If you were a bug?

Two Steps Forward And Three Steps Back

"I can see what you guys are thinking about." Hyein hugs her knees to her chest, "You kind of see hope like," She pauses in thought. "how a person sees thread. There's loads of string in each thread, but a few cuts will break it apart. Haerin gets lost in her mind to escape from things around her, creating lies that takes away how she really feels." She sighs heavily, "And Minji's anger stems from grief."

"Grief?" Hanni asks with a sniffle, rubbing away her tears.

"I know the look." Hyein explains, "The aftermath. Anger, sadness, isolation, sometimes just shutting themselves on autopilot. I see that look in Minji."

Haerin listens on the other side of the door, eyes drifting to where Minji sat with her hands moving anxiously. "Spill." Haerin trudged over to Minji, plopping down next to her.

Minji scoffed as her hands continued making motions as if she were rinsing them under water. "Someone I knew died because of kids being a-holes. The way they looked at him was awful. I saw a reflection of that in Marsh."

Haerin closed her eyes and leaned against Minji which settled her down. "You should go with them." Minji shook her head, tensing again. "If only from a distance, maybe you'll find some peace in mind."

Minji sighed and closed her eyes too as they fell asleep next to one another. Minji's nap didn't last long and she felt that she needed a breath of fresh air. She grabbed pillows and laid Haerin on them. She glanced at her phone which had the details of where Marsh would be meeting Hanni and Hyein.

Minji walked out of the door with a hat, mask, and hoodie on over her clothes to disguise herself. Her hands were in her pockets as she followed instructions which led to Marsh. She stood hidden behind the trees, her sight never leaving Marsh for a second.

"Hanni." Dani spoke quietly, stunned to see the girl arrive. "Hyein?" She looked at them with sad eyes. "Can you tell her I'm sorry?"

Hanni nodded, frozen in place as the two stared at one another. "What's been going on with you?"

"I'm stuck, Hanni." Dani explained, the name that left her lips frightening its owner. Marsh noticed this, "I won't hurt you. I swear."

"Did you say that to Haerin too?" Minj stepped out of the shadows, ripping her mask off that was stained with tears. "What's in your pocket?"

That seemed to trigger a reaction from Danielle. "What do you mean?"

Minji stormed towards her, grabbing her by the wrist before she could run. She snatched the recorder out of her pocket. "Why are you voice recording this?" She flicks the device off, throwing it into the bushes. Her eyes burned holes though Dani, trying to rip answers out of her.

"Hey-" Hyein put her hand on Minji's shoulder which seemed to set her off. Minji shoved her away, still focused on Danielle.

"I need it to catch what they say so I can expose them." She says, expression stuck in fear trying to escape Minji's grasp.

"Expose who?"

"The headmaster, so things like this can't happen again."

"Again?" Minji's grip loosened ever so slightly. She shouldn't have let her guard down.

Danielle ripped her arm out of Minji's grasp, running away as quickly as she could. Minji started to follow her but was caught by Hanni. "Let's just go back to Haerin."

Hyein and Hanni practically had to drag Minji back to the dorm. When it opened, they immediately noticed the blood trailed on the floor. Minji shoved herself inside, calling desperately for her friend. She burst open their bedroom door, spotting the open wounds on Haerin's face.