Alice Kang

With shaking hands, heavy breathing, fast heartbeat, cold sweat, and a wash of paranoia, the clothes that was neatly folded came pooling down my feet.

"Well?" The voice spoke, the muzzle of his gun still pressed towards the back of my head. I could feel the cold metallic material to my scalp, making my spine shiver. "Care to explain yourself, intruder?"

"Um I—"

"You still have the audacity to talk, huh?" I felt the person press the gun deeper to my scalp.

What the hell do you want me to do then?

"Look, I have no idea what I'm doing here either. Mark said I need to be here so I can be--"

"How'd you know Code 0802?" He asked, pressing his gun much deeper to my head, the pressure was making my scalp ache. "You know too much for an intruder," he hissed. "Any last words before your death?"

Oh God, he's really going to kill me! Jeno was right when he said I shouldn't be wandering off on my own.

Am I really going to die like this? Am I going to die before I could even know why I'm taken here? Why there's an email from the future? What NCT's main goal is?

I could feel my tears pooling in the corners of my eyes. Am I really going to die like this?

"Time's ticking," he sang and I gulped. "Tick, tock, tick, tock."

"I am just—"

"HYUNG!" Jeno's voice rang through the hallways, making me turn my head. He was running towards us to stop the person behind me, Jaemin was following behind him. He was holding a flashlight and a screw driver. "She's Alice Kang," he breathed when he reached us.

"Jeno you should go back to Jaemin. I can handle this," the person didn't even let his guard down. The nuzzle was still pressed against my head, and I remained frozen.

"No, hyung," Jaemin answered this time, "Alice Kang is a guest."

Finally the person behind me lowered his gun, the muzzle was finally away from my scalp. He turns me around by the shoulder and my eyes examined his face.

He has a pointy nose, small face, his eyes just a little bit smaller, he has black hair, and almost the same height as Jaemin and Jeno but looks older. He narrows his eyes at me and clicks his tongue, "You do look like a guest," he agreed.

"Didn't I tell you not to wander around alone?!" Jeno raised his voice which made me snap, freeing myself from my frozen state.

"Weren't you the one who left me alone earlier?!" I shot back in anger. "If you were a second late, I could have been dead by now!"

"Calm down, Jeno," the older person said, standing between Jeno and me. "It was me who's at fault. I didn't hear her explanation."

"No one's gonna infiltrate the quarters, hyung," Jaemin said with a sigh before grabbing Jeno's hand. "Our security system is top notch. I can assure you that."

The person between Jeno and I scoffs, "And how do you explain the bombing of the cafe last night? Shouldn't it be indestructible like you said? Like in the Black Panther movie?"

Jaemin's cheeks turned bright red, "I-It's because there's this email--" he cuts himself off, shaking his head. "Sorry hyung," he sighed. "Anyway, Sun and Moon cafe is already being repaired, it'll be back to business by tomorrow."

"Hmph," the older scoffed, finally putting his gun away from sight. "The bills are piling up, Code 0813. Be lucky Hyuck isn't whipping your ass and asking for payment," he added. Then he finally turns to look at me, tugging a small smile on the corners of his lips. "Nice to meet you, Alice Kang," he said with an extended hand. "You can call me Ten," he added.

I hesitantly grab the hand of the person who just tried to kill me earlier, "Uh yeah, thanks.. for not killing me right away?"

Ten chuckles, shaking his head on the process, "Sorry about that. I could've sworn I saw someone else pass by earlier, but it was too fast so I thought it was my imagination, and then you came along."

"Someone?" Jaemin and Jeno chorused, then they exchanged glances.

"Probably just my imagination," Ten waves it off, "I haven't been sleeping lately. Anyway, nice to finally meet you, Alice."

I raise a brow, "Finally?"

"Oh, yeah," he glances sideways, nodding. "If you need me, I'm just in the room across from yours," he said and walks back to his room without another word.

Ten was odd, but what's even more odd was Jaemin holding a flashlight and a screw driver, while Jeno was standing topless in front of me.

"Why is Jeno shirtless?" I asked, raising a brow at Jaemin. Jeno didn't have a reaction and only stood there with his eyebrows knit together. His soulless eyes was looking at me directly, which made me focus on Jaemin's face.

Jaemin seems to be startled with my question that he blinks several times, before he finally lets out an awkward laugh. "Jeno's trying out my clothes before we got here," he shrugs his shoulders. "Anyway, you should go and have a shower," he added and nod towards the door to 'my room'.

