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At 16, Y/N had already seen too much. She had been in the midst of the apocalypse for nearly half her life, but it wasn't until that fateful year when everything started to make sense-thanks to Irene.

It started when Y/N was only 15. She had been separated from her group after a sudden attack, caught in the chaos of a raid that had turned their entire base into a graveyard. Injured and frightened, Y/N had wandered alone for hours, lost in the wreckage, unsure of where to go. It was a desperate time, and there seemed to be no way out.

That's when Irene found her.

Irene was different from anyone Y/N had met. She was older, tougher, and had clearly seen a lot. Her clothes were torn from the debris, her face streaked with dirt, but her eyes were sharp and watchful. When she found Y/N, Irene didn't hesitate. She pulled her out of the wreckage and led her to a nearby abandoned farmhouse, safe for the moment.

Irene didn't talk much at first, but as days passed and they moved from place to place, Y/N started to understand her. Irene was the kind of person who never asked for help but always gave it when needed. She knew how to survive-she had been doing it for years.

During those months, Irene became more than just a protector to Y/N; she became a mentor. They spent hours talking about the world, about survival, and about the things that were hidden beneath the surface of the groups Y/N had trusted. Irene had seen things Y/N never imagined-corruption, betrayal, and a truth that was far darker than what most survivors realized.

"I'm not doing this for you, kid," Irene had said one night as they sat around a small campfire, her voice raspy from too many fights and not enough rest. "But you need to know something. This world? It's full of lies. People you think are good? They have secrets. And those secrets? They'll destroy you if you're not careful."

At the time, Y/N didn't fully understand, but as she stayed with Irene, it all began to click. The people around her, the group she once thought she could trust, had been hiding something. Irene's warnings became more frequent, especially when they came across signs of betrayal from other survivors.

But it wasn't until Y/N turned 16 that she realized just how serious things were. A group of hostile men, led by the very man now standing before her, had appeared in the area, searching for something-or someone. Irene had been keeping an eye on them for days, following their movements from a distance. One evening, Y/N and Irene had been resting near the old farmhouse when they were ambushed.

Y/N tried to fight back, but she was outnumbered, and Irene was already severely weakened from an earlier encounter. The men took them both, forcing them into submission. It was in that moment that Y/N saw the true danger in the world-the men didn't just want to survive, they wanted control. They wanted to keep their power, no matter who they hurt.

Irene fought back, of course. She always did. But the men were too much for her. As they tied Y/N to a tree, they dragged Irene aside, the leader taunting her. "You really thought you could hide the truth from me, Irene?" he spat. "You're just stubborn to the end. But now, I'm going to make sure you understand what happens when people don't know their place."

Y/N watched helplessly as Irene was pushed to the ground, her body bloodied but still defiant. Irene's voice was faint, but clear. "You'll never control them all. They'll rise up. And you-" Her voice faltered slightly, "You'll never win."

The leader grinned, but before he could respond, he ordered his men to take Irene away. Y/N was left with nothing but the echoes of Irene's final words.

That moment, that loss, had changed everything. It was in that moment that Y/N realized how deeply things were hidden, how corrupt the system truly was, and how much Irene had been trying to protect her from the truth. Irene had been a source of strength, showing Y/N how to survive, but it was also Irene who showed her that to survive in this world, you had to face the hard truths. And those truths? They could be brutal.

Now, as she stood before the man who had once threatened Irene, Y/N knew she had no choice. She had to fight. She had to keep the truth alive, no matter the cost.

---

The air around Y/N was thick with tension as the present blurred into the past. Her breath hitched as the echoes of Irene's screams reverberated in her mind, replaying that horrific moment over and over. Even now, in this filthy camp, surrounded by these men-she could still hear Irene's voice, faint but defiant, the last words she ever spoke to her.

Y/N's pulse raced as the present came crashing back into focus. The man before her, the one who had been holding her captive for hours now, was still trying to get answers from her. His words, his cruel smirk-it all felt like a twisted déjà vu of that night. A part of her wanted to crumble, to let the memories overwhelm her. The pain, the helplessness-but she couldn't. Not now. Not after everything Irene had sacrificed.

