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"I'm in a maze...that has no end.
Save me..."
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"...this might be the last time we will be together."

-jennie.

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JENNIE POV.

I made sure that Taehyung went home safely. I followed him from behind, not even caring if he knows my presence or not. Once he fully entered his place, i go home with heavy steps. My thoughs are all around the place asking,

'What will happen to us in the future? Will we have a happy ending? Are we still together then? Am i gonna find person who killed Yuna? What will happen to the person then? What will be Taehyung's decision about that person. Can i quit being an assassin? Am i gonna be alive when that happens?'

There are so many questions lingering in my mind. I want them answered immediately. I want to know the future so I know what will i do. I stop on my tracks when i saw the swing where me and Taehyung used to sit at and talk all day.

Without me thinking, i walk up to it and touch the chain holding the swing. The cold metal feels good.

It makes me feel...alive.

It makes me realizes that this is the reality. I grip the chain tightly, savoring its coldness.

'Taehyung...'

I sit down on the swing and sway it a little. It's darker than usual, it'll probably rain tonight. I stare up the clouds. I can't help but to shiver.

'It's funny. There are times when the clouds mirrors my mood. Maybe it's trying to sympathize?'

I continue to swing, feeling the cold but slightly humid breeze.

'First, I need a plan.'

I knew very well that it's not easy to quit. I saw it with my own eyes. I will need some time to prepare for it i also need to be ready in case something went wrong. I need to be fully ready and strong enough to beat Sebastian.

'In case i succed on quitting, i need to leave this place immediately so that they can't trace me anymore. I need to plan how to leave this place that is if i can.'

I grab my phone and look through my contact lists.

'Time to get these people in use.'

I click a certain name and call him. After a few rings, he finally answered.

"Hello?"

"This is jennie."

"Oh, dear Jennie! How have you been?"

I smile a little at the welcoming tone. The person at the end of the line is Mr. William, a foreigner who deals with...a little dirty stuff, but actually helpful. He forges IDs and documents, and help me create a new identity. I actually saved him from being killed by some random people.

He's one of the person i can trust at this moment.

"Can i ask a favor?"

"Dear, ask away! I still owe you a lot."

"Thank you, Sir."

"Ooh, how formal."

I heard him laugh.

"I need two IDs and passports, please."

"Sure! Is that all you need?"

"Yes, and please make sure no one will know about this."

"That's my job."

"Thank you..."

"Of course, you can get it for free. Also, i assume you want to create a new identity? No worries, i know what to do! I'll create some birth certificate, etc."

"That would also be really helpful."

I feel a soar of hope shines through my path.

"Oh, it's for me and male friend. So, the name..."

"You want marriage certificate? Sure!"

"No, i mean..."

"Ha! Don't be shy! Planning to elope, eh? So romatic, leave everything to me!"

"Sir, i just want our name to..."

"Bah-bye now~"

Beep!

I heave a frustrated sigh.

'Goodness...'

I shook my head, but a grateful smile is drawn on my face.

'I'm so glad i decided to help him back then. Kindness really does help me out.'

I started to feel good. My mood was lifted and i feel very hopeful now.

'Okay, now that our new identitly is all set, time to plan how to escape.'

I need a place somewhere far where no one knows. At least, Sebastian doesn't know. I just know that i can't stay in this place or any place where sebastian has his eyes once i quitted...or escape my job.

I need to plan this carefully.

After a couple of minutes, i finally come up with an escape plan. The only problem now is my job. If i will remain alive or not. But what will happen if i didn't make it? What will happen to Taehyung? I can't just think positively that i will make it. I need to think of all the possible results.

I am gonne be like Yuna too...?

Making a promise that we will meet, but in the end I'll end up dead? I smile bitterly at that.

XThe world is really...cruel sometimes.'

Another voice inside of me spoke up.

'And who knows, the temporary goodbye might be the last goodbye.'

That snaps something from me. With a jolt, i run towards the door and head to Taehyung's place.

'I made a mistake about parting with him. I should be always right next to him like i promise. I need to spend every breath that i still have with him'

I don't want to thinks of the worst, but i can't also think of the best. It's like i am walking a string and one wrong move can make me fall and...

