LXXV

Springfield

 

“I don’t like this.” You said for what seemed like the twentieth time since you and the hunters had descended into this prison like underground maze. It was dark, dusty, the air was chilling, and the feeling you got from the place told you to turn back immediately.

You were ignored as the seven hunters in front of you continued forward. You mumbled under your breath about how typical it was of them to not pay attention to common reasoning. Instead, they were too focused on finding the necklace. However, after nearing the hour mark of looking around down here, the amount of stairways, twists and turns, and completely degraded rooms innumerous, you couldn’t help but think this was a worthless journey.

Still, Zico and them searched every room, looked down every stairway, and canvased every corner they happened to pass by. You were simply glad he hadn’t told everyone to split up. That was your greatest fear of this place. Plus, from the TV shows you watched, splitting up was never a good idea.

A hand grabbed your wrist and you jumped in surprise. When you looked up, you found P.O. leading you forward. You let out a sigh of relief. “Don’t get lost.” He murmured to you as he dragged you to walk faster in order to catch up with the other hunters. You slipped from his grasp and he stopped immediately, turning back to you with confused eyes, “What’s wrong?” He asked, urgency in his voice.

You shook your head innocently and instead slipped your hand into his, gripping onto it, “Nothing.” You answered back.

He growled at you and playfully pretended he was going to flick your forehead, a favorite action of him, U-Kwon, and B-Bomb to do to you lately. “Making me worry,” He grumbled before turning around and pulling your hand in his own.

Suddenly, Zico stopped. P.O. and you arrived on the scene a few moments later. “This room is odd.” He commented as he kicked up a few loose rocks on the ground.

“What makes you say that?” You asked him out loud despite you thinking you had only asked it inside of your head.

“The other rooms all looked like they hadn’t been touched. This one is different.” Zico answered vaguely.

“As though someone has been here recently. Considering there was a lock on the door, unless there’s a back way into this place we don’t know about, someone has been here even before we entered.” Taeil calmly stated.

“The mayor?” U-Kwon made a guess. Kyung and Zico seemed convinced and started looking around the room for anything at all that screamed suspicious.

P.O. tugged on your hand, “Watch out, the ground here is weak,” he murmured as he lead you around and searched the room. You watched him lift up a piece of old paper and check to see what it had on it. It was a drawing of some kind that he quickly discarded. U-Kwon was searching a closet in the corner. The reason it was there? You had no idea. Still, he was ripping through the things inside; mostly dusted over magazines, pictures, and some grey clothing.

You glanced to the side and saw B-Bomb and Taeil standing in the middle of the room. B-Bomb kept on looking around as though he felt something strange.

“What is it?” Taeil asked B-Bomb. Though it was a whisper, you heard it easily.

“We need to leave this room. Now.” He suddenly said loudly. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked towards him, waiting for an explanation. “There’s something here. Something watching us.”

Zico closed his eyes and focused for a moment before he opened them again, “He’s right.” Zico moved forward towards the other side of the room where there was a steel door hanging open. It lead further into the unknown and was exactly opposite the door you all had entered through. P.O drew you to walk closer to him as all of you left the room.

That’s when everything went wrong. First, you felt something. A sudden chill ran down your spine as a murderous intent made itself known to you. You swerved around, out of P.O’s grip, and looked around where you were now. You and the other hunters were suspended what seemed like five or six floors up on a metal walkway. Above you you saw blue light shining through the ceiling of this underground prison. That and something hanging from one of the beams, casting a shadow downwards onto your position.

You squinted your eyes, trying to get a better look at what it was. You backed away from your current position in an effort to look at it at a different angle. Still, its identity escaped you. You had no idea what it was. It did not look like just another part of the ceiling’s support. You were made sure of that thought as it suddenly slid off of the beam it was resting on and came sailing downward.

Your eyes widened and you quickly backed up while yelling, “Everybody move!” Your message was well understood as the hunters split into two groups; each group backing up onto either side of the metal walkway. P.O., U-Kwon, and Jaehyo had ended up with you on the side nearer the room you were just in while Zico, Kyung, B-Bomb and Taeil ended up on the other side.

The figure you had seen landed smack dab in the middle of the walkway. It was a person. A person in old, musty, dark clothing torn at the ends. Its back was turned to you, making you unable to see the figure’s face. Yet you didn’t want to. Something inside you was screaming its guts out in fear.

