𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐓 𝐊𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑 || 𝐉.𝐉𝐊 ✓

⊘ • ❼ • ⊘

"The cops led me here, so I don't know if it's beneficial to me or not." I drop my further honesty when I watch him raise his eyebrow. I'm supposed to praise Jungkook here and pretend I want to be a part of this lifestyle. "The cops ruined it for me. Jungkook saved me when I had no other option." Although it's not entirely a lie, it's also not the full truth, either.

However, he lets his guard down and nods as if understanding.

"Whatever the case, you're here now. Although some people will treat you like shit until the ceremony, I've never been a believer in being rude to others unless they're rude to me first. Either way, I won't be rude to you, even though everyone is supposed to be."

"What's the deal with that anyway? Why does everyone have to be hateful to the newer members?" I let my curiosity take the wheel in our conversation.

He shrugs. "Ghost thought it would toughen up the newer members to see if this is something they wish to be included in. What we do is dangerous, and if people can't handle the heat, then they might as well leave while they can. I understand his thinking, but sometimes, this sort of thinking goes too far."

I stay silent, not knowing what to say because I have no say here. I'm in trouble and have nowhere else to turn. I don't need to be criticizing how rules are done here. I don't let a nod slip from my head because he doesn't need to be suspicious of my loyalty. I'm already at a crossroads with how all of this could turn out. My best option is to play along until I see another, much better, direction to follow. Hopefully, one where I can leave here and return home with everything going back to normal.

"I'm heading upstairs. Barbie fell asleep a few minutes ago, and if I don't get back soon, she'll wake up. I swear, she can sense when I'm not beside her in her sleep." With a sheepish chuckle, he pats the edge of the silver sink and calls it a night.

I don't move. I return our parting words, yet continue to stare out of the window in pure curiosity and confusion.

Despite my lips opening on their own to show my tiredness, I don't exit the kitchen. Instead, I stay put.

While my eyes scan the window to the other side of the warehouse, my thoughts drift to every other situation they could go at a time like this. My mind is always so wide awake during the night.

I don't mind my wild thoughts. It keeps me from crashing. Right now, I need to be alone and let everything sink in before another long day starts tomorrow.

𓆩・༺ ꔫ ༻・𓆪

The loud noise of cooking pans banging against each other next to my skull forces me to stand with alarm. My eyes are wide when they scan the few strangers standing in the kitchen. I've never met any of these people, but I feel humiliated. I must have fallen asleep in the kitchen while thinking too hard.

"We need the kitchen to cook, newbie. Go clean yourself up," the rude tone from the guy standing over me admits, narrowing his eyes at me as if I'm not worthy of being in his presence.

However, the girl holding the pans stares at me the same and so do a couple of people behind them.

Without saying a word, I push past the group of peers and exit the kitchen, feeling like an idiot for falling asleep in such a place.