"Right.." I nodded slowly and Jaemin flashed his brightest smile at me. I started picking up the clothes that was on the floor quickly, Jaemin and Jeno was still standing beside me. "Aren't you two supposed to like.. go back?" I asked curiously.

"Oh," Jaemin chuckles, "We'll keep watch until you go in. Someone might see you again and think you're a visitor."

I nodded silently and continued picking up the clothes that Jaemin gave a while ago. When everything is in order, I subtly nodded back to Jaemin and Jeno. "Thanks for the spare clothes and for saving my life earlier?"

"No problem!" Jaemin answered and I went inside the room to take a shower.

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▶ Present Time_ June 11, 2018_ NCT Main Headquarters_ 10:12 AM

"You think this outfit looks good on me?" I asked, looking at my reflection on the glass window.

Jaemin gave me some spare clothes a while ago. I'm now sporting a white shirt and black sweatpants that looks large to me.

"Absolutely!" Jaemin flashed his biggest smile at me. "It's a bit big since it's Renjun's, but it's the smallest size around here."

"Who's Renjun?" I asked curiously, watching how Jaemin's eyes flickered somewhere.

He hums for a bit, then proceeded back to chopping some potatoes. "Renjun is that guy you saw with us in the room with Mark," he answered, before moving swiftly to put the chopped potatoes inside the heating pan. "That's his old clothes, so you don't have to worry about returning them."

"How long are you going to keep me in here, Jaemin?" I asked with a frown. It has been almost a day since I arrived here, and it's scary to think that I'm already feeling comfortable around. "I need to go back home," I added.

Jaemin seem to be unbothered with my question that he didn't stop moving or even tried to say anything back. He remained silent and that made me irritated more than annoyed.

I took a deep breath and made my way out of the kitchen. Before I could step further away, I heard Jaemin call out with a playful voice. "Do you want to die this time?"

With a groan, I hesitantly made my way back to the kitchen and I caught Jaemin smiling while cooking his dish. I stubbornly pulled out a chair and sat on it while I watch Jaemin's back.

"I was just going back to my room," I muttered and rolled my eyes at him even though he couldn't see me. "Where's Jeno anyway? He appears like a ghost or something," I added, looking around the kitchen in hopes to maybe spot Jeno lingering around.

Jaemin didn't answer again, but he turns around and places a bowl of curry and a bowl of rice in front of me and three empty plates. He took off his pink apron and tossed it somewhere before he sat next to me.

"You should eat," Jaemin answered, not quite the answer I was looking for but I let it slide. "I cooked curry for you," he added with a flirty wink.

"Why three plates?" I asked, ignoring his ridiculous attempt to flirt with me. No one was coming to dine with us, so I am a bit confused why he had prepared three plates on the table.

"Where's Donghyuck?" I asked instead. "I want to thank him for breakfast. I haven't seen him since last night," I added, and Jaemin froze.

I watch his eyes flicker somewhere again, and this time he stood up from his seat. And out of nowhere, he whipped a gun from his back pocket and pointed it at empty kitchen entrance.

I raised a brow at him, but Jaemin didn't spare me a single glance. He kept his gun pointed at the empty space, so I had to stand up behind him to avoid getting hit by a bullet if they ever start shooting each other.

"Jaemin, there's no one there," I whispered, barely audible enough due to my ragged breathing. I didn't do anything tiring, but seeing a gun and looking at the serious Jaemin made my heart race.

"Shh," Jaemin hushed, stepping closer to the entrance silently. "The mouse finally showed up," he said with a smirk. "Come on now, you do realize you can't escape. You've been wandering around here since this morning," he said to no one in particular.

"Jaemin--"

"Come on now," he added, completely cutting me off. "I know you're there. Show yourself before I find you and kill you."

I gulped and waited behind Jaemin to whoever was going to show themselves. Don't tell me someone really infiltrated their headquarters while half of NCT aren't present?

"Well? I'm counting to three," Jaemin spoke again. "One.." He undid the safety pin of his gun with a click, "Two.." Jaemin steps much closer, he still got the firm grip on his gun.

I heard something shuffle, making Jaemin hold out his gun higher and his other hand was getting something in his pocket. Finally after a few good second, there were faint footsteps getting closer. And in a blink, someone tall, lanky and blond, stood in front of Jaemin with his hands raised as if he was surrendering.

