Author pov

The night was darker than usual as the group prepared to raid the facility Seo Yeon had revealed as a secondary command center. Tensions were high, each of them aware that this mission carried risks they might not walk away from.

Hye Rin stood by the window, inspecting her weapons. Eun Ji approached her, her arms crossed.

“You’re quiet,” Eun Ji said softly.

Hye Rin glanced at her. “It’s a lot to think about.”

Eun Ji hesitated, then placed a hand on Hye Rin’s arm. “Promise me something.”

Hye Rin raised an eyebrow. “What?”

“Come back to me,” Eun Ji said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Hye Rin’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I always do.”

Eun Ji held her gaze for a long moment, then nodded. “Good.”

---

The Mission

The facility was heavily fortified, guards patrolling in pairs with drones overhead. Ji Soo handled the security systems, creating a temporary blind spot for them to slip through.

They moved silently through the corridors, Seo Yeon taking the lead while Hye Rin and Eun Ji covered the rear.

“This way,” Seo Yeon whispered, gesturing to a hallway.

They followed her, but as they reached the server room, a sudden alarm blared through the facility.

“Damn it,” Ji Soo hissed through their earpieces. “They found the breach. You’ve got about five minutes before the whole place is swarming.”

“Get what we need and get out,” Hye Rin ordered.

Seo Yeon and Ji Soo worked quickly, pulling data from the server. But the sound of footsteps echoed down the hallway, and Hye Rin tensed.

“Eun Ji, stay back,” she said, drawing her weapon.

The attackers came in waves, heavily armed and relentless. Hye Rin and Seo Yeon fought side by side, their movements a blur of precision and strength.

“Almost done!” Ji Soo shouted, his fingers flying over the keyboard.

Eun Ji swung her crowbar at an approaching guard, adrenaline surging through her veins. But her focus shifted when she heard a sharp gasp behind her.

She turned just in time to see Hye Rin stagger, her hand clutching her stomach as blood seeped through her fingers.

“Hye Rin!” Eun Ji screamed, running to her side.

---

A Desperate Escape

Seo Yeon fired at the remaining guards, her jaw tight. “We need to move. Now!”

Eun Ji wrapped an arm around Hye Rin, supporting her weight as they stumbled out of the server room.

“I’m fine,” Hye Rin mumbled, her voice weak.

“Shut up and keep walking,” Eun Ji snapped, tears streaming down her face.

Ji Soo led the way, guiding them to an emergency exit. The gunfire faded behind them, but Eun Ji’s heart raced as she felt Hye Rin’s weight grow heavier against her.

By the time they reached the safe house, Hye Rin was unconscious.

---

The Long Night

Eun Ji paced the room, her hands trembling as Ji Soo worked to stabilize Hye Rin’s wound. Seo Yeon stood in the corner, her expression unreadable.

“She’ll make it,” Ji Soo said finally, though his voice lacked conviction. “But she’s lost a lot of blood. It’s up to her now.”

Eun Ji sank to the floor beside the bed, gripping Hye Rin’s hand tightly. “You promised me,” she whispered, her voice breaking.

Seo Yeon watched silently, something unreadable flickering in her eyes.

Hours passed, the room heavy with tension. Eun Ji refused to leave Hye Rin’s side, her tears falling freely.

“Please,” Eun Ji whispered, her voice cracking. “Please wake up. I can’t do this without you.”

---

A Fragile Awakening

It was just before dawn when Hye Rin stirred, her eyes fluttering open.

“Eun Ji?” she croaked, her voice barely audible.

Eun Ji’s head shot up, her heart leaping. “Hye Rin!”

She grabbed a glass of water, helping Hye Rin drink before pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You scared me,” Eun Ji said, her voice shaking.

Hye Rin managed a weak smile. “Takes more than that to get rid of me.”

Eun Ji laughed through her tears, holding Hye Rin’s hand tightly. “You idiot. Don’t ever do that again.”

Hye Rin’s gaze softened. “I’ll try.”

Seo Yeon cleared her throat, drawing their attention. “Glad you’re alive, Hye Rin. We’ve got work to do.”

Eun Ji shot her a glare. “She just woke up!”

Seo Yeon smirked. “And we don’t have time to waste.”

Hye Rin chuckled weakly. “She’s right, Eun Ji. But… maybe give me a few more hours.”

Eun Ji smiled despite herself. “You’re impossible.”

---