"Fear is the greatest weapon a human can have, it's like a rock holding you down, stopping you from doing something you really want to do, though it is seen as a burden or useless emotion it's what stops us from ruining our own lives or someone else's. We don't understand that we need that burden-bearing rock to hold us down, otherwise we would surely perish." —Icychica_
Finally! Peace!
I laid on my bed, eyes closed and a wet towel on my forehead to help the painful headache I suffered from earlier. My mind was blank and I was able to escape all of my problems even if it was just for a moment.
That was until...
"Siyeon!" My mother's voice rung through the house, making me grunt in annoyance as I removed the towel and walked down the stairs to see what the problem was.
"Yes mom, what is—"
"Seol is here to see you." she interrupted moving aside and my eyes landed on Seol.
'Seol?!'
This was the last thing I needed right now.
I wanted to run back to my room, look the door and never come out, but it was too late, my mother already invited her in and I couldn't just send her away with my mother present; she would without a doubt ask me why I didn't want to see her and the last thing I wanted was to explain all of that to my mother.
We sat in the living room across from each other, I folded my arms as I gave her an intimidating glare and asked through gritted teeth, "What do you want?"
"I want to explain everything I did to you, it's okay if you don't forgive me afterwards but I still want to make things right between us."
I sighed. "Fine, explain yourself, I really want to hear what ridiculous story you come up with this time, but bare in mind whatever you say won't change anything."
"First of all, the bet was my idea, the others had nothing to do with it."
"Figures." I mumbled.
She cleared her throat. "Yes well, I didn't plan all of that to hurt you, that was never my intention. In fact, I did it all to help you."
Her words made me stand to my feet in an outrage. "Help me?! You did all of that to help me?! Look at me Seol, does it look like what you did helped me?! What did you think I'd thank you for making a fool out of me?! 'Yeah, yeah, thank you so much, you're the BEST!!' Did you think I'd say something like that?!"
"I'm sorry Siyeon, really I am... please before you get mad listen to me first."
I released a defeated sigh and sat back down folding my arms.
She inhaled deeply, preparing herself before she spoke. "Actually... we were all so worried about you, Joey and Sua wanted to help you date again but they didn't know how, so I thought that maybe if I could trick you into spending time with someone that you'd eventually... see not all guys are bad and that you still have a chance to find love. Which is why I saw the bet as the only way; you wouldn't have let him get close to you otherwise, but instead I created this mess and... ended up hurting my bestfriend."
I stood to my feet and slowly walked towards her, clenching my fists as I lunged at her. "You, you, you— I can't believe you— you crazy psychopathic jerk!"
"Now wait just a minute Siyeon, I know you're upset but violence is never the ans—"
I embraced her, cutting her words short; making her freeze under my touch as I pulled her closer, hugging her.
Her hands hung limply in the air as though she wasn't sure whether to return my hug or not.
"You are a psychopathic jerk but... you're my psychopathic jerk and..." I released her from my embrace. "...I must admit, it was pretty smart the way you came up with that."
In the end her intentions weren't meant to hurt me at all, she was just trying to save me from the vow of loneliness I sentenced myself to.
I stroked the bandage on her forehead. "I'm sorry I hit you. I should've remained calm and talked to you first."
"It's okay, I've had worst injuries than this." She smiled.
"But seriously, if you ever do something like this to me again, I won't let it slide, you were really going to let some random guy take me out?!"
"They weren't random, I had already chosen three boys I knew who weren't jerks and who would be really nice to you. I'm not that thoughtless, I would never have allowed some random guy to be alone with you, I didn't even expect you to like him as much as you did, I just wanted you to realize that dating isn't something you should fear."
"Well for what it's worth, it felt good being with someone, but that person... I can't trust him."
"You know Siyeon, about Baekhyun... he really does like you, the only thing he did wrong was accepting my offer, he's a really good guy who I'm sure won't hurt you at all, or allow you to get hurt for that matter."
"No, Seol, we had already met at the cafe, he was playing me from the very start, everything was an act nothing he did was sincere."
"The cafe?!" She gave me a look of confusion. "What cafe?! What are you talking about?!"
"That morning we met at the cafe... he was the one who spilled my coffee, if all he did was follow your instructions why would he try to manipulate me like that? Why would he try to trick me like that? If he was such a great person like you say he is, why would he lie about our meeting that day being a coincidence? Even when I gave him the chance to TELL THE TRUTH?!" I yelled, tears filled my eyes, my breathing heavy, my heart pounding in my chest as I began to feel the frustration and anger all over again; it was becoming hard for me to breathe.