I didn't know it's already raining and i don't have an umbrella. Nonetheless, i continue to run towards Taehyung's place. It must be the adrenaline, i didn't even notice that i am already in front of his flat.

My heart is beating fast and my cheeks feels hot unlike my whole body which is cold, drenched with rain. I try to catch up my breath before knocking on the door. I didn't realize that there's a doorbell. It took a couple of minutes before the doorknob starts to turn and the door opens.

Taehyung peeks outside with a bedhead. A relieved smile is drawn on my face.

"Jennie?"

"Hey there." I chuckle as he rubs his sleepy eyes.

"How many days have passed already? Is our temporary goodbye over? Are we gonna leave now? I haven't packed my things yet." I smile fondly as what it seemd like he hasn't fully grasped the situation yet. I shook my head slightly as i reached up to him and try to fix his messy hair.

"Wake up, taehyung. Also, you should pack your things now."

"Huh?" He blinks slowly, taking a minute to realize what is going on.

"Jennie?!" I brust out in laughing when his eyes get bigger.

"You're finally awake?"

"I...come in." He opens the door fully at me and gestures for me to come inside.

"It is messy, i think, but that's understandable."

"Of course." Now, my mood has completely lifted.

'I don't know how he does it, but i really feels safe when i'm with him.'

"Coffee or tea--oh, wait. I only have strawberry milk."

"Towel is fine."

"Huh?" He tilts his head to the side and touches my arm.

"You're soaking wet!" I let out a silent laugh.

"I didn't know it was raining."

"Wait, let me get some clothes and towel for you."

Taehyung rushes to one of the rooms which i assumes his rooms. To be honest i feel uncomfortable being here again. The place didn't really changed that much, only the beer bottles are gone.

I look at a certain spot where i killed Mr. Soo. I can still remember vividly how he looked like when he died and how much blood was gushing out. I feel sorry for Taehyung that he has to witness that. It must be horrible to smell that much of blood. I just stand awkwardly in the doorway, rubbing my arms dues to the coldness. I can hear taehyung coming.

"Uh, here..." He hands me a sweater and some small pants.

"Good thing i didn't throw my old stuff." He grins and look at the clothes he gave me.

"Wow, i think they'll fit me perfectly."

"Bathroom's that way. There are some towels on the drawer."

Taehyung points at a certain door and i walk towards it. I began to change my clothes and put my wet ones in a dryer. It's a good thing my underwear didn't get wet.

I also try to dry my hair. Once i am done, i get out and look for taehyung.

"Taehyung?"

"Hm?" I heard his voice somewhere in the kitchen and i see him pouring strawberry milk in a glass. He's holding the glass very near at the edge of the carton as he slowly pour the milk.

Actually now that i began to think of it, most blind people has their eyes closed or wears sunglass. But Taehyung, he looks kinda normal without his cane, unless i stare at his eyes. His eyes are kinda grayish with a hint of green.

"Uh, why did you come here? I mean, i didn't expect that I'll see you so soon. I thought it'll be weeks or something to see you again."

"I'm going to quit my job." He stops whatever he's doing and turns towards me.

"Really?" I nod even though he can't see me.

"But i think it won't be easy." He's just silently standing there, unmoving.

"What...do you mean not easy?"

"I...might not make it alive." I heard him take a sharp breath.

"Then...don't quit."

"What?"

"Let's just run away. Somewhere they don't know."

"But..."

"You don't have to die." His voice is firm and determined.

'Taehyung...'

"You will not die. I don't want you away from me.." His voice starts to quiver and so are his lips.

"Not you. Not anyone i have." I stood there, unsure of what to decided. It's either to come sebastian and quit or just ran away. However, picking either of those two may result to me being free or me being dead.

So... what will i choose?

I heave a heavy sigh and ran both of my hands through my hair.

"Taehyung...you can survive. But i don't know if i will. You don't know sebastian... if we ran away without me telling him, we will get in big trouble. You'll get involved and i don't want that."

