Episode 28 – The Night the Stars Went Out
The evening air in Jeju felt softer than Seoul's sharp city wind. The team wandered through a coastal night market, lanterns bobbing above stalls selling roasted chestnuts, sweet tangerine wine, and skewers sizzling on coals.
For a moment, it felt like they were just young people, laughing together, not a team dancing in shadows.
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Guen brushed hair behind her ear as Kevin handed her a grilled rice cake. "Still can't believe you like sweet food," she teased.
"I don't," he deadpanned. "But you do."
She blinked, smile catching. "Kevin Kang, buying food for someone else? I should frame this moment."
"Don't push your luck," he murmured, but his eyes were warm — soft in a way only she ever saw.
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A few steps away, Dohee sipped warm citrus tea, breath fogging lightly. Alex stole the cup, tasting it.
"You could've asked," she said, exasperated.
"Why," he shot back, "when stealing annoys you more?"
She narrowed her eyes — but laughter danced behind them. "One day," she warned, "I'll steal something from you."
Alex's grin wavered, gaze catching hers. "Too late," he said, voice quieter than the breeze.
Dohee froze, heart skipping — but before she could ask, Minjae's voice cut in.
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Minjae draped an arm around Miran's shoulders, far too casually. "Walk with me, chemical girl."
"I'm fine here," she stammered, eyes darting around.
"Didn't ask," he murmured, steering her toward the darker end of the market where lantern light faded.
She stiffened, heart thudding. "Please, Minjae… not here."
His grip gentled, surprising her. "Relax. Just wanted you away from crowds."
"Why?" she whispered.
His gaze flickered, mouth tightening. "Don't ask what you don't want to know."
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They regrouped at the villa's gate, breath white in the cool air.
"Should we do a night walk to the beach?" Guen suggested. "The stars are crazy clear tonight."
Miran hesitated, but Dohee took her hand. "Come on. Just a short walk."
Kevin nodded. "Stay together," he warned, voice low.
They set off: seven shadows under the moon, laughter slowly fading to quiet talk.
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The beach lay empty, waves shivering silver under starlight.
Miran trailed at the back, heart uneasy. Guen laughed at something Kevin whispered, and Dohee nudged Alex's arm when he teased her about her "night walk excitement."
But at the treeline, Miran froze.
A figure. Half‑hidden behind black pine trunks. Watching.
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She turned quickly to call out — but the figure vanished, swallowed by shadows.
"Miran?" Minjae's voice was close, sharper now. "What's wrong?"
"N‑nothing," she whispered, forcing a smile. "Thought I saw…"
His gaze narrowed, eyes scanning the dark. "Don't lie to me," he rasped, stepping closer.
"Minjae—" she began, but Kevin called them forward, and Minjae let her go — though his jaw stayed clenched.
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They sat on driftwood, sea breeze tugging hair and words alike.
"Feels unreal," Dohee murmured. "Like we're not in danger for once."
Alex's smile wavered. "We always are," he said softly.
"Don't ruin it," she chided, but her hand brushed his, warmth passing between them.
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Guen hugged her knees, sand cool under her bare feet. Kevin sat beside her, arms on his knees.
"You okay?" he asked, voice low.
She nodded, eyes on the tide. "When you're quiet, it scares me more than your anger."
Kevin looked at her, words unsaid burning behind dark eyes. "Guen—"
"Not now," she cut in, gentle. "Just… stay."
He stayed.
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Suddenly:
Rustling in the treeline.
They turned — but saw only swaying branches.
"Probably an animal," Alex guessed, though his voice sounded wrong. Too forced.
But the air felt heavier. Charged.
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Back at the villa, laughter loosened the tightness in their chests.
"Tomorrow's the last free day," Dohee announced. "We should swim again!"
Miran blushed. "I'll pass," she murmured, remembering Minjae's teasing.
"Scared of me?" he taunted, stepping closer.
She flinched. "No," she lied, eyes dropping.
His smirk slipped. For a heartbeat, something almost regretful flickered across his face.
But he only said, "Good night, chemical girl."
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Midnight:
Miran woke, throat dry. She slipped from bed to fetch water.
The hallway lay quiet, shadows pooling in corners. Wind brushed curtains, the sea murmured beyond stone walls.
Then — a floorboard creaked behind her.
She turned. Nothing.
Her breath caught, heart pounding.
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A sharp scent.
Cloth pressed over her mouth.
Hands clamped around her arms. Struggle — darkness — falling.
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Elsewhere in the villa:
Dohee, half‑asleep, heard soft tapping. "Miran?" she called, opening her door.
Pain exploded at the back of her head. She collapsed, vision spinning.
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Guen, hair damp from a late shower, stepped into the hall. "What's going—"
A masked man lunged, rough cloth covering her mouth. Her kick caught the wall, but the world dimmed.
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Minutes later:
Three girls, limp, dragged into a waiting van. The killer wore a cracked white mask, breath harsh.
He checked each pulse, eyes glinting madly.
"Pretty flowers," he rasped to himself. "Petals for my garden."
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At the villa:
Alex left his room, rubbing tired eyes. "Dohee?" he called softly.
No answer.
He knocked. Door swung open — empty.
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Kevin heard Alex calling and stepped out, voice clipped. "What?"
"Dohee's gone," Alex said, panic rising.
"Guen's door's open too," Kevin realized, chest tightening.
Minjae appeared behind them, shirt half‑buttoned, eyes instantly turning cold, dangerous. "Miran?" he demanded.
No reply.
He tore down the hall, banged into Miran's room — empty. Curtains fluttered.
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For one heartbeat, silence.
Then Kevin's voice, low and deadly: "They've been taken."
Alex's breath shuddered. "Where? How?"
Minjae's knuckles cracked, eyes burning. "Doesn't matter. We find them."
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Outside:
Tire tracks led from the drive, fresh in moonlit gravel.
Kevin knelt, fingers brushing the marks. "Van. North road," he said. "Fifteen minutes ahead."
"We'll catch them," Minjae snarled. "Or I'll bury him myself."
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In the van:
Miran's eyes fluttered open first. Ropes bit into her wrists; the floor smelled of rust and salt.
Beside her, Guen stirred, bruised at the temple. Dohee groaned, blinking blearily.
Fear surged — but Miran forced her voice steady.
"We're together," she whispered. "Don't panic."
The killer drove, humming tunelessly. The girls exchanged terrified glances.
"Where… is he taking us?" Dohee breathed, voice shaking.
"Somewhere quiet," Guen guessed grimly, eyeing the crates around them.
Miran swallowed hard. Somewhere no one can hear us scream.
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Back on the road:
Alex's hands clenched the dashboard, knuckles white. "Faster," he snapped.
Kevin's eyes stayed fixed on the road, jaw locked.
And Minjae, in the back seat, whispered to himself, voice rough as broken glass: "If he's hurt her… I'll make him wish he'd died screaming."
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In the dark, on Jeju's lonely coastal road,
Fear raced the moon.
And three girls prayed their friends would come in time.
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