I am craving for something.

I went out of my bedroom and went to the kitchen.

"Reports said that another female teen was found missing after she went outside late at night. After a few days of searching, police found her body at a nearby forest. The police are still investigating on this matter. The perpetrators are yet to be found—"

I turned off the radio placed at the counter table. Seriously, mom always forget to turn this thing off. Sheesh.

I opened the refrigerator hoping to find the one I'm looking for to no avail. There's no ice cream!

I looked at the clock. 8:32pm

It was deadly quiet around the house. My parents already retired to their room and my younger sister is laying on her bed, preferably show binging for some dramas to watch.

I grinned slightly and picked my wallet and jacket. I'm just going to the nearest store, mom. It's not that dangerous.

Cautiously opening our front door, I made a run towards the nearest store I could find. It's really dark around the neighborhood and I'm scared that bad monsters will come out. Hey, a seventeen-year-old can be afraid of some monsters too.

The lights coming from the store was in contrast with the darkness outside. There were hardly any light posts so imagine the terror coming here.

All for just one ice cream.

I went to the frozen section and picked my favorite flavor of ice cream; strawberries. While thinking how many I'd buy, my sight drifted to the man paying at the cashier.

He was tall, his side profile looking too good. I can't see him well because he was wearing a snapback. Who is this guy? I haven't seen him around the neighborhood.

He was wearing dark clothes too big for him. His jacket was slouching off lazily towards his arms, making his hands almost disappear. Without saying anything, he picked up his purchase at the counter and left the store.

I suddenly felt the urge to know him better.

Shaking my head, I composed myself. Snap out of it, Hayi. He can be a dangerous person. Worse, a murderer.

I felt terrified at that thought. I hurriedly picked up two pieces of strawberry ice cream and paid at the cashier.

-☠🕳☠-

It's the night before midterm exams. I'm studying hard at my study desk so that I can study well. It doesn't make sense but that happens a lot of times whenever I sit here and stare at my books.

Ahh. My head is already spinning. I need ice cream at times like this.

I closed my eyes and intertwined my fingers. "Please please please let thy have ice cream at our fridge please please please..."

I heard my sister, Soohyun, laugh from her side of the bed while buffing her nails. "Seriously unnie, your obsession over ice cream needs to stop. You're gaining weight already!"

I pouted oh-so-cutely at her. "At least I'm still lighter than you."

In return, all I get is a flying pillow from her. "You're bad!"

Well, that's what you get for messing with big sister.

I secretly picked up my wallet and stood up from the desk. I want to go out again and buy some ice cream for myself to refresh my mind.

"You go to sleep, okay? Unnie needs to do something at the kitchen."

Before she can notice anything fishy, I made a beeline to the front door.

After arriving at the store in no time, I was at the same spot again, deliberating if I should get vanilla or chocolate, as there were no strawberry flavor around.

While thinking, I didn't notice the guy coming from behind. He stood beside me and opened the ice cream freezer.

Hey, this is the guy from the other day.

Having the chance to have a closer look at him, I realized he was really handsome. He had alluring eyes and it didn't help that he was displaying that same stoic look he had when I first met him.

Then I noticed why he opened the ice cream freezer. He was holding my favorite strawberry ice cream! But, that's impossible. There were nothing around last I checked.

Noooo, my ice cream!

He must've noticed my pathetic look because he turned around and faced me. He handed me the strawberry ice cream without saying anything and left to pay the chocolate popsicle he was holding on his other hand. He left the store after.

Looking back, he was also buying the same when I first met him.

I stared at the ice cream he gave me. My expression must've given me away. Aish, stupid Hayi.

I proceeded to go to the cashier to pay. Afterwards, I hurriedly left to see if I could still spot him. But it was too dark outside to notice where he went.

My shoulders slumped. I forgot to thank him.

I should probably forget about it. It's time to head back anyways.

The same from before, I made a run towards the house. While I was running though, I heard some dog barking at me.

I was too scared to think about anything else and it made me run faster. A bad choice on my part BECAUSE THE DOG WENT AFTER ME!

"AHHH! HELP!"

His barking got louder and I prayed and prayed that he wouldn't catch me. But weak people like me are no match for dogs. I knew I should've been more active in gym class!

Right when I thought that it would bite the hell out of me, I felt strong arms dragging me away.

"Bobby, sit," he calmly commanded. After he said that, the dog sat down and put on the cutest expression you've ever seen in your whole life.

Whaaaat. This dog just tried to kill me!

I saw the guy wince from unexplained reasons. "Let go of my arm."

I didn't notice that I was digging my nails too hardly on his arm. When I saw this, I immediately pulled away. "Sorry."

My eyes tried to adjust to the surroundings. Wait a minute...

"You're the chocolate popsicle guy!"

He just stared blankly at me and when he did that, I couldn't help but melt. I felt like he was hypnotizing me with his gaze.