Seol noticed my distress and helped me. "Siyeon, calm down, you're getting worked up again, you know you're not supposed to get worked up, otherwise you start hyperventilating." She then hurriedly emptied the contents of a brown paper bag onto the table, opened it and held it up to my nose and mouth. "Here, take a deep breath, in and out, in and out."
"I don't understand, why do I feel this way? I'm used to this, I'm use to being disappointed by guys I trusted, but why... why does my heart hurt so much because of him, when he's just another guy? I feel like I'm going insane, what is this I'm feeling?" I asked in between breaths as I began to calm down.
She removed the bag from my face. "Because you like him Siyeon, he's not just another guy to you, you're mad and in pain because you like him... I discussed the bet with him after first period that day so there was no way he knew you or knew anything about our bet when he spilled your coffee which means... "
"Which means... it was really a coincidence."
"Exactly."
She smiled at my reply and gently patted my head, running her fingers through my hair in a comforting manner.
'What have I done?'
"I need to see him, I need to apologize... I was so mean to him before, oh no, I'm so stupid, I'm an idiot. I even called him a bastard and compared him to Sin-jae, I shouldn't have done that..." I started to feel like crap the more I thought about how I treated and blamed him.
Seol cleared her throat. "I have his number if you want it."
"Yes I do."
I pulled my phone out immediately, ready to save his number when my phone rang and again, it was the same number. "He's calling me again, I can't believe you gave Baekhyun my number."
"Huh? What? I never gave him your number, why would I?"
"Then how did he get my number? Look, isn't this number his?" I asked showing her the vibrating phone in my hands.
"Yes it is, hmm... I wonder how he got your number? Meh, I don't think that matters, you should answer him."
I stood to my feet. "Right. I should." I swiped left to take the call with a smile on my face as Seol watched me excitedly.
"Hello?"
"So you finally decided to answer your phone."
The smile on my face soon disappeared and was replaced by confusion. "Hello? Excuse me, I'm sorry, isn't this Baekhyun's phone?"
"Baekhyun's? I guess you could say that, but... don't tell me you forgot my voice already sweetheart, it's me. Sin-jae."
At that moment, I felt my blood run cold as my body froze. "What are you talking about? Wh... wh... what are you saying? How did you get his phone? Did you do something to him?!"
"..."
"ANSWER ME YOU BASTARD!"
"Woah. Calm down baby, you should talk to me nicely, don't you think? I've been calling and calling you for the entire day and you never answered me, but now that I used his phone you can answer the call? Wow, I'm jealous, and who knows what I'll do... when I'm jealous."
"You. Don't hurt him! If you do I swear I'll—"
His amused laugh erupted from the other end, making me tighten my grip around the phone. "Or what? You'll kill me? You? That's cute. Whether or not I hurt him depends on you, we should catch up, come to the address I send, oh and Siyeon, you better come alone, I'm hanging up."
"Wait— Don't hang up! Hello?! Hello?! YAH!"
I collapsed onto my living room floor Seol coming to my side, I started trembling and I wanted to cry at the thought of Baekhyun being in danger because of me. But no matter what, I refused to let those tears spill from my eyes, I needed to remain calm and think of a way to save him.
'I'll be the one to protect you this time, Baekhyun.'
"Siyeon! Did you hear me? I asked you what's wrong? Who was that on the phone just now?"
"Seol, do you still have that really tiny camera?"'
"Do you mean the one that looks like a button? I do, but Siyeon, why—"
"I need to borrow it." I stood to my feet and checked my call history, I hadn't realized that the numbers calling me were different. "Thirty-six missed calls, that number has to be his and the one he used just now is Baekhyun's."
Did he really kidnap Baekhyun because I ignored his calls?
"Siyeon, what on earth are you mumbling about?"
"Seol, we need to get that camera right now, come on let's go to your place, we don't have much time." I grabbed a jacket and headed for the door. "Mom, I'm going to sleep at Seol's place!"
"Okay dear, have fun!" My mother yelled back from the kitchen.
"Siyeon, tell me what's going on, I will not start this car or give you that camera unless you answer me!"
I hesitated. "Don't react to what I'm about to tell you..."
"WHAT?! THAT FREAKING PSYCHOPATH! SON OF A BIT—"
I covered her mouth with my hand. "Shush, be quiet, I told you not to react, you're gonna wake the whole neighborhood and my mother will hear you."
"Don't react?! Siyeon, do you realize what you just told me?! How serious and dangerous this situation is?! You should call the cops, Baekhyun could be in real danger."
"So he can get away with hurting someone again? Like he did with me? I don't think so, this time I'll make sure he pays."
"And how are you going to do that?"
