Chapter Text
Taehyun approaches the practice room holding stacks of scores, which he sorts in one hand. He pulls out a seemingly innocent flyer, advertising for a restaurant somewhere near Seoul. He turns it over, confused how a restaurant flyer would end up in the scores.
Then he sees two inverted trapeziums and nearly trips through the doorway. Soobin, who is near the door, moves to him, face filled with concern.
' What's wrong?'
Taehyun says nothing, but shoves the flyer at his hands.
' What's- oh.' Soobin coughs twice into his sleeve, prompting the other members to gather. He winks at Yeonjun, who gets the message. Yeonjun pauses, turning to the speakers to raise the volume of the song.
They huddle closer, in one of the blind spots from the camera that Kai mapped out. Beomgyu switches the lights off, and previously unseen words appear on the flip side of the flyer.
PACK ESSENTIALS AND ASSEMBLE AT CONVENIENCE STORE BY 6.37 PM.
USE THE CODE WORDS SAVE ME. RESPONSE WILL BE CAN'T YOU SEE ME.
FOLLOW THEM. DO NOT COMMUNICATE.
GET IN THE CAR WITH THE LICENSE PLATE ' 190304'
They lift their heads at the same time. They don't speak, but they're all thinking about the same thing. It's their chance to escape, no matter how risky it will be. They have to take this, or stay chained up like animals.
They break apart, and lie on the floor, pretending to sleep to fool the camera they know exists in the corner of the practice room. After a while, Yeonjun gets up to switch on the lights.
' Let's go to the bakery later? I'm hungry..' Kai pipes up, making up an excuse for them to leave the building and the five of them resume playing their roles as idols.
' I'll come with you,' Soobin and Yeonjun offer, while Beomgyu and Taehyun nod.
The stage is set.
They enter the convenience store at 6.37 pm, exact, although they space out their entrance. Dressed in muted colours, all of them are wearing hats that cover their eyes.
Kai thinks that the hats feel unnecessary, but Yeonjun insisted, so they had to listen. Maybe it's a habit for them to wear masks and hats since they are idols, but Beomgyu feels over the top with masks on.
To avoid attention, the other members are all spread out in the store, Soobin buying ice cream at the cashier, Beomgyu and Yeonjun browsing through magazines, Kai and Taehyun near the freezer.
They're looking at the drinks section when someone accidentally bumps into them. The two panic internally, but manages to force out a apology. The stranger is also wearing a cap that does nothing to hide the mess of hair that covers their eyes.
What's with all the caps?
Kai briefly wonders but he snaps to attention when he sees what's imprinted on the hem of the stranger's t-shirt. BTS. He feels his body turn to ice. It's just an Ex-Army or one of those few that continue to support his seniors, despite the potential backlash. He hopes.
It's okay.
He thinks.
Maybe the stranger's just wearing it because they ran out of laundry, or because the font is small and unnoticeable it isn't a problem. It's all right. All right. It's-
' Can't you see me?' Taehyun whispers, loud enough for the stranger to hear, and the both of them tense up, scared that they might have blown their cover. Kai can only hear his heart beating, and Taehyunnie's slow, steady breathing that doesn't reveal anything. But his hand finds Kai's all the same, tightening his grip.
' Save me,' the stranger bends down, pretending to look at something on the shelf, and proceeds to walk away. The pair turn to stare at each other, a silent conversation taking place with their eyes.
Should we? Yes.
Splitting up, Huening goes to follow the stranger, making sure that it seems natural and not stalkerish. Taehyun moves to gather the others and run after Kai. Once Kai leaves the store, he darts after the mystery stranger, who turns into an inconspicuous alley. He clenches the water bottle he's holding, ready to defend himself if things go south.
Yeonjun, Soobin, Beomgyu and Taehyun, catch up to Kai, wheezing that he shouldn't just disappear like that. Kai isn't paying them attention. He's staring at the stranger, who seems familiar with every step Kai takes.
' Plate number, 1...903....04. That's us.' Beomgyu gestures, and he climbs in. Soobin pushes Kai in after Yeonjun, giving him a shaky smile, before heading to the shotgun.
' Hyung-' Kai shoves the bottle in Soobin's hands.
'Huh?'
'Self-defence, you're sitting in the front.' Kai mumbles, but worry shines in his eyes.
Reluctantly, he gets in the car, eyes baring holes into the stranger's head. The stranger starts the car after everyone is seated, and pulls out of the driveway.
The ride is silent, as the stranger navigates through the city streets of Seoul. Soobin stares out of the window, as dozens of people fly by him.
How nice it must be, to go out without anyone recognizing you.He's never had that since ever since he debuted. He misses it.
' We're heading to the highway.' The stranger, who has remained silent till now barks gruffly. The five sink lower into their seats and pull the hat lower down to cover their eyes.
Highways. Where the only interesting things are other drivers. If anyone look into their car, it's essentially game over. They'd get dragged back to BigHit within a day.
The stranger effortlessly merges into the highway, and speeds up when they get the chance to. Once the highway thins out, the stranger removes his hat and shoots a quick look at the members from the side of their eye.
Sitting in the back seat, with a direct view, Yeonjun splutters, while Beomgyu stares unabashed at the driver. Taehyun whimpers.