She steadied herself, breathing deeply, fighting against the overwhelming rush of emotions. She couldn't let this man see her break. Not again.

"Tell me what you saw, Y/N," the man growled, his tone cold, mocking. "What did you take from my office? What do you know about me and your precious unnie?" His words made her stomach twist, a sickening reminder of that day when she had first heard him say Irene's name.

Unnie.

The word still haunted her, a cruel twist in the narrative that was supposed to have a happy ending. Irene had been more than just a protector. She had been a guide, someone who had shown Y/N what true strength was, even in the face of certain death. Irene had seen through the lies, the hidden agendas, and had tried to protect Y/N from the harsh realities of the world.

But Irene had paid the price for it.

And now, Y/N would too, if she let this man win.

Her eyes narrowed at the man, forcing her mind to focus on the present. She couldn't let the past drown her. She would survive this. She had to.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said, her voice low and steady despite the rage boiling inside her. "I'm not here to play your games."

He slapped her across the face, hard enough to make her head snap back, but Y/N didn't flinch. She kept her gaze locked on him, trying to push away the lingering thoughts of Irene's screams.

"You're lying," the man spat, his grip tightening on her jaw. "You've seen something. You know something. Now, tell me. Now."

Y/N clenched her teeth, the pain from the slap still radiating through her face. The memories of Irene's defiance fueled her. She remembered how Irene had stood tall, how she had refused to bow to them, even when it seemed like there was no way out. Irene hadn't given up-Y/N wouldn't either.

---

The man stood over Y/N, his eyes cold and predatory. He had been asking her questions, taunting her, trying to get something, anything out of her-but Y/ N's silence only seemed to fuel his fury. She could feel her pulse pounding in her temples, the pain from the bruises on her ribs sharp with every breath she took. Her lip was busted from the slap earlier, and there was a sharp sting on the back of her head from the blow she'd taken two days ago.

Her body was starting to betray her, the exhaustion, the pain, the raw anger inside her-it all threatened to spill over. But she refused to let him see it.

"You're a tough one, aren't you?" The man smirked, crouching down in front of her, his face too close to hers. His fingers traced lightly over the side of her jaw, making her flinch. He didn't care. He enjoyed it. "I can break that. You'll beg me to make it stop."

Y/N bit her tongue, refusing to show him the weakness he wanted to see. But her body ached-every part of her was bruised, battered, a reminder of the last few days. The bruises were only the physical part of the torture. The mental torment was much more powerful, and she could feel it now.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small vial. Her eyes locked on it, instinct telling her what it was. He uncorked the vial, and the sharp, pungent smell of the drug hit her nostrils.

Her heart skipped. He was going to use it.

"You see, I know all about you, girl," the man said, his voice dripping with venom. "You and your little game. You think you're so clever, hiding all your secrets, pretending to be some innocent little survivor. But you're not. I see the truth. You want to know what happens when you don't play along?"

He didn't wait for her response. He took a cloth from his jacket, drenched it in the drug, and pressed it over her nose.

Y/N's body immediately recoiled, the fumes hitting her senses, making her dizzy. She fought it, her mind warring with the drug trying to take over. She could feel her body growing weak, her limbs growing heavy, but her thoughts were still sharp, still focused.

"Let's see how long your defiance lasts now," he hissed, holding the cloth against her nose.

She gasped for air, pushing against him, but she could feel herself slipping. Everything around her became blurry, the edges of her vision darkening. She clenched her fists, focusing on one thought-survive.

But the man wasn't finished.

"I told you," he growled, "I could make this easy for you. Tell me what I want to know, or this pain only grows worse.You know how this works."

Y/N's vision wavered, but she refused to let go. She gritted her teeth, her eyes flashing with defiance, even as she could feel herself sinking deeper into the haze. "I... won't... tell you anything," she whispered, her voice thick with the effects of the drug. Her breath was ragged, but she wasn't giving in. Not to him.

The man chuckled, leaning back. "You don't get it, do you? You're mine now. I own you. And if you think you're tough, just wait until you see what happens next."