"I'm going to gather evidence with that camera of yours, he won't be able to escape so easily this time."
"Don't tell me you're actually going to meet with him alone? Are you crazy?! He could hurt you!"
"I know, but what choice do I have."
"I'm coming with you."
"Seol no, I don't want you to—"
"Get hurt? I would rather die before I let that bastard hurt you again, I wasn't there to protect you once, sure as hell isn't going to happen a second time."
"Fine, but you have to stay in the car."
"The hell I will! If he makes a move on you I'll come inside and kick his butt."
"Stay outside and watch from the camera, there's one more thing you need to do for me, the minute I go inside the building call the cops and tell them to come, this part is important, tell them to turn their sirens off, I'm sure if he hears them we'll both be... in danger."
"Okay, Siyeon, please be careful, did you already get the location?"
"Yes."
"Then I guess we better hurry."
...
"The human heart is like a flower pot, you never know what could bloom, you can give it all the love and warmth but what grows can still be evil, they may appear to be beautiful from afar but in reality they're... poisonous; and what is poisonous and evil must be pulled out." —Icychica_
❀❀❀❀❀
"I'm gonna ask you one more time, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Okay, the camera is working just fine, audio and visual are all set, more importantly it's not noticeable."
"Then... I guess we're ready to go."
They both stood a couple meters away from the abandoned building to make sure they weren't seen together.
It was finally time to end things and Siyeon was really nervous about what would meet her behind those doors, she hoped that after that day she'd be able to rid her life of Sin-jae once and for all.
She turned to face the building with a heavy hand on her chest as she took a deep breath.
"Siyeon?" Seol gently placed her hand on her back, that reminded Siyeon to remain strong, she wasn't alone, she didn't have to be fearful of the unknown.
With one final glance at her purple-haired friend, she walked towards the building.
...
Seol sat inside of the car watching her from an ipad just as they planned, when she saw Siyeon walk through the doors she waited thirty seconds before calling the police, giving them the specific instructions she prayed they followed.
It was all for Siyeon's sake after all.
...
The building was dimly lit by yellowish lights, that hung from the ceiling, there was a slight chill that came with the wind that blew onto Siyeon's skin, causing her to zip up the black hoodie she was wearing. It was quiet and not much to notice besides the broken boards and windows; the empty barrels that laid on the floor and the eery feeling that was shivering up her spine.
"Why did he have to choose the creepiest building." she mumbled as she walked deeper and deeper inside, hearing the creaking of old doors, that opened and shut with the wind.
Her eyes landed on a human figure sitting in a chair ahead of her and she walked closer to them unable to see who they were.
"Baekhyun!" she called out with worry as his face became clearer to her, she speed up her pace in order to reach him; thankfully she could see that he wasn't hurt or injured in any way.
"Siyeon?! Why did you come here?! Please leave!" His voice warned her in fear.
"So you came." Another voice echoed through the build making Siyeon stop dead in her tracts as Sin-jae stood in front of her, preventing her from going closer to Baekhyun.
"Let him go, I'm here now." Siyeon pleaded, looking Sin-jae in the eye. It took everything in her not to back away from him.
"Woah, not even a 'hi, how are you?' sweetheart? I'm starting to think you care about him more than you care about me." Sin-jae said to Siyeon, placing his hands into his pockets as he stared down at her.
Siyeon wanted to tell him that she could care less about how he was and that she wasn't his sweetheart or anything for that matter, but she kept those thoughts to herself and refrained from saying anything to provoke him and put Baekhyun in danger.
"I'm sorry, I just... I'm just so happy to see you that's all." she lied, even giving him her best smile.
He smiled back at her, titling his head to the side as he did. "Is that so." He touched her chin, running his thump over her bottom lip, a gesture that made Siyeon cringe and want to throw up, but she had to stomach it, if she wanted to make it out of there alive.
"Of course I do, how've you been? I got into college, what about you? Did you go to college?" she asked randomly, not sure of what to say.
She had to buy time and Siyeon knew that, it was going to be more difficult than she thought.
He smirked. "I graduated top of my class."
"That's great!" Siyeon awkwardly laughed, her voice sounding a lot more enthusiastic than she intended. "Um... why don't we go somewhere more comfortable and we can discuss—"
"You sound in a hurry to make me leave."
"No, I just—"
"Is it because of him, do you like him or something?"
"No, of course not! I just don't see why he has to be here."
"Really? Didn't sound that way over the phone, remember, when you threatened to kill me." He raised his eyebrow and stared at her smugly.
"It's not like that, he's just a friend nothing more."
"So he's not your boyfriend and you don't like him?"
