Chapter 10
Cherry
I could feel my bones and muscles aching as a result of the chemicals that were injected into me through that dart earlier tonight. I wonder how long I have been out. Most likely, about an hour or so.
‘*ing hell,’ I muttered to myself as I slowly began to open my eyes. There were no bright lights to welcome me. There was only a single light bulb but it was enough to show that I was in a small room that smelled like mold.
My hair and clothes were still wet, making me feel slightly cold. It was not exactly the first time that I had to deal with the cold so I did not mind that much. I looked around and saw a table with a bunch of things on it, including my sword.
I let out a breath of relief seeing my trusty sword there. It had kept me safe for so long that it was like a part of me. I sighed as I tugged at my hands which were tied to the chair. The knot was complex and I instantly knew Rosa was the one to do it. She was always good at making knots.
Suddenly the door opened and Rosa walked in with a man I did not recognize. ‘Taeil, wait outside,’ she said and he nodded while she sat on the chair in front of me. ‘I see you’re awake,’ she said.
‘I see you’re still alive,’ I said with a small smile. ‘I’m somewhat glad but you made a mistake going after Bangtan,’ I said but she laughed.
‘You shouldn’t be surprised I am alive. The Scarlets did teach us how to survive. After all, you’re still alive too,’ she said and I nodded.
‘What do you want from me Rosa? I’m sure you did not kidnap me to talk about our past memories of being in that hell,’ I said.
‘Right,’ she said, giggling once more which caused me to roll my eyes. Rosa and I never really did quite get along but we did have things in common – one of which was we’re both runaway Scarlets.
‘Right. You were always a no-nonsense kind of girl, straight to the point which is why I like you,’ she said with a giggle before her face fell serious. ‘I want you to help me eliminate Bangtan,’ she said and this time I laughed.
‘You can’t be serious. You know me better than that,’ I said and she nodded.
‘I do, but I also know you don’t belong with them Umbra. You know that,’ she said. ‘They’ll always see you as a monster, a remorseless killer,’ she said.
‘Tell me something I don’t know Rosa,’ I said, refusing to give in to her words. I knew she was trying to get into my head.
‘You know that they hate what you are but you still don’t want to betray them?’ she said and I shrugged. ‘Why? Do you see them coming to your rescue? What have they done to you while you have been saving the big boss’ useless wife?’ she asked, getting annoyed.
‘Watch your tongue Rosa or as soon as I’ll get out of this chair, I’ll cut it out for you,’ I responded and she scoffed.
‘You’re smarter than this Umbra. You were the smartest person in that whole organization. Even Lady Scarlet was scared of you,’ she said.
‘It doesn’t matter who was scared of me or not. I’m still wanted Rosa,’ I said and she nodded.
‘You ran away because they found out that you helped people escape Umbra. You faked deaths and pretended to kill so that those imbeciles could hide and you would not be punished,’ she said and I nodded.
‘They did not deserve to die Rosa,’ I replied and she nodded. ‘Why do you want to go against Bangtan? They did nothing to you,’ I said.
‘Bangtan is the top gang. I take over Bangtan and that gives me power. I’ll take the others too and then I’ll take the fight to the Scarlets,’ she said angrily. Her giggle and laugh was long gone and I could see the fire and anger in her eyes. There was so much hatred too.
‘You want to go against the Scarlets?’ I asked and she nodded. ‘Because of what Lady Scarlet did to Kai?’ I asked and she nodded.
‘She found out I had a lover and then she pushed me to my knees and made me watch as she tortured him and then killed him,’ she said, shaking.
‘I’m sorry you had to go through that Rosa but I won’t help you go after Bangtan,’ I said while she shook her head.
‘I know you want your revenge against the Scarlets too. They took you away from your family Umbra. They made us into monsters. Help me and I’ll help you to take your revenge,’ she said.
‘No,’ I said. ‘I don’t want revenge Rosa. I just want to be free,’ I said. ‘But I won’t go looking for a fight. I won’t go look for people to kill unless I don’t have a choice,’ I said.
