Two Moons by EXO-M

Chapter 34 – Escape

Hyomi’s POV

The sun is high up the sky. It was a Saturday and here I am at one of the known markets in Seoul, South Korea: The Dongdaemun Market. It was so early in the morning when my phone rang, waking me up, only to be asked to go shopping with them. I didn’t think twice when Jongup told me that it was because they wanted to have a surprise party for Yongguk oppa. Why, you ask. It’s because he reached the top of the school for this semester. The results just got out a few days before though.

“What does he likes?” I asked as we walked from store to store.

“He likes music,” Jongup replied and I nodded.

“What else?” I asked. Jongup thought of more possible things while our other companion by the name of Mr. Arrogant, I mean, Jung Daehyun, just trailed behind us like a lost dog. I didn’t have time to complain when I saw both of them standing by our meeting place because I was hastily dragged by Jongup away.

“He likes dancing, rapping, composing, uh, what else,” Jongup enumerated.

“I’m wondering,” I said, loud enough for Daehyun who stood behind us to hear, “did I count wrong or we are three when we met a while ago?” I said, sarcasm overflowing. Jongup chuckled, looking at Daehyun. He then shrugged.

“Maybe you did,” he smirked. Daehyun scoffed making me roll my eyes.

“So what?” I said looking at him.

“What?” Daehyun said.

“Are you deaf?” I said, trying to piss him off. Well, our deal isn’t over yet, right? He hissed.

“What do you think?” He said slouching so that he could match my height. He leaned his face closer making our faces just inches apart. I stood firm though. When I move, it just means that I lost at this staring contest. I glared at him.

“Yes,” I replied. His eyes furrowed.

“Alright then, you said that,” he said before walking away. That’s it?

“You lost!” I said but he looked at some random things by a store, ignoring me, which was unlikely since he doesn’t accept defeat. I looked at Jongup and he just shrugged.

“Kaja, just don’t mind him,” he said patting me on the shoulder, giving me an assuring smile. I watched Daehyun as he just go from store to store. He’s weird, so weird.

In the end, we bought a new headphone for him since according to Jongup and well, Daehyun, his headphones are already worn out. We then decided to take a break at a café. I sat beside Jongup while Daehyun sat across us, like how we were when we met at the work place of Jongup.

We just ordered three drinks for us, mine is coffee latte, while the both of them bought an Americano. Daehyun was oddly quiet. Well, he’s always quiet but when we’re together, we usually bicker or something which is unlikely.

“Thank you for helping us. Youngjae and Zelo are already fixing the place and we’ll just wait until Himchan hyung calls us and we’re ready to go,” Jongup said then sipped on his coffee. I nodded. It was quiet after. I kept on looking at Daehyun since he was so quiet.

“Yah,” I said, looking at Daehyun but he just ignored me. Why is he suddenly like this? I thought of some reasons while staring at him. Don’t think that I like him or something because that is far from possible.

“Alright then, you said that,” his words replayed in my mind until I got what it meant. So he’s playing deaf on me but not on others? We’ll see about that.

“Yah,” I said again but he just ignored me. “Yah,” I said poking him this time on the shoulder but he pretended to be busy with his phone. “Yah, yah, yah, yah, yah, yah, yah,” I said continuously poking him on the shoulder. I heard Jongup laughing beside me but even though, Daehyun was just as stubborn as ever.

“Yah, yah,” I said again but his phone rang. I know it’ll be rude so I stopped while he talked over the phone. His eyes widened before he put his phone down and turn to us. It startled me since his look felt different. I felt tension building so I looked back and forth from Jongup to him wondering what happened.

“What?” Jongup asked.

“They’re back,” Daehyun said making me puzzled.

“Who’s back?” I asked.

“Sht,” Daehyun hissed. He was looking far behind us when he said it so I looked back but saw no one but passerby.

“Let’s go,” Jongup said standing up making me look at them both as Daehyun also stood up after him.

“Wait. What’s happening?” I asked but they seemed to hear nothing. “Anyone care to tell me what exactly is happening?” I asked but Jongup just took my hand and before I knew it, we were already running until we reached the restroom of the café. It was for both genders and it was only for one person but now, we’re trying to fit ourselves in it.