---

The room felt suffocating, every inch of air heavy with tension. Y/N's vision was spinning as the drug continued to flood her system, her body numb and aching, but her mind-her mind was still fighting. She had been through too much to give up now. As the man hovered over her, a cruel smirk on his face, Y/N could still see the glint of the broken chair, the ropes that held her, the faintest sound of footsteps.

"You're not so tough now, are you?" The man's voice was low, a threatening growl that made her skin crawl. His hand moved from her jaw to her neck, squeezing just enough to send a rush of fear through her chest. "You think you're better than me? I'm going to make you regret ever crossing me. Just like I did with Irene."

His words cut deep, but Y/N refused to let him see her reaction. Despite the haze, she could feel his hot breath against her skin, feel the new bruises that covered her body and the sting in her head, but she refused to give in. She wasn't going to show weakness. Not to him.

"You don't have to do this," she whispered, her voice weak but filled with fire. "I won't tell you anything. You think this is going to break me?"

The man chuckled darkly, his grip tightening, as he leaned closer. "Oh, I know it won't break you, but it will make you beg."

He pulled out another vial of the drug. The sharp smell hit her again, burning her nostrils as he uncorked it. She gasped, trying to turn her face away, but his grip held her firmly in place. The drug was more potent this time-thicker, stronger.

Before she could react, the door burst open.

"Get your hands off her!" Sehun's voice rang out, full of fury, as he stormed into the room, followed by Jungkook, Taehyung, Suga, Jimin, and RM. The whole group had arrived, the sound of boots pounding against the ground signaling their presence.

The man froze for a second, taken aback by the sheer force of their arrival. His hand fell from Y/N's neck, and she gasped for air, but she couldn't afford to stay weak-not when they were here, not when there was still a chance to escape.

Sehun didn't hesitate. He lunged at the man with a roar of anger, but the antagonist was fast, too fast. The two men collided in a blur of fists and rage. Sehun's strikes were quick, precise, but the man was a seasoned fighter, using his surroundings to his advantage. He grabbed a nearby chair and swung it at Sehun, the legs of the chair cracking against his shoulder.

Sehun grunted, barely stepping back in time to avoid a second swing. "You think you can take me down that easily?" The man sneered.

Before he could land another blow, Jungkook and Taehyung were on him. Jungkook's fist connected with his ribs, sending the man stumbling backward, but he recovered quickly, a savage grin on his face. He swiped a knife from his pocket, brandishing it dangerously.

"Stay back, you little pests," the man growled.

Jimin and RM, quick to react, closed in on his sides, pinning him momentarily against the wall. Jimin grabbed his wrist, trying to wrench the knife from his grip, but the man fought back, using his free arm to throw an elbow into Jimin's ribs, sending him crashing to the floor.

"You're not walking out of here," RM barked, using his strength to press the man further into the corner. He tried to land a blow to his face, but the man's wild movements made it almost impossible.

In the chaos, Y/N fought to stay conscious. Every breath was a struggle, but she couldn't afford to let herself pass out now. Her hands were still tied to the chair, and her legs were numb. She gritted her teeth, pushing herself up despite the pain, her vision blurry but focused on the fight unfolding.

The man was struggling to break free, using everything he had-knives, punches, and even a broken piece of wood from a nearby table-but Sehun, Jungkook, Taehyung, Jimin, and RM weren't backing down.

Sehun landed another solid punch to the man's stomach, knocking the air out of him, but the man slashed out with the knife in his hand, nicking Sehun's arm. Blood dripped down his sleeve, but he didn't flinch. He was relentless, grabbing the man by the neck and slamming him into the wall.

"You think you can hurt her? You think you can hurt any of us?" Sehun's voice was a cold fury, his eyes blazing with the need for justice. The man tried to wiggle out of his grip, but Sehun's hold was like iron.

The antagonist's breathing grew heavier, the fight starting to drain from him. Suga, who had been circling the chaos, took his chance. With a swift movement, he kicked the knife from the man's hand, sending it skittering across the floor.

"This is what happens when you underestimate us," Suga spat, grabbing the man by the hair and yanking his head back. His eyes were sharp, and his voice cold as ice.

