✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Y/N sighed as she sat on the rock, the weight of the day pressing down on her. The evening sun had long since begun its descent, casting a warm glow over the landscape. She had just returned from the task she'd been working on-one that no one knew about, except Minho and Hyungsik. It was something she'd kept under wraps, something that had to be done. The others had no idea, and she intended to keep it that way.

The events from the morning replayed in her mind. Minho and Hyungsik had asked her to tell the rest of the group about it. Her mind was still reeling. Are they seriously out of their minds? The idea of spilling this particular secret was absurd to her. The group had enough on their plates already, without her having to add more confusion or tension to the mix.

The weight of it all made her chest tighten. As if the morning's absurdity wasn't enough, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted some movement near the base-something shifting, just beyond the trees. Her instincts kicked in immediately.

Her hand reached for the silenced pistol tucked under her jacket. Without a second thought, she moved swiftly, her movements controlled, as her eyes stayed locked on the disturbance. Her finger lightly pressed the trigger, the quiet sound of the gunshot almost drowned out by the evening winds. The figure in the distance dropped to the ground, silently and efficiently, as planned.

The group at the camp would never know. To them, everything seemed peaceful. But Y/N knew better. She had seen enough of the world to know when something was wrong. There was always something lurking, something hidden in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.

She remained where she was, the gun still resting in her hand, her thoughts swirling. She couldn't trust anyone completely, not anymore. Especially not with whatever secret she was carrying now. Her heart raced at the idea of revealing it, and she could feel the weight of it bearing down on her even more. The idea of being exposed made her uncomfortable, but the job needed to be done. That was all she could focus on right now.

With another glance at the base, she stood up, brushing the dirt off her pants. The task was done, the threat neutralized, but her mind was still heavy with thoughts of what came next. What was she supposed to do with all this? How could she move forward when everything felt so fragile, so close to breaking?

Y/N mounted Rebel once more, her hand resting on the reins as she gave one last look at the camp in the distance. It was time to return. There was no more time to waste-whatever was coming, she needed to be ready for it. She clicked her tongue, urging her horse forward, the sounds of the world around her fading as she made her way back.

---

As Y/N gently guided Rebel down the path, her senses sharpened, a familiar unease creeping up her spine. The presence she'd felt earlier, right after that event at the base, suddenly seemed to resurface, more pronounced than before. Her eyes darted across the horizon, scanning the shadows as the fading light cast long, eerie shapes over the land.

Something is out here, she thought, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up as the uneasy feeling intensified. It wasn't the usual watchful silence of the wilderness. No, this was different. There was something-someone-out there, lurking just beyond her sight.

She slowed Rebel's pace, her hand tightening slightly on the reins. She took a deep breath, letting the wind carry any lingering tension away as best as it could, but it wasn't enough to shake the feeling that something was wrong.

She glanced over her shoulder briefly, her eyes sweeping the empty path behind her, then to the dense trees on either side. She could feel it now, something or someone waiting just beyond her line of sight, observing her. She couldn't shake the sense that it was for her-as though whatever it was had been waiting for her, specifically.

Her pulse quickened. She had to remain calm. Whoever-or whatever-this was, it was following her, but not directly. The feeling was almost predatory. It was clever, staying hidden in the shadows, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a slight rustling in the trees ahead of her. It was faint but distinct enough to make her stop and turn her head in that direction. No way, she thought, I'm not letting this slide.

Y/N instinctively dismounted from Rebel, her boots hitting the ground softly as she dropped the reins. She wasn't going to be caught unaware again. With the practiced ease of someone who had been in too many tight spots to count, she positioned herself behind a large boulder, staying as still as possible, her senses on full alert.

The wind shifted again, carrying a faint trace of something... off. The presence was stronger now, closer. She could feel it almost like a weight pressing down on her chest, but she still couldn't see anything.

Her hand brushed the handle of her pistol, the cool metal grounding her. But no matter how much she searched the area, nothing stood out, not even a hint of movement. It was like the world around her had gone still, waiting.

