It was a glorious, sunny school holiday, and Daniel woke up naturally for the first time in what felt like a decade. The light streamed into his room, and he stretched his perfect limbs with a sense of buoyant freedom. No school, no late-night patrols, and a heart finally settled by the quiet reassurance of a true friend.
He padded over to the window, feeling pleasantly clueless about what to do with a whole day of peace. He yawned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, and gazed down at the quiet street below.
And then he saw her.
Dayuen was walking down the pavement, completely relaxed and enjoying the morning. She looked effortlessly gentle in her holiday attire: an oversized, creamy knitted cardigan draped over a simple pale-yellow t-shirt, paired with soft, loose-fitting denim pants. Her hair was tied back casually with a muted floral scrunchie, and she was sipping a carton of strawberry milk, pausing occasionally to enjoy the sunshine.
Daniel froze, instantly captivated. His relaxed morning mood shattered into a frantic flurry of romantic nerves. His face exploded in a sudden, violent blush, heating his cheeks until they felt ready to burst. He pressed his forehead against the cool glass, letting out a small, idiotic, grinning sound of pure, unadulterated crush happiness.
"She looks so nice," he whispered to the glass, absolutely mesmerized by her mundane, perfect existence. "So comfortable." He was entirely absorbed in the mental image of her drinking that milk.
His gaze followed her path down the street until she reached the corner. Dayuen turned and continued walking, oblivious to her secret admirer.
Daniel's smile faltered, replaced by a cold knot of dread.
At the very end of the street, partially obscured by the shadow of a large street sign, was a figure that shattered the peaceful morning like glass: Jae-on.
He was standing still, his hands in his pockets, his posture lazy and menacing. He wasn't moving, just watching Dayuen walk in his direction, a faint, predatory smirk visible even from Daniel's height. The sunny, flowery mood instantly evaporated, replaced by a cold, immediate surge of adrenaline. The Red Line was back, and it was watching his Blue Line.
Daniel ripped himself from the window, his mind racing. He had to warn Dayuen, or-better yet-get there before Jae-on could even approach her. He grabbed the nearest clothes-a dark hoodie and sweatpants-his movements fueled by pure panic.
Just as he reached for the doorknob, his phone screamed a frantic, unfamiliar ringtone. Daniel glanced at the screen: Anonymous Number.
He hesitated for a split second, then slapped the 'answer' button, shoving the phone against his ear.
"Hello?" Daniel demanded, his voice tight.
A strange, mechanical, heavily distorted voice answered, the sound of static and synthesized speech making the words barely recognizable.
"Don't worry about the street, Daniel Park. That's a distraction."
Daniel froze, his heart pounding against his ribs. "Who is this? What are you talking about?"
"The real target isn't there," the voice continued, ignoring his question. "Something is going to happen to Dayuen. Something irreversible. Your girl is walking into a trap."
The cold, flat certainty in the voice sliced through Daniel's fear.
"If you want to save her, you need to stop dressing up like a superhero and go now. Alone. Get to this address: [REDACTED STREET ADDRESS, 3RD FLOOR, NORTH WING] now, or you lose her."
YOU ARE READING
Red Strings
RandomDaniel being the bully punching back, a servant and toilet trying to end his sadness with a single jump, suddenly after words from a girl that he's been admiring he suddenly gave up on ending his life but- he slips falling down. does he knows after...