"We can hide..."

"How do you think we'll survive? Yes, if we found a place that's kinda hidden, how are we going to survive? I mean i'm sure the place is going to be from civilization. How can we get out food? Our basic necessities?"

"...we'll find a way."

"I...you know i'm not the only one in this world. I mean, you can get a new friend or someone. You don't have to get involved in my mess. You can choose normal friend and be happy with them! You...you don't need to choose me."

"But i want you, not anyone else."

"Taehyung..."

"It's gotta be you, jennie." I stare at him with frustrated and tired eyes.

"Why me?" Taehyung fell silent amd blinks repestedly. He licks his dry lips and sighs.

"You want me to pack my things, right? Give me a few minutes."

"Tae--"

"I'm already involved with your mess, jennie. This is our mess now." He walks past me, not letting me speak. He walks towards his room and i only follow him through my eyes. I feel like my head is going to explode.

This is too much drama for one day. Already forgot about the thing with Yuna. I almost forgot that i still need to find out who killed Yuna.

I don't know what to do.
And to be honest...

'I'm scared.'

I lean on the counter, my head feeling light.

'I really want to run away now, but...once Sebastian knows i'm missing, he'll search the entire earth just to find me. I know him. He won't let me out of his reach.'

I heave another big sigh.

'But i don't get it. Why is he so stern with me? Like he always wants to punish me.'

I stare at the ground for a while, think.

'There must be a reason why he's like that to me. And i want to know why.'

The only person that know Sebastian a lot is his Wife and jeonghan.

'I need to talk to jeonghan first.'

I grab my phone and texted jeonghan. I send him a text saying i want to talk to him tomorrow. I didn't wait for his reply and put back my phone in my pocket. At that moment, Taehyung came out of his room with a pout. I tilt my head questionably at his expression.

"What's wrong?"

"Help me pack i don't know where my other things are..." I can't help but to laugh. It was just ealier that the atmosphere was serious and now, taehyung is standing on the doorway of his room with a pout. I walk towards him.

"Where we going by the way?"

"I think it's better for you to stay at my house. I'll tell you the details later." I help him pack his things. He sat on his bed as i pack some of his clothes.

"Who is Sebastian?"

"Sebastian is...my boss. The most powerful boss, i mean."

"So...he's a bad person?"

"Very..." He fell silent before asking some questions again.

"Are all assassins bad?" I pause to think for a while.

"I don't really know. We were trained for a long time and we were taught to not have any friends since...you know. It's a big trouble if some ordinary people know we really are."

"Is it not really easy to quit?"

"It depends. If you quit, then you must swore not say anything about the company. But there are times when you are really silenced. To be honest it all depends on sebastian's mood. But..." I pause for a while before returning to what i am doing.

"...Sebastian is really harsh on me ever since he adopted me. He always punishes me so i don't know if he will take it very well if i quit." I touch my sweater with scars underneath.

'He made me ugly in many ways.'

"So, to be in compared in a game, he's like the final boss?"

"More like, unbeatable boss."

"Oh..."

"That's why i don't know if i'll be able to survive. Because if we run, i'm sure he'll look for us. If i go to him, i'm not sure what'll be his reaction. That's why..." I sip up his bag and stands up.

"...I want to spend every minute with you. Starting now. Forget about that goodbye. We won't know what will happen in the future." I walk up and sit next to him. He hold my hand and intertwine my fingers.

"Okay."

"Tomorrow, i'm going to talk to jeonghan. I'll ask him about sebastian and i'll try to find out who killed Yuna." He nods.

"Okay..." I can sense the lonelineds in his eyes. I squeeze his hand, trying to cheer him up. I feel like i am in a maze that has no way out. No matter where you run. No matter how tired i are, no matter which path me take, no matter how much i plead, the end is the same.

It's dead end and i have to accept that.

"Let's go?" He nods again and stands up.

The two of you left his place and started to head towards mine. We didn't talk, but our hands are still connected. It's not raining now, but the ground is still wet. There are times when i can see my reflection on the puddles.

