Trust Fall
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    Sehun tossed and turned in his sleep the following night. The words he had exchanged with Min continuing to repeat themselves in his head over and over again. For some reason they stuck to him like glue and it triggered something in his memory that brought an unsettling feeling to him.   "Sehun? Sweetie?" And the voice he feared hearing the most echoed once again in his mind. The lustrous voice making his blood curdle as a result. "Have you been thinking about me while you've been away?" He furrowed his brows as he sat up and watched the woman who was now standing at the foot of his bed.   "Leave me alone," He warned lowly, menacingly, his heart beating rapidly against his chest as he watched the mocking smirk that constantly haunted him appear on her face, dripping with cynicism. She was highly aware of the power she still had over him, because he was the one who gave it to her.   She wore her favorite white nightdress, which fell loosely against her curves and stopped at her thighs. (She called it her favorite because she enjoyed relishing in the way Sehun looked at her with it on. She was always so meticulous. So calculating about her decisions when they concerned him. And he always fell for it time and time again.) The neckline was dangerously low and exposed most of her neck, collar and chest. Her dark brown hair fell in long curls below her shoulders and her large eyes gleamed the grayest shade of blue. He hated it. Hated the way they bore into his and how he still melted under them. Hated how he still thought she was beautiful even then. But that was her game. That's how she lured him. She feigned innocence and used her beauty as a weapon.    She placed her knee over the front edge of his bed, the taut and milky skin of her thigh purposefully exposed for his eyes to center on. Because she knew so well that his favorite part of a woman were the thighs. "Don't be so mean, Hunnie," She cooed in that seemingly innocent tone that was meant to tempt and torture him, and he hated the way he could hear her so clearly. How her voice and her words could still affect him in such a powerfully nauseating way even after all this time. He watched her pose a pout. "You'll make me sad."    "I don't give a ," He hissed angrily and he saw the way her gaze changed, a slight flicker of dark mirth in them. She still wore a condescending smile and it only further fueled his hatred towards her. He hated this woman.   "You used to give me more than just one ," She sounded almost amused. Slowly but surely, she moved forward, crawling onto his bed towards him — the same way she always used to — and made sure to get right up close to his ear before whispering, "If I recall correctly, we also shared more than a few. Daddy would be so proud." She moved away, only slightly, and looked at him with a wide grin. Her eyes showcased triumph and she basked in the vulnerability she found in his darkening orbs. Despite his aggressions and despite the way he was able to deny her, she still had power over him. She knew this and so did he.   Sehun shook in anger, his body trembling, his eyes watering at her words. He hated that he was still flooded with thoughts about her. How he swore he could still feel the warmth from her body over him. How he could practically smell the scent of her and the heat of her breath on him. He hated her. No. It was so much more. He loathed and despised her with the fiber of his very being. This woman, to him, was a demon sent straight from hell to curse him. And he fell for her trap. Oh so many times.   He tried to grasp for something in his thoughts. Something to hold on to. Something to make him sane. To keep him from losing himself to his fear, his hatred, his anger, to her. He had no intention of repeating his past mistakes. And that's when he found something to hold on to. The thoughts of Min still resonated within him, like an anchor keeping him from drifting off further into the darkest corners of his own mind. He found her there. Looking at him. Gazing at him mysteriously, trapped in her own fear. Broken just like him. Searching for something, for anyone, the same way he was.   Thinking of Min reminded him that what he was currently experiencing wasn't real. She couldn't be there because he was sleeping in his bed at The Falls. He was in a place where Min existed and she didn't.   "Sehun!"   Sehun's eyes snapped open at the sound of his voice being called out and when he looked to his side he noticed the time read seven 0'clock in the morning. Groaning, he straightened up and looked over to find Henry, the one who had woken him up, looking over at Sehun with a raised brow.   "You okay?"   Sehun cleared his throat and nodded, avoiding his gaze, before controlling his expression and looking back at him. "Never better." He would go back to what it was he was always good at.   "Alright. Well, then go shower. We have to meet with the rest of the group at the rock climbing wall."   Sehun sighed and as he did happened to look over to where Lay was getting dressed. it didn't take a genius to notice that he had been waking up and getting ready earlier than usual. In fact, you could even say he was more aware of how he looked before he left the cabin. Obviously, the reason was Min and that alone did something to make Sehun's blood boil because the idea of Lay and Min being around one another did something to annoy him.   