But the man wasn't done yet. With a sudden burst of energy, he threw a desperate punch at Sehun's stomach, sending him staggering back. He lunged forward, aiming to escape, but Jimin was there, grabbing his leg and pulling him to the ground. The fight between them was intense, brutal, every man struggling to keep the upper hand.

Y/N, still tied to the chair, could feel herself losing strength, but she wasn't going to give in. She focused on her breathing, every breath a battle. Her eyes flicked toward the scene-Sehun, Taehyung, and RM were trying to hold the man down while Suga and Jimin took turns landing blows. The man's face was covered in cuts, blood dripping from his lip as he spat on the floor, snarling.

Then, in a moment of clarity, Y/N's voice broke through the chaos.

"He's not going to stop. He'll keep fighting. Don't let him go."

Sehun nodded at her, his expression fierce, and with a single motion, he twisted the man's arm behind his back, forcing him to the ground with a brutal thud. The man grunted in pain but tried to break free, his body writhing under the combined pressure of the group.

"You don't get it, do you?" Sehun growled, grinding his knee into the man's spine. "You're finished."

The fight dragged on, each member of the group taking turns to subdue the man. Finally, with one final punch to the side of his face, the antagonist's body went limp. The battle was over.

---

As the fight ended and the last of the men were tackled to the ground, RM, Suga, Jungkook, Taehyung, Sehun, and Jimin rushed toward YN, who lay barely conscious, her body still under the influence of the drugs. Her breathing was shallow, and her eyes fluttered open slowly as she struggled to focus.

RM scanned the area quickly, his gaze sharp and calculating. His eyes landed on the bottle he had seen earlier, hidden under the remnants of torn fabric in the corner of the room. He moved swiftly, taking it and tucking it into his pocket, ensuring no trace was left.

Sehun knelt beside YN, his hand gently tapping her cheek. "Can you hear me?" he asked softly, concern lacing his voice. He tried to maintain his composure, but the fear of seeing her in this state made his heart race. His fingers brushed against her skin as he waited for a response.

Jungkook, kneeling by her legs, worked quickly to untie the ropes binding her. His hands were steady but filled with urgency as he cut through the last of the knots. "You're safe now, YN," he murmured under his breath, his face a mixture of relief and worry.

Suga stepped forward, his gaze fixed on YN's torn clothes. The bruises on her arms and legs were visible even in the dim light, evidence of the beating she had endured. His fists clenched, his jaw tightening with anger. But there was no time to dwell on the violence that had been inflicted on her. They had to get her out of there, back to safety.

Jimin was the first to act, quickly removing his jacket and draping it over YN's frail shoulders, shielding her from the cold and the chaos around her. His eyes softened as he looked down at her, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted the jacket around her. "We're here, YN. We're here," he whispered, trying to comfort her in any way he could.

Taehyung stood nearby, keeping watch as the others worked. His usual playful demeanor was gone, replaced by a quiet intensity as he surveyed their surroundings, making sure no other threats lingered. His mind was still racing, but he stayed alert, unwilling to let his guard down until YN was safe.

As the scene unfolded, Suga's voice was steady yet filled with concern. "She's in no condition to walk, or even to come out of this state anytime soon." His gaze never left YN, noticing the trembling in her fingers, the short, shallow breaths she was taking, and her head hanging low, her gaze unfocused and directed at her lap. The signs were clear-she was still in the grip of the drug, and it was taking its toll on her body.

RM, his face hardened with frustration and anger, spoke with cold certainty. "This is because of that damn drug that bastard gave her," he muttered, his words sharp, but filled with a protective intensity.

Without a moment's hesitation, Jungkook stood up, his expression resolute. He didn't need anyone to tell him what to do. The urgency of the situation was written all over YN's fragile state, and it hit him hard. Without looking back, he moved swiftly to her side and gently but firmly lifted her into his arms in a bridal style, cradling her securely against his chest. He could feel the weight of her body, her limbs too limp and her head too heavy for her to hold herself up.

As he lifted her, YN groaned softly, her body reacting to the movement, and she instinctively threw her head back, her face contorted with pain. Her eyes