LIAR | WEN JUNHUI

17.Explosion

"What?" Daniella said, her voice shaken.

"Chan and Skylar. They were taken."

Her chest tightened like she couldn't breathe "No— no, that's—who—" But he had cut her off "They found us."

She stepped forward "Then we go after them"

"And walk into whatever trap they've set?"

"I don't care! She's my sister—"

Jun snapped and had cut her off once more "And you'll be next if you think like that!"

The air between them went tense, sharp.

Jun's tone dropped, steady but urgent. "Get your gear. Food. Ammo. The envelope. Everything. We need to leave, now"

Her glare was enough to scorch. But she spun on her heel and stalked out.

Jun crouches low, the wooden floor cool against his palm. He reaches under the bed, fingertips brushing dust—until they hit something cold.

Metal.

He grips it, pulls it into view. It's black. Compact. A single red light blinking in a slow, steady rhythm.

Beep... beep... beep...

The sound is almost too soft to hear. Almost. But Jun hears it.

Every muscle in his body goes rigid. His throat feels dry, like he's swallowing glass.

"No... no, no..." he muttered to himself, panic rising in his chest

He straightens sharply, one hand tightening on the pistol, the other curling into a fist. His eyes flick once to the window, then to the hallway.

The beeping feels louder now. Closer.

Daniella's footsteps are quick as she comes around the corner, her hair messy, shirt half-buttoned, confusion etched across her face.

"Jun, what's—"

He had cut her off, his voice like a whip. "We need to get out. Now."

She blinks at him, taken aback. "What?"

"Run, Daniella!" His voice was sharp like a blade slicing through the air

It's the kind of tone that leaves no space for questions.

Minghao, Jihoon and Wonwoo are emerging from the kitchen, still half-asleep but already tense from the earlier noise.

"What's going—"

"There's a bomb! We need to get out!" He was now shouting. The words hit like a physical shove.

Daniella freezes for half a heartbeat—too long. Jun's hand shoots out, clamping around her wrist, yanking her forward so hard she stumbles.

The front door is ten feet away. It might as well be a mile.

The beeping in his head is deafening now, like it's synced to his heartbeat.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

His grip on Daniella tightens. She struggles to match his pace, her feet slipping on the hardwood.

Daniella was breathless mixed with panic "Jun, wait—"

"Don't stop." He said without looking back.

The cold slams into them like a wall as they burst into the open. Their breath is instantly visible in the frigid air.

Jun doesn't let go until they're several yards from the house. His head turns, scanning the shadows, listening—

The world goes silent. Too silent.