“Wear this,” Jongup handed me a mask almost the same as his. I stared at it before looking at him.

“Why would I do that?” I said crossing my arms over my chest. I can’t just follow them until I know what’s happening.

“It’s not time to be stubborn, ok? If you want to see your precious boyfriend, you would follow us,” Daehyun said, finally breaking his silence. It left me dazed as I stared at them. Before I know it, Jongup already put the mask over my mouth. Seconds later, a cap was worn over my head.

“Can someone first tell me what’s happening?” I asked.

“We’ll tell you later but for now, we need to get you out of here,” Jongup said. I turned to Daehyun hoping he’ll tell me something but no, of course he didn’t.

We then left the café and we looked like creepers walking past by people. Both Daehyun and Jongup pulled their hoods up. We were walking to I don’t know where. One thing is for sure. This is not good.

Daehyun’s POV

I was playing the ‘Deaf’ game with Hyomi when my phone rang.

“Hyung,” I said as I answered the call. It was Himchan hyung.

“They’ve found us. You should be careful. Let’s meet at the hang-out place in a few minutes,” he said and before I could say anything else, he ended the phone call.

Jongup asked me what it was and it only took me three words to let him know what’s happening. Not far from us, behind a wall, I found a guy with a cap and sunglasses, chewing a gum in a disgusting way. He smirked before spitting the gum into a trashcan nearby.

“Sht,” I said. We’re so in trouble.

We left Hyomi puzzled and confused as we led her to the hang-out place after disguising. I can’t bring her home because her aunt, uncle, and cousin might get involve. I don’t know what we’ll do after meeting later but one thing is sure, we need to hide quickly.

In a few minutes, after making sure we’ve lost the thugs, we took a cab going to our hang-out place and reached it in twenty minutes. When we got there, we already found all four of them, Himchan hyung walking back and forth, Yongguk hyung on the couch thinking so deep, Youngjae by the table writing down stuff most likely about our escape plan, and Zelo packing some things we would probably need.

“You’re here!” Himchan hyung shouted as soon as he saw us. “But Hyomi,” Himchan hyung said upon seeing Hyomi. “What, how, why are you here?!” Himchan hyung freaked out. I looked at Yongguk hyung and he just sighed before standing up.

“We have no time. She’s already here so we have to take her too,” Yongguk hyung said making us all turn to him.

“Ok. May I now know what the heck is happening?!” Hyomi asked after taking the mask off, obviously freaking out.

“We need to leave now before they find us. I’ve already found a place,” Youngjae said standing from his seat.

“We’ll explain everything later but for now, just trust us,” Jongup assured Hyomi and the weird feeling is back again as Jongup gave her a smile and Hyomi sigh, nodding.

“Let’s go,” I said and everyone nodded as we got the things we would bring that was already packed, with us.

We first checked if anyone’s around before finally walking out our hiding place. A hyper metallic Hyundai Grand Starex was already waiting for us. If you’re wondering how we got it, we’ll explain it, later. We all got in the van, Yongguk hyung taking the driver’s seat while Himchan hyung taking the passenger’s seat. I sat at the seat opposite the seat behind Yongguk hyung while Youngjae sat opposite the seat behind Himchan hyung. Jongup, Zelo, and Hyomi sat at the back seats.

“We’re heading to,” we looked at Youngjae, “Gwangju,” he said.

“BWOH?! That’s like the other end of South Korea!” Hyomi said. “Ok. Wait. Just bring me home,” Hyomi said about to stand up but was pulled down by Zelo.

“Noona, adwae,” Zelo almost pleaded.

“Sorry but I can’t just leave without telling my aunt and uncle, especially my cousin,” she said standing up.

“We’ll take care of him,” Youngjae said.

“No, you don’t know what you’re saying,” Hyomi said shaking her head frantically.

“Yes, we do. We couldn’t possibly not know him,” Youngjae said leaving me confused.

“Wait, what?” Hyomi asked.

“Just listen to us,” Himchan hyung said.

“You’ve met her cousin?!” Jongup asked.

“We all met him, you don’t know?” Zelo smirked. I’m left dumbfounded as I just sigh and look around the van. Whatever they’re saying that they did meet him or whatsoever, it’s either they’re lying or just teasing us. But honestly, I suddenly got curious. If I ask Hyomi, she’ll probably not tell me. I also don’t have plans on talking to her. We’re playing a game, remember? I won’t lose, never in years I would.

