Jungwon's breath came out shaky.

His body refused to move, frozen under the woman's twisted gaze.

The cafeteria lady's grin stretched wider, her grip tightening around the blood-stained butcher knife.

The air in the room felt thick-suffocating.

Sunoo grabbed Jungwon's wrist, pulling him back slightly. "Why is she looking at you like that?" he whispered, voice trembling.

Jungwon couldn't answer.

Because he didn't know.

He didn't know why she was singling him out.

He didn't know why she looked so happy to see him.

But most of all-

He didn't know why his heart was pounding so violently in his chest.

Like it was screaming at him to run.

---

The woman took a slow, careful step forward.

Her bloodshot eyes flickered over the group before settling back on Jungwon.

"You..." She sighed dreamily, as if looking at something long-lost. "You look just like him."

Jungwon's blood ran cold.

Just like who?

Jay stepped in front of Jungwon immediately. "Back off," he growled.

She only laughed.

"Oh, dear..." she cooed. "Protective, are we? How sweet."

Her fingers caressed the edge of her knife, her expression gleeful.

"Such a shame you won't be able to protect him for long."

A heavy, twisted silence.

Jungwon's fingers tightened around Sunoo's hand.

Something wasn't right.

Sunghoon's voice came out sharp. "What the hell do you want from him?"

The woman tilted her head.

And then-

She smiled.

"I just want to finish what I started."

Jungwon's stomach dropped.

Started?

His entire body tensed, his breath caught in his throat.

But before he could ask-

The cafeteria lady lifted the knife.

And lunged.

---

Run.

"MOVE!" Heeseung shoved Jungwon back just in time.

The blade slashed through the air, missing Jungwon's throat by mere inches.

Jungwon stumbled, Sunoo gripping him tightly as they bolted toward the other side of the room.

The woman let out a sharp, high-pitched laugh.

"Oh, how fun," she giggled, spinning the knife in her hand.

"Run, little lamb. Run."

Jungwon's chest ached. His breath came out ragged, head pounding.

He was too weak.

His fever. The poison. The exhaustion.

His body wasn't keeping up.

Jay grabbed his arm, pulling him forward. "You don't get to collapse now, Jungwon."

Jake ripped open a rusted door at the side of the room. "In here! Move!"

The boys pushed inside.

But just as Ni-ki slammed the door shut-

A sharp knife pierced through the wooden frame, narrowly missing his head.

Ni-ki froze.

The woman's voice came sweet, muffled through the door.

"Now, now," she crooned.

"You can't hide forever."

Jungwon's heart pounded violently.

He didn't know how they were going to survive this.

Jungwon's body felt like it was shutting down.

The pain in his chest was unbearable, his breathing shallow, uneven.

More blood spilled from his lips, staining his trembling hands.

He felt numb.

Distantly, he could hear the frantic whispers of the others, their heavy breathing as they huddled together, trying to figure out what to do next.

But Jungwon's ears rang.

His vision was swimming.

Then-

BANG!

The door slammed open.

The cafeteria lady burst through, her twisted grin stretching too wide.

"Found you."

The others reacted instantly.

"GO!" Heeseung yelled, yanking the nearest member toward the exit.

They all ran-bolted toward the other side of the room.

But in their panic-

They didn't notice.

Didn't realize.

Jungwon hadn't moved.

---

Alone With Her

Jungwon stood there.

Frozen.

Still.

His face was unreadable.

He didn't run.
He didn't cry.
He just... stared.

The cafeteria lady's smile widened.

"Oh, my sweet," she cooed, stepping closer. "Why aren't you running?"

Her eyes gleamed with something dangerous.

Excitement.

Jungwon didn't react.

His lips were slightly parted, his breath coming in weak, uneven huffs.

His body swayed slightly, but he made no attempt to move.

The woman reached forward, her bloody fingers brushing his cheek.

Jungwon didn't flinch.

Didn't blink.

He just... stared.

And whispered, voice hoarse.

"Who am I?"

The cafeteria lady paused.

Then-

She laughed.

Loud. Twisted. Delighted.

"Oh, my dear..." she whispered, leaning in.

Her breath was sickly sweet. Rotten.

Her voice sent shivers down his spine.

"You already know the answer."

Jungwon's fingers twitched.

His heart pounded violently in his chest.

But he didn't move.

Didn't speak.

Because deep down...

He was afraid she was right.