But that's when it hit her-a shift in the air that was almost too subtle to notice at first. Something in the distance, just behind the trees, moved again. She could hear it now, the sound of careful footsteps, but it was muffled-too quiet for an ordinary person. Whoever this is, they know what they're doing.

Y/N's breath quickened, her grip on her gun tightening as her mind raced. She couldn't let herself be caught off guard again, especially not with the base so close. She couldn't risk bringing this presence back there, where the others would be.

She glanced at Rebel, still standing calmly as if unaware of the impending danger, but there was no time to worry about that now. Y/N's eyes narrowed, the faint rustling still echoing in her ears. It wasn't just a random noise-it was intentional, as if someone was waiting for her to make the first move.

With a quiet curse under her breath, Y/N prepared herself. She would wait-she wouldn't let whatever this was take control. She would find them before they could find her.

Her fingers gently traced the edge of her silencer, preparing for what was to come. Come on. Show yourself.

---

Y/N's heart raced as her eyes finally locked onto the figure that had been lurking just outside her line of sight. What the hell is he doing here? Her mind screamed, the sudden jolt of recognition hitting her like a punch to the gut. It was him. The last person she expected to see again-the last person she ever wanted to see in this godforsaken place.

She froze behind the boulder, her breath quickening, but she forced herself to stay as quiet as possible. No. No, no, no... Her mind kept repeating the words, the panic swirling inside her. She couldn't come out. Not now. Not when everything felt so wrong.

Her fingers tightened on the grip of her gun, but she didn't make a sound. He was out there, moving through the underbrush with careful steps, his every movement deliberate. Y/N cursed under her breath. Why now? Why after all this time? Why come here, of all places? She wasn't prepared for this, not like this.

Stay hidden. Don't make a sound. Her mind was screaming at her to be still, to stay quiet. Every little noise seemed amplified in her ears, her breath too loud, too ragged, betraying her location.

Focus, Y/N. Focus. She had to calm down, had to center herself. The last thing she needed was for her breath to give her away.

Her chest tightened as she carefully shifted her weight, trying to make as little noise as possible. She wasn't sure how long he'd been here or if he was alone, but there was something about the way he moved-too calculated, too cautious-that told her he was with someone. Someone else was with him.

Her heart hammered in her chest. She knew this wasn't just some coincidence. Whoever else was out there, they weren't going to be friendly. Not in this world. She couldn't risk being found out, couldn't afford to be caught. If they found her, everything would be over.

What do I do if they come closer?

The thought made her stomach turn. If they spotted her, she couldn't fight them off-there were too many variables, too many unknowns. What if they bring more?

Her thoughts raced, her eyes darting between the shadows around her and the figure she was now certain was not alone. The silence of the moment was maddening, each second stretching longer than the last. She could hear the slightest shift of leaves, the sound of heavy breathing-his breathing. It was getting closer.

Y/N held her breath, willing herself to remain invisible, to fade into the shadows. You can't let him find you. You can't let them know you're here.

---

The camp was unusually quiet, the tension in the air thick and heavy. Y/N had yet to return, and the group of survivors-Jin, Suga, Hobi, RM, Jimin, Jungkook, Taehyung, Sehun, Minho, Lee Jong Suk, and Hyungsik-sat around the camp, an unsettling silence enveloping them. They had been waiting all night, no sign of Y/N, and with each passing hour, their concern grew.

The constant shift of nervous glances and fidgeting hands spoke volumes. The weight of the uncertainty was crushing, and no one seemed willing to voice their unease. But Sehun could no longer keep his anger in check. His frustration boiled over, and he stood, his movements sharp and deliberate, making his way towards Minho with an intensity that made everyone stop and look.

"Why the hell did you have to tell her to reveal everything to us?" Sehun's voice cut through the stillness, thick with frustration. His eyes burned with fury as he glared at Minho. "What was the point of doing that in front of all of us? You could've asked her privately! You knew it would push her away. Why would you make her say something she wasn't ready to say?"

