Sorry for late update but here you go guys!
Take a deep breath before you read this chapter.
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JOANNE POV
The cement floor makes my feet numb as I am frozen to the bones.
It is so cold until my spine aches.
I tried to move but I am now tied to a chair.
I am terrified.
Will I have the same faith as Baekhyun?
Could Dad find me here?
Or would I be forever unknown?
Cold sweats formed on my forehead before it rolls down to my cheek.
I can hear thunderous footsteps from here and I became panic.
They are here!
They are going to kill me tonight, there's no doubt.
Cause dead girl tell no tales.
And all they want from me is to shut up and fall into deep slumber.
*
A day before.
"Jiyeol isn't receiving attention from her family. Maybe that's why she craved for others attention." Haewon explained to Baekhyun since Baekhyun and Jiyeol had a fight.
"She really loves you, Baekhyun. I can see it from her eyes." He added.
Both of them are talking and walking in the open hallway.
"I see her like a sister to me. I just don't understand why she wants me. I can't give her what she wanted." Baekhyun told, his face expression shows how much stressed he felt.
"She can't force me to love her like my lover." He shakes his head.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Chanyeol unintentionally eavesdrop the conversation as he is putting his books in his locker.
His eyebrows furrows at Baekhyun's words.
When Chanyeol turns, he saw Jiyeol walking towards his direction.
"Jiyeol, I told you to stay away from him." Chanyeol's voice rang in the hallway.
Jiyeol's jaw ticks.
She flashed a tight smile.
"What do you mean?" She tries to sounds cheerful.
"Are you happy with Baekhyun? He's just using you." Chanyeol crossed his arms, his face features hardened.
"I'm happy with him, thanks for your concern." Jiyeol turns.
Chanyeol grabbed her arms.
"Don't cry to me when it's too late." Chanyeol told.
Jiyeol showed her deathly glare before she walks away.
I can hears mumbles from afar.
My vision blackened instantly.
"Baekhyun?" In amidst of confusion, I found myself murmuring Baekhyun's name.
Click!
Click!
I saw a man in hoodie snapping pictures of something in front of him.
I went nearer to him and I realised there's a body on the cement floor.
"Ahhh!" I screamed when I saw pale, beaten and bruised Baekhyun on floor.
He had his eyes shut and blood trailed from the corner of his mouth.
He's wearing the same outfit : the worn out school uniform and slightly muddy shoes.
One of the guy kick Baekhyun's inhaler from his hand.
He crouched down in front of Baekhyun and inspect the silver bracelet on Baekhyun's wrist.
"You're not fearless, Baekhyun." He tugged the bracelet.
"You're stupid."
"And so do you, Joanne Cha." All faceless heads turns to me.
1, 2-2. . .
My world turns upside down before I could count the heads.
"Baekhyun!" My eyes shot open as I sat up immediately.
Adrenaline pumped in my veins and my heart raced crazily.
Where is Baekhyun?!
Where is him?!
My eyes moved wildly to find glimpse of Baekhyun.
But he isn't anywhere in this room.
"Calm down, Joanne!" Mom told in panic, she holds my shoulder.
"What happened— Ouch..." I groaned when I accidentally touch a stinging, swollen bump on my head.
"I was at the beach before..." I mumbled in confusion, trying to remember what happened before.
"Yeah, you passed out on the beach. Luckily, Taehyung found you, Joanne. You are so pale and your lips were blue. They warm you up before sending you back here in hurry. We're all so worried about you." Mom told in worried tone.
Two knocks on the door caught my attention.
"Is she awake?" Dad's voice can be heard from outside.
"Yeah!" Mom yells as Dad open the door.
Mom moved a bit as Dad sat on the bed and pulls me into a hug.
"Are you hiding something from us, Joanne?" Dad asked in concerned, his arms kept around my shoulder as we hugged.
"Why you think so?" I asked.
"You are different. You got sick easily now and—"
Dad is cut off by Jeremy's cries.
Mom stand up instantly and went to his room.
"Dad, I think I'm closer to solving Baekhyun's case." I whispered.
"Does H is the reason you faint on the beach?" Dad asked, his tone raising in anger.
"No, it's not. It's just, I got a dream." I said.
"Baekhyun, his body is kept somewhere. There's no window and there's only one bulb as the source of light in there."
"You think your dream is kind of clue?" Dad asked.
"I think so."
Dad sighed.
He squeeze my hands lightly before he took off his necklace from his neck.
It is a silver necklace with a small, silver rod as its pendant.
He put it on me.
"If you're ever in any sort of danger Joanne, all you need to do is to push this button." Dad showed the silver rod.
"Alarms will blare and the GPS will be activated so I can track you."
"Thank you, Dad." I hugged him again.
"Please call me if there's something going on. I am begging you, Jo." He said in worried tone.
"I will Dad."
🔍
Baekhyun is laying on the couch.
He always seems pale but he never look as sick as he was now.
He keep grunting in his sleep and he always hold his stomach as if it hurts.
"Baekhyun?" I runs my fingers along his hair.
