FINDING AN ALLY

"The deeper you go, the more you lose yourself. But once you're lost, there's no turning back."

Jieun's fists ached as she pounded on the locked door, frustration boiling in her veins. The room was dark and suffocating, the faint smell of old wood and dust filling her senses as she searched for any way to escape. She'd tried kicking, pushing, and even jamming her shoulder against the door, but nothing budged. Taewon had locked her in here tightly, and every second felt like it stretched into eternity.

Panting, she leaned back against the wall, her mind racing. Then a sudden jolt of fear gripped her. She looked down at her wrist, realizing with a pang that her bracelet—Minho's bracelet—was gone. Panic flared as she scanned the room, her eyes darting over the dusty floor. Her heart thundered as she knelt down, sweeping her hands over the cold concrete, searching desperately.

After several frantic moments, a glint in the far corner caught her eye. She scrambled over, relief flooding her as she found it lying on the floor. But as she picked it up, she felt a strange resistance. The bracelet was broken, and a tiny metallic object was exposed beneath the leather strap—a chip, embedded within.

Jieun's breath hitched, her mind reeling. A chip? Why… How could this be here? She hadn't noticed anything unusual about the bracelet before. It had been a simple keepsake from Minho, a reminder of her brother, but now it felt like something far more complicated, a piece of a hidden puzzle she hadn't even realized she was part of.

She held the broken bracelet closer, inspecting the tiny device. The shiny surface reflected the dim light, and for a moment, it seemed almost surreal. Minho had hidden this here, but why? Was this part of his investigation? A way to send a message? Or had he been tracking something… or someone?

Jieun's heart was still pounding from the rush of adrenaline when she heard the lock click, and the door creaked open. She braced herself, prepared to defend, until she saw Dae-hyun's familiar silhouette stepping through. Relief washed over her, and he met her gaze with a calm, knowing look, as if arriving just in time to save her was nothing out of the ordinary.

"You look like you could use a hand," he said, his voice casual, though his eyes flickered with the faintest hint of amusement.

Jieun exhaled, rolling her eyes but smiling slightly. "Took you long enough," she replied, her tone light even as she rubbed her sore wrists. She followed him out of the room without another word, their footsteps barely a whisper on the tile floors as they moved down the dim hallway.

They navigated the darkened corridors side by side, each moving with silent confidence. Dae-hyun occasionally looked over at her, checking her out of the corner of his eye, but he didn't say anything more, focusing on the quiet escape they both seemed to understand without needing directions. He led the way, glancing around each corner before signalling her forward with the faintest nod.

"You get what you came for?" he asked at one point, his voice low but laced with casual familiarity.

Jieun bit her lip, slipping her hand into her pocket and feeling the cold weight of the bracelet and the tiny chip hidden inside it. "More than I expected," she replied simply, her tone hinting at the complexity of her discovery.

Dae-hyun raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at her. "You always do know how to make things difficult."

Jieun gave a quiet huff, nudging his arm as they crept past the staircase. "Says the guy who just rescued me from a locked room in the middle of the night."

He shrugged, his gaze forward as he scanned the hallway. "You're welcome, by the way," he murmured, his mouth curving into the faintest hint of a smirk.

They paused near a classroom, ducking inside to avoid the sound of footsteps approaching from the far end of the hall. Jieun and Dae-hyun leaned against the wall, breathing silently, waiting until the sounds faded. She glanced at him, noting the calmness in his face, the steady presence she'd come to expect.

"Not bad," she murmured, breaking the quiet as she glanced at him. "I think you almost looked worried back there."

Dae-hyun scoffed, folding his arms but keeping his voice soft. "Hardly. I knew you'd get yourself out of it. Just didn't want you causing any more trouble." His smirk softened, though his tone remained light, almost teasing. "I guess I've got to keep an eye on you, or you'll end up locked in another room by morning."

She rolled her eyes, but beneath her calm, she could feel the lingering tension of everything they had just faced. This conversation, this casual exchange, was like an unspoken acknowledgment of the risks they'd take—no questions, no complaints, just a trust they both relied on. They understood each other's silence, their familiarity carrying an ease they both seemed to accept without needing an explanation.

