"Whether we're alive or dead doesn't matter. What matter is to survive.” - The Archduke

In 1900, Manhattan’s avant-garde society was plagued with denials and fears. One after another of their sons and daughters, husbands and wives, went missing after their habitual grand soirees. Each Sunday mornings would be filled with grief and exasperation. Once missed, never to be seen again. The Mayor was silent. The police deputy was in vain. The people were hopeless. But the newly-established bloodline in town, the Gregory, was curving their lips.
 

 The bright light of the mansion’s chandelier illuminated a peer of young women; the debutantes. Exquisite materials had been used to make their over-flowing ball gowns, which were now crumpled as they fervently sat next to each other on the velvety davenport.

Gossiping, he ascertained. His ears twitched a little, focusing to listen to the women's whispers of scandalous words.

“Do you think …,” the woman in the middle started, her gloved hands clasped, “There’ll be another victim tonight?”

The woman in the dark, green dress besides her was fidgeting her black lace gloves when she muttered, breaking the silence, “It was scary just to think of it.”

“I hope not. I miss my friend already!” Another replied.

The girl who stood spoke, “But who could’ve kidnapped all of the–”

“Kidnapped? It must’ve been murder!”

A lot of replies came from the starter’s sides and soon they were out of control, talking like there’s no tomorrow. It might be.


He curved a smirk while observing them from a safe distance, his back slumped on one of the grand marble pillars outside of the Somerset's mansion. From his place, the group of gossips were right in front, covered with the main dance floor and the main verandah. The young ladies didn't seem to notice he was there, though.

A tip of a wine glass was put neatly on his lips before he gulped down the red liquid in one take. The night had gotten more interesting. His back straightened up when he was ready to take what's his. The way he put down the glass on a silver platter made the old butler shivered.



The starter opened again and successfully tuned down others opinions, “Have you seen the Gregory? It’s a wonder no one had suspected them. Ever since they came here, the horrendous missing cases began.”


When no one replied, she continued, “Some said that screams were heard inside their ground floor. They were also very distant compared to us. Something was very strange about them, I know it, I just couldn’t figure what.”

“I – I never thought about it,” muttered a girl in the corner when everyone remained silent.

After a while a brunette broke in, “But, why would they murder a lot of people?”

But before anyone could voice their answers, assumptions, or judgments, he stepped in to cut the chatter. It had crossed the line.

All eyes were set on his feature; the feeling of being inspected was overwhelming. Standing in front of the ladies, he laid out his palm to the blonde in the middle, who was now speechless compared to one minute ago.


“Would you like to dance, miss?” His ears caught faint gasps coming from others lips. But he didn’t mind them. Tonight, he had found the star.

The gloved hand of hers took his form of offer rather hesitantly. Her hand slightly stopped before it fully grasped his. Then he clutched it tightly enough to show his sincerity. A slight shiver ran down her skins and landed on his, he couldn’t help but smirk as he turned around.

When he led her into the center of the room, the back of his mind knew she had sold her trust to him.

“May I know your name?” he asked when their hands interlocked. He placed his other palm on her waist and was surprised by its size. So little it reminded him of someone back home.

He knew she was uncomfortable dancing with him; her pulses were growing unsteady by second.

“Sunny Somerset,” her eyes averted his. Guilt and fear washed her face; she must’ve wished that he didn’t know she was just talking about some ugly things. But a wish was a wish.

His hand let her go when she had to twirl liked the rest of the couples in the ballroom floor. The end of her peach gown swept the mosaic floor of her own residence. This, he was sure, tomorrow would become a grave place.

By the time he gripped her waist again, he spoke softly, “Mine is Jae. Jae Gregory.”

Some warnings about this story:


Death, blood, and some gore stuffs will be depicted in some chapters.

The story is set in an AU historical period. The idols’ names will be slightly changed to fit the settings in the stories.

The main characters are Jaejoong and Krystal. The rest stated above are slightly major.

Some references:


Abomination - a thing that causes disgust or hatred.

Atrocity - an extremely wicked or cruel act.

Debutante – an upper-class young woman making her first appearance in fashionable society.

Jae – Jaejoong

Max - Changmin

Han - Luhan

Ana - Yoona

Joo - Seo Joohyun, Seohyun