding sound echoed the room and an audible crack was in the shatter proof fiber. The scientists all flinched as the lady stepped back. A trickle of blood trailed the glass as he ignored the pain.
"I. Am. Not. Daemon."
The man gave her a dark leer.

She regained composure and scoffed in frustration as she clicked her tongue.
"Don't be stubborn, Daemon. Or are you delusional and you forgot your name?"

"His name isn't Daemon. His name is Aden."
Eunbyul's voice broke through their little bickering. 

Everyone turned to see Eunbyul also stare at the lady with her sharp eyes. The lady sneered at her and her battered appearance.
"What?"

"His name is Aden."
She stated firmly.

"I'm sure it is." she remarked a bit sarcastically before turning to Aden who's eyes had a certain light spark back into them. "So, Daemon. You-"

"It's Aden."
He cut her off. The lady looked almost aghast as she huffed.
"What? You've-"

"Aden. Daemon is no more."

The lady finally seemed to give up trying and now looked impatient as she rolled her eyes.
"So, Aden..... How was your day?"

Aiden seemed to smirk as he looked out the window.
"It was fine...... Until I saw your ugly face."

The lady turned red from the insult as Eunbul choked a laugh. Sanara smirked as she wrote something down. She suddenly whispered to Eunbyul.
"So what's his name?"
She gestured to the blonde.

She met eyes with the blonde who looked at Eunbyul curiously.
"..... Lucas...... his name is Lucas."

 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=

Aiden and Lucas became a source of comfort for Eunbyul. She came frequently during her stay, almost everyday. Even bringing Dongho at some points, who got along decently with them. 

"Can you play for me?"
Eunbyul looked at the violin Aiden held in his hand. Aiden looked thoughtful.
"It's odd..... We have no memory of anything.... Our family, our friends, our birth..... But I can do things like this...."

He delicately lifted the cherry bow and put the violin to his chin. The bow moved across the violin and made a clear and clean note.
Aiden closed his eyes and continued. The melody became mesmerizing, Eunbyul closed her eyes and listened. It was a mournful song, almost as if the music was crying.
Her heart began to feel peace for the first time as it listened to the melody. 

Lucas smiled as he listened as well. 

Sanara watched the camera screen with a small smile on her face. Skylar's eyes were soft as he stared at the interaction.
"Your daughter sure has a way with people."
She whispered.

Skylar simply looked at the screen.
"She's a lot like her mother......"

Aiden ended the melody with a last shift, it echoed around the room. Eunbyul gave him a small genuine smile.
"That was beautiful."

"I would play the piano for you, miss. But they can provide only so much."
Lucas sighed longingly.

"You must show me some other time."

"I would like that..."
Lucas smiled.

"Will there be another time?"
Aden asked softly. He set down the bow.
"You can't stay here forever, Stella."

"No..... I can't...... You're not going to stay here forever either."
She spoke firmly.

"Like they'll ever let us out."
Lucas scoffed.

"I don't care.... I won't abandon a friend."
She spoke bluntly. They were friends. The three of them. 

Aiden and Lucas smiled at her.
"Well, technically you did name us, so we are yours..."

 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Eunbyul sat calmly on her bed as Sanara carefully unwrapped each bandage. Her ribs were partially healing, but UKISS had to go back to Korea. A prolonged stay would cause a riot for the public. A nurse was unwrapping the bandage on her waist and chest. Each gauze wrap began to coil onto the floor as Eunbyul's pale skin began revealing itself little by little. Soon her arms were bare. 

There was a new patch of skin already on the shoulder. Pink and sensitive under the stitches, but it was there. 

Sanara sighed almost relieved.
"Phew..... The saliva on the mutants did prevent any scab from firmly developing, so my team and I had to use the prototype stem cell serum. It turned out better than I thought, but it'll leave a pretty sick scar."

Eunbyul almost sighed.
"It always does...."

She could blatantly see the hole marks in a crescent shape, where the teeth had punctured the skin. 

The nurse threw away the bloodied bandages from her torso. The chest had already healed enough, leaving a pink line parallel to her sternum, but the claws. They had Eunbyul almost flinch.

Sanara anticipated her reaction.
"The mutation had left your side in shreds.... Any deeper and it might have gouged out an organ."

"Shit....."

Her waist had five long stitches, almost like tiger stripes.
"The scar won't be as bad, but it'll definitely be there. Just..... Don't wear any bikinis for a while."

Eunbyul glared at her sense of humor as she pulled on a sports bra and half top.

"Your ribs.... We tampered the regeneration with the serum as well. Keep it confidential though....."
Sanara whispered.
 

They heard a gasp in the door as UKISS was about to come in. Eunbyul almost jumped in surprise as she heard their loud entrance and had a syringe at the ready.
"Sorry! Didn't know you were-"

"I have a top on. You've seen me in a sports top before."
Eunbyul spoke flatly as she tossed the syringe.
The members uncovered their eyes as they stared at her. No one would speak for a while.

Sanara tapped her toes in an awkward silence.
"...... Well, we should get going. The medication is in the paper bag."

She and the nurse quickly went out of the room, leaving Eunbyul with six awkward idols.
No said anything for a while. Until Soohyun finally spoke.
"Eunbyul ah...... Y....your..."
They stared at her. The sunlight shadowed her, and the scars made her appear even fiercer.

"I know...."
She cut him off as she walked to a loose shirt.

"Shit....."
Jaeseop stared at her wounds. She took the worst beating out of any of them. It was worse than the cut she had received long time ago.

Eunbyul couldn't stand their stares. She quickly pulled the loose shirt over her and brushed her hair. They were about to depart soon.

"If you have nothing to say, then I'll meet you at the take off point."
Eunbyul spoke coldly as she ripped off the cheek patch and threw it in the garbage. They flinched at her sharp voice.