The worst part was that he had no idea why.   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    "Today, we'll be doing the Trust Fall exercise," Gyuri announced, her long blonde hair picked up in a ponytail as she wore her usual outdoor attire.    With a slew of heavy showers the night before, the morning after welcomed the cool dampness of the mountains. The mid-October air was still fresh, the scent of musk and dew evident in the light breeze that carried it. Droplets of water fell from the reddening leaves and the grass was soaked in patches. The group wore their rain gear, which consisted of thick straight-leg jeans, layers of sweaters, a rain jacket and hiking boots with grip on the soles that allowed them to tread through if it rained.   "Crap," Amber mumbled, catching Min's attention.   It was nine in the morning when the group had gathered at the picnic tables nearest their cabins the way they usually did. Min was  sitting in between Lay and Amber on the wooden benches with their legs tucked beneath the table while Henry, Sehun and Suzy sat across from them with the backs facing them as they sat looking straight ahead at Jiyong and Gyuri who were standing on the grass in front of them.   "Trust Fall?" She asked, raising a brow and looking over to Jiyong who stood at the head of the group beside Gyuri.   "It's an exercise in which you fall back and your fellow group mates catch you," He explained, recalling that this would be Min's first time doing the exercise, which had always been used to help build strong, dependable bonds between the group members. Even he had done it back in his time while he was a student. To be honest, he hated the exercise.   Suzy scoffed, murmuring an "Or not" loud enough for Min to hear and send her a scowl.   Amber rolled her eyes beside the small girl, annoyed that Suzy never made any effort to change her bratty behavior. The only way she didn't have as much of a problem with Amber was because she wasn't girlish in any sense of the word, but mainly because she wasn't vying for Lay and Sehun's affections. Not that Min was either. If anything, it was noticeable how it was the exact opposite. The two males were the ones vying for her attention, and she was absolutely certain that's what had Suzy in such a fowl mood since Min arrived.   "They'll catch you. Always," Gyuri looked over at Suzy with narrowed eyes — also having caught onto what she said — before slowly turning her attention back towards Min, "The point is that you trust others enough to know that they'll be there for you."   "You've been here for three months," Jiyong said, "And though I don't really expect for you to have build trust so fast, I'm hoping you might show me something surprising."   She was starting to feel anxious again. She didn't like the idea of a trust fall exercise. And it wasn't the fear of falling and not being caught that made her anxious. No, it was the fear of being caught. Of being held. Of being touched. She had only just gotten used to Lay's touch not too long ago and even then he was always careful with her. Unless Min ever initiated a hug or a hold of his hand, he never did.    Jiyong immediately sensed her concern and assured her, "Don't worry though, Min. We're going to do some rock climbing first, do the treetop course and then make our way to the exercise."   After Jiyong was done explaining the instructions, the kids were finally dismissed to get ready for the rock and tree climbing exercises.    "You alright?" Lay asked as he came to walk beside Min who was clearly nervous.   "Define, alright?" Min asked in a hushed tone, earning an encouraging smile from the boy beside her.    "Breathing."   "Well then barely." She let out a little laugh as he nudged her playfully with his shoulder.   "You'll be fine. And even if no one catches you, know that I will."   Min eyed him affectionately, finding no betrayal in his eyes. Lay was always sincere with her. "I know you will."   Min and Lay came to stop upon seeing the rest of the group stop ahead of them. They had reached the rock wall and Min stood agape, gawking at the large structure in front of her. She had done the indoor rock climbing wall before, but certainly this one seemed a lot more intimidating since it was outside and the pegs seemed as though they were spread farther apart. Min had only been rock climbing for real, once in her life. She didn't necessarily have a fear of heights but she felt as though she had certainly developed one after.   "This a required part of your training," Jiyong began to explain. "This won't be the first time we do this. If there is ever an emergency you all will need to know how to climb and repel off the side of a mountain. But first, baby steps must be taken. This rock wall is specifically designed to help you adapt before the end of the year assessment when we have you all test your skills. Until then we will teach you about what equipment you should always have on you, how they work, how to prepare a safety harness and properly secure a rope. Understood?" Everyone nodded, including Min. "Alright, let's start that. Henry, want to go first?"   "Hell yes."   "Get it, Henry!" Amber yelled encouragingly as the boy took his place at the base of the rock wall and started up.   Herny made it up in no time. He was soon followed by Amber, Suzy and Lay. Then it was time for Sehun.   Min eyed him attentively. He had taken off his jacket and now only had his dark grey sweater on.   You don't know . Even when there's a good man by their side, a woman will always be unfaithful. For whatever reason his words kept repeating in her mind over and over again. She found it ironic since it was something she could easily say about men.   Sehun was someone who was difficult to read. It was unnerving. Especially since she could tell she was becoming more invested in finding out about him. She wanted to know the reasoning behind his words, discover the person he was before he became the way he now was.   Was he like her?   Did he live a normal life, feeling as if nothing could go wrong for them?   Was he also a victim to fate's cruelty? To the world's cruelty? To Life's cruelty?   Was he longing to be saved the same way she was?    The day before, after their heated exchange, it was Sehun who turned his back and walked out on Min. His eyes showed such disdain and Min felt a little saddened by it. But why should she feel any guilt? She did nothing wrong. She stood up for herself and told him what it was he needed to hear. She feared having him around her. Sehun was dangerous. Those hazel-green eyes were dangerous. And she was in danger being around him. She knew. She was aware. She recognized it. And yet something longed for him and the way he kissed her previously.   "Good job, Sehun!' Gyuri cheered, snapping Min out of her thoughts as she looked back at him, repelling backward after completing the rock wall.   "You did great, Hunnie," She could scoff at the sight of Suzy flinging her arms around his neck to give him a congratulatory hug.   Feeling someone looking at him, still in Suzy's embrace, Sehun turned to look at Min. She quickly turned away upon being caught and he couldn't help but frown in her direction. What was this feeling of longing he was suddenly feeling? And why her?   "Min," Min looked over at Gyuri. "You're up."   Taking a deep breath, Min approached Jiyong, who helped get her in her harness after he made sure to ask for her permission. Min was still in a sensitive state and he had already gotten an idea of some of her fears. He needed to make sure Min was okay with certain actions that he did. "Have you done this before?" He asked lowly as he helped get her hooked on to the line attached to the rock wall.    "Yeah," She nodded, still cautious around Jiyong, but slowly becoming more trusting of him. "It was an indoor rock climbing gym."   Jiyong smiled and then helped place her helmet on her. "Then you should have no problem. There's no rush so just take it slow." She nodded as she strapped on the helmet and then slipped on the gloves.   "You got this, Min!" Amber encouraged to which Min responded with a smile before starting up.   She had been to the rock climbing gym several times, but again this one was different. This rock wall was effected by the elements. The pegs were cold, and not to mention slippery from the due of the mid-morning rain showers. She wasn't used to this at all.   Sehun watched intently as Min got off to a good start at the beginning but soon began struggling near the middle.    Just like how she had suspected, the pegs really were spread farther apart. Probably since this was meant more for experts rather than beginner level like her. It didn't help that she was short. That only made things even more difficult.   . Min inwardly hissed as she lost her footing and slipped. Luckily she kept her grip on the pegs she was holding and recovered herself.   "Slow and steady." Jiyong reminded her and she took a deep breath.   That's right. She was in no rush. There was no need to look down. No need to think about anything else. Her mind was clear, her focus was now on completing the challenge successfully.   "You're doing great, Min!" She heard Lay call out, and that was enough to help calm her nerves down completely. Regaining momentum, and finally getting a better understanding on how to maneuver, Min eventually made it up all  the way and rang the bell that signified she was done.   "Awesome!" Jiyong complimented proudly. "Come back down, Min!"   Remembering what she learned in the gym, Min repelled down the wall and landed safely on the leaf-covered ground below. She was immediately caught in Amber's embrace. "Wow. You did awesome. The only other person who was able to complete the wall on their first try was Sehun."   "R-really? I thought you were all pros at this." At least that's what it seemed like. That's what motivated her to do well. The fact that she didn't want to embarrass herself in front of everyone because she thought they were all expert climbers. They all made it seem so easy.   "Yeah, now. After months of practice," Henry assured with his usual smile. "Not even Lay could do it."   "Nope," Lay confirmed with a shake of his head. "Heights messed with my mind. Now I can do it just fine though but back then I was a mess." He looked at Min and smiled, reaching out to pat her helmet. "You did good, kid."   "Thanks."   After getting the okay from Jiyong to take off her gear, Min turned around only to find someone eyeing her without waver. His hazel-green eyes, which had brightened a golden-amber in the daylight, enchanted her like never before and Min almost felt herself crumble underneath the intensity of his gaze. Why had she suddenly found herself unable to look away from him?   "Need help?" It was Lay who spoke to her again, obstructing her view as he came into her field of vision.    "Sure," She smiled as she recovered herself. Hoping that she hadn't made it obvious that she had been shamelessly staring at someone else.   She took off her gloves as he began undoing the chin strap of her helmet. She could feel the coolness of his fingers against the skin of her chin as he gently caressed it. She shivered under his touch. Her heart gave a gentle thud as her eyes locked with his, while he removed the helmet off her.   "How is that possible?" He asked, eyeing her in amusement.   "What?" Min felt self-conscious and began patting down the area his eyes had stopped at. "Is something wrong?'   He laughed and then a strand of hair out of her face. "Even with helmet hair you look cute."   Min blushed and looked down to avoid his gaze. Lay laughed and then helped brush her choppy fringe back into place with his fingers. Meeting his eyes again, Min really couldn't get over how beautiful Lay was.    "Let's go to the Treetop Course," Lay and Min snapped their attention over at Jiyong who called out for the group to follow him a little deeper into the woods.    Lay smiled and then went on ahead, leaving Min behind to catch a glimpse of the man who still watched her from afar. Sehun kept his eyes set on her for the entire time she and Lay were together. He couldn't ignore the painstakingly obvious feeling of annoyance he felt. He was unable to tear himself away from her, even the sight of her smiling so easily with someone else hurt. Quickly recovering, Sehun turned away and began toward the group.   Her eyes saddened. She didn't understand herself anymore. What was up with these contradicting emotions she was suddenly feeling and why couldn't they just go away?   - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -    The treetop course went smoothly. Min actually enjoyed it... a lot. It was like a cool obstacle course, but elevated just a few feet above the ground. It was scary at first, a little nerve wracking when she saw the unfamiliar structure so high up in the trees, but upon getting into the course, she couldn't help but find it fun.   "Looks like you enjoyed it," Jiyong said with a smile when Min descended down the ladder.   "It was fun," She admitted brightly. "Can we do it again?"   He laughed. "Maybe some other time. Today we have to get through the trust fall." Min sighed. She was not looking forward to it at all and Jiyong noticed this."It'll be fine," He tried to reassure her. "I promise." Just as Min nodded, Jiyong's phone began to ring in his back pocket. "Excuse me just a minute. Gyuri, set them up."   "Sure." Clapping her hands together, Gyuri garnered everyone's attention as she climbed up the 4 foot tall wooden staircase. Min looked at it with concern. She had never once considered a staircase to be intimidating, but where they really expecting her to fall backwards from this? It was almost bigger than her. "So once Jiyong comes back we will begin with the exercise. By this time I expect you all to be at least a little more trusting. The only exception to this should be Min, but I would at least hope she tries. Is that right, Min?" Min nodded softly. "Do you need me to go over anything? Do you know how this works?"   "Yeah. I have a pretty good idea."   "Alright. Amber, you're up first."   "What? Me? First? Really? Please, no." Amber protested in a panic as she was called, looking over at Gyuri with bulging eyes.   "Haha! You got picked to go first," Henry laughed loudly besides Amber, earning a glare and a slap from the pixie-haired blonde beside him.   "Henry, you'll be next," Gyuri assured, making his jaw drop before narrowing his eyes at a now very amused Amber.   "Hey, guys! Change of plans..." Jiyong announced as he came back with concerned look on his face.   "Oh, how about that. No trust fall exercise today." Amber started ironically, visibly relieved that she didn't have to do the damn thing first. "And I was so looking forward to it. Min you got lucky."   "Yeah..." Henry rolled his eyes and mumbled, "Min got lucky."   "Shut up, Henry," Amber rebuked with a slap to his chest.   "What's wrong, Ji?" Gyuri asked as she pulled him away from the kids while they continued to talk amongst themselves about not having to do the trust fall.   "We have an emergency," Jiyong admitted as he looked over at the kids who were now playfully teasing Henry.   "What is it? What happened?" She asked in concern as soon as they were out of earshot from the kids.   "Sonya's daughter, Ashley, went missing somewhere along the northern side of the mountain."   "What?" Gyuri's eyes widened. "When was it?"   He looked back at Gyuri and reflected her expression with his own, "Some time this morning."   