"Hmm..." He hummed tiredly, he made no effort to open his eyes.
"I am.. so tired, Joanne. . and. ." He breathed out.
"And my body is in pain. ."
Thunder strikes makes me stood up in shock.
I immediately check Jeremy next to me who is looking at me in fear.
He reached out his hands as I carried him in my arms, rocking him gently.
Mom and Dad isn't home tonight.
I realised that they always leave Jeremy and I during a rainy night.
However, Dad have locked every windows in the house meaning, no intruder can come in unless I open a door for them.
Suddenly, my phone rings loudly breaking the silence.
I take my phone and answered the call instantly.
"How are you?" Taehyung's voice sounds cracked, maybe due to the bad connection tonight.
"I'm fine." I shrugged as I decided to go upstairs and put Jeremy on his crib when I realised he fell asleep in my arms.
"You know, I saw something weird today." Taehyung told.
"About what?"
The stairs creaks when I step on it.
"I saw Hoseok talking to the phone."
"Talking?" I scoffed, lifting my eyebrows in amusement.
"In the toilet." Taehyung pointed out.
"Wasn't that a stupid action? Do he wants us to suspect him?" I asked.
"He do know that we are suspecting him as one of H."
"All I heard was the night of 16th September."
"Tonight is 16th September." I put Jeremy on his crib and tucked him.
"Exactly, do you see anything weird around your house?" Taehyung asked.
"No." I shakes my head before I went to the window.
"I think they are plotting something against you tonight."
"Maybe I should come to your house."
I saw a silhouette of a man with umbrella standing at Baekhyun's porch.
The thunder strikes again and the man turns.
It is Park Chanyeol.
And he is crying in the rain.
I can see it from his expression.
Why he is crying?
He almost jump when a hand is placed on his shoulder.
Do Kyungsoo.
Click!
My vision blurred.
"Take his photo, Kyungsoo." Someone sneered.
"His bloody image shall we treasure eternally."
I gasped and all my hairs stood up.
When I turn my attention back to the window, all of them had already left.
Ding dong!
I can feel blood rushed to my head, making me nausea and my legs turns jelly.
"Taehyung, don't come to my house." I ended the call.
Breathe, Joanne.
I told myself repeatedly when I could myself panicking until tears filled my eyes.
Ding dong!
With a heavy heart, I lock the door of Jeremy's room and went downstairs.
Jeremy is my priority too.
I don't want him to be harmed.
You don't have to be scared, Joanne.
Baekhyun is there with you.
You are never alone.
And he clearly needs your help.
He needs you to solve his mysterious case.
I keep my hands on my chest, hoping it will ease my pounding heart.
"Joanne?" Baekhyun croaks once I am in front of the door.
My hand froze.
I need the answer.
I need the answer.
And I open the door.
"Ms Joanne Cha." Chanyeol smile weakly.
I check for his other friends but he's alone.
His nose is red, and I am right, he did cried.
"Can I come in?" He asked in soft tone.
"Y-yeah." I let him inside before I lock the door again.
Baekhyun struggled to sit on the couch.
He watched us in confusion.
"Do you want drinks?" I asked politely.
"A glass of water would be fine."
"Please sit while I get it for you." I said and hurried to the kitchen.
I fumbled while taking a glass from the kitchen counter.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed.
I saw Chanyeol sit on the couch across Baekhyun.
Baekhyun looks at me worriedly.
I take my phone and read the notification.
You got a new email.
I check on Chanyeol once again before I click on my email.
It's from Haewon.
"Oh my God. ." I gasped loudly and I covered my mouth.
"Joanne!" Baekhyun shouted but it was too late.
A vase smashed to my head hardly makes me stumbled to the ground instantly.
Loud thud can be heard and my ears are ringing.
I touch my head and my trembling fingers is now coated with blood.
"Joanne!" Baekhyun screamed as he run to me.
But then, he fell to the ground.
"Ah!" He held his chest, his face scrunched in pain.
Chanyeol smirked sickly at me.
He chuckled.
My vision blurred.
There's three Chanyeol from my vision.
"You're so stupid, Joanne." He told wickedly before he giggled like an evil.
"You tried to lie to me by saying you're Baekhyun's cousin. Do you think I am stupid?" He snickered.
"Well, you two have something in common tho." He added.
"You two needs to be dispose."
He grabbed a fistful of my hair.
I whimpered in pain as I held his hands on my hair weakly.
I could feel my scalp burns under his grip.
"Ahh!" I screamed when he dragged me all the way to the living room.
My blood tainted the marble floor.
He push me back to the floor, making sure that my head knocked onto the floor before unlock the door.
I sobbed, holding my head.
Everything hurts by now.
And I can feel myself losing consciousness.
"Joanne, Joanne.." Baekhyun hold my hands tightly, before placing his lips on my knuckle.
Tears sprung out from his eyes.
"I'm so sorry. Please forgive me."
I gulped before I turn my head to the door.
There stood another four person.
And the bracelet on my wrist break into two.
I never know that this is how Baekhyun and I parted.
We never even say goodbye.
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