Jake and Sunghoon were walking side by side out of the classroom when they saw Heeseung rushing past, as if avoiding something.
"Where are you off to, bro?" asked Jake.
"The usual, just running an errand," replied Heeseung quickly.
"Probably got a job on, I reckon," teased Sunghoon with a mischievous smile.
"Please be quiet, my devilish friends," replied Heeseung as he walked away, leaving them behind.
His heart was pounding wildly. The message he'd just received from 'Unknown' threatened to expose his dark secret—his habit of going to hotels—if he didn't turn up alone at the specified location. Heeseung didn't dare tell Jake or Sunghoon. The threat was too great.
With hurried steps, he left the school grounds and headed for the requested meeting place: an old, abandoned building on the outskirts of town.
As soon as he arrived, Heeseung suddenly froze.
"Wait… Isn't this the warehouse where the police found Jungwon's body?"
The eerie silence and the derelict building sent a shiver down his spine. He hadn't encountered a single soul since turning onto the road leading to this place.
"I-I've been set up…" he muttered fearfully.
ZRRRTTTT!
His body jerked instantly. The Red Cloak emerged from the shadows and immediately tasered him.
*****
In a dark room, the Man in Black sat relaxed, playing with his mobile and munching on a snack. The sound of movement made him turn his head.
"Ah, you're awake, are you?" he said casually.
Before him, Heeseung sat tied to a wooden chair, his head drooping weakly. He slowly lifted his face, still trying to regain his senses.
"W-who are you?" he asked, staring at the robed figure with laboured breaths.
"I'm Unknown. Forgotten? Didn't we agree to meet up earlier?" replied the Man in Black.
"We agreed to meet up, not to be kidnapped," Heeseung retorted sharply.
"Sorry about that. But if I hadn't forced you, you'd have run off," replied Unknown as he stood up, twirling a pocket knife in his hand.
"You know, don't you, that I'm seeking revenge for Jeongin's death. I won't stop until everyone involved has paid for their actions," he said seriously.
"I get it, but that's none of my business!" Heeseung protested.
"None of your business? I found your bracelet at the crime scene, in this house! You were careless, Heeseung." The knife was now pressed against Heeseung's throat.
"I-I just happened to be here by accident! That night I was coming back from the hotel and passed by here. I saw Jake and Sunghoon inside the house. I went over to them, and suddenly I saw Jake stab Jeongin! He managed to sit up, but was immediately smothered with a pillow. Sunghoon saw me and forced me to help with what they were doing. I don't know how they found out about my secret, but I was threatened…" Heeseung stammered.
"My cousin left a clue pointing to Jake. That's why at first I was just threatening him. But it turns out the three of you were involved!" shouted Unknown, his emotions erupting.
"Sunghoon never killed anyone! He was just dealing with the evidence, and I didn't kill your cousin either!" defended Heeseung.
"But you're still part of it. The three of you are the ones who caused my cousin's death."
The knife began to slice into Heeseung's skin, slowly but painfully.
"You'll pay for all of this..."
"A-aaaaakh!! Stop!! I'm sorry!!" screamed Heeseung, his body thrashing, but the ropes binding him left him no room to move.
"Sorry? Will those words bring my cousin back to life?" hissed Unknown.
The slashing continued. The room was filled with the sound of stifled breathing, muffled screams, and the smell of fresh blood.
"A life for a life, right?"
Heeseung was now barely conscious. His eyes began to close, his body going limp.
"L-let me go…" he whispered weakly.
"Let you go? You're not dead yet." A faint smile played across Unknown's face. "You'll stay here until you've bled out, then I'll throw you into the fireplace and my job will be done."