Sonya and Ashley were residents of the neighboring town. A hardworking and single mother after her late husband's passing, Sonya was also the owner of a nearby diner located about 3 miles away from the school that Jiyong, Gyuri and the other staff members frequented upon occasion. It was also one of the few places the kids were allowed to go to once they had authorization from Jiyong.   "Jiyong it's already noon," Gyuri noted worriedly. "The temperature is going to drop soon and the wind is going to pick up. Not to mention the rain."   "I know," Jiyong was more than aware. He knew how ruthless the mountains can be especially in the middle of Autumn. "The elements are against us and the time frame is getting smaller. If we don't find her, there's a huge chance she won't make it to morning out there."   Gyuri nodded in agreement. "We should start looking soon then."   "Alright." Jiyong looked over his shoulder again and back at the kids. "Let's get them on it too."   "You sure?"   "We need all the help we can get," He assured the blonde. "The more people looking, the higher the chances are of finding her."   Gyuri nodded in agreement and then followed Jiyong who approached the group of teenagers who were no waiting in attention by the trust fall steps.    "Alright, everyone," Jiyong began after clearing his throat. "We're going to head back to the cabins so we can grab our gear."   "Is something wrong?" Min asked, noticing the look of worry on the two councilors' faces.   "We'll bring you up to speed on the walk back over to the school grounds," Jiyong replied. "For now let's just get our things together and start the walk over."   After making their way back to the school grounds, Gyuri and Jiyong gathered the Cliffhangers around one of the wooden picnic tables in the lawn area after having them pack some extra gear in their bags before they went off in their search parties,   "Everyone take what Gyuri is passing around and put it memory," Jiyong announced as he stood in front of the group, holding up what it was that Gyuri had been passing out to them. "This is a recent picture of Ashley." They were able to have Sonya send them a recent picture of her daughter so that the could photocopy it for everyone. "She's only nine years old. She was wearing a bright pink bubble jacket, so you guys can't miss her. Our goal is to try and find her before night fall. We have a limited amount of daylight so we need to make the most out of it and try to find her as soon as we can." They would be joining up with some of the locals who had volunteered to help as well as the local police and fire-rescue department. It was a tight-knit community, so everyone wanted to do their best to help. Especially since despite them knowing the last place she'd been at, they still had to take precaution since a lot could happen on the mountains. Especially ones that were surrounded by woodland areas like the ones they were on. "Check everywhere you can. Every crack and crevice. Don't leave any area un-searched. If you find her, make sure to call us via your walkie and then send out a signal flare." The group had been provided walkie-talkies, flare guns, grappling gear, and a first aid-kit in case of any type of emergency scenario. "We'll go and meet up with the rest of the searchers and divide you guys up in pairs. We need to cover as much ground as possible so the more people we have spread out, the better.   Being closer to the area Ashley had disappeared from, the group made their way there on foot, to eventually meet up with the rescue searchers that had rushed out to help.   "Jiyong, Gyuri, it's good to see you to. I'm sorry I called you during school hours" Min watched as a tall Native-American man, clad in a khaki and brown policed uniform greeted upon meeting with the two councilors at a clearing on the other side of the mountain that could be reached by car. She had learned from Amber that it was a place that a lot of locals frequented to go on  walks or have picnics and small gatherings with family and friends. "I see you brought some of your kids to help."   "It's not problem, Chief Durham," Jiyong greeted as he extended his hand to shake the other's. "This is our group," He announced as he motioned over his shoulder towards the six teenagers. "They're an older age range and some of them have the most experience out of the others when it comes to treading these mountains."   "Well that's exactly what we need." The Chief of Police smiled confidently at them, before he leaned forward to initiated them all in a handshake as well. After finishing the greetings, he noticed a petite framed girl as well as a taller boy he hadn't seen before. "I see you have some new faces since I last passed by the school."   "Yes, sir," Jiyong confirmed with a nod. "You never got to meet Sehun and Min. Sehun has already been with us for about seven and a half months while Min just joined us about four months back."   Min blinked, amazed at the fact that he had even been able to noticed. She usually just blended right with the backdrop. It had then just occurred to her that Sehun was still new too. Probably not in comparison to her, but definitely to everyone else. He hadn't even been here as long as Lay.   "Nice to meet you two," He nodded his head in a greeting as Min and Sehun di