I look horrible. My hair is a mess and my lips are pale. My eyes turns to look at Teahyung. He actually looks tired and it's obvious that this is all affecting him. He looks skinnier and he also looks pale.

"I'm sorry." I suddenly said which causes taehyung to turn to me.

"Hm? For what?"

"You got involved..." He didn't said anything, but squeezes my hand. I feel even guiltier when he didn't said anything. After a while, he suddenly stops walking. I turn to look at him, but he just stands ther with an unreadable expression.

"Taehyung...?" I called out to him. But he just hangs his head low. Just then, his grip on my hand loosens until his hand dangles back on his side.

"Taehyung?" I took a step towards him. He suddenly raises his head with still unreadable expression.

"Jennie..." His deep voice is full of seriousness that i can't help but to shiver. I know he's gonna say something important judging by his tone. I don't know why, but i feel like the atmosphere just got tense.

"I know we only met for only two weeks and we met in an unexpected way. And i just want to say that i wouldn't be here if..." This time, he's the one who took a step forward.

"...if i don't like you." I feel like my mind stop working when he said those words, but my heart is the one that started to work really hard, beating so fastly. I just stare at him, not moving a muscle. I am not even breathing until i feel suffocated. It took a moment for my brain to start working. I look at taehyung, waiting for him to add 'as a friend', or ' as another human being'.

But he didn't.

That's when my eye got bigger and my mouth parts slightly.

"Huh?"

...is the only thing i can say.

Taehyung blinks. It's like he only realizes now what he just said.

"Uh..." Even though it's dark, i can see the touch of redness in his cheeks. And i am sure i am like too.

"Nothing. Let's go." Ge grabs my hand again and starts walking. There's an awkward silence between the two of me.

'Did he just confess? Really? But...'

Now, it's me who stops walking. Taehyung stops too, but he didn't turn to me. I can see how tense his shoulders are.

"What do you mean by nothing? That's not nothing." Taehyung sighs quietly.

"I didn't mean to say that now. I was planning on confessing when everything is all right. But when i head there night not be 'all right'. I figured i should just say it now before it's too late."

"So you do like me?" He nod shyly. That made my heart flutter and i try my bet not to smile. But there's something i need to make sure first.

"As a friend."

I want to be as clear as possible. I look at him eargerness, hoping for him to say no. He pauses before nodding.

"Oh..." I don't know why i sound so disappointed.

"...okay." I start walking again and he follows a little behind me. We didn't say anything else as we reach my place. Once i am inside, i immediately starts telling my plan to Taehyung. I tell him about the secret passageway on my bathroom and he listens intently.

I told him that once i gave him the signal, he should go and wait for me at the bus stops. It's still kinda awkward between the me and Taehyung so we didn't talk that much. I let him take a bath first and give him my bed to sleep on. As he go and take a bath, i sit down on the couch and start to think about what he said earlier.

'To be honest, what do i feel about him? Would a normal friend do all of this for her another friend? Is a normal friend willing to lose everything just to be with her other friend?'

I stare up at my ceiling

'Maybe i'm not normal? Yeah, that would make sense. Everything that's happening to us is not normal at all.'

I nod, feeling convinced. I just continue to stare up the ceiling and before i know it, i am fallen asleep.

I woke up with a jolt. My shoulders feel sore from sleeping in an uncomfortable position. I look around me and realize that i am in the couch. I am about to stand up when i felt something weighing. I look down and see Taehyung's head on my lap.

I can't help but to smile adoringly at him. I reach down to him and run fingers through his soft hair. I feel warm and cozy inside.

"Why did you sleep here? I gave you the bed..." I mutter, but it's not like i am complaining. In fact, his action gave me a blissful feeling.

I don't feel alone.
I feel encouraged.

A simple gesture from him can mean a lot to me. It took all of my energy to stop stroking his hair. I found a pillow near his feet and reach it. I carefully lift his head and place the pillow under his head. I crouch in front of him and study his features.

'He's handsome, that's for sure.'

Without me thinking, i lean in and kiss his cheek.

"Wait for me."

And i stand up to get ready to meet jeonghan.

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