'Become a member of Neo City, or get killed because of the information you know.'

   The sentence replayed itself in my mind like a broke record. 'Become a member of Neo City? Like they can convince me to do that.' I roll my eyes and follow Jungwoo down a thin hallway. Do I have to become a member of this gang? Why can't they just keep me here and not force me into this mess.

   As we near the end of the hallway, two mahogany doors come into view, both parallel to each other. Jungwoo turns towards the door to his right and presses the same plastic card against the lock. A mechanical click sounds and Jungwoo nudges the door open. He disappears into the room and I follow. 

   I turn into the room, but am met with wooden stairs. I pause, watching Jungwoo fly down the black stairs. He glances over his shoulder at me and frowns, pinching his eyebrows together. 

   "You're not going to be thrown into another cell. Come on," He motions for me to come down the stairs. I carefully drop a foot down to the first step. My other foot mimics the first, and eventually I'm behind Jungwoo. 

   "Took you long enough. This way." It took everything in my power to keep me from socking him in the jaw. 

   He leads me into another large room, however, this room was different than the one I saw upstairs. Both were vast and elegant, but this room felt more relaxed than the room upstairs. The room I first passed through felt more sophisticated; this room felt more comfy and seemed to be more laid-back. 

   An ample, tan-colored sectional sofa filled up most of the room. A small, glass coffee table stood in between the couch's two chaises. Against the far right wall was a black, wide T.V. stand. Inside it's two glass cabinets was a game console and some books. Above the stand hung a enormous flat-screen T.V. I chuckle to myself as we round another corner.

   As I turn the corner, my eyes catch sight of two glass double doors. The glass is foggy, so I can't see the new room's contents, but what I can make out in the hazy, mixed colors resemble an indoor swimming pool. My eyes flicker back to Jungwoo leading me down the corridor. He held his head high and walked with a sense of confidence and maturity. 

   The same smooth, white walls surround me as Jungwoo guides me down to the end of the corridor. He halts at a door, the door facing the open hallway. He aggressively knocks before tossing the door open. He leans his head in and rotates it side to side, inspecting the room. Jungwoo leans back and nods to himself, turning around and falling back onto the door frame. He crosses his arms and stares at me. 

   "This is your room," He motions his head to his side, "This is where you'll stay for the rest of you time you're here. We don't have cameras installed yet, but that doesn't mean we don't know what you're doing." Jungwoo pats his pocket, the dull thud of the weapon filling the air. My eyes jump from his pocket back to his baleful stare.

   "We are still armed, and by we, I mean everyone in this building," He straightens up, swatting at his suit jacket, "So don't try anything." Jungwoo holds my stare, his eyes burning holes into my own, and leaves without another word.

   I swivel my head around, watching as the orange-haired man turns the corner and vanishes. I sigh and glance back at the room, grabbing the silver door handle. I enter the room and softly shut the door behind me.

   The room was your typical bedroom, but the furniture was plush and classy. A bed topped with white, silk sheets stood against the far left wall. Two hoary nightstands sandwiched the bed, and a rug laid in the middle of the room. A black leather couch pressed itself along the right wall. A large painting hung above the couch; the colors mixed together to display a lake, the beauty of the art contrasting heavily with the demeanor of this house. 

   I strolled over to the bed, taking the sheets into my hand and massaging the fabric. The room was smaller than the one's before it, but it still was huge compared to my apartment. 'This house is gorgeous, but I'm still finding a way out.'

   The window I saw on the second floor was perfect for my getaway. It's right next to Taeyong's office, which might be a problem. It looked as though it was night, at least after 10 pm. Time has passed, so I'd say it's around midnight. If it's almost midnight, then surely everyone would be asleep. And Taeyong's office would be empty. As Jungwoo and I were approaching this room, I noticed other doors. Those other doors must be rooms for the other members of the gang. While we passed those doors, no sound was coming from behind them, so they must be asleep.

   But Jungwoo just left, meaning he isn't asleep. Not yet at least. I hop onto the bed and sigh, slouching slightly. I'll have to wait until Jungwoo, or any other member of the gang that are still awake, are fast asleep before I can make a move.

   I fall onto my back, the smooth sheets hugging my body, and stare blankly at the ceiling.

   "Time to wait."

   I slide the bathroom door closed. I exhale deeply, letting my fingers fall from the door handle to my side.

   To pass time, I explored the rest of the room I was placed in. A closet stood along the same wall as the door; nothing filled its shelves except for a few stray gun magazines. The bathroom was behind the bed in a separate room. White, quartz counter tops lined the vanity, a broad shower occupied the right side of the bathroom, and a small, slender room contained a toilet perpendicular to the shower. 

   I glance at the door leading outside, adrenaline and exhilaration beginning to flow through me. 'Go time.' A smirk curls along my lips as I dart towards the door, my jaw set and mind concentrated. I briefly press my ear against the wood of the door before slowly peeling the door back and slithering through the crack. I press my back lightly against the door and gently close it, a faint "click" sounding from behind me. 

   I scan the hallway, listening intently, before scurrying towards the main room. I latched onto the corner, peeking to see if anyone was awake. No one is sight. I let out a relieved sigh and hurry towards the stairs. Right as I was about to climb the first step, my eyes fall upon the door at the top.

   'Shit!' I run a hand down my face. That door needs one of those cards for it to open. Without one, I'm trapped down here. 'Maybe someone left their card here?' I whip my head around, surveying the room. When I thought all hope was lost, my eyes cross the coffee table.

   My heart nearly skips a beat. There it was. Sitting there in plain sight; a card. I rushed over to the coffee table and snatched the card. I flipped it in my hand, gazing at its minimalistic style. 'Lee Donghyuck', it read. I snickered, twirling the card between my fingers. 'Thank you Lee Donghyuck.'