Jieun pushed off the wall, her eyes meeting his in the dim light. "We should keep moving," she whispered, her expression growing serious. "We're not safe yet."

Dae-hyun nodded, straightening and glancing back toward the hallway. "Let's go, then. Try not to fall behind this time." The faint smile on his face softened his words, and she responded with a small smirk of her own.

They slipped out of the room and continued down the hallway, the weight of their shared understanding hanging in the quiet air. Though they didn't need to say it, both knew this wasn't over—and the dangers they faced were only beginning.

When Jieun and Dae-hyun arrived at her house, the relief of finally reaching safety was shattered the moment they opened the door. There, lying on the living room floor, was Nari, her face pale, her body motionless. Jieun gasped, rushing over with Dae-hyun close behind. They both dropped to their knees, worry etching lines across Jieun's face as she gently shook Nari's shoulder.

"Nari? Can you hear me?" Jieun whispered; her voice tinged with panic.

Dae-hyun leaned in, his expression unreadable as he checked Nari's pulse, finding it steady but faint. "She's breathing," he murmured, glancing at Jieun, though his usual calm was clouded with a rare hint of concern.

Jieun exhaled shakily, her mind spinning. "What happened to her? She was supposed to meet me here with the evidence. Did someone… get to her?"

Dae-hyun's gaze darkened. "If Taewon came here before us, he might have tried to stop her." He clenched his fists, a flash of anger crossing his face, but he quickly pushed it down, refocusing on Nari.

They carefully lifted Nari onto the couch, draping a blanket over her and watching for any signs of consciousness. Minutes turned into hours as Jieun sat by her side, her eyes darting to Dae-hyun now and then, silently wondering if they had truly evaded all the threats lurking in the shadows.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Nari's eyes fluttered open. She blinked, disoriented, her gaze landing on Jieun's familiar face and softening with relief—until her eyes shifted to the figure standing behind Jieun. Dae-hyun. A look of alarm crossed her face, and she instinctively tried to push herself up, panic flashing in her eyes.

Jieun reached out, gently placing a reassuring hand on Nari's shoulder. "It's okay, Nari," she said softly. "You're safe here. Dae-hyun… he's with us. He's on our side."

Nari's eyes flickered with confusion and disbelief, darting between Jieun and Dae-hyun. "But… how? Dae-hyun?" she stammered, glancing warily at him. "Since when? You… I thought you were—"

Jieun gave her a small nod, understanding her friend's shock. "I know it sounds strange. It took me a while to trust him too." She glanced at Dae-hyun, and he met her gaze with a solemn nod.

As Nari's breathing steadied, memories surfaced in Jieun's mind—a time when she had faced the same scepticism toward Dae-hyun, questioning his loyalty and intentions.

It had been weeks after Jieun first started digging into Minho's disappearance. She was used to moving alone, navigating secrets in the shadows, and staying two steps ahead of anyone who might interfere. But Dae-hyun had caught her off guard one evening, as she searched through the school's old archives after hours. She remembered being focused on finding Minho's records, her flashlight dimmed, her breath held as she flipped through the files. Then suddenly, a low voice broke the silence.

"You won't find what you're looking for there."

Jieun froze, her heart hammering as she spun around, her flashlight casting a faint glow on Dae-hyun's face. His expression was calm, unreadable, as he watched her from the doorway.

"Dae-hyun? What… what are you doing here?" She kept her voice steady, though she was already bracing herself for confrontation.

Dae-hyun stepped forward, his eyes intense but strangely sincere. "You're looking into Minho, aren't you?" he asked, his tone gentle yet probing. "I know he was your brother. And I know what you're risking by doing this alone."

Jieun narrowed her eyes, suspicion flickering in her gaze. "What do you know about Minho? Why would you care?"

Dae-hyun hesitated, his jaw tightening as if he was weighing his next words carefully. "Because Minho wasn't just a random student to them. He was marked. And I know what they do to students like that." He took a deep breath, the shadows playing across his face. "They almost got to me, too."

Jieun's initial distrust slowly gave way to curiosity, and then something closer to understanding. He had the look of someone who knew exactly what he was talking about, and for the first time, she felt a strange sense of recognition. The same haunted look she'd seen in her own reflection.

