(unedited... promise I will edit Soon.)

The default for most people is a normal school upbringing. A routinely life in a picket fence house. After that comes the college life and it's long bills, then comes the family, and eventually disintegrating into a midlife crisis.

Inevitable sadness is what that type of life brings. At least that's what Minho thinks. It's all so boring, to live vanilla lives.

Where's all the fun ? The screams of terror, the thrill of running for your life when it's in danger, the pleasure of as many girls one could ever want......

"I can't do this. Please don't make me do this" Jisung pleads to a uncaring Minho.

They're at huge charity masquerade ball. Grand would be a better description. The sophistication and elegance of the huge venue further emphasizes it's importance in wealth.

Older women and their daughters who are clearly born from old money are adorning their fanciest dresses. The accompanying men are no different. They way they converse, look and even regard other people screams elitism.

Jisung begins to feel uneasy as he watches the masses in the ball mingle. He, Minho and 'detective Chan'  are right above the ball on the designated third floor.

That's right. Chan. The fake detective who brought him back to Minho.

Chan tried to apologize, but Jisung wasn't here for it. Fake law enforcement. Fake helper. Fake apology too.

"Think of this as an initiation, prove yourself to me Jisung. Show me that I can trust you" Minho says in that familiar soft voice. That soft voice that he uses when he is either being menacing or manipulative.

Chan just stares at the two quietly. He has never seen Minho behave this soft. The Minho he knows is vehemently mute and only uses action to communicate.

The Minho he knows, is an impatient ticking time bomb. Quick to anger and slow to being considerate, despite his genius mind.

"All you have to do, is collect. When I give you the signal. Collect everything you can as quick as you can. " Minho explains.

"Trust me okay?"

"Trust" Jisung repeats after Minho.

The night proceeds smoothly, while Chan leaves to carry out a task elsewhere, Minho and Jisung remain in the ball. 

The mask on Minho's face encapsulates mystery like never before. He already looks dapper and mysterious. But the fact that all Jisung can see are Minho's mask framed eyes heightens his image.

They linger like outsiders among the rich, but no one would be ever pick them out as intruders. If anything, they fit right in.

This is evident when an older man approaches Jisung with an inviting smile. 

"You look quite familiar young man, Do I Know?" The older man asks, sipping a cocktail flamboyantly.

Jisung remembers that their wearing masks, and can understand why this man would mistake him  for someone else. A younger relative perhaps.

"No sir, I assure you that we are not acquainted like that." Jisung says, trying to feign a confidence he doesn't have.

Those spy movies are coming in handy. Technically.

"Not a problem then. Let me get you a drink hmm? Get to be acquainted with you at a prestigious event like this" The chubby man says, leaning down to get closer to Jisung's ear.

There's a clear difference to when Minho is close to him, compared to this old geezer.

When Minho's does it, he feels hot. Right now all he feels are chills over his skin. The ones that feel likes needles to the skin.

"Let's go. I wonder what lies behind that mask" The man continues shamelessly, ignoring the utterly great swarm of people in the room. Everyone one seems to be minding their own business.

Either dancing to the orchestra, or chatting away in pompous talks.

Jisung tries to politely decline the man's advances but when he meets Minho's gaze from across the large hall, he decides against it.

Minho needs him to act as natural as possible. He walks with the man to the designated bar.

Men have no shame. He too is a man, but atleast he tries to act decent. Whether or not this is an act is up to the one who perceives him.

This old man had no shame. Not even the whiting of his hair gains him an ounce of self-respect.

"You look sexy" He whispers into Jisung's ear as soon as they sit by the bar chairs.

Of course the man is sitting so close to Jisung that even a cockroach would have any space to weasle between them.

Ten minutes in. Nothing happens. Twenty minutes in. This man is asking to take him somewhere private. Thirty minutes, and a beautiful lady in bright red calls for everyone's attention.

"Charity and Philanthropy are two things that are dear to my heart. Today we have gathered here to celebrate the gathering of up to $250000 for the children's care fund in Africa. " She starts off her speech in the smoothest voice Jisung has ever heard.

Everyone in the room starts to applaud her short speech after she merely smiles. Showing off white teeth that are complimented by dark brown hair.

But something is off. The clapping of people is not dying down. They keep clapping, even the bartender near Jisung.

That's when it starts. A single gunshot fires. Yet, instead of people fleeing the scene, bodies begin to fall down one by one.

Like flies losing their wings and dying. Everyone is falling to the floor in the room.

The orchestra music abruptly stops with the clashing of fallen instruments.

And it is now that Jisung realises that he should get to work. This is the signal Minho was talking about.

He swiftly jumps to his feet, his heartbeat providing a loud song to which he runs to. Leaving the old man behind.

Collect.

Minho told him to collect. He does his job, albeit his fear he to touch the temporarily lifeless bodies.

Minho must have spiked their drinks. This would explain why he explicitly warned him not to eat or drink anything here.

Watches. Rings. Wallets. Family heirlooms.
He's collecting just like he did at the diner.

But something tells him that this isn't about the petty finger robbing. Minho is using this as a diversion for a greater scheme. Jisung just happens to be a pawn in his game.

It would have been a smooth night up until the old man grabbed Jisung as he was about to leave the hall with all his findings in a huge Dior bag.

"You're going to jail for a long time, you filthy lowlife!" The man hisses, pressing a pistol to Jisung's head.

It was a scary bizarre scene only seen in nightmares or movies. The motionless bodies on the floor, spilled wines and masked faces. Now a gun to his head.

Death is inevitable. For some it happens to come earlier, and for Jisung, earlier is now.

•

"Why did you do that....You could have really hurt that man! Do you have any idea of what could have happened? What if he died Minho! You shot him!" Jisung is fuming. The words rushing out of his mouth with vehemence, blow for blow.

Minho says nothing. He lets the younger boy let out all his frustration. He lets Jisung hit his chest in his fit of anger.

"What were you expecting from me ? Hmm ? To be shitting rainbows and asking nicely for what I need ?" Minho asks when Jisung begins to simmer down with each deep breath.

Minho is now holding the younger's hands, interlocked in one hand. One strong grip.

"He was touching you Jisung...He had it coming, I won't let anyone touch you Jisung. Whether you like that or not"

"What happened to wanting to sell me off ?" Jisung scoffed in disbelief. Minho actually has to be delusional for talking like that.

"I changed my mind. I'm a selfish man Han. And I am going to keep you for myself" Minho says harshly still holding Jisung's hand's together, Jisung pressed against the wall harshly.

Jisung feels chills rise over his back whenever Minho gets like this. He feels heat pool between his legs. Minho is an absolute deviant for behaving manically like this, but Jisung is finding out that he might be just like this monster.

Jisung yearns to feel something other than fear. Other than dread. Other than sadness.

"Please"

"Please kiss me"  Jisung moans out desperately.

A/N

Another long ass chapter..... what the hell is even neobooks ? Their promo on Wattpad is going crazy.

Anygays, Song-murder on the dance floor

( Watch Jongho's everything mv for whiter teeth 🥹🤪)