~𝟮𝟳~

Throughout the day, I made sure I wasn't near windows, afraid of what I might see. I mainly stayed in the training area, striking up conversation with the boys while they worked out. It kept my mind off of everything. Hyunjin had told me not to touch any of the equipment. He wanted me to rest my arms, which I was quite thankful for. The missions weren't doing my muscles any good. A few times he came in to check on me, usually finding me near one of the other boys. Near dinner, he came to check on me again. I was talking to Lee Know while he did pull-ups. Just as Lee Know finished, Hyunjin got to us, clearing his throat. The two boys glared at each other before Hyunjin turned to me.

"Dinner should be ready in about an hour, if you want to take a shower before then."

"Thanks. That might not be such a bad idea."

He turned to leave, but shot Lee Know a look before going. I caught Lee Know rolling his eyes. It was strange to me. They didn't seem to have a reason to fight. And they were definitely more passive than usual, their only form of communication the glares exchanged.

"Lee Know?"

He hummed in response.

"What happened between you two? I mean, you two have been acting strange around each other ever since that little spats the other day. Did something happen?"

He sighed and turned to me.

"We just-"

"They're both so stubborn, it is almost impossible for either of them to admit that they are wrong. So, it usually takes weeks or months to sort out when it could take minutes."

"Sure, Changbin. Go ahead. Give away all our secrets."

"Oh, come on, Hyung. She's only trying to help. Besides, this way, she finds out beforehand."

Changbin winked at me as he leaned against Lee Know. I smiled at the two boys.

"Anyway, if you two will excuse me, I want to take a shower before dinner."

I turned and walked out, but Changbin quickly caught up to me, keeping my pace.

"Was there something you wanted to tell me?" I asked, slowing to a stop.

"Actually yes. I saw a letter in the evidence locker, but it wasn't marked. I was wondering if it had anything to do with how you acted earlier?"

I took in a breath. I'd have to tell everyone if I told him. Otherwise he'd be worried.

"Could you gather the boys? If I'm going to tell you, I want to tell the rest as well."

His eyebrows rose slightly, but he nodded. While he was busy with that, I tried to get my story straight. Without noticing, I had moved closer to the window in the kitchen. I almost got a heart attack when something hit the glass right next to where my head was. I snapped my gaze towards the direction I thought it came from, but nothing was there. The treeline looked so peaceful and serene. It made me angry. I pressed my forehead against the glass when something caught my eye. A piece of paper attached to a rock. It sat idly on the windowsill, taunting me. I moved to the little window attached to the larger one I was standing in front of and opened it to reach out and grab the letter.

Just as my fingers brushed against the rock the letter was attached to, a twig snapped in the distance, making me retract my hand and snap my gaze up again. I saw a person running towards the treeline. I pulled my hand back inside through the window and took off towards the front door, almost running into Seungmin as I did. I gave him a quick sorry before sprinting off again, practically throwing the door open. I took off through the grass, running as fast as I could. I was about five meters behind the guy when he ran into the treeline. I tried to follow him, but he disappeared in the trees. I cursed rather loudly and swung my hand to punch a tree. Something caught my fist and I looked up to find Seungmin staring at me with the most confused look on his face. I dropped my hand and leaned against a tree, dropping my head back.

"What the hell just happened?" Seungmin asked, breathless.

"I just lost my only lead."

When I looked at him again, he looked even more confused. I shook my head and started heading out of the forest. I walked to the windowsill and scooped up the rock with the letter, ripping off the letter and chucking the rock past Seungmin's head. I opened the letter and shivered as I read it.

If you tell them anything, we'll know. So, don't, or...

I clenched my fist again. I felt a gentle hand on my shoulder and remembered Seungmin was still with me. I turned to him.

"Come on. I need to tell you all something."

...

I got back inside, walking past all the boys up to my room. Changbin wanted to ask what was going on, but I held up my hand to stop him. I searched my drawers for a pen and paper. On my way back downstairs, I scribbled a message down, putting it on the coffee table for all the boys to read.

Search the clothes you're wearing for any listening devices. Then follow me outside. I'll explain later.

I walked outside, my eyes scanning the woods. Nothing. I walked around to the back of the house and stood in the centre of the sandy clearing I had trained in with Chan. The sun had started setting, casting beams of light through the trees. If I wasn't on edge about every little sound, I might have enjoyed it. I started scanning the woods again, and I almost attacked when I heard a twig snap behind me. I spun around to find the boys coming towards me. They all looked confused. When they got to me, I let out a breath.

"Is there any way someone can get a listening device out here?" I whispered.

"No, not out here. We have a signal blocker surrounding the house. They won't be able to hear anything." I nodded at Chan before continuing.

"Okay good."

"Ava, is there something going on? You've been acting on edge ever since the hospital visit," Felix asked.

"Someone is sending me messages. Threats. And they can get to me wherever I am. I found two on the mission at the warehouse but didn't think anything of it. Then I got one at the hospital, and another one here. At the house. The last one told me not to tell anyone about the letters, but I just couldn't not tell you all. I mean, one of you would find out eventually."

The boys stayed quiet after I spoke. It was so quiet; I could hear all the little critters rustling in the underbrush around us. I was just starting to get worried when Lee Know spoke.

"Do you still have the letters? Can we see them?"

I nodded, handing him the one I found on the windowsill. Somehow, Hyunjin had the one from the evidence lockers, handing it to him as well. Lee Know looked at him, furrowing his brows and sending him a glare before reading the letters out loud. I shivered as he read them, making Seungmin, who was next to me, gently put a hand on my shoulder.

"The other two got lost in the mission. But they were all from the same person. I'm sure of it. And... I think I know who it is."

The eight pairs of eyes on me went wide. I took a breath before clearing my throat and speaking again.

"I think... I think it's my commander. And... I think the prisoner that escaped is working with him."

The boys all shared a look. Chan took the letters from Lee Know, putting them both into the little evidence bag the first one came from. He opened his mouth to speak when the snap of a twig echoed out through the forest, making us all turn towards the sound. Seungmin took my shoulders and moved me in behind him, scanning the forest. The sun had set, so it was inky black outside aside from the full moon above us. My throat felt dry. I tried to get my eyes to focus on the treeline, but it was too dark. My head pounded at the same pace that my heart did.

I almost jumped out of my skin when I felt something brush against my hand. I looked down to find a hand gently brushing against my fingers. It wrapped around my fingers and gently squeezed. I felt it gently tug me back, moving me in behind Lee Know. His skin was soft against mine. I looked up at his side profile but could hardly see anything. I could just barely make out the bridge of his nose and his eyelashes. A rustle travelled through the open spaces, sending a jolt down my spine. I gripped onto Lee Know's hand.

"You can't get out of this. Just come out before we start shooting," I heard Chan say, sending goose bumps over my skin at the dominance in his voice. Playtime was over.

There was no answer, just more rustling and twigs snapping. Lee Know pushed me back more, but still kept his grip on my hand. My eyes were still basically blind, but I could only just make out a figure moving out of the treeline and standing in the grass. Just then, something grabbed my shoulders, yanking me back; and effectively ripping my hand from Lee Knows grasp.