"I need to run." The thought blared in Ji-Won's mind, but his body was paralyzed by a raw surge of panic. Then, with a burst of desperation, Ji-Won found the strength to break free. His body jerked into motion before his mind could catch up, and he sprinted. He didn't care where—he just needed to escape.
Andrew and Youn-Jae watched in stunned silence, eyes wide with shock. Without thinking, they both took a step forward, instinctively moving to follow. But the crowd blocked them, a mass of well-meaning guests that swarmed around them, offering congratulations and questions, oblivious to the storm brewing just a few feet away. The interruptions were like a wall, trapping them in place.
Ji-won's figure disappeared into the night, his escape swift and desperate, while Andrew and Youn-Jae stood helpless, unable to break free from the crowd's chokehold, he bolted down the path, his heart pounding like a war drum, each beat echoing the chaos in his mind. Confusion, betrayal, and an overwhelming sense of pain surged through him, twisting in his gut. All he knew was that he had to escape before the ground beneath him gave way, dragging him into a chasm of despair.
***
Meanwhile, James lingered on the sidelines, idly flicking his lighter, frustration etched across his face. But then, his gaze snagged on a fleeting figure darting down a nearby trail, sparking his curiosity. What's he doing here? And why is he in such a hurry? he wondered, a sharp edge to his thoughts. Without hesitation, he melted into the shadows, determined to uncover the answer. "Damn," he muttered under his breath, "if Andrew spots him here with the president, it'll definitely sour his mood."
The path wound through a thicket of trees before opening up to a breathtaking cliff, overlooking the turbulent sea. In the distance, a silhouette of an island emerged, shrouded in mist. Its haunting beauty captured James's attention, causing him to pause, hidden among the trees.
He reached for his lighter again, desperate for the solace of smoke. But just as the flame flickered to life, the lighter slipped from his fingers, clattering against the rocky ground. The sudden sting of heat burned his finger, forcing him to hiss in surprise. "Damn it!" he muttered, frustration spilling over as he bent down to retrieve it, and after a deep breath to steady himself, James slowly pushed himself to his feet, his eyes darting toward Ji-Won. But what he saw next froze him in place.
Emerging from the shadows was a man—unfamiliar, his face concealed by a dark mask, giving him an unsettling presence. The masked figure stood just a few feet from Ji-Won, arm extended menacingly, a glint of metal catching the dim light as he aimed a gun directly at Ji-Won's chest.
The serene cliffside, bathed in soft moonlight, had become the backdrop for an unspeakable horror. Ji-Won, unaware of James's presence, stood frozen, shock and disbelief etched across his face as he locked eyes with the gunman.
James's heart hammered in his chest, fear and adrenaline surging through him. What the hell is happening? he thought.
"Should I call for help?"
"Do something!"
His mind raced, torn between the instinct to act and the paralyzing terror that rooted him to the spot. The tension in the air was thick, the night heavy with danger.
Then, panic surged through James as he snapped back to reality. His hands trembled violently as he fumbled for his phone, pulling it from his pocket. In his haste, the rustling of his movements made just enough noise to catch the gunman's attention.
The masked man's eyes narrowed. The gun shifted, now aimed directly at James.
"No, no, no," James thought, his heart racing even faster. Desperately, he dialed Andrew's number, pressing the phone to his ear. But before he could utter a word, a deafening crack shattered the night. The gunman fired, and the bullet tore into James's shoulder with brutal force.
James cried out in agony, the phone slipping from his grasp as it clattered to the ground, forgotten amidst the chaos. On the other end, Andrew's voice was drowned in panic, his words distorted as the sounds of the party erupted into a frenzied storm.
Ignoring James, who crumpled to the ground clutching his bleeding shoulder, the gunman refocused on Ji-Won. Without hesitation, he fired again, this time aiming for Ji-Won's shoulder. The impact sent shockwaves through Ji-Won's body, forcing him backward toward the cliff's edge.
Ji-Won gasped in pain, his knees buckling as he struggled to stay upright. But the relentless gunman wasn't finished. He aimed at Ji-Won's left leg, pulling the trigger again. The bullet tore through Ji-Won's flesh, and he cried out, stumbling, his balance faltering. Teetering dangerously near the edge, Ji-Won tried to steady himself.
The gunman, cold and calculating, aimed for Ji-Won's head in a final, merciless act. The shot rang out like thunder, and the impact sent Ji-Won flying over the cliff's edge. His body plummeted into the darkness below, swallowed by the abyss.
Why? Why did you have to destroy the trust I built for us?
Why must I always feel the pain in your care?
Perhaps I'm not enough for your love—
Not enough to be spared from this constant hurt.
You should have left me alone; I was fine before we met.
But after all this time, you claim me again, just to hurt me.
You're the only one I ever saw for me,
Yet once again, you deceive me.
You said you loved me, that we would be together forever—
I thought we would last, but here I am, alone,
As the tide pulls me further from your shore.
Can I still fight the current that drags me away,
When you're the one who set this cruel game into motion?
If I reach for you again, will you pull me back?
I'm terrified—will you hold me,
Or will you let go, leaving me lost in fear once more?
How can I trust your promises,
When betrayal lingers, and I'm left to mourn?
Why do I find warmth in this cold, dark sea,
A strange solace in the depths that swallow me whole?
The water surrounds me; it whispers of peace,
Telling me to stay, as it drags me below—
Where all my pain will finally fade away.
I should stay here forever, let the pain wash away,
Surrender to silence, and let the darkness claim me.
For in this abyss, my heartbeat grows weaker,
Each breath I take feels like a whispered restraint.
So, I'll let the waves claim my body, my soul,
And the love I once cherished, now fading with me.
I hope this time you'll never find me,
No matter how hard you search.
The story doesn't end here...
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