The steady clip-clopping of the horses hooves thudded through Moonbyul’s aching head. She opened her eyes. The person sitting in front of her shifted slightly.

“You’re awake,” Soojin observed.

Byul her dry lips.  

“Where are we?”

“Heading to Neverland to seek asylum from Yongsun.”

Moonbyul shook her head and tried to piece together the events of that night. She remembered negotiating with Yongsun for the lives of Krystal, Amber, and Soojin. They had gone out of the castle and Byul went to the others to safety. But after that the memories were hazy.

“What happened?”

Although Byul couldn’t see Soojin’s face, she could feel her body tighten.

“I had to knock you out to get you away.”

“Get me away from what?” Byul asked, feeling a rising sense of dread.

Soojin sighed.

“It appeared that Yongsun ordered us all to be killed…including you.”

For some reason, that didn’t surprise Moonbyul. Yongsun always did what was necessary, and if Byul got in the way, she wouldn’t hesitate to mow her down too.

“Is everyone safe?”

“Krystal, Amber, and I were unharmed.”

But the way Soojin phrased that made Moonbyul’s skin prickle.

“Tell me the bad news.”

“Well,” and here Soojin twisted around to face her. “One of the Royal Guards tried to help us. He told the other guards to cease fire. That bought us a couple of seconds.”

“Who was he?”

Soojin’s eyes seemed to bore into Moonbyul’s soul.

“I think his name was Jimin.”

Moonbyul couldn’t breathe. It felt like a giant hand had slapped her and knocked all the wind from her body. Soojin looked at her with concern, one hand reaching down and covering Moonbyul’s hand.

“He’s not—he’s not dead, is he?”

But Soojin didn’t need to answer for Moonbyul to understand. She ground her teeth together and squeezed her eyes shut. Maybe if she squeezed hard enough, she’d be able to stop the tears. Jimin, her second in command, her right-hand man. Of course he’d sacrifice himself to save her life. Moonbyul raised her tear stained face and looked at the stars.

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” she whispered as she gave the sky a small salute.  

Overhead, the stars seemed to twinkle a bit brighter.

Byul hurriedly wiped her eyes and looked at the ground. Jungkook was still imprisoned in the dungeons. He’d be devastated to know his friend was gone. But Byul promised herself that whenever she got back, she’d at least save his life.

Ahead, Soyeon raised her hand. The company stopped, horses breathing heavily. Soyeon slowly drew her sword and Soojin did the same, while Minnie raised her bow.

“What is it, Soyeon?” Soojin called softly.

“I think there’re campfires about two hundred feet to the north. Miyeon, go investigate.”

“Roger!”