Fear is shackles, chaining you down to constant worrying about the unknown. Fear is a knife in the gut, slowly contorted, unleashing the wisps of anxiety to float around your vision until it blinds you. For Seohyun, fear was a distraction; it was a forbidden luxury that she couldn't afford once she became a surgeon. She was the person her patients would look to for reassurance; reassurance from the uncertainty of what the future held.

But when trepidation strikes into her uneasy heart, who would be there to provide comfort? All Seohyun could do was conceal her worries with a gentle smile and soft voice, one that provided the thing she yearned for, relief.

Ever since she received the threatening text message, she battled with her conscious to stop herself from breaking down into a mess while handling the chaotic influx of patients that poured into the emergency room. I have duties to fulfill, people who are counting on me with their lives.

Seohyun did what she knew best, which was to maintain a calm facade during her job. Despite the disturbing news that would wrack up anyone's nerves, Seohyun kept her cool and worked through the night. The pungent metallic scent of blood floating in the air with patients arriving in the wards like a tragic mess, as well as the commotion brought upon the yelling of lab technicians and ER nurses were enough to distract her.

She consumed every workload to be done that night like a machine. Broken bones, sprains, contusions, cuts, every emergency case that popped up that late at night. She did her job like a star surgeon who mirrored her skilled boss.

"Seohyun, you were on fire. I guess I should expect nothing less of the highest quality from my apprentice." Dr. Jong sent the young doctor a wink, offering her a cup of coffee as they walked down the clear tunnel that connected the two main buildings of the hospital. Streaks of early sunlight streamed through the crystal glass, casting a mellow vivid light to light up the place.

Dawn was now rising, and despite being completely worn out, Seohyun felt every bit of work was worth the compliment she received from Dr. Jong. "What can I say? I learn from the best and then become the best." They both laughed, earning a glance or two from other hospital staff that scurried by. Seohyun took a generous sip of the coffee boiling in her paper cup. It did the trick in heating her insides as if she ignited a fire that burned a washed-out fireplace. "You always praise me generously, Dr. Jong. I don't think I can ever get used to it."

"Ah, but you should. One day, your skills will definitely outshine me. I'm just proud to be called your mentor. Out of all the doctors I've encountered, you're the only one that exceeded my expectations. You're different, and I like that." A charming smile was smoothed on his lips as he nudged his head to the side.

Seohyun could feel a demure blush kissing her pale cheeks, her heart fluttering at his words. That's the first time I heard anyone say they liked that I was different. Pulling strands of hair behind her ear, Seohyun looked away, a giddy smile tugging on the corners of her lips.

As they finished their quick break and tossed the empty cups of coffee in the bin, Seohyun knew it was the most she would get out of that time off. "I'll see you around Seohyun." Dr. Jong beamed a grin that seemed to compete with the golden rays entering the clear glass behind him, highlighting the sharp edges of his jawline.

As he finally rounded the corner and disappeared, Seohyun sighed. One day, perhaps, I'll be at the same level of talent he is. She shook her head to lock back into focus and continued inside the building.

The halls were lined with uniform doorways to a patient's room. Holding a clipboard in her arms, she briefly spared a glimpse at the paper to check which room her patient was staying in. She lifted her head and was instantly stunned.

Ah, how could I forget?

Just at the opposite side was the room where Mr. Ahn had his final breath before succumbing to the alluring calls of death. Seohyun cautiously approached the room, as if it was calling out her name, drawing her in. Peeping into the glass window of the door, her eyes scanned the empty room. No patient occupied the space, and it looked like any classic patient room in the building.

Slowly, Seohyun wrapped her fingers around the handle, pushing it down until a soft click sounded. The door creaked open, and she entered the room. Closing the door behind her, her eyes wandered around the room as if she was searching for pieces of evidence to turn in to her now finished trial. The natural light beamed into the place, giving hope to any patient admitted in the hospital. Seohyun carefully neared the empty bed, and a faint image of Mr. Ahn's figure flashed before her vision, haunting her for the rest of her lifetime.

She wasn't brave; she felt vulnerable and stripped of any courage left in her spirit. But she couldn't understand why she was drawn to this very room like how Aurora was entranced to the spinning wheel. She knew it was dangerous, but she couldn't help herself stay away.

Seohyun glided her hand along the metal side rails that framed the hospital bed and kept the patient from falling off. "These things always get stuck," she grumbled as she attempted to tuck the lower side rails down to its resting position. Setting her clipboard on the bed, Seohyun put in both her hands to work on folding the side rails. "There." She let out a breath of relief as she finally got them down, her posture hunched as her hands cupped her kneecaps.

"Wait..." Seohyun squinted as she eyed a narrow gap beneath the mattress. It was so minuscule that it was close to being invisible; it would take a closer inspection to find it even existed. Seohyun slightly took hold of the mattress where the hollow gap was situated, the soft cushion compressed under her firm grasp, and she carefully lifted it upwards.

With her other free hand, she blindly searched to find anything, and her fingers brushed against something rigid adhering to the bottom of the leather mattress. She tried to scratch it off like a tick clipped to the skin of a dog.