The ride was quiet except for the song playing to ease the nervousness building. I turned to my side and found Youngjae sleeping. I looked at Himchan hyung and he was just looking out the window. I looked at the three sitting at the back. Zelo was already sleeping with his head on Hyomi’s shoulder while Hyomi, who’s also sleeping has her head on Jongup’s shoulder. Jongup was fully awake, obviously tensed with the fact that Hyomi had her head on his shoulder. He was staring at her as if she’s the most amazing thing that happened to his life. I shook my head and turned in front.

I unconsciously held my chest, where I felt my heart beating in an unknown pattern, for me. I don’t know why it’s like this and I don’t also want to say that it’s because of Hyomi because it’ll make me look insane. I hate her, right? I even don’t have the slightest liking towards her. I hate her, dislike her, with all my heart.

“Why does it sound lies?” I muttered but quickly bit my lip. I looked around and everyone who's awake seemed not to hear what I said. I sigh in relief. This will be a long ride.

Hyomi’s POV

I woke up feeling a weight above my head and on my left shoulder. I’m sure it’s Jongup since he’s the one sitting at my right and Zelo to my left. I slowly moved so that I wouldn’t wake them up but Jongup still squirmed making me hold my breath. Luckily, he just adjusted on his seat. I sighed in relief. Zelo was still leaning on me. I peeked to see his face and smiled. He looks cute sleeping like this, especially that he’s not wearing any mask. I would love to have him as my dongsaeng.

In the midst of me staring at Zelo, admiring his cute looks, another weight fell on my right. I slightly chuckled knowing its Jongup. I then helped them to get in a much more comfortable position and smiled to myself.

“Oh, you’re awake,” I looked up and saw Yongguk oppa looking from the rear mirror. It’s just now that I noticed that everyone was sleeping except for me and Yongguk oppa.

“Ah, yeah,” I slightly smiled. I still can’t forget the fact that I’m dragged here. “Uhm,” I said wondering how I could ask him in a not rude way as much as possible.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he slightly smiled, “Sorry for dragging you with us. It’s just that it’s much safer that way,” he replied.

“What do you mean? Are we in danger?” I asked slightly freaking. There was silence for a while before Yongguk oppa nodded. “I can’t understand. How are we in danger? Did you like get in trouble?” I asked.

“You can say that. It’s been years. We didn’t know they would still find us after those years,” he replied sending shivers down my spine. I’m now feeling scared all of a sudden. I didn’t know they would be that kind of people. I mean, I knew them as warm-hearted people, those who couldn’t hurt anyone though they might look like that at first look for others.

“Can you, like, tell me? If it’s ok. It’s just that I’m clueless why I’m supposed to be here,” I replied. He nodded while smiling.

He then started telling me their past leaving me in a state of shock. I didn’t know they’ve been running away from thugs, gangsters, mafias, or whatever they are called. Knowing one of them is so young, even younger than me, makes me so sad. They themselves are also young. Having the oldest only in senior year, I can’t seem to process everything that fast, or at least, believe all his words.

“That’s why you wore those masks and dyed your hair blonde?” I asked after he told their story. He nodded. “I still can’t believe,” I said looking down.

“I know. I too can’t believe we got in to this situation in such a young age. I can’t do anything for them than to make sure they won’t get in danger,” he said and I could feel how he cares for the other five. I sighed, looking down, not able to say a thing. I want to get mad but I can’t afford to. “We’re sorry that you got yourselves involved. I’ll not let anyone hurt you or anyone of you, I promise. It's safer that you are with us since they also might get your family involved,” he smiled. His smile felt so warm and to mention that it made me feel assured. I just slowly nodded. I want to make him feel at least a little unburdened since I know how much he’s already going through.

The sun is about to set so we’re probably on the road for some hours already since we left around two in evening. I sighed. I hope we all get home safe. I don’t want anyone to be harmed or anything though I’m not sure how harmful those people are. I’m just sure that we’re in danger.

HI! Sorry for the slow updates. I'll try to update one more chapter today to hopefully make it up to you guys. Please forgive me and don't leave me! 

THANK YOU! :)