False || bc

0.01

C H A P T E R  O N E

P R E S E N T  T I M E

"Take him away."

"No, please! I'll do anything!"

"We have given you many chances to prove yourself. You have run out of chances. And we have run out of choices."

"Please, no, don't—"

"Did you not hear me? I said take him away!"

"As you wish."

As the guards dragged the other man, the man's pleads slowly faded and were no longer in my hearing range. I sighed in relief.

I didn't know how much longer I could've taken with his pleads.

"You're as cold as your father."

"Thank you."

"It isn't a compliment."

"It is to me."

"Kyungmi—"

"Subject 087, you are not allowed to address me like that."

"I'm sorry." He apologized quickly, catching onto his mistake. "I meant Miss."

"Yes, yes, you did."

I turned on my heel and left before 087 could make any more mistakes.

Didn't he know that there were cameras? Didn't he know that my parents and the other directors were watching and observing every move we made?

Didn't he know what was at stake?

I kept a straight face on as I nodded to those who acknowledged me.

I have to get to my room. I have to get to my room now.

"Miss," a voice blurted, "may I speak with you?"

I stopped in my tracks and I didn't have to turn to know whose voice it was, but I did anyway.

I met his eyes and almost melted.

Almost.

I nodded and we made our way to my room.

As we got there, we locked the door and I breathed out. I had gotten used to the feeling of suffocating, but I prefer to breathe freely.

"Minho, what is it?"

"Kyungmi, I'm worried that this haven of ours won't last."

I scoffed. "It's been standing for 39 years, Minho, it will last."

"I'm scared."

I froze at my best friend's words.

"I'm scared that the virus may have gotten in."

"Minho," I started, wanting to choose my words carefully, "what are you trying to say."

"I think," he paused, "I may have it."

I stopped breathing for a moment and it took me a while to regain the air back in my lungs. As soon as I did, I looked at his eyes and saw how sad he felt.

"M-Minho, that can't be. You've been injected ever since you arrived. Ever since you were born— ever since you and I have been born!"

"I know."

"You may just be getting sick. The symptoms are similar to flu symptoms, you know that."

"But I've had the flu, this is different."

"No, no, no, I will not— you do not have the virus!"

"Kyungmi."

"You can't!"

"Kyungmi!"

Minho held me in his embrace as I felt tears prick my eyes.

But I couldn't let them go.

I could never let my tears fall.

I blinked my tears back as I pushed Minho away gently.

"You can't have it." I said softly and sadly.

•••

"Father, when is the monthly check up?"

"It's two days from now, why do you ask? Do you feel anything?"

I shook my head. "I was just making sure I scheduled it correctly."

He didn't answer but I knew that there was a slight smile of approval on his face.

My parents loved it when I take charge at times. Whenever I assert myself into certain situations, they are always so proud of me.

But they have not given me the signal yet.

The signal to act.

And I wish they had already.

"I'll be giving you the assignments tomorrow."

"Assignments for what?"

"For subject 087 and the rest of them."

My hand stopped, only hovering around the screen of the thin tablet I was holding.

"Alright. Why are you giving them to me?"

"Because you're the reason we were able to group them and why they have the jobs we assigned them to."

"Alright." I said once again. "Excuse me father, but I want to go to my room."

"Of course."

I stood up and gave my father a quick kiss on the cheek. I then walked to my room, closing the door gently.

I placed the tablet on the table as I sighed heavily.

They put the boys together.