I almost drop to the ground after seeing him in front of me. He's someone popular in school, has many friends, unapproachable, charismatic, and talented. I remember him participating and winning prestigious dance contests. I can't believe I'll see him here, out of all the places, it has to be in NCT's headquarters.

My breath hitched when his eyes met mine, his eyes widening at the sight of me. I can tell he was silently questioning me why I am here, and I did the same.

As if on cue, Jaemin lowered his gun and pulled out a small device to electricute him. He fell to the ground on his knees with a loud thud, he gritted his teeth and winced in pain. I gasped and ran to aid him, but Jaemin grabs my hand and pulled me away.

"Don't touch him, or else you'll experience the same pain," he ordered, his voice cold and deep. The Jaemin in front of me was different, like a complete different person took over the caring, bubbly, flirty Jaemin. He almost sounded like Jeno, cold, soulless and cruel. "I knew something is wrong around here," he added. "Ten hyung wasn't imagining things."

"Jaemin, what is Jisung doing here?" I asked worriedly as I watch Jisung wince in pain on the ground as he grit his teeth. "What did you do to him?"

"What he deserves," Jaemin answered simply. He pulls out his phone and dialed something. After a few good rings, he started talking again. "Your prisoner have escaped, hyung. What should I do to him?"

I didn't listen to whatever Jaemin was saying to someone through his phone. I approached Jisung on the floor, but didn't dare to touch him since Jaemin warned me about the effect.

By this time, there are tears pooling in the corners of his eyes. His body and limbs curled up on the floor due to pain, and I can't help but feel worried for him.

"Jaemin, how long does the pain go away?" I asked, glancing up to Jaemin who just finished talking on his phone. He glances at Jisung with his cold eyes and pulled me up by the arm, and dragged me away from Jisung.

He pushes me harshly on the chair, and I stumbled with a yelp. He traps me with both of his arms, and his eyes bore into my eyes. Jaemin was entirely different. His eyes screams the endless darkness, as if my soul was drowning as I stared back at him. My breath was ragged and short, heart pounding so hard like it's about to jump out of my chest.

"What if I say the pain doesn't go away until he dies?" He asked coldly. "What if I used him as a test subject for my new invention?"

"You what?" I gasped, looking down at Jisung on the floor. His lips were already turning white. "His lips are turning white, Jaemin! Are you seriously planning on killing him like this?!" I shouted and pushed Jaemin by the chest, but his grip on the chair was so strong that he didn't even budged.

"Why do you care, Alice?" He asked, lips forming a smirk. "Is it because Jisung is someone you adore? Someone you look up to? Someone famous? Someone who dances charismatically?" He asked, then moves his face closer to mine. "Someone you like?"

My eyes widened and turned away from Jaemin. I heard him chuckle, "I'm tired of playing the nice guy," he murmured, and held me by the chin gently to move my head so I can look at him again. "So what if he dies? No one will know. Remember, we are NCT."

"Oh my fucking--!" Jaemin and I turned to look at whoever came. "What the fuck? What the fuck? Jaemin?!" He shrieked and quickly made his way towards us. He pulled Jaemin away from me and pulled me up to examine me. "Are you okay?"

I let out a shaky breath, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine, Donghyuck. Thanks."

Donghyuck turns to Jaemin with a frown, "Christ, Jaemin, what the hell did you do this time? Are you planning on killing Jisung? I told you didn't I? The email--"

"Fuck the email!" Jaemin shouted, pushing Donghyuck away from him. "Fuck the email, Hyuck! Who cares if Jisung dies? It's not like he's--"

Donghyuck swings an arm to punch Jaemin, and it landed solidly on his jaw. "Shut the hell up, Jaemin! It's your fault that Jeno--"

"Don't you dare tell me that, Donghyuck!" Jaemin spat back, spitting blood on the floor. "You actually believe the email, huh? I asked Winwin hyung to track down the IP address and guess what? It doesn't exist!"

"It's because it's from the future!"

"Fuck that future shit!" Jaemin hisses, "Don't be a child, Hyuck. We all know the emails sent to us was a prank."

"A prank?" Donghyuck scoffs, "You think it was a prank when it clearly warned you about--"

"Stop it you two!" I shouted, running in between them. "Stop fighting, both of you!" I huffed, "Jisung is in the verge of dying and you're not doing anything but fight!"

"Hurry Jaemin," Donghyuck ordered, "Stop whatever you did to Jisung before he fucking dies!"

