As I stand there, locked in a deadly standoff with Taesung, I can't shake the terrifying possibility that he might actually follow through on his threat. The lives of thousands hang in the balance, and the manic gleam in Taesung's eyes tells me he's far beyond the point of bluffing.
A desperate idea forms in my mind. Slowly, carefully, I shift my stance, using the movement to mask my hand slipping into my pocket. My fingers close around the cool glass of a syringe - a backup dose of the experimental injection that Seok-jin had insisted I take "just in case."
I know the risks. Another dose could kill me, or worse, turn me into something inhuman. But faced with Taesung's finger on that button, I realize I'm out of options.
"You're right, Taesung," I say, stalling for time. "Let's talk about this. Tell me more about your plan."