‘You foolish girl,’ she said standing up. ‘I’m giving you an opportunity of a lifetime but you’re refusing it and for what? Out of loyalty to Bangtan? You haven’t been with them for a week Umbra but you’ve known me for half of your life!’ she screamed, starting to lose control.
‘I am not betraying you or them and that is final Rosa,’ I said. She scoffed as she walked towards the door. She opened it and motioned for Taeil to walk in.
‘Maybe Taeil can change your mind,’ she said but I smiled, even though a part of me was afraid.
‘Do your worst. I won’t betray them,’ I said.
‘All you have to do is give me some information. I won’t even ask you to do anything to them. I won’t ask you to kill them,’ she pressed on.
‘No,’ I said.
‘WHY?’ she screamed. ‘Why are you refusing when they have done nothing for you!’ she yelled.
‘They were the first to show me kindness Rosa,’ I whispered as I thought of the way Yoongi smiled at me, the way Namjoon welcomed me and trusted me, the way the younger ones sparred with me, the way Jin took care of me, the way Myung wanted to be my friend and even the way Hoseok pressed my buttons.
‘So be it then. Taeil, make her talk. I don’t care if you have to make her scream as well,’ she said as she left the room. Taeil approached me as he smiled cruelly.
‘I’ve heard a lot about you Domina Umbra,’ he said as he began to circle me. ‘You’re the most wanted on the Scartlet’s target list. You caused some problems with your little act of defiance and faking deaths,’ he said as he suddenly punched me across the face.
‘Oh is that the best you can do?’ I teased. I would not show him any weakness. He laughed as he leaned back.
‘I am just getting started Umbra,’ he said as he punched me again. My head tilted while I felt my lip bust open. I looked up to see him squatting down in front of me. He put a cigarette in his mouth and brought a lighter to his cigarette.
‘I wonder if maybe Rosa would let me hand you to the Scarlets if you keep refusing to speak,’ he said as he grabbed the cigarette and pressed it against my collarbone. I gritted my teeth but refused to show a reaction. ‘She was right, you are a tough one,’ he said as he stood up and went to the table.
‘Monsters are not afraid of other monsters,’ I said, tilting my head to the side. He smirked as he showed me the knife he was holding.
‘They should be because even monsters can feel pain or be killed,’ he said as he walked next to me. He used his knife to cut through my stitches and I grimaced as I felt the blood trickle down. ‘You bleed pretty,’ he said as he made another cut along my arm.
Hoseok
I stared at the screen in horror as I watched Taeil torture her while Yoongi worked on trying to get the location.
‘Dammit!’ Namjoon yelled as he hit the table with his fist. ‘*ing hell. I promised her protection,’ he said. I could barely look at the screen but I couldn’t help myself. Besides, this was my fault. She would not have been caught if it weren’t for me.
I had accused her of being the person who could be the traitor but God, I was so wrong. She was enduring all of that because she was refusing to talk – to give information about us.
I felt my heart race against my chest, beating a tattoo right there. I was worried and scared. Whatever I said to her and whatever fear I had, I didn’t want her to die, not like this.
‘Yoongi please, you’ve got to find her,’ I said as he turned to look at me. If the situation wasn’t so serious, he would probably told me to either * off or some witty comment about how that is what he is doing.
I kept replaying the words I told her and then the words I heard her exchange with Rosa and Taeil. She was not a monster but maybe I was.
‘Why won’t she just tell what she knows?’ Myung said, a mixture of anger and worry.
‘Because,’ Taehyung began as he sighed, ‘she doesn’t want to be responsible for what could happen to us and because as much as she hides it, she cares about us,’ he said.
‘*,’ I said, more to myself but I felt Jungkook placing his hand on my shoulder.
‘It’s not your fault hyung,’ Jungkook said. I shook my head, ready to refuse that when Yoongi stood up. There was a new energy to him.
‘What? Did you find something?’ Namjoon asked as Yoongi nodded vigorously.
‘I found them. They’re actually really close. That old, abandoned factory,’ he said as he turned to look at us.
‘Get the gear and let’s go,’ Namjoon said before Jin placed a hand on his arm.
‘It could be a trap Namjoon,’ he said but Namjoon scoffed.