   I climbed the stairs slowly, careful not to make any creaks, and eventually came face to face with the door. I hesitantly flatten the card onto the lock, just as I saw Jungwoo do and a mechanical turning sounds. I glance over my shoulder, my eyes wildly searching for anyone might have heard the noise. After several minutes of complete silence, I pry open the door.

   The heavy, wooden door thuds close behind me. I stay frozen against the door, my eyes and ears straining in the dark. The house was duskier from when I last saw it, but still bright enough to see one's path. The house was dead silent; a single breath sounded like the boom of an explosion.

   I exhale noiselessly and begin creeping towards the main staircase. I inspect the main room before scampering off towards the front of the mansion. I round the banister and slink up the stairs, stepping lightly so my shoes don't create unwanted noise. As I step onto the second floor, I plaster myself against the wall, peering around the corner. I smirk, seeing the window and corridor bare. 

   I whiz around the corner and down the corridor, making it to the window. I slide the card into my back pocket before resting my fingers upon the windowsill. My heartbeat thumps in my ears, the excitement, nervousness, and fear washing together. I gaze at the night sky beyond the glass, a smile forming on my lips. My heart beats rapidly as I curl my fingers under the window, pushing it open.

   "What do you think you're doing?" 

   I freeze, my heart plummeting. I turn towards the voice; I remember that voice, its forbidding and sinister tone stunning me. My eyes land upon the man that got me into this mess. The man that makes my heart flutter and cower in fear. The black-haired man.

   Mark.

   "Escaping." I hop onto the windowsill and begin to crawl out, but I get harshly thrown back into the house. A hand was clasped around my arm, his fingers digging into my skin.

   I glance at my arm and back at Mark. He scowled down at me, his jaw clenched with rage. His eyes were like daggers, piercing through me. I was absolutely terrified, but I didn't show it. I hid my fear behind a confident, expressionless face. 

   "Jungwoo told you what would happen if you tried escaping," He seethed, reaching behind his back and revealing a silver handgun. "So... any last words?" He cocked the gun with his thumb and pinned the barrel against my forehead. 

   I stare into his cruel, steely eyes. Among the black sea, I could see a hint of glitter; a small spark of amusement. A smirk tugged at my lips. He huffed, ramming the barrel further into my skin. I grimaced, attempting to pull away only to be met with the pain of my arm being yanked.

   "Anything?" He snarled, his grip on my arm tightening. 

   "You're really back at keeping secrets." A cheeky grin spread across my face. Mark growled, but before any gunshots went off, a voice piped up from beside me. 

   "Mark, put the gun down," His voice was calm yet demanding. Mark's stare lingered on me before he done as he was told, his fists balled in vexation. A head of rose-colored hair came into view, glaring at both me and Mark. I swallow dryly. Taeyong.

   "Mark," his head shifted towards the man, "Why were you about to shoot our newest recruit?" His words shocked me, but I kept silent. 

   "She was escaping!" Mark's hand flung at me as he raged, " Protocol states that if a prisoner is escaping, we don't hesitate to-"

   "But she isn't a prisoner anymore. She's the newest addition to Neo City." My eyes flicker over at Taeyong, his expression stern yet comforting. 

   "Regardless if she was member or not, she tried escaping, sir. Escaping. She should already be dead, especially since she knows confidential information." Mark shook with fury, his eyes flying between Taeyong and I.

   "I understand your worry, Mark, but I've made up my mind. Setting Yubin free could cause various problems, so we kept her here. We plan on using her to our advantage." 

   "Then we could just kill her and-"

   "Mark." Taeyong grumbled.

   Mark raked a hand through his hair, glowering at me. He thrust his gun into the waistband of his pants and stares at Taeyong. He nods, seeming to communicate without words. Mark storms off as curses leave his mouth, not taking a moment to look back. I watch as he speeds down the hall and off into another hallway. I sigh deeply, the fear that I once had only half gone now that Tayeong stands before me.

   "Let me escort you back to your room."

   Taeyong spins and starts for the stairs. I pause before following behind him. As he leads me down the stairs, I replay my near death encounter I had moments ago.  Of all people that had to catch me, it had to be the man that knocked me out the first time and wouldn't hesitate to do again. It had to be the man that I didn't get along with. 

   I round a corner, trailing closely behind Taeyong as we reach the door leading down to the rooms. He slides out his own white card and touches it to the lock, the door opening. Taeyong lodges his foot between the door and the frame, turning back to look at me.

   "Well, you better get some sleep, it's late," He nudges the door open, holding it ajar. He gestures his hand inside the room, signaling me to enter.

   "Before I go, can I ask you a question?" 

   Taeyong nods, holding open the door with his foot.

   "Why did you spare my life instead of letting Mark kill me?" Taeyong chuckles, shaking his head.

   "First off, we don't want to be responsible for another person's death, we have enough on our plate to begin with. And second, I saw potential in you," He paused, holding my gaze, "I knew we needed someone with amazing accuracy and a fiery attitude, and you came stumbling into our hands. You're a perfect fit for this job, and I couldn't let someone like you run away so easily."

   I stood still. My mind was at war with itself. Should I stay or should I flee? Half of my mind was saying I should stay with Neo City and stop risking my life, and the other half was saying I should run and escaping this place as quickly as I can. I shake my head lightly, pushing those thoughts to the back of my mind.

   I walk towards the door, taking one stair down, and glancing back up at Taeyong. I smile slightly, and Taeyong returns it, moving his body towards the edge of the door frame.

   "Sleep well, you're meeting the rest of the gang tomorrow." 

   And with that, the mahogany door thumps shut, silence filling my ears. 

Thank you for reading!!