The others sat in stunned silence, eyes flickering between Sehun and Minho, sensing the depth of his anger. Sehun's breath was steady, but his voice cracked with the weight of his emotions. "I don't care about whatever secrets you two are keeping. But Y/N... she's not like the rest of us. She doesn't trust easily, and you both should know that. If something's so big that she's hiding it, do you really think throwing it out in front of everyone was the right way?"

Minho and Hyungsik exchanged a glance, their discomfort palpable. Both men avoided looking directly at Sehun, their gazes shifting everywhere but to him. The silence between them was deafening, and the tension thickened.

Jiwoo emerged from the inside, Haru in her arms. She had been inside, her focus on the baby, but she had noticed the group's strained mood. Looking around, she took in the scene: Minho and Hyungsik were clearly uncomfortable, avoiding eye contact with Sehun, who was still fuming. The others were still waiting for some kind of resolution, their expressions a mixture of concern and confusion.

"Minho, Hyungsik," Jiwoo said quietly, stepping forward, her voice soft yet firm. "What's going on? Why is Sehun so upset? Why is Y/N still not back?"

There was a long pause. Minho finally met Sehun's gaze, his expression unreadable. Hyungsik sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to find the right words to say.

"We... didn't mean for things to go this way," Minho finally spoke, his voice low and measured. "But we thought it was time for Y/N to open up, to stop hiding everything. It wasn't meant to force her, but... we thought she would've shared it on her own. We didn't realize how much it would affect her."

Sehun's gaze hardened, the anger not subsiding but evolving into a deeper sense of betrayal. "You should've known. You know her better than anyone. You know how hard it is for her to trust people, let alone to talk about the things that hurt her. Did you really think she'd just be okay with spilling everything to us?"

Jin, who had been quietly observing the exchange, spoke up now, his voice calm yet serious. "We've all seen Y/N struggle with this. But maybe it's not just about what Minho and Hyungsik did. She's not here right now, and that's what we need to focus on. Maybe... she just needs time. We all need to give her space."

RM nodded in agreement, his voice gentle but firm. "We don't know what she's going through right now. Let's not push her further. She'll come back when she's ready. If she's hiding something, we have to respect that. But we'll be here for her when she's ready to talk. She's part of this group, and we won't leave her behind."

Sehun glanced down, the anger beginning to ebb from his body, replaced with worry. "I don't know if she'll come back, though," he muttered, his voice almost a whisper. "She's not the same anymore. Something's different. And I can't help but think we pushed her further away."

Jimin placed a hand on Sehun's shoulder, offering a quiet sense of comfort. "We'll figure it out. We have to trust that she'll come back when she's ready. But for now... we just have to wait. We all know what it's like to hold on to something we can't let go of. Maybe Y/N just needs time to sort through everything on her own."

The group stood together in silence, the weight of the unspoken understanding hanging in the air. They knew Y/N's strength, her resilience, but they also knew the scars she carried-scars that weren't visible to everyone.

But one thing was certain: they weren't giving up on her.

---

Another tense day had passed, and night had fallen over the camp. The group sat silently around the unlit campfire, the weight of Y/N's absence pressing heavily on them. No one touched the dinner set out; their appetites lost to worry and unanswered questions.

Suddenly, a rustling sound broke the stillness. Out of the shadows emerged Saans, his figure barely recognizable in the dim moonlight. His condition was alarming-blood seeped from scratches across his arms and side, though none appeared life-threatening. Sehun was the first to react, his eyes widening as he recognized the figure.

"Saans!" Sehun yelled, sprinting towards him, Jiwoo and Lee Jong Suk following closely behind. He grabbed Saans by the arm, steadying him as the injured man staggered into the camp. Guiding him toward the fire, Sehun's voice was sharp with a mix of anger and concern. "What in this fucking world are you doing here? And what the hell happened to you?"

The rest of the group sat up, their confusion evident. Suga and RM exchanged wary glances, while Jimin, Jungkook, and Taehyung leaned forward, trying to make sense of the situation. Jin and Hobi remained still, observing the scene with a quiet intensity. None of them knew who this man was, but his sudden arrival and condition were enough to unnerve them.

Jimin, always the one to break a tense silence, finally spoke up. "Who's he?" he asked, looking between Minho, Lee Jong Suk, and Sehun for an explanation.