‘I can’t waste time thinking of a plan hyung. She’s getting tortured because she is protecting us, once again,’ he said.
‘I didn’t say we won’t go to her but maybe we could bring some more men,’ Jin suggested and he nodded. ‘Good. I’ll go get them,’ he said.
‘Myung, go to your room, lock the door and wait there. I’ll get Yeonjun and Soobin to stay by the door,’ Namjoon said and she nodded.
‘I’ll be fine. Go get her,’ she said as she gave him a quick peck.
We arrived at the old factory and we could see a single car there. They were still here – well Taeil for sure because Yoongi could still see the life feed which he had somehow managed to connect to a tracker.
‘Split up. Hoseok, Taehyung and Yoongi, you’re with me. Jungkook, Jimin, Jin lead North,’ Namjoon ordered as our men also divided into groups and started looking around.
‘We’re really close. We just need to go down,’ Yoongi said as we all hurried towards the stairs. I started jogging ahead as I hurried through the corridor. I could hear the noises coming closer and then Yoongi stopped us.
He pointed towards a door and I took a deep breath and got my gun at the ready. Taehyung nodded as he opened the door and I rushed in.
‘What the--?’ Taeil said but before he could continue his sentence, I pulled the trigger and sent two shots into his chest. He fell to the ground, his body crumbling together while Namjoon and Yoongi both ran to Cherry.
‘Ch—Cherry?’ Yoongi called out, his voice wavering. I walked closer to see but I gasped as I saw how bloody she looked. She was barely conscious.
‘Yo—you came?’ she asked and I saw Namjoon nodding.
‘Of course,’ he said as he kneeled down and touched her thigh. Namjoon, our leader, looked as if he was about to burst out crying. ‘I’m sorry it took so long,’ he said as Taehyung quickly began to untie her ropes.
She let out a little hiss but I could only imagine how much pain she was in. ‘Can you stand?’ Taehyung asked.
‘I… I think so,’ she replied, sounding vulnerable. Namjoon helped her to stand but he knees buckled. She almost fell if it wasn’t for the quick hands of Yoongi and Namjoon.
‘Cherry?’ Namjoon called but she did not respond. ‘*, Cherry can you hear me?’ he asked but once more there wasn’t any response.
‘She must have passed out from the pain,’ Taehyung said as he looked at her.
‘I’ll carry her,’ I said as they all turned to look at me. My eyes were stuck on her beaten and bruised body. I was unable to look away. I knew I’ll never be able to forgive myself for this.
‘Okay. Come here,’ Namjoon said as I put away my gun while Taehyung took out his. Namjoon helped me to navigate so that I could carry her in my arms in a way that I could not hurt her even more.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Yoongi taking photos of Taeil just in case he needed to search for information. Then he grabbed Cherry’s sword from the table and brought it with him.
Namjoon and Taehyung led the way while Yoongi stayed behind me just in case. We climbed only to meet with Jin, Jungkook and Jimin.
‘Oh my God!’ Jimin exclaimed as his eyes fell on her black and blue body. ‘Where is that *?’ he asked through gritted teeth.
‘Dead,’ I replied drily and he nodded.
‘Good,’ he replied while Jin came next to me. He looked worried.
‘She needs medical attention. There’s signs of blood loss and possible fractures and burns,’ he said.
‘Any signs of Domina Rosa?’ Namjoon asked but Jungkook shook his head.
‘We searched the whole place but there is no trace of her. There was only a note that said this is not over,’ Jungkook said as he showed Namjoon the note.
‘Guys, I know this is important but can we get Cherry home and then we can spend the rest of the night or what’s left of it to talk it out,’ Yoongi said, sounding irritated.
‘Yoongi’s right,’ Jin added and Namjoon nodded as well.
‘Come on, let’s take her back home,’ Namjoon said.
No proof reading because I need to wake up in less than six hours but hey triple update today. Don't you say I don't love you haha. I was so excited and hyped about this. I hope I managed to deliver. We see our poor Cherry go through torture and we see Hoseok feeling guilty about it. Could this be a reason for them to change their relationship? Let me know what you think. - Tae's Misfit
"I never thought love was worth fighting for but then I looked into your eyes and I was ready for war."