Crimson Strings [Yeongyu]

The spider's web

Beomgyu barely slept. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw that message. *Sweet dreams, my little mouse.*

Who the hell was behind this? He wanted to believe it was a sick joke, but the way Yeonjun had been watching him all day... The way his smile never quite reached his eyes...

Morning came too fast, and the weight of exhaustion clung to Beomgyu's body as he made his way to school. His hands clenched the straps of his backpack tightly. He wouldn't let this paranoia get to him.

But the moment he stepped onto campus, something felt... off.

People were staring. Whispering.

His stomach twisted as he overheard snippets of conversation.

_"Did you see what happened?"_
_"Who the hell would do that?"_
_"It's like a warning or something..."_

His heart pounded as he turned the corner-then *froze*.

His locker.

It was wide open, the door bent at an unnatural angle as if it had been *ripped* apart. But that wasn't the worst part.

Inside, a single red ribbon dangled from the top shelf, tied into a delicate bow.

And beneath it-

A dead bird.

Its tiny body was twisted unnaturally, wings sprawled, its beady black eyes staring lifelessly at Beomgyu. Blood had seeped into his books, staining the pages in dark, crimson streaks.

Beomgyu staggered back, bile rising in his throat.

"Who...?" His voice was barely a whisper.

Then, soft laughter.

He whipped around.

Yeonjun stood a few feet away, leaning casually against the lockers, arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but his lips curled ever so slightly.

"Looks like someone really likes you," Yeonjun mused.

Beomgyu swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. "Did you do this?"

Yeonjun tilted his head, his eyes dark with amusement. "Do I look like the kind of guy who plays with dead birds?"

Yes.

Beomgyu didn't say it, but Yeonjun's smirk widened like he had *heard* it anyway.

"Whoever it was," Yeonjun continued, stepping closer, "they're sending a message."

Beomgyu tensed. "What message?"

Yeonjun reached out.

Before Beomgyu could move, Yeonjun's fingers brushed over his collar, adjusting the tie of his uniform as if they were close friends. His touch was featherlight, but Beomgyu felt the weight of it like chains.

"You're being hunted, little mouse," Yeonjun murmured. "You should be careful."

The way he said it made Beomgyu's skin crawl.

As if Yeonjun wasn't *warning* him...

But *claiming* him.

-

That night, Beomgyu locked every door and window in his house. His hands shook as he double-checked them again and again.

*You're being hunted.*

Was this a prank? A warning? Was it Yeonjun?

He didn't know.

But as he collapsed onto his bed, exhaustion finally pulling him under, his phone vibrated.

A new message.

Unknown Number: *You look so beautiful when you're scared, my love.*

Beomgyu's breath hitched. His pulse roared in his ears.

Then-

Another buzz.

Unknown Number: *Check your window.*

Ice shot through his veins.

Slowly, heart hammering, Beomgyu turned his head.

And *froze*.

Through the darkness, past the faint glow of streetlights-

A silhouette stood outside his window.

Watching.

Waiting.

Yeonjun.

-

### **Chapter 3: The Devil's Playground**

Beomgyu didn't go to school the next day. He told himself it was because he felt sick, but the truth was-he was scared.

But that didn't stop the messages.

Unknown Number: *Skipping school? Naughty boy.*

Unknown Number: *Do you really think you can ignore me?*

Unknown Number: *You can't hide from me, Beomgyu. I always find my toys.*

Beomgyu wanted to throw his phone across the room. Instead, he turned it off, shoving it under his pillow.

He needed air.

With shaky hands, he grabbed his jacket and stepped outside. The cold air bit at his skin, but it was better than suffocating inside his room.

He barely made it two blocks before-

A sleek black car pulled up beside him.

The tinted window rolled down.

Yeonjun.

Sitting in the driver's seat, one hand resting on the wheel, the other draped lazily over the window frame. He looked effortlessly perfect, like he *belonged* in a car that probably cost more than Beomgyu's entire life.

"Skipping school and wandering alone?" Yeonjun tsked. "Do you *want* to be kidnapped?"

Beomgyu took a step back. "What do you want?"

Yeonjun smiled. It was slow. Dangerous.

"Get in."

Beomgyu's stomach twisted. "No."

Yeonjun's smile didn't falter. "I wasn't asking."

Before Beomgyu could react, the car door swung open-

And someone grabbed him from behind.

A cloth pressed over his mouth.

The world blurred.

Darkness swallowed him whole.