She glanced at Baekhyun then back at Sin-jae. "No, so you can just let him go and we can keep this just between us, no reason for others to get involved."
"Okay, I believe you, but I'm afraid I can't do that."
Those words scared her and all she could ask was: "Why?" Siyeon tried so hard not to show her fear when she did.
"He embarrassed me that day remember and I didn't like the way he spoke to me either."
"That was my fault, he didn't know we knew each other, that's why he did that, I should've stopped him."
"That's right, you should have. But since you've been a good girl, I'll reward you, I'll tell you how you can prove just how much you missed me."
"How?"
Sin-jae walked closer to her, bringing his lips to her ear as he whispered, "By staying right here and watching as I kill him."
"No, Sin-jae wait a minute!" Siyeon grabbed onto his jacket sleeve, tears threatening to fall from her eyes as she begged him.
"You see that Siyeon," He looked down at her hand restraining his. "That tells me you have feelings for him, you think you could FOOL ME!!!" he shouted making Siyeon tremble. "If only you hadn't stopped me, I would've let him go, you see, now I just have to kill him, this is your fault, he's going to die because of you."
"Si... Si... Si... Sinjae... no, I... I... I'm... I'm sorry please don't..." she pleaded, tightening her grasp around his arm, he aggressively removed her hand.
"Hold her and make sure she watches!" Sin-jae yelled and suddenly six men appeared from the darkness, two of them grabbing her arms.
"What is this?! What are you doing?! This wasn't part of the agreement, you said we'd be alone!"
"You were the one who broke your promise first, you said you'd come alone."
"What?! What are you saying?! Don't tell me you—" The doors opened and in came another man holding onto Seol and bringing her to stand next to Siyeon.
Sin-jae smiled with arrogance when he saw Seol. "Well, well, well, if it isn't miss Kim Yoon Seol. I see you're still sticking your nose where it doesn't belong."
Seol laughed, running her tongue along the inside of her mouth as hearing her full name from his lips irritated her, she gave him a sarcastic smile. "Well if it isn't Sin-jae, I see you're still a psychotic son of a b*tch."
His smile immediately disappeared at her words, he walked over to her and punched her in the face; the sound making Siyeon's heart sink.
"Seol!"
"I'm fine Siyeon," She spat blood from her mouth as she brought her head up to look Sin-jae straight in the eye. "Good to see you haven't changed, they say if you change too quickly, you'll die and I need you alive so I can kill you myself, you bastard." Seol gave him a smile filled with so much hatred Siyeon believed Seol would actually kill him if given the chance.
Sin-jae released a hysterical laugh. "I'll deal with you later." He grabbed a steel rod and slowly stalked over to Baekhyun.
"Where are you going, get back here ,you coward!"
"Let her go, she has nothing to do with this."
"On the contrary Siyeon, she has everything to do with this, I still haven't forgiven her for keeping you from me. You should remain silent and be glad I'm letting her live..." He stood beside Baekhyun. "Now, watch what happens when you break your promises."
"No!" She struggled against the men who held her back as Sin-jae kicked Baekhyun to the floor before hitting him repeatedly with the metal pipe. "NO! STOP IT!"
"Siyeon... Siyeon... I'm okay..." Baekhyun's weak voice said to her as their eyes met. "don't worry about m..." He coughed up blood that stained his lips bright red making Siyeon's tears roll down her face.
"BAEKHYUN!"
"Siyeon, close your eyes, you shouldn't watch this." Seol whispered to her.
"What do I do Seol, he... he's going to die, and it's all my fault."
"No. He won't die, I promise just trust me and close your eyes okay?"
Siyeon nodded and did as she was told, letting her eyes close, her tears still rolling down her cheeks. She could hear Baekhyun's cries as they grew louder and the constant sound of metal connecting with skin and bone, she knew his bones had to be broken by then, but she didn't dare to open her eyes and look.
...
"You bastards!" Seol shouted as she grabbed the guy holding her back by the shirt and brought him over her shoulder, flipping him, she then held him in a choke hold for a couple seconds, knocking him out just as she was taught.
Seol's father was a former professional fighter, he taught her everything she knew from the early age of six, instilling in her the importance of learning to defend herself. She was a fast learner and picked up everything quickly, fighting had became second nature to her, even after her dad died; she still kept his teachings close to heart, using them to protect those she cared about, just like he wanted, but sometimes having taken after his bad temper, she'd end up getting into a lot of trouble, using her fists before her words.
At one point she was even a street fighter; however, Siyeon and the girls helped her give up that life style.
"Get your filthy hands off her!" she shouted as she gave an uppercut to one of the men holding Siyeon, the other one released Siyeon and grabbed Seol by the throat making her knee him in the stomach, before giving him a spin kick to the face.