Seohyun studied the small, square chip in the palm of her hand. One side had microcircuits encompassing it like a motherboard. Flipping it over, there was a switch and a tiny button that glowed like an ambulance siren. Carefully flicking the switch, the light busted instantly. Seohyun felt her breathing hitch in her throat, unwanted memories flashing in her mind like continuous flashes of lightning.

"They're here, watching us."

The game is just beginning, but this time, you'll play by our rules.

Seohyun stood there, frozen in place. Her fist curled up around the black microchip, and her eyes zoned out into the window at the end of the room. Her train of thoughts was swirling out of control like an unstoppable tornado destroying anything in its path. Her inner doctor instincts tried to shake sense into the bewildered and utterly shocked Seohyun, but all she could think of was how she got entangled in this string of misfortunes.

Is it crazy to believe that I'm in more danger than I thought?

* * * 

Seohyun stood there awkwardly in the hall as she watched Jiwoo converse with another lady from afar. The woman was wearing a sleek pencil skirt that hugged her figure in all the right curves, and she nudged her chest out to reveal her collarbones peeking from her unbuttoned collar. They were both exchanging flirtatious simpers and giggles, deep in the small talk they were having. Well then, good to know this is what he does in his spare time.

"Looking for someone?" Seohyun snapped her head into the direction of the voice, startled. Eunho flashed a pleasant smile, stretching a hand out to Seohyun. "Prosecutor Lee Eunho, if my memory is correct, you must be the doctor who helped acquire the evidence for my trial some time ago. I hope it's not too late to say thanks."

"Ah, it was no trouble at all. I'm Dr. Min," she replied, shaking his hand. So that's why he seemed so familiar. Eunho darted his eyes to where Seohyun had been staring at, and then he shook his head, a faint chuckle escaping his lips.

"You're Jiwoo's neighbor too, how could I forget? I bet you're here for him." The two watched as the woman released a boisterous laugh, lightly slapping Jiwoo on the shoulder. "Yeah, he's popular with the women here in the office, you better step up your game Dr. Min if you're looking to snatch a chance with him."

"That's very bold of you to assume Mr. Lee." Seohyun widened her eyes at his premise, a grimace pulling down at the corners of her mouth. "But why do women flock to him like pigeons to a half-eaten burger?" Eunho's reserved smile stretched out into a fit of laughter that tickled his ears.

"Did you just compare Jiwoo to a half-eaten burger? I'm starting to like you now, Dr. Min." Eunho walked away, the cheeky smile never ceasing to wipe off from his face.

Seohyun furrowed her eyebrows together, trying to put the pieces together like a rookie detective. Jiwoo is popular? What else does he have aside from his looks? Mr. Lee isn't that bad either.

"I guess you can't seem to get enough of me, you followed me all the way to my workplace?" Seohyun recoiled, her chain of thoughts breaking off as she didn't notice Jiwoo suddenly appearing right in front of her.

"Even 'till now you're still so full of yourself," Seohyun sighed, the bitter frown deepening on her lips. From the corner of her eye, she could see the woman Jiwoo had been conversing with from afar, her face painted with a fiery scorn. Well then, perhaps Jiwoo may be right to be so egotistical.

The realization hit Seohyun like a hammer, knocking sense into her head. Remembering the actual purpose, she came to look for the crime investigator. She snapped her attention to Jiwoo.

"I need your help; it's serious."

Jiwoo readjusted his posture, the playfulness wiped off his face as he noted Seohyun's pressing tone. "I see, why don't we discuss this in my office where it's private and..." Jiwoo slightly peered over his shoulder, referring to the women stalking him like a hawk. "Few eyes are watching." He gently placed a hand on her back and steered Seohyun down the other narrow corridor that had mundane offices paneling down the walls until the very end.

"After you." Jiwoo opened the door situated at the very end of the hallway and ushered the young doctor inside. As Seohyun entered, she observed the entire place, her vision bouncing from one end to the other. A desk sat far away, shadowed by the bright sun pouring in through the windows on either side. A big bulletin board hung behind the desk, papers and files pinned messily, and a thin red string racing all across the board.

"Have a seat, Seohyun." She flinched momentarily at her name being played on his lips. She didn't think Jiwoo noticed, but his sharp observation never failed him. An amused smile crept on his face, but he chose not to tease another reaction out of her. "So, what seems to be the issue?" Jiwoo sat across from her, lounging comfortably on the couch with his hand draped across the head of the cushions.

"You were the crime investigator handling my trial, so I thought I'd come to you for this..." Seohyun reached into her wallet and took out a small item wrapped in tissue paper. Handing it to Jiwoo across the transparent coffee table, she continued, "I found it in the room where Mr. Ahn died. I know the trial finished, but I know the case must be ongoing to find out whoever killed him."

Jiwoo intently listened as he unwrapped the tissue paper, unveiling the small black microchip. His face darkened with an aura of seriousness, and he leaned out of his seat to examine the device. "Seohyun, do you know what this is?" She swallowed nervously and felt her heart thrashing in her chest like it was about to start a riot. She was unsure of whether she wanted to know the answer.