"I-I mean, you gave me this," I said before I get too obvious gawking at him as I held out the ice cream I was holding.

He just glanced at his wristwatch. "It's late. You should get home."

I nodded. I really need to get home now before Soohyun notices anything.

"Well, thank you for everything. I need to go."

A few steps farther, I heard him speak again. "Wait."

He caught up with his dog in tow. "It's dangerous out there. Bring Bobby with you. He knows how to come back."

I looked at the dog beside him, pulling an innocent face in front of me. "Are you serious?"

"He will not harm you, I promise."

"Can't you come with me?"

"You need to be careful in who you trust, especially at this hour."

He's right.

Without saying another word, he put his hands on his pockets and turned around. I noticed he was carefully surveying his surroundings.

I didn't even get to ask his name.

"Well, I think it's just you and me," I remarked while looking at the dog. "Please don't bite me."

He barked, but it was more like a response rather than making me feel intimidated.

I started walking home, my heart somewhat at ease because of a dog accompanying me.

-☠🕳☠-

I think about strawberry ice cream all the time. But lately, whenever I think about it, I also think about the guy that night.

Why is he always out at night?

It was already bedtime. Soohyun was soundly asleep after studying for four hours straight. I tiptoed around the room to get out. Because it was late already, my parents were inside their room.

I sneaked out again. I made the excuse that I went to go buy ice cream mentally but what I really wanted was to catch a glimpse of him.

When I arrived near the store, I saw him already going out. He opened the plastic of his popsicle and put the garbage inside his pockets.

My mom always said that I act too impulsively, and maybe she's right this time.

I moved and followed him. I was too curious why he was always out at this hour.

Even when he was eating his ice cream, he looked wary of his surroundings, like he was expecting something to come out. But he was walking with light steps.

While I was following him, the nearest light post flickered and the bulb went out. I got terrified. Is some kind of monsters at play? Or maybe... The guy is the monster?

All the while, I was looking at the damaged light bulb I didn't see where he went. It was also because the surroundings became darker.

Where did he go?

I moved out of the dark corner of the street because it was getting scary. You know those scenes in the movies where the heroine gets killed once the light post flickers down? Yeah, maybe I'll become one of that.

I looked around and furrowed my brows. This isn't my street. I'm too far away from my house!

Great job, Hayi! Your stupidity is running full gear again.

I'm too scared to run nor move from my spot. The place is getting eerily creepy now. It didn't help that the wind was blowing stronger around here, making me hear strange whispers whenever winds pass by.

Then I heard someone's footsteps. But I realized it wasn't coming from one person alone. They were many of them. But I couldn't see clearly.

They were conversing in hushed tones. From the voices alone, I knew they were guys. But something about how they talk was making my heart beat fast. And not in a good way.

I turned to where the voices were coming from. Because of this, I saw something glistening. Looking closely, I saw it was a knife.

My instinct was telling me to hide. Something's telling me they're not here to help a cowering girl like me to go home.

I didn't know why, but my mind flashed to the thing I heard from the radio a few nights ago.

Stupidity will really take you to dangerous situations. Aish, why do I even have to follow that guy?

"--find out?"

Sensing that I can hear their voice clearer tells me that they're near me. Damn it.

"Police won't know. We're too meticulous."

I heard another laugh wickedly. "Ahah! That's our boss!"

WHAT THE HELL ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT?!

I can feel my heart race faster and beads of sweat were forming on my forehead. Not to judge or anything but at this situation, I have nothing to trust but my own intuition.

The place is too dark for them to notice me thank goodness. But I know that if they get closer, they'll see me.

I looked around, and I can see more clearly as my sight adjusted from the darkness of the place.

There is no place to hide. Well I'll be damned.

The sound of their footsteps suddenly stopped. My heartbeat was faster than ever before, and I was just standing still.

'RUN!' my mind shouted. But my body was doing otherwise. I was frozen to the spot, too scared to move.

Do something!

But I think it's too late now.

I suddenly felt an iron-hard grip on my arms, dragging me somewhere else.

I wanted to scream, but my mouth was covered with another hand.

Millions of profanities passed through my head. I think this is the end for me.

We went through a dark alleyway nearby. He forced me to lean against the wall. Because it was narrow here, he stood in front of me.

When he felt that I wanted to scream, his palms around my mouth went deeper. My words became muffled. He was obviously stronger than I was.

"Shut up and stay still."

That voice... It's familiar...

I felt something moving at my feet and looking down, it was a dog, Bobby to be precise.

Blinking hard, I realized he wasn't a threat.

He had that glint in his eyes, cat-like. He wasn't looking at me, more like someone outside the alleyway. Must be the guys I heard earlier.

After a few moments, he let go of me.

Because we are still close to one another, I saw his eyes flash furiously as he looked at me.

"What the hell are you doing following me around?"