"I don't know how," Jaemin muttered, "It's a new device I made, I don't know any counter measures to stop it."

"What?!" Donghyuck seems to look in panic now. "Where's Lucas? He ought to know something with your newest invention. We need him here!"

"Lucas.. Lucas might be in his room," Jaemin said, looking down at Jisung. His eyes now looked worried as if he was about to cry. The cold and cruel eyes he wore a while ago was no more. "Or he might be in the forest again.. he was working with a new device too."

Donghyuck slaps himself on the face and ran towards the intercom. He quickly punches some numbers before talking loudly, "Lucas, where are you? We need you at the kitchen A.S.A.P.!"

His words echoed through the whole vicinity, possibly the whole headquarters too. In less than a minute, a tall looking guy came running towards us wearing somewhat like a lab coat and safety goggles.

I can safely guess he is Lucas.

"Woah! Woah!" He shouted once he saw Jisung curling on the floor. "What happened here?"

"Jaemin used his new device on Jisung and it's not stopping. He might die," Donghyuck explained and Lucas nodded. His eyes landed on me and he transformed into a different person.

He smirked and walked towards me. He took my hand gently and placed a kiss on the back of my hand, "Hello, my lady. I'm Wong Yukhei, but you can call me--"

"LUCAS!" Donghyuck and Jaemin shouted.

"Sorry," he winks at me and his attention was back to Jisung. "Jaemin is this the device you said that will be able to electricute and kill the target slowly?"

"Yeah," Jaemin answered with a nod. "It's the sole purpose of the device, and I wasn't really thinking when I used it on him. He was about to pull out a gun on me," he added.

"This is bad," Lucas said worriedly, "Luckily I made the counter device when I heard about Jaemin's invention," he giggled.

"Fucking use it now before he really dies!" Donghyuck shouted.

Lucas stood back and dug something in his pocket. He pulls out a small rubberized ball, like a size of a pingpong ball. "Stand back, Donghyuck, this will be big," he ordered.

When all of us were in a distance, he threw the ball to Jisung and it automatically transformed into a silicone-like bubble wrapping and wrapped Jisung in a second. Jisung's body stopped shaking, but he already lost conciousness.

"Do you think he's still alive?" I asked, stepping closer to Jisung's wrapped body. "What is this?" I asked again, referring to the silicone-like bubble wrapping engulfing Jisung's whole body.

"It's rubber wrapping," Lucas answered. "It absorbs electricity on any object. This is the first time I tried it on a person though, I can't believe it worked!" He laughed loudly while clapping his hands.

"Do you always bring that with you?" Donghyuck asked in disbelief as he approached Jisung as well. He poked his cheek first before locating his pulse by his neck. "He's still alive, thank God," Donghyuck said in relief.

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▶ Present Time_ June 11, 2018_ NCT Main Headquarters, Medical Department_ 12:42 PM

"He'll be okay as long as he rests," said another member that looked awfully familiar to me.

He's got a nice, friendly face, and speaks nice too. Not to mention, he was towering the three of us while he speaks with Lucas.

"Thanks for the help, Johnny hyung," Donghyuck sighed.

"No problem, Haechan," Johnny replied. "It's my job after all. You keep an eye on him while I check up on Kun," he added before leaving the premises.

"I better go back to my room," Lucas said before winking at me. "Sorry, I didn't get to hear your name, pretty lady?"

Before I could open my mouth, Jaemin and Donghyuck pushes him away from my sight. "She's Alice, goodbye!" Both of them chorused and kicked him out of the room.

"What was that? Lucas was just being nice," I said, furrowing my eyebrows at the both of them. I can't believe they just threw out the person like he didn't help them with their matters a while ago. "And why did Johnny call you Haechan?"

After the incident with Jisung, Jaemin became awfully quiet. He didn't speak the whole time, and only spoke when he explained about his device to Johnny. Other than that, Jaemin became mute all of a sudden.

"Anyway, Alice Kang," Donghyuck said, walking closer to me. "I heard someone was looking for me. Does it mean somebody is inlove?"

I huff and roll my eyes at him, "I was just gonna thank you for the breakfast."

"Breakfast?" He tilted his head, "I was at the cafe managing the construction since last night," he answered. "Now that you mentioned it, I haven't eaten breakfast and lunch too."

"So you mean.. you didn't made that breakfast for me?"

"Nope!" He chirped, "You should ask Jaemin. He usually cooks for us," he added and