Minho glanced at Saans, his jaw tightening, as if waiting for the man to answer. Lee Jong Suk, too, remained silent, his eyes darting to Jiwoo, who took a hesitant step forward.

"He's Y/N's spy," Jiwoo said, her voice low but steady, addressing the group. "He's always outside the camp, scouting the area and keeping us updated if anything is off. He's the one told us about rival gang too, on Y/N's orders. Saans is someone Y/N trusts with her life. He doesn't stay in the camp but ensures the safety of the survivors. He's always out there... making sure everything is fine."

Jiwoo paused for a moment, her voice softening as she added, "He even takes care of Y/N's-"

"That's enough," Sehun interrupted, his voice cold and clipped. His sharp tone silenced Jiwoo, who looked at him in surprise. Sehun turned his attention back to Saans, his expression unreadable but his voice heavy with restrained emotion.

"What happened?" Sehun demanded, his eyes boring into Saans. "Why are you here? And where is she?"

The tension in the air was suffocating as everyone waited for Saans to speak. For those who didn't know who he was, it was clear now that he was someone deeply tied to Y/N-a figure from her hidden world that was slowly coming to light. But Saans, leaning heavily against the campfire stones, only shook his head slightly, his face pale and drawn.

"I need water," he rasped, his voice barely audible. "And time... before I talk."

Lee Jong Suk quickly moved to fetch a canteen, while Minho crouched beside Saans, his face grim. Sehun clenched his fists, his patience wearing thin as the seconds dragged on.

The group was left in a hushed state of anticipation, each person silently bracing themselves for whatever revelations Saans would bring-and the answers they all desperately needed about Y/N.

---

As Saans drank from the canteen, his breathing steadied, but his expression was dark. He finally spoke, his voice hoarse but urgent.

"I saw her... a group of men, maybe five or six," he began, his words dragging. "They had her captive. I was watching from a nearby hill, but..." He hesitated, his face flushing with embarrassment. "This area is full of steep hills, and I-I slipped. Fell down the hill before I could act or get closer."

The group stiffened. Sehun's jaw clenched, and RM narrowed his eyes, leaning in closer. Jin, ever the calm one, broke the tense silence. "When was this?" he asked, his tone steady but with an edge of urgency.

Saans hesitated again, his eyes darting nervously around the group before finally answering, "Yesterday evening."

The reaction was immediate. Sehun surged forward, grabbing Saans by the collar and pulling him to his feet. "Yesterday evening?" Sehun growled, his voice dangerously low. "And you're telling us now?" His tone was a mix of disbelief and fury, his grip tightening as the group tensed around them.

"I couldn't-" Saans stammered, trying to explain. " I-I came as soon as I could-"

"Not soon enough!" Sehun barked, shaking him slightly. His voice cracked with frustration. "She's been out there for two days! Two days! And you thought it was okay to wait until now to say something?"

Jiwoo and Lee Jong Suk stepped forward, trying to intervene. "Sehun, stop!" Jiwoo said, her voice sharp but concerned. "Let him go! He's injured!"

But Sehun didn't let go, his anger burning hotter with every passing second. "Injured or not, he saw her yesterday! We could've been out there hours ago!" His voice was loud, echoing through the quiet camp, and the others looked on, their own frustration and fear simmering beneath the surface.

Suga finally spoke, his voice cold and measured. "Sehun, let him go. We need to focus on finding her, not wasting time here."

As Sehun's grip on Saans loosened, the spy took a shaky breath and finally continued, his voice steadier now but still heavy with urgency.

"I didn't come back right away because I went after them," Saans said, glancing at the group. His words immediately silenced everyone, and they leaned closer to hear him clearly. "I followed the ones who took her."

Sehun's anger flared again, but he held back, allowing Saans to explain.

"I found out where they're staying," Saans continued, his tone firm now. "If I have to be exact... it's at Y/N's treehouse. The one near the river. The one she made when we were all starting to build this base of ours."

The revelation sent a ripple of tension through the group.

"They must think it's abandoned now," Saans added, looking around at the