_________________
"Di…" Noah's voice cracked, softer than a whisper. "I want to come see you... now."
"What?" Yunah stopped mid-step, frowning at her phone. His words hadn't come through clearly. "What did you say, Noah? Repeat that again. Maybe it's the network as I'm walking towards an alley right now and I'm close to it."
"Alley?" Noah's tone shifted instantly, worry slicing through his calm. "What do you mean by alley? Where are you?"
"I'm heading to the apartment. Just taking a shortcut," she said casually, as if strolling through a dark alley at night was no big deal.
"Di, take a taxi." His voice was hard, urgent. "Send me your location. Don't take shortcuts. It's dangerous to walk alone in alleys these days. Haven't you seen the news—"
"What news?" Yunah asked, smiling faintly as she passed under a streetlight. "You mean the disappearances of those pretty young girls?"
"So you do know—and still you're walking alone?" Noah's tone edged with frustration, then a heavy sigh crackled through the line. "Di, just listen to me. Take a taxi. If you won't, I'll call one for you. Just tell me where you are." His voice dropped into something close to pleading.
Yunah laughed, startled by his intensity. "Yah! Don't worry so much. I'll be fine. Besides, they're targeting girls between eighteen and twenty. I'm older than that... and not that pretty either, so—"
"Why are you not getting my point?!" Noah snapped, voice raw with frustration. "Can't you hear how worried I am? Just take the damn taxi!"
Yunah froze on the sidewalk, stunned. "Did you just..." she paused, realization dawning, "...did you just shout at me, Noah?" Her voice sharpened, offended.
"N-No," he stammered quickly, guilt dripping into his tone. "I didn't mean to. Di, I'm sorry. I just—" he exhaled shakily, glancing out of the window of the Shadowveil's bloody torture room. His voice softened to something fragile. "I'm only this worried because… what if something happens to you?"
"Nothing will happen to me." Her voice carried her offense clearly. "But I will settle the score with you for shouting at me once you move in."
"Di, please… don't be mad," Noah's voice turned weak, coaxing, almost childlike. "I really didn't mean to shout. Forgive me just this once." A guilty smile tugged at his lips, though his eyes glinted with mischief—his voice said one thing, his expression another.
Ivan, standing nearby, muttered under his breath, loud enough for the others to hear. "He's a total maniac. How can he talk so sweetly on the phone right after cutting a man's arm off?"
Noah's head turned, his murderous glare silencing Ivan instantly before he returned his focus to Yunah's voice.
"You really know how to coax someone," Yunah chuckled softly, the edge in her tone fading. "Fine. I'll forgive you. You were just worried about me, after all."
"Di!" another voice cut through the night. Yunah turned, spotting her younger brother, Yogesh, waving from across the street.
"Oh, Yogesh!" She hurried over, forgetting the call for a moment. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to get you," Yogesh muttered, scratching his head, embarrassed. "I knew you wouldn't spend money on a taxi. And with everything happening to girls lately, I couldn't let you walk alone."
Yunah's laughter bubbled out, warm and affectionate. "Aww… my little brother's grown up."
"Hello? Di? Di!" Noah's voice pressed through the phone, impatient.
"Oh—I almost forgot about you!" Yunah said quickly, lifting the phone again. "But don't worry, Yogesh came to pick me up. You should be relieved too. Seems I've got two brothers now who actually care about me. So I have nothing to be afraid of."
"Hmm… it's a relief he came," Noah replied, though his tone had cooled, almost indifferent. After a beat, he added, firm and serious, "But when I move there tomorrow—or the day after—I'll pick you up every day. I'll protect you."
Yunah teased him with a chuckle. "Yes, yes. Be my personal bodyguard then. I'm looking forward to it."
"You can't back out from your own words, Di," Noah said, voice low, promising. "Once I'm there, I'll be your personal bodyguard. You said it yourself."
"Yes, yes," Yunah laughed softly. "I'd be honored." With that, she ended the call.
-------------------
A few hours later, inside Haven's Apartment No. 808, Yunah and her younger brother, Yogesh, sat across from each other at the dining table, quietly sharing dinner.
Yunah set her spoon down and studied him with a gentle, concerned gaze. "Is everything okay at school? No one's been bothering you since Noah hasn't been around, right?"
Yogesh froze mid-bite, then shook his head firmly. "No. They don't dare." He gave her a small, reassuring smile. "Ever since they found out I'm friends with Noah, everyone's been treating me differently. Almost… too sweet."
Yunah's lips curved into a soft smile of relief. "That's… good. I'm glad to hear you're doing fine."
"Mm." Yogesh nodded, finally taking his bite.
She tilted her head slightly, watching him. "And what about your Independence Day practice? Having fun?"
Yogesh reached for his glass, taking a sip before answering. "Yeah. It's been fun, actually."
Yunah chuckled quietly and returned to her food, satisfied. She didn't press him with more questions—she'd already asked what truly mattered.
--------------------
After dinner, Yunah rinsed the last dish and wiped her damp hands on a towel before dragging herself to the living room. She collapsed onto the couch with a sigh, remote in hand, and flicked on the television.
Her tired eyes sharpened the moment the news anchor's voice filled the room.
"Breaking news—another disappearance has shaken the city. A young woman from Haven Apartments was reported missing this evening. She was last seen near the alleyway close to her college. Her things were found scattered on the ground..."
Yunah froze. Her chest tightened as the camera panned to the familiar alley. The same one she used every night on her way home. The same one she had almost walked through tonight—if not for Yogesh showing up.
A shiver ran down her spine. Relief and fear tangled inside her, leaving her staring at the screen in silence, clutching the remote a little too tightly.
-------------------
Meanwhile, miles away in the Shadowveil headquarters, Noah sat sprawled on the leather couch in his office, the glow of the TV reflecting in his cold eyes. The same report played, but his reaction was far from Yunah's trembling relief.
His jaw clenched, veins tightening along his hand as he gripped the armrest. A dangerous stillness settled over him before his voice cut through the silence—low, suffocating, lethal.
"This is getting out of hand." His eyes burned with murderous resolve. "I'll find these bastards… and tear them apart."
The room around him fell silent, his men exchanging wary glances. That look in Noah's eyes wasn't just anger—it was a promise of blood.