"This is a listening device," Jiwoo finished, holding up the chip as he looked at her dead in the eye. "Someone must've been keeping track of Mr. Ahn. But who would slip this in the room? If I remember correctly, all of his relatives are dead, and no one ever visited him." Apart from the stark fear that plunged her deep into the ocean, Seohyun was impressed with Jiwoo's flawless memory that rivaled one of a doctor memorizing the names of every bacteria alive.

Seohyun gasped, her delicate hand flying to her mouth. "Jiwoo, I never mentioned this because I didn't think it was necessary, but Mr. Ahn told me something that day I gave him his medicine." He raised an eyebrow, his ears perking up like a rabbit with keen senses. "I asked about his broken wrist, and he went on about someone threatening to kill him if he didn't shut his mouth."

"He revealed that he knew who the serial killer was and..." Seohyun wore an agitated look as she recalled the disturbing exchange with Mr. Ahn. "He said that... they were watching us." Jiwoo stood up from his seat, alarmed. Rounding the table, he transferred to the couch Seohyun sat on.

"Why didn't you tell me about this before when I investigated you? If what he's saying is true..." Jiwoo trailed off, staring down at the chip in his hand. This gives more reason to believe what Mr. Ahn was saying is credible.

"I thought he was spitting nonsense. Mind you, he had multiple sclerosis. From a medical standpoint, it looked like his symptoms were acting up. To think someone could actually watch us..." Seohyun nervously eyed at the chip in his grasp.

"Exactly, they listened to what Mr. Ahn spilled to you. Poisoning him in a way where you'd be frame would kill two birds with one stone. They'd get rid of Mr. Ahn and... you." Seohyun felt her breathing hitch, her worst nightmares confirmed. "Now that you're free and... you gained another piece of evidence..." I hate to think she's next to be eliminated, like getting rid of any old debris.

"W-wait, can't you just search the CCTV Footage? Find out who planted this or anything?" Jiwoo sighed, wistfully wishing it was just as simple as what she went on.

"Seohyun, it was almost by pure luck that I could even get the video of someone else poisoning Mr. Ahn. A damn receptionist was the one who led to me about it. Can you believe it?! Was his name... Moon Jihan or something?" Seohyun's eyes stretched open at the mention of Jihan, and she felt her stomach drop and churn.

"Jihan? He resigned just as I got back to work in the hospital! Dr. Jong told me he needed to leave Seoul and go back to his province to be with his family. I thought that was strange; he ranted a lot about his overbearing mother..."

"What? Are you sure? The timing is just too coincidental." Jiwoo intertwined his hands together, and brought it to his face, lost in his consuming thoughts. "I don't think that'll be easy. I suspect that someone in your hospital is manipulating this narrative..." To prevent the truth from leaking out.

Seohyun couldn't understand how she got involved in this mayhem. She was a doctor, and she took many cautionary steps to make sure no one bore a grudge against her. "I received a threat last night," Seohyun blurted out quickly, anxiety wearing her off as she wondered if Jiwoo's office was completely guarded against prying eyes and ears.

After showing him the text from the unfamiliar sender, Jiwoo looked at her then. His black onyx eyes were like an endless depth of sultry ink, drilling into her.

"Seohyun, I think — no, you are in grave danger. You are the next target." Seohyun held her breath, the realization constricting her of any room to breathe. She couldn't be trapped in denial forever; she knew one way or another that what he's saying was the utter truth.

"I care for you... for your safety," Jiwoo added the last part on a whim, hoping he didn't sound cheesy despite his genuine concern for the young doctor. "I'm the crime investigator in charge of this case, along with Prosecutor Lee." He thought for a moment, the revelation dawning upon him that the criminal he was trying to catch was smarter than he thought.

"Seohyun... I think this case is more complex than expected." Jiwoo locked eyes with her. His eyes were like a bottomless well. They were dragging her in, down to a bottomless pit shrouded in shadows. Yet, she could see the light dancing in those mesmerizing eyes of his, like the whole universe was trapped in them. "I need your help."

It was a statement, yet it sounded like he was pleading with her. Seohyun would've instantly shut him down, stood up, and walked out of his office. A mess of a person like me... stand up to a killer? I'd move out of Seoul — No, I'd get out of the country and leave for good. She would've thrown a fit and caused a scene. But she sat there, silently contemplating, newfound determination trickling into her senses like a river. I'd prove myself to everyone that I'm more than what they think, time again. I've come this far in my career, not even a serial killer could push me back to the abyss of pain and prejudice.

"I'll gladly help you."

After all, I owe Jiwoo my life. Declining him was never an option. 

Hello dear readers! Here is the promised Sunday Update! This chapter isn't edited yet, but it'll be edited soon don't worry along with the other previous chapters! Just thought it would be better to prioritize the deadline rather than perfection heh. What did you guys think? I just hope it isn't boring you at all! Usually, I do get insecure with that aspect, so I would love to hear your thoughts on that or some advice that could help. Please leave some comments or your reactions to what you think of the story so far! I'm always open to any critique, so do let me know as well! And as always, pretty please press that tiny star to make it light up! I highly appreciate all the love and support you've given the book thus far, cheers!