Almost immediately, Zico issued an order into your direction, “Retreat now!” You didn’t hesitate, despite still not knowing who this person was, and pivoted before running back into the room you were in previously. When you entered, you expected to hear the rest of them running behind you. Instead, all you heard was Zico’s commanding voice, “Close it now!”

You whipped around and blinked blankly from the center of the room as you saw P.O, U-Kwon, and Jaehyo lugging the steel door closed. You ran for it, stumbling over your own two feet due to your confusion, “Wait!” You screamed as you reached the door too late. It was shut and you heard something scrap against the door, a lock being closed. You banged onto the door with all of your might. “The door closed! Hey!” You heard murmured yells and movement on the other side of the thick steel door.

You bit your lip, not understanding for a moment. Then it hit you. Zico’s words ‘Retreat now’ were not directed at the hunters but at you. They meant ‘Run now. Get out of here.’

You banged on the door harder, “Dammit Zico!” You cursed your heart out as you continued to beat upon the door. “I won’t do it. I won’t leave you all here. Screw you, you heartless men.” You murmured as you pivoted, giving up on the door. Instead, you ran out of the room. You would find a way to them. You had to.

 

 

 

You reached the last step on the stairway you were descending down and stooped low, catching your breath. You had been running around this place for a good twenty minutes you figured. You had last heard any sign of the hunters around ten minutes ago when you heard a yell that sounded like Zico issuing another one of his damn orders.

You gathered yourself together and continued forward. Soon, there were no longer rooms everywhere as there were near the entrance. Now, there were long hallways leading into big, open spaces that had more hallways branching off of them. You looked around the wide space and found nothing that caught you attention in the least. You decided to keep on going forward and started walking to the other hallway across from where you entered.

Then, you heard something from your left, down a corridor. You quickly crouched down by the wall and held your breath. You listened as the sound got closer and you soon recognized it. It was footsteps. Not just one person but maybe two or three.

They got closer and closer and your heartbeat rapidly sped up. You had no idea what to do. Run away? To where? Fight head on? But did you even know what you were going up against?

The closeness of the enemy made your decision for you. You weaved out of your hiding position and with your knife in hand, went charging to what was around the corner.

Your eyes widened at what you saw. Immediately, you backpedaled and ended up falling backwards. Your mouth was agape as you felt two arms wrap around you.

“We were so worried.”

A familiar voice invaded your eardrums. You remained still as you tried to process the situation at this moment. Why were you so startled? Well that was because the person who now held you tight to their chest was Sungjong. Your surprise allowed him to hold you tight to him without getting reprimanded immediately. However, you were able to come back to your senses soon enough. You pushed him away from you and skidded backwards, “What are you doing here?”

You saw feet next to Sungjong’s head and looked up, finding Sungyeol looking down at you. Your jaw dropped. Sungjong didn’t bother with your question and instead got nearer, lifting up your arm and checking your hand. He even titled your face to the side to inspect you but that got him a light push from you as you glared at him.

He backed away, not expecting such hostility. “I asked what you were doing here.” You emphasized each of your words. The two of them glanced at each other before looking back towards you, still not saying a word, “You know it’s dangerous here. The hunters could be anywhere around here. Why in the world are you here?”

Sungyeol scoffed, “Right, it’s dangerous for us supernatural werewolves but not for you right?”

It stung a bit that he caught you in your bluff. Still, you were angry the two of them showed up here. It was not only dangerous for them to be around the hunters but that thing that attacked earlier could get to them. You didn’t want anyone to get hurt. “Just go back alright?” You turned to leave them and continue looking for the hunters when someone grabbed your arm. It was Sungjong and he had a fierce expression on his face.

“Where do you think you’re going? You don’t really think we came in here just to annoy you, do you? Better yet, you’re probably thinking you don’t want us to get hurt. But we don’t want to see you get hurt either Hyunjoo. That’s why we came down here when we realized you were here. We care about you just as much as I hope you care about us right now.” Sungjong blurted to you. He tightened his grip on your arm and frowned, “I do hope you still care about us.”

