Present Time _ June 11, 2018 _ 1:06 AM _ NCT Main Headquarters

"Jeno?!" I said in disbelief once I saw the person who came to get me.

Jeno Lee is the athletic guy in school who usually participates in all sports. He's a bit taller than Donghyuck and much more bulkier than him. He's sporting a white sleeveless shirt and black jeans, and was wearing black military boots and a black beret.

"Come with me," he motioned me to follow him. Although I'm reluctant to go, I find myself trailing behind him slowly.

He keeps glancing behind his back to make sure I was following him. I look around the building and I notice there are a lot of rooms and doors that somehow reminded me of an apartment complex but more extravagant—like a 5 star hotel.

Actually, it looked more like a mansion than a hotel. Everything looked so shiny, the furnitures, the chandeliers, the marbled floor and everything else.

Jeno stopped walking and turned around to look at me which made me stop walking as well. The corners of his lips curved into a small smirk before digging one of his hands in his pocket.

"What's with the childish reaction, Alice Kang?" He asked.

I furrowed my eyebrows at him, "How did you know my name?"

As far as I know, Jeno is the popular guy at school who is an athlete and a scholar. He always top the exams and was being chased by a lot of universities but somehow he declined all of them for unknown reasons. We never talked before so why does he know my name?

His smirk grew wider, "I know a lot of things," he answered before he motioned me to follow him again.

"Obviously," I murmured under my breath.

"What was that?" He asked, his back still facing me. The tone of his voice sounded like I just insulted him.

"Nothing."

Finding him a little suspicious, I didn't even move a muscle. Mark with guns, a mansion with high end technology, and Jeno and few other people I haven't seen before. My gut is already telling me I should flee as soon as I can, but why am I being led deeper?

"Where are you taking me?" I asked bravely, clutching my school bag tightly, feeling my knees slightly trembling from the mix of nervousness, excitement and fear.

"Are you scared?" This time he was smiling and his eyes disappeared, forming a cresent shape. "You don't have to be," he added.

"You haven't answered my question yet," I replied, lowering my voice.

"Am I obliged to answer it?" He gave me a sharp look, "Who are you to demand for an answer?"

I returned the sharp look at him even though my legs are starting to tremble, and I think I'm close to passing out. Nonetheless, I kept my stance and bit my lip, and stared back at him. "I'm not coming with you," I answered.

"Well that's too bad," Jeno shrugs his shoulders and starts walking towards me. I remained glued to my position, still unable to move my feet or any of my muscles. He leaned in close to my face with a frown, "I guess I'll just have to make you."

My breath was somehow stuck in my throat when I saw him pull out a gun from his back pocket. I shivered at the sight of the gun in his hand, and before he could say anything again, there was a static sound that caught both of our attention.

"Jesus fucking christ Jeno! Don't scare the wits out of her! We're going to get killed!" It was an unfamiliar voice and it came from the ceiling. As I look around, I noticed there are small speaker-like vents embedded from the corners of the ceiling that I didn't notice from the other room before.

Jeno chuckled and put the gun back behind him. He crossed his arms, "The thing is, Alice Kang, if you get killed, we get killed. Why don't you just follow me?"

I swallowed a lump on my throat and tried my best to smirk, "If I don't move, then you'll be disobeying orders from your leader, right? You can't kill me, but you can be killed."

Jeno smirked even wider, his arrogance was radiating off his nasty wide grin. It made my eye twitch, a deep frown slowly transformed my smirk.

With one swift moment I found my stomach resting on his shoulder blade, my bottom was near his cheek, and his arm was wrapped around my body. I couldn't help but yelp, my school bag slips off my shoulder and fell to the ground with a thud.

"You leave me no choice then," he said with a huff and carried me to who knows where.

I couldn't even turn my neck around to see what he's up to without losing balance. Thankfully, my skirt was long enough to cover my bottom and inner thigh. "Jeno Lee, I demand you to put me down!" I shouted when we entered an elevator and it began to descend. Instead of putting me down, his grip on my body got tighter, and descending seemed to become slower.