"What do you mean?" she whispered; her voice barely audible.

Dae-hyun exhaled, glancing down before meeting her gaze again. "They call it Protocol X. It's not just a rumour—it's real. They target anyone they think might disrupt their plans. I don't know exactly who's behind it, but I know they wanted Minho gone. And now, they're watching you too."

The words hung heavy in the air, and Jieun felt a shiver run down her spine. She sensed the gravity in his tone, and for the first time, her instinct to distrust him wavered.

"I'm not saying you should trust me right away," Dae-hyun had continued, his gaze unwavering. "But I've seen what they're capable of. I've been there, and I barely got out." He held out his hand, his voice lowering. "If you want my help… I'm offering it."

Jieun looked at his hand, weighing the risks, then nodded slowly, reaching out and shaking it. They both understood in that moment that their shared mission was bigger than any rivalry or past distrust.

Jieun eyes fixed-on Nari, her voice steady but sharp with urgency.

"Did you find the proof?" Jieun asked, leaning closer, searching Nari's face for any sign of success.

Nari's face twisted with anxiety as the memory of what happened flooded back. She took a deep, shaky breath before speaking, her voice low.

"I did," she whispered, the words coming slowly, weighed down by the memory. "I found everything. The files, the records… everything we suspected was true. And then Taewon showed up."

Jieun's expression hardened, her fists clenching as anger simmered beneath her calm exterior. "Of course he did," she muttered. "I trusted him, and all this time he was working against us."

Nari closed her eyes briefly, as though steadying herself. "I couldn't stop him. He… he took everything. Knocked me out before I even realized what was happening." Her voice trembled, laced with frustration.

Jieun's fists tightened; her jaw set as she tried to hold back the wave of anger rising within her. "So, he has it all…" she said, her voice barely above a whisper, the weight of her words hanging in the air. It felt like a punch to the gut, the proof they had risked everything to obtain now stolen and in the hands of someone they'd thought was an ally.

But before Jieun could fall deeper into frustration, Nari's eyes suddenly widened, a spark of realization flashing across her face. She gasped, looking around the room with a sudden, frantic urgency.

"My phone…" she murmured, her voice trailing off as she scanned the floor. "I… I took photos of everything. It should be… it should be here somewhere."

Jieun's breath hitched as she looked around the dimly lit room, her heart pounding. "Are you sure?"

Nari nodded; her voice filled with a desperate hope as she continued searching the floor. "Yes, I took photos. I backed everything up just in case."

They scoured the floor, each shadow and corner, until, near the edge of the couch where Nari had been lying, a faint glow caught Jieun's eye. She reached down, and her fingers closed around Nari's phone, its screen cracked but still glowing faintly.

Jieun handed the phone to Nari, who stared at it as though she couldn't believe it was real. Her hands trembled as she unlocked it, and there, in her gallery, were the photos she'd taken in the hidden room—the files on Protocol X, the lists of students, Minho's name and fate documented in chilling detail.

"It's all here," Nari whispered, her voice barely audible, eyes wide as she scrolled through the images. "He may have taken the files, but we still have everything we need."

A mix of relief and tension washed over them, and Jieun felt her anger melting away, replaced by a surge of hope. She looked at Nari, her expression softening. "Nari… you saved us. We still have a chance."

Dae-hyun, who had been watching in tense silence, stepped forward, his gaze sharp as it settled on the phone. "Then this isn't over," he said quietly, a determined glint in his eyes. "We have the proof, and this time, we'll make sure they can't cover it up."

Jieun's lips curved into a small, fierce smile, her eyes meeting Nari's with a shared resolve. "Then let's finish this," she said, her voice filled with a new strength. This wasn't just a battle anymore. It was their only chance to finally expose the truth.

As the tension in the room began to ease, Jieun suddenly felt a weight in her pocket, sparking a memory. Her eyes widened, and she froze, her fingers brushing against something small and metallic. The chip. Her breath hitched as the realization struck her—she had completely forgotten about it in the chaos of escaping the school and finding Nari unconscious.

