Thank you for still reading and commenting. Sorry this is a short chapter but we're getting there :)

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“ing talk to me!” Kibum huffs into his headset while leading Taemin through a make-shift version of the Sherlock-choreographie. I don’t know how he does it but he seems to be able to make out the crucial steps of the routine that are sufficient to prevent another detonation.

“Jjonggie, damnit!”

Jonghyun looks at Song and Moon for approval but then just grabs the microphone and shouts:

“They need more time ... can you go for a little longer?”

We watch Kibum and Taemin exchange glances.

“How much longer?” Key asks back.

Jjong hesitates then takes a deep breath and says:

“An hour.”

The music stops in time for Kibum to go ballistic:

“ARE YOU ING KIDDING ME?” he yells, “HE’S DANCED A MARATHON ALREADY!”

‘So have you’, I automatically think.

Moon takes the microphone from Jonghyun:

“This is Moon, head of bomb-squad. I can’t yet officially give up the stadium; we need permission from the Ministry. We’ll keep working on the bombs as long as you can go. When you give up, we’ll all retreat and let it blow up.”

I wonder once again if it’s wise to broadcast the plan for everyone to listen in when we hear:

“MR. MOON!” accompanied by a taunting snicker, “WHAT A PATHETIC PLAN. DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT BOY CAN JUST WALK OUT OF HERE?”

“What’s he talking about?” Minho and I ask in unison.

“THE SECOND HE LEAVES THE CENTER-STAGE THE EXPLOSIVE CHARGES IN HIS SHOES ARE TRIGGERED ...”

“Wait, wait ...” Jonghyun rips the microphone away from Moon, “wait ... let’s talk ...”

“... DON’T WORRY, HE WON’T FEEL ANYTHING. HE’LL JUST BE BLOWN TO SMITHEREENS. NO NEED FOR A FUNERAL AFTERWARDS. THERE WON’T BE ANYTHING LEFT.”

We’re dumbfounded.

“I was afraid he would have installed something like that”, Moon admits, “I just didn’t want to tempt fate.”

“So it’s true what he says?” Jjong asks, “Taemin can’t leave until you have disarmed all the bombs?”

“He probably can’t leave at all”, Moon answers darkly, “the bomber wants him dead.”