"No can do," he shakes his head, his eyes focused on the small electronic screen that showed which floor we're in.

I began punching his back with all the force I got, even wiggling my whole body just to escape his grip. I began kicking my legs, but he restrained them with his other hand like it was nothing.

I heard him scoff, "You call that trying to escape? I feel sorry for you," he said, stepping out of the elevator as soon as it opened. "Brought her safe and sound," he added and finally putting me down on the floor.

As soon as my feet touched the ground, I immediately swing an arm to punch him. My effort was, however, futile as he simply caught my fist with a smile, as if he was already anticipating my punch from the start.

"You're so easy to read," he chuckled and I pulled my hand away with a huff. Jeno shakes his head, his smile continued to linger on his lips as he walks pass me. "Feisty, isn't she?" He added, and I followed him through my eyes.

When I turned around to look at him once more, I was greeted by several pairs of eyes. My eyes widened at the sight of them sitting around a long table as if they were having a meeting. My eyes scanned each corners of the room and my heart raced even faster as I saw one more familiar face.

Na Jaemin, Jeno's best friend and the famous Speed Skater who went into hiatus after a back injury and never participated ever again. Due to his charming looks, he's known as the school's playboy. At the back of my mind, I already assumed Jaemin's also a part of the gang, but I never thought the assumption would be true.

Jaemin flashed me his perfect smile, a set of white teeth and a charismatic gaze would make any girl fall. But in this scenario, I found myself breathing heavily due to being terrified of what will happen to me next.

"Hello!" Jaemin greeted with a toothy smile, waving his hand subtly at me as if he was greeting an acquaintance.

"Where the hell am I?" I asked shakily, stepping back away from them. Jeno crossed his arms again and leaned on the long table. Mark and Haechan was no where inside the room, but there was an odd little noise coming from the room just across me. "Jeno Lee, where the hell am I?" I asked once again, eyeing Jeno who was simply watching me silently.

Jaemin chuckled, his deep voice echoing to the whole room that seemed cold. "Isn't it a bit late for you to ask that?" He asked, standing up from his seat and leaning forward to the table with his two hands supporting his weight. "But I can still answer it for you," he added with a wink. "You're inside NCT's Main Headquarters."

"You heard about us, right?" Jeno commented with a smug smirk.

NCT, I just heard about them from Donghyuck earlier. He said NCT is a secret organization, and other than that information, I have no clue about them. NCT can be a group of syndicates for all I know.

"Relax," one of the members cooed, "We're not going to sell your organs or something, we're not that kind of people. We aren't taking you for hostage either," he added with a light chuckle.

I feel conflicted between feeling relieved and feeling more afraid. I'm inside a building that I'm not familiar with and I'm more anxious since we descended using an elevator. Then it means we're underground and even if I shout my lungs out for help, no one from the surface can even hear me.

I stood frozen in front of them. My breathing was somehow surprisingly turned to normal, but my heart beat was rampaging inside my chest. My mind is filled with numerous scenarios within an hour, but I can't even formulate a possible escape. Worst case scenario, I'm going to be killed here while escaping without my parents even knowing.

Just then, Mark came out of the room just across from me. He looked like an utter mess, his clothes were filled with bloches of blood and dirt, and he was wearing a new broken lower lip.

When his eyes found me standing in front of his comrades, he immediately went to me. His eyes roamed around my body worriedly, "You're not injured, are you? What are you doing down here?" He asked.

I still stood frozen, unable to move a muscle, but I can at least move my lips. "What happened to you?" I asked, pointing at the blood staining his white shirt. From who or where he got it, I didn't want to know.

"Just answer my question."

"Jeno brought me here," I answered shakily, still eyeing his broken lower lip. It was badly bleeding, but some of the blood already dried off. "I want to go home, Mark," I added frustratingly, tears are already threating to escape my eyes. "I really do."

Mark looked at me with tired eyes, a look of concern and worry washed over his face. But his answer wasn't what I expected it to be.