"I'm sorry."
Soohyun suddenly blurted out.

Eunbyul paused in her preparations and turned to him. Her eyes were guarded.
Soohyun continued.
"I... We.... We are so sorry. I was stupid enough to blame you for what happened. I didn't realize the damage you had to take for us. The things you had to do."
He shut his eyes at the memory of Eunbyul and the clone of Annabelle. His voice shook with guilt.

"You should blame me......"
Eunbyul's voice was soft as she stared at the beach.

"Blame you for what? For being born? For being the target of some sick bastard?"
Hoon almost growled.

"Things would've been different if we had never met. Don't deny that. I was a curse."

"A blessing..... Eunbyul...... You've risked everything for us more than enough times."
Jaeseop smiled.

"You wouldn't have seen what you saw! All those things. The people. The animals..... EVERYTHING. YOU SAW WHAT I DID. I'VE PROBABLY SCARRED YOU FOR LIFE."
Eunbyul looked grief stricken with guilt as she combed a hand through her hair. The stress of the situation had taken a toll on her already battered self.

Everyone flinched at the memory of the blood.
"Scarred us for life? Would you look at yourself Eunbyul? You had to do more than see, you had to fight, you had to kill...... For once, don't belittle us by not seeing the value of what you did."
 

"We saw you protect us...... We saw you fight for us." she looked away. She didn't protect them enough. "You think family is perfect? It's not. We aren't a perfect family Eunbyul. But we are still family."
Soohyun was firm in his belief.

They stood in silence as Eunbyul's hands were limp to her side. They saw the mask she removed. She looked so tired, so weary, so feeble from everything. She looked miserable and young. Soohyun realized how young she really was.

"We should get going..... Manager hyung will get an aneurism, and I want some decent food, don't you?"
Soohyun changed the subject quickly.

Eunbyul sighed. It was a long week for all of them.
"Yeah........."

She walked with them, through the halls, past the rooms. She could feel them relax around her, and protect her from stares.
She heard a few sniffles and hiccups. Eunbyul turned around to see Kiseop crying silently as he walked next to her.

She gave him a look.
".... Oppa? Why are you crying?"

Kiseop bit his lip as it quivered.
"It's not fair..... Look at what happened to you Eunbyul. Why out of everyone did you have to do that? They practically ripped you to shreds.... Its not fair......"
He hastily wiped a tear away from his cheeks.

"You're crying because of me?"
She was extremely confused at his tears.

"No you stupid girl.... I'm crying for you, because you won't cry for yourself.... And the fact that you talk to us again....."
Kiseop sniffed.

"Oh....... Kiseop oppa?"

"Hm?"

She gave him a tired smirk.
"Stop being a wimp...."

Kiseop almost laughed in amusement.
"Your oppa is a real fruitcake... Huh?"

"Yeah..... But I love fruitcakes..."
She wrapped an arm around his tall figure and looked around. She was with everyone. And Kevin.... She would meet Kevin soon. She would try everything in her power to have him remember.

They went to the private jet, and UKISS looked at it with excitement.
"We are going home!"

Eunbyul saw two familiar heads. One a shining gold, and the other a flaming red. They stood near the entrance, with their own duffle bags. Skylar stood next to them a parade rest.

Eunbyul walked up to Aiden and Lucas with a grin.
"Hey."

"Hey...."
They spoke nervously.

"Ready to start fresh?"

"With you?"
They both asked and Eunbyul smiled wider. this was her family, and she will cherish it. She put her hand on each of theirs and they seemed to relax,
"With me...."

They smiled back at her. UKISS looked at them curiously as Dongho ran to them and gave them high fives, which they awkwardly did.
"Wah! Yah! Since we are friends, I can use banmal with you right?!"

"...... Sure."

"Awesome! I got some foreigner friends! Well come on guys! Time to go home!"

Aiden and Lucas were surprised at Dongho and his energy.
Home.....

Eunbyul seemed to read their thoughts.
"Home is where the heart is."

"Our heart is with you. You gave it to us."
Lucas admitted.

Skylar stood silently until he spoke.
"Remember your orders...."

"Yes sir..."

"..... Good luck."
His eyes softened. Eunbyul smiled at him and gave him a hug.
"I'll see you soon...."

She looked at Aiden and Lucas who looked back at her expectantly.
She patted their backs and followed Dongho.
UKISS followed her into the jet.

As they sat, Eunbyul was surprised to see Kevin seemingly asleep in the back on a comfortable bed.
"The guy flipped out when we tried to bring him aboard. I had to sedate him."
Axel popped out from the cockpit with a smile. He waved a tranquilizer pistol in his hand.

As they sat, everyone seemed strangely calm. As if everything that happened was behind them. Aiden and Lucas were near Dongho, curiously looking at their music videos. Jaeseop and Kiseop were asleep, so was Hoon. Soohyun sat near Eunbyul who took a glance at Kevin.
It still cut her heart knowing he no longer remembered her. She put a hand on his cheek.
 

But Eunbyul wouldn't give in. Not yet.

She looked around her. Everyone seemed calm. Yet there was also a certain maturity about them. This whole trip seemed to have strengthened something between them as a family.
Eunbyul suddenly spoke to Soohyun.
"You know..... We are a pretty screwed up bunch."

"...... Yeah...... But hey. That's what makes us a singularity."
Soohyun smirked at her.

Eunbyul snorted. Once they land, she had a task set for her. She fidgeted with her ring as she closed her eyes.
She would try to make him remember. Remember their own personal bond. The love they had, all the adventures they did.

 They say love overcomes all obstacles..... This was just another obstacle.. And I will overcome it, I will make him fall in love with me all over again......