You softened at his words. Who told him he could be so cunning? You removed his hand from your arm and took a tight hold of his hand, “Of course I care about you guys, you idiot.” His frown turned into a smile as he embraced you into another hug. You massaged his back as he held you, “But I can’t stay put here.” He pulled away immediately and looked at you with confused eyes, “I came here for a reason. Why else would I put myself into danger? Because I like the thrill?”

Sungyeol laughed behind Sungjong, “I wouldn’t be surprised.” You broke away from Sungjong and gave Sungyeol a dirty look to which he simply laughed at.

“If you guys won’t leave me alone, you’ll just have to join me.” You said with a smile.

Both of them had confusion hidden behind their smiles. Before you could question it, Sungjong spoke first, “What exactly are you doing here?”

You blinked at them, “You don’t know what this place is?”

Sungyeol shook his head no, “Why would we? I’ve never even heard of a place like this existing before.”

“Sunggyu didn’t bring you here before?” You asked.

“Well he did just now, but like we said, it was because we smelt you down here.” Sungjong explained.

“So he’s here then?”

Sungjong glumly shook his head. Sungyeol patted the younger one’s back and sighed, “We were following your scent when the metal walkway underneath us collapsed. It took Sunggyu, Dongwoo, and Hoya down with it.”

Your heart almost sunk to the floor. Your ears started to ring and you could feel the tears swelling in your eyes. Sungjong noticed your surprise and quickly grabbed onto your shoulders, “They’re fine. They called out to us afterward telling us so. They told us to find a way to get back together.” He saw your wet eyes and reached up with the hem of his sleeve and wiped them, “I didn’t know you were so prone to crying. You really are a girl.” You punched his chest with force. He smiled through his cringing lips, finding you to be stronger than he thought.

You began to process Sungyeol’s words however only now. Sunggyu, Dongwoo, and Hoya fell down due to the collapse of the walkway. But that left two werewolves unaccounted for. Sungyeol continued explaining after noticing your confusion, “We were traveling with Woohyun and Myungsoo earlier but when we entered a room, a huge wall slid between us, separating us from each other. That’s why only the two of us are here now, wandering around.”

Sungjong nodded, “This place has a mind of its own.” You understood their words and calmed down. You wiped your eyes and took a deep breath. Crying now wouldn’t solve anything. You couldn’t help but wonder why you had been crying lately. Why the waterworks all of a sudden when you had rarely cracked before?

“Now it’s your turn to explain again why you’re down here.” Sungjong said with a glare. Your last explanation had been largely lacking in the ‘explain’ department.

You decide you might as well tell them since it doesn’t look like you were going anywhere nor could you run from them in this underground labyrinth of a jail, “I’m looking for the necklace.”

The two of them had shock all over their faces. Of course they didn’t think you had any inkling about it. Sungjong was the one who said what was written so vividly on their expressions, “You know about it?”

You nodded, “Not only do I know about it, I know what it can do.”

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A/N:

Not daunting at all? Well that's great then. I'm happy I'm making you all anticipate each chapter as time goes by~

Also, the story will not end soon. Don't worry my lovelies. More questions and more answers remain to be found out. To all of you racking your brains for who the mystery wolf is, keeping thinking! Soon, it will be revealed!

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Thank you!
lilyemc
Happy Springfield's 2nd Anniversary!

Comments

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MayhemMinutes
#1
It’s been years, but this still hits different
exokexomkai
#2
Chapter 2: i just love the flow of the story
exokexomkai
#3
Chapter 1: came back to reread after 4 years. it feels like just yesterday i finishes it. im just so happy to be back on AFF.
cheonchoni
#4
Came back bcs I forgot to upvote hehe. Your stories are really special compared to others bcs of your writing style
cheonchoni
#5
Chapter 104: Girls are always more attracted to mysterious boys aren't they lol
cheonchoni
#6
Chapter 82: Please be friends and attack that mayor. I don't think I can handle more betrayel. What kind of mess did she get herself into *sigh*
cheonchoni
#7
Chapter 80: That's why they want that necklace...
cheonchoni
#8
Chapter 78: AWWWWW NOOO she'll end up hurting one side either way
cheshire08
#9
After how many years, I'm back here again. Missed your writing style and stories, author-nim ?
KimHyeJoo #10
Chapter 128: I love this so much omg :’)))