"We can't let you go... for now," Mark answered quietly, shaking his head subtly. "You need to be here, to be safe."

"But my Mom and Dad," I interjected, "I'm sure they're already worried for me, please just let me go. I'll give you my money, my possessions, I promise I won't tell you to the police!" I added hopelessly, in hopes that I can make them agree.

"You can't go back for now," I heard Jeno spoke behind Mark. "You'll stay here," he added and walked towards me with a frown.

Mark and Jeno exchanged glances, and Jeno smiled at Mark. "I'll take it from here, Mark hyung. I can make her piss her pants more than you," he added with a grin.

Mark was about to say something when Jeno looked away from him and stared right into my eyes. I stopped breathing for a moment, I couldn't move, like I was trapped in an invisible box. Everything around me seemed to have vanished, all I can see was Jeno.

My breathing quickened when he leaned closer to my face, his lips was millimiters away from mine. I couldn't talk even if I wanted to, I couldn't move any muscle in my body, I couldn't blink or close my eyes.

He had put me under his spell.

Jeno leaned in closer, but close to my neck this time. His breath was tickling my skin, earning goosebumps on my arms. Even if I want to push him away, I couldn't do it at all.

He leaned in closer, his lips slightly touching the skin on my neck. I felt him smirk and said words that made my hair stand on their ends.

"Goodnight, Princess."

• • •

Slowly and evenly, I flutter my eyes open. The sunlight coming from the window was blinding me, the still air was a bit cold. I groan slightly, tilting my neck from side to side slowly to ease the pain.

I yawned and stretch my limbs and sit up from the unusually soft mattress. Realizing that I wasn't in the comfort of my own home, I sprung up from the bed.

The room is fairly large, neat, and sophisticated. It's a whole different room compared to my room. The walls are white, oak bedside tables, white silky bedsheet and red velvety blanket. A small couch set by the side of the room near the windows covered by golden curtains, and white granite floor with white fluffy rugs. There's also a large flat screen TV that was mounted in the wall, small corner lights by the brown colored ceiling, and a small flower-like chandelier by the middle. My eyes didn't miss the three doors, one must be leading outside of this room.

I must be still inside NCT's Headquarters since I don't remember escaping last time. All I remember was Jeno leaning closer to me and then I immediately lost conciousness. He must've done the same trick Mark used on me since the side of my neck is aching terribly.

Still on my uniform, I made my way around the bed, my shoes were neatly arranged by the side, my bag was placed on the chair near one of the doors.

The door swung open with a loud bang, making me jump from my position and possibly closer to my death from heart attack.

"GOOD MORNING!"

Jaemin had kicked the door open and beamed brightly at me while carrying a tray of food. His toothy smile shone brighter than the sun and he waltz inside the room leisurely like he didn't shocked the life out of me just a while ago.

"Did you have a nice sleep?" He asked, still with a charming smile.

I frown, "Is this my own room? In my own house?" I asked as I watch him place the tray of food on the table by the small couch set.

Jaemin blinked, "No."

"There you have it," I answered, shrugging my shoulders and eyeing him as he stood still, still trying to process what I said. "You're clearly taking me as hostage," I pointed out with a frown while slipping on my shoes slowly.

"We aren't," Jaemin answered nonchalantly with a shrug of his shoulders, "You received an email from the future, right?" He asked, emphasizing the word future and stared right to my eyes.

I sighed deeply, "What's up with you! Yes, I received an email from the future, what's it to you, huh?" I shouted, clenching my fists until my knuckles are turning white. "I want to go home so badly! What's this bullshit keeping me in here to keep me safe?! You guys don't even try to explain what's happening!"

Jaemin blinked, completely taken aback from my sudden outburst. I'm a patient person, but everything that has been happening is making me lose control and blow up my fuse. My phone is working perfectly fine, but I can't even receive a single text from Dad or Mom! I don't know of they're safe, if they're at home, or if they're even worrying about me!