I honestly couldn't find the right words to answer. What was I going to tell him?

"It's too dangerous for a girl like you to be around here. What are you thinking?!"

"I—"

His eyes turned dark and his face went rigid. "Nobody knows what could've happened if I didn't arrive on time!"

I was too perplexed to say something. A stranger was scolding me all of a sudden but I know I deserved all of it. He was right.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Sorry."

"...No. I'm sorry. I-I followed you out of instinct, I'm sorry," I manage to blurt out.

I blinked hard and didn't realize the tears already cascading down my cheeks.

"Omo, what is this? I must've picked dirt on my eyes," I jokingly said as I wipe away my tears but it was out of control.

I felt a lump on my throat. I know there would be more to come.

"I'm sorry... Crying in front of a stranger..." I said as I wiped my tears with the hem of my jacket. "—Must've been new to you. I-I'm sorry." It didn't help that I was already hiccuping every time I say something.

In an instant, even though my eyes were getting blurry, I saw his face soften.

I didn't say anything and continued wiping my tears. They were streaking on my face nonstop. I don't even know how to stop it.

I felt Bobby whining as I cry. He must've felt sad too seeing me at this state.

Suddenly, I felt his arms around me, wrapping me in his embrace. I was shocked at this gesture, but at the same time, I can feel myself slowly at ease.

"It's alright... You're safe with me now," he whispered softly in my ears.

His voice somehow made me calm down. But the waterworks still wasn't stopping.

He wiped my tears away with his thumb. "I'm here. I won't let anyone hurt you."

It's funny though, that I find comfort with a man I don't completely know.

His calming words were making me stop crying. I didn't feel in danger anymore. And in his embrace was some kind of warmth and protection, making me feel safe in his arms.

As if the heavens were sympathizing with me, it rained hard.

He looked up, squinting as raindrops kept falling on his face. "Let's go," he said as he stopped hugging me and held my hand.

He started running, making me run with him. Bobby was following closely behind.

We found shelter at a nearby restaurant with a roof outside, enough for the three of us to stay. We sat side by side at the steps of the stairs leading to the door of the restaurant.

He took us to a brighter area and noticed it was closer to my street. There were lit up light posts everywhere.

The rain didn't show signs of stopping anytime soon. Looks like we will be stuck in here for a while.

The warmth coming from his hand disappeared as he let go of me.

We went silent for a moment, staring at the rain relentlessly falling down.

"Hey."

I turned to look at him. "Be careful out there. Nobody wants to lose someone."

"I'm sorry for breaking down like that. I was just... so scared. I didn't know what to do if you didn't come on time."

He looked at me for a moment and stared at the raindrops falling. "I had a young sister once. You remind me so much of her. She also loves strawberry ice cream," he smiled and the moment I saw him like that, made my heart race. He looked mesmerizing.

"She'd frown when I always get it first." He looked at me after. "You reminded me of that when I handed you that ice cream."

The smile from his face was gone, as if a horrible memory was haunting him. "But... She's up there now, maybe getting all the strawberry ice cream she ever wanted," he told me as he stared up at the clouds.

He bowed his head down, his face looking somber. "It still doesn't feel real, you know? She was the only family I ever had. And... I lost her."

Bobby snuggled close to him. He patted the boy's head in return. When he did that, I saw a trace of a smile but it quickly disappeared.

"She must've experienced the same thing you went through. But I wasn't there to protect her." He paused for a while. "And that's what hurts me the most."

I can feel his turmoil, his sadness, his pain. We may not know each other but I want him to forget all of these he was feeling inside.

I want him to be happy.

"I don't know about you, but you sound like a good brother. And for all your effort, I think she's forever thankful up there."

He took a deep breath and smiled a little. "Thanks."

"I think I'm the one who should be saying that."

"Don't mention it."

We went silent after. But it was a comforting silence.

A little while, I could feel him staring at me. "I'm Hanbin."

I turned to look at him, surprised that he decided to reveal his name now.

"I'm... Hayi."

Our eyes met and I couldn't help but melt a little. He was making my heart flutter just with his gaze.

The rain finally stopped. I was the one who looked away from him. "I need to get home."

We stood up almost simultaneously. "Let me get you home."

I just nodded gratefully. I don't even know if I can go alone at this state. His presence was enough to calm me down.

I led the way until we reached the front of my gate. Truthfully, I feel a slight pang of sadness after thinking that we will be parting ways.

"Well, thank you for everything, Hanbin. No, I owe you my life."

His face went from being stoic again. "Let's hope I don't see you again wandering at night. Till then." He bowed and I bowed too.

He waited for me to get inside before leaving.

I know it's impossible, but I'm already missing him.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Author's Note: My first B.I. x LEE HI fanfic! Please please please let me know what you guys think? :D welll, until then!!

*lol I didn't notice the chapter was still hidden lol lolol