Without a word, she slipped her hand into her pocket, carefully pulling out the tiny object. Its surface gleamed faintly under the dim light, catching Nari and Dae-hyun's attention. They both leaned closer, their brows furrowed in confusion.

"What's that?" Nari asked, her voice soft but curious, her eyes scanning the unfamiliar device.

Dae-hyun tilted his head, his expression unreadable but sharp. "A chip? Where did that come from?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.

Jieun didn't answer right away. She simply stared at the object in her palm, her thoughts racing. Her brother's bracelet. The discovery in that locked room. She clenched the chip tightly in her hand, her lips pressed into a thin line.

Without saying a word, she stood up abruptly, startling them both. Dae-hyun straightened, his sharp gaze tracking her movements, while Nari exchanged a confused glance with him.

"Jieun?" Nari ventured; her tone cautious. "What is that? Does it have something to do with Minho?"

Still silent, Jieun walked to her desk, her steps deliberate, and grabbed her laptop. She placed the chip down carefully, her movements precise but tense, as if any sudden motion might break the fragile thread of clarity forming in her mind.

Dae-hyun crossed his arms, watching her with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. "You're not going to explain, are you?" he asked, his tone edged with mild irritation.

Jieun shot him a brief glance, her expression unreadable, before replying, "Just watch." Her voice was quiet but firm, carrying a weight that made both Nari and Dae-hyun fall silent.

She connected the chip to her laptop, her fingers trembling slightly as she opened the drive. The screen flickered, there were many folders and she clicked one of them, then a new folder appeared. Jieun's eyes widened, her breath catching as she read the title: "Jieun."

Nari leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's… it's your name."

Dae-hyun's jaw tightened, his gaze flickering between the screen and Jieun. "Looks like someone wanted you to find this."

Her hands trembled as she clicked on it, opening a single audio file inside, dated the day before Minho's accident. She took a deep breath, bracing herself, and pressed play.

The familiar crackle of Minho's voice filled the room. His tone was calm, yet there was an unmistakable weight behind it—a mix of worry, love, and sorrow.

"Noona… if you're listening to this, it means I didn't make it out." His voice softened, as though speaking directly to her. "I tried so hard to keep you out of this. I thought if I kept you away, you'd stay safe. But I know you, and I know you'd come looking. So please… listen carefully."

Jieun's hand pressed over her mouth as she listened, eyes glued to the screen as Minho's message continued, each word a mix of warning and heartfelt advice.

"The school… it's hiding things, noona. Dark things. Protocol X isn't just some disciplinary program. It's their way of controlling us, getting rid of anyone who doesn't fit their mold. They've been watching us, keeping files, and those who don't 'fit'… well, they're just gone. It's how they stay in control."

She glanced at Dae-hyun and Nari, whose faces reflected the same shock and fear that she felt. This was everything they'd suspected and more.

Minho's voice wavered, a soft tremor breaking through. "Noona… I'm sorry. I didn't tell you everything. I lied to you because I didn't want you to worry. I thought I could fix it, that I could protect you by keeping you out of it. But if you're listening now… I know you're right in the middle of it."

Jieun's throat tightened, tears welling up as his words hit her. He had taken on this burden alone, keeping her safe by hiding the darkness he was fighting against.

"But even though I couldn't protect you, noona, I know you'll be okay. You're the strongest person I know. I believe in you, even if I'm not there to say it. Just… be careful, okay? Trust yourself, and don't do anything you can't come back from."

He paused, a heavy silence stretching across the recording. Jieun could hear his shaky breath, and her heart ached, feeling his regret and love in every word.

"I'm so sorry for all of this, noona. For lying, for leaving you to deal with it. But know that I love you. More than anything. Take care of yourself, and don't forget… you're not alone."

The recording ended, leaving the room heavy with silence. Jieun's shoulders shook as the weight of his words settled over her, and the tears she'd been holding back fell freely. She covered her face, a quiet sob escaping as her brother's love and regret replayed in her mind. The younger brother she'd always protected had tried so hard to protect her in return, and the thought shattered her.

Nari and Dae-hyun remained by her side, understanding the depth of her grief. Jieun closed her eyes, clinging to Minho's words as she gathered herself, her love for him now fuelling her resolve to uncover the truth and finish what he had started.