My chest keep rising and falling after shouting at Jaemin, he did not say anything, but his eyes was still looking at me steadily.

After moments of actually staring at each other, Jaemin finally clears his throat. "I'm not the one going to explain why you're in here," he answered seriously with a frown. He glances at the tray of food on the table before looking back at me, "Eat your breakfast and come down. Mark hyung will be waiting downstairs," he said before walking out of the room, closing the door with a small click.

I bit my lip and glanced at the tray of food on the table. The tempting aroma of bacon, eggs and toasted bread is making me drool. I haven't eaten anything yet after my encounter with Mark last night, my stomach is actually growling from hunger.

Hesitantly, I made my way to the tray of food Jaemin has brought inside the room. It was full and looked apetizing and upon closer look, there was a small handwritten note just beside the plate.

Alice Kang,
I hope you enjoy breakfast today! I prepared the eggs just the way you like it as compensation for bringing you here. You haven't eaten anything since last night, so eat everything I've prepared for you.
- Code 0813

I arched a brow upon reading the note. Code 0813? Who could that be? I remember seeing a similar code last night with Mark, but I'm pretty sure this code belongs to someone else.

Could it be Donghyuck?

◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤◢◤

I couldn't believe I ate everything that was on the plate. I was famished, but I'm glad they're kind enough to feed me decent food even though they have taken me hostage. I just hoped that whoever prepared the food didn't add poison to it.

As soon as I finished the food, I fixed myself and opened one of the doors. The first one was actually a walk-in closet, but it was empty of clothes except for a few night clothes. The other one was a spacious bathroom, and the other door was actually the door leading outside of the room.

Once I was out of the room, I was in the middle of an empty hallway. There are a few doors away from the room I came from; and upon inspecting a little bit more, the stairs leading down was by the end of the hallway.

Quickly without making any noise, I made my way downstairs even if I don't know which direction I'm going. The only thing I am thinking about is not getting caught by anyone, by then, I guess I could plan my escape.

I kept going down the never ending staircase. The halls felt big but empty, no one was around and it made me feel at least a bit relieved knowing that no one would see me lurking.

Without further ado, once I've reached the ground floor that I've seen last night, I made my way towards the door where Mark and I came from. It was the door leading back to the cafe, that's my only way out of here.

"Where are you going?"

The voice made me stop my movements, my breathing becoming more eratic and uncoordinated like I've just ran a whole marathon. I swallowed my spit and turned around, only to see Jeno frowning at me, both his hands buried in his pockets.

"Where are you going?" he repeated, and I made sure I avoided eye contact. "Didn't Jaemin tell you that Mark hyung is waiting for you?" he added, narrowing his eyes at me.

"He didn't," I lied.

He narrowed his eyes at me again, like he knew that I'm lying. "Now you know," he replied and went to walk behind me. I followed his movements through my eyes, making sure that he wasn't holding a gun or any weapon to threaten me again. "Walk, I'll tell you the way," he ordered and I gulped.

I began to walk slowly like a robot, the soles of my shoes hitting the granite floor with a thud with every step I took. "You're clearly taking me hostage," I pointed out.

"Didn't we tell you that we're not? Keep moving," he barked and I swallowed again.

"Where is Donghyuck?" I asked, Jeno didn't respond so I continued. "I want to thank him for the breakfast. He's the co-owner of Sun and Moon, right? Then he must be great at cooking too."

"Donghyuck's not around, Alice Kang. Are you sure Donghyuck was the one who cooked your meal?" He asked, his baritone voice echoing through the empty house.

I did not answer his question and kept on walking, like it was an endless walk to an endless road. We keep on passing by different rooms, different areas, I couldn't keep up with how vast their base is.

"You were planning on escaping, weren't you?" He asked once again, followed by a deep chuckle.

I stayed silent and kept on walking. So what if I was planning on escaping? I'm bound to escape this place once I get the right timing.

I only heard Jeno chuckle while shaking his head. "Once you get in, there's no escaping."