Seol noticed that Baekhyun's eyes had closed, there was a pool of blood beneath him, she knew she had to be quicker, he needed medical attention immediately.
"Three down. Four to go." she mumbled cracking her knuckles taking on a boxing stance as the other three came to attack her. "Siyeon, find a safe place to hide while I save Baekhyun." bobbing and weaving, Seol knelt down, reached into her boot and took out her folded baton that was disguised as part of her custom made boots —the baton was an arm's length when unfolded.
"What are you waiting for, get her!" Sin-jae's aggrevated voice ordered them.
She noticed their eyes move from her to Siyeon as they prepared to obey orders. "Hey, all eyes on me!'' She attacked them unfolding the baton, taking them on one by one. She hit two of them on the knees carefully watching her back, hitting them again on the thighs and shins, she wanted to disable, not kill them; she hit them on the head, careful not to severely injury them.
One came to attack her, he secured her hands behind her back as the other tried to hit her with a piece of wood, she used her feet to kick him before he could, Seol brought her head back with enough force to hit the one behind her in the forehead, setting herself free.
"Get lost! Argh!" Seol delivered the finally blow, finishing them off as she breathed heavily turning her attention to Sin-jae. "Finally, it's just me and you." She got a running start and gave him a jump kick, knocking him over, she sat on top of him as he struggled beneath her; Seol wrapped her fingers around his neck strangling him. "I said I'd kill you, bastard." She tightened her grip.
Seol's mind went blank, she couldn't feel or hear anything, it was as though her anger had completely taken control, awakening that dark part of her she had tried so hard to put to rest and all she wanted was to end Sin-jae's life. The chains had broken.
"Seol! Don't!"
The moment she heard Siyeon's voice, her worried voice, it brought her back. Out of the darkness, out of the oblivion stopping her from doing something she'd forever regret. Siyeon's voice held that much power over Seol. The broken chains were mending, she slowly regained consciousness. Seol turned her head around to look at Siyeon, her grip on Sin-jae's throat loosening.
While Seol was distracted, Sin-jae reached for a near by rock, hitting her on the head with it and pushed her off him. The hit made Seol's vision blur temporarily, fresh red liquid trickled down her face. While she was on the floor Sin-jae punched her in the face before kicking her repeatedly in the stomach.
"Leave her alone!" Siyeon yelled, stabbing Sin-jae in the thigh with a pocket knife that Seol made her bring for protection, he groaned in pain and pushed her hard to the ground, slapping her in anger, he grabbed her by the hair and was about to slap her again.
"Focus on me you freaking coward!" Seol grunted, grabbing Sin-jae by his legs preventing him from injuring Siyeon further.
"Why do you always get in my way?!" he yelled angrily, as he kicked Seol again, she winced with every kick; though Seol was the one being beaten, her worried eyes never left Siyeon.
...
"Seol... I have to rescue her... I have to... save them..." Siyeon's breathing became hitched until it was hard for her to breathe. "No... not... now... not yet... no..." she was hyperventilating, she collapsed onto the cold wet pavement, her eyes shifting from Seol to Baekhyun, a stray tear rolling down her face as she reached her hand out mumbling before losing consciousness. "I'm sorry..."
...
Siyeon's eyes had closed; Seol knew what that meant, she had to do something. "Siyeon passed out... I know you... hate me... but don't you care about... what happens to... her?" she managed to choke out making Sin-jae pause his actions, turning his attention away from her to Siyeon for a split second, she took that second, she quickly grabbed her baton stood to her feet and with one swift motion, hit him on the back of the head with it, knocking him out cold, giving him one last kick for extra measure.
Seol dropped the weapon, hearing the metal clinking as it landed on the floor, her body aching all over as she limped towards Siyeon and sat next to her.
She laid her flat on her back and made sure she was breathing, she wasn't, she then lifted her legs above heart level —to aid blood flow to the brain— Seol unzipped Siyeon's hoodie and started CPR; she had learned to do this for this very purpose, to save Siyeon, who had developed the panic attacks after the traumatic incident with Sin-jae.
She checked again to see if she was breathing before administrating CPR again, she checked again and again, until she felt Siyeon's breath tickle her cheek and she sighed in relief.
She heard the sound of multiple cars arriving on the compound and knew they were safe, Seol decided to check Baekhyun as well, his face was covered in sweat and bruises, his clothes were stained with blood, she felt sorry seeing her friend like that, thankfully he was breathing and she was glad that he was. "Hold on guys, it won't be much longer... just wait." she mumbled as the police and medical assistance stormed the building.
...