Disclaimer: I don't own anything, blah blah, blah.
Note: Lines in English will be typed in underline like this.
Prologue
Mystic Messenger
"Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."
- William Jennings Bryan
It's hard not to get lost in a new country. All the sights and smells, people and places so wholly foreign to visitors, yet at the same time strangely enticing. Because what reason could one have to visit foreign places, if not to feel that sense of newness? That sense of renewal, of new beginnings, and of possibilities.
But it was hard. When I decided to forgo a prestigious art and music scholarship back in America to leave the country entirely, no one understood why. It was a huge opportunity; a full ride scholarship to Julliard. So amazed that the college would take me, after the... incident, and my withdrawal from everything for well over two years, my family and friends pushed me to take it. But it was all a reminder, everything back home. I needed to put as much distance between that place and I as possible.
So that was how I ended up in Korea. I'd taken the language at a community college in highschool, along with Japanese. I was a bit rusty in some of the finer points, but still. I could get by. Arrived in Seoul about two weeks prior to Fall term so I could get situated and used to the foreign land. Might seem a bit overkill to some, but still... I needed it. The stability that time brings. No surprises. Calmness. That's what the doctors and my therapist back home told me, and I wasn't one to ignore doctor's orders.
I settled into my apartment well, and a few days later found myself sitting in the sparse room with little to do. It was still light out, so I shrugged my shoulders and went exploring. As long as it was still light and people still milled about the streets, I was safe.
Everything was bright and alive in Seoul. The apartment wasn't too far from SKY university, which I was thankful for. Seoul National University, one of the branches, would be my destination. I made sure to snag my sketchbook on the way out the door; maybe I'd find some inspiration.
The sun was bright overhead on campus, with some students milling about here and there. Summer classes were coming to an end soon, I assumed. According to the university calendar, it was just before final exam week. I found a spot under a shady tree and just watched. Sometimes I drew a sight that caught my eye - an affectionate couple, a stern businesswoman on her phone - but mostly I just watched. It was all calm, serene... Nothing here could harm me.
"Excuse me, miss?"
"What?!" I blurted out, jumping and snapping my gaze left.
"Ahh, I thought you were a foreigner," a man stood near me, smiling broadly. His hair was star white, and eyes an almost off-putting shade of cerulean. Despite the unnatural coloring, he looked as Korean as the rest. He wore a jacket, off the shoulder and revealing an intricate tattoo on his right arm, which held a stack of flyers. The man was handsome, but I'd learned that looks mean little when it comes to character. He held one out to me and I took it without thinking, "Do you speak Korean?"
"Oh sorry, yeah-" I stammered, looking anywhere but at the man. Something unsettled me about him, but I brushed those feelings aside. I was starting over here, and had to remind myself that not everyone was out to hurt me. Not all men were him, "Yes, I speak Korean."
"And well too, for an American," the man's smiled widened, almost taking a childlike, creepy edge to it. I started to speak, but he cut me off, "I could tell from your accent."
"Oh," I hadn't even had to ask how he knew I was American. I looked away, down at the paper. It was a flyer advertising something called Mint Eye. There was one or two words I'd need to look up in my translator, but it looked like some sort of wellness group?
"I'm with Mint Eye, a campus club. We're passing around some information on meetings for next term, and...ahh, there it is!" He fished in his jacket pocket for something; a small business card with a QR code on it, reading 'Mystic Messenger's in big, bold letters, "Since you're a foreigner, you might like this app. It's for chatting with nearby students and the like, to help you get acquainted."
I took it, equal parts curious and a little perturbed, "Thank you, Mr...?"
"Well, see you around!" The man smiled again, still with that off-putting edge, and left.
I stared down at the flyer and card, a little confused. Sometimes random people on the streets or at campuses back home would hand things out like this, so it really wasn't as odd as it looked. As I watched him weave through the crowds in the distance, the man did stop and hand the flyer to a couple other students, including someone who stood out quite a bit with his shock of bright blonde hair. I couldn't tell if he gave them Mystic Messenger app codes too. I turned back to my own flyer as the blonde dumped his in a nearby trash can. It looked innocent enough, and I did want to start fresh, make some new friends here, but...
No. Wasn't that what got me in this situation in the first place? Being 'sociable'?
I scowled and crumpled the paper, stuffing it and the card in my shoulder bag. I was in Korea to focus, study, and cleanse myself of my life in the States. Of what happened to me there. Falling into the same pitfalls as before wouldn't help.
Yet an hour later, my eyes drifted back to my bag. If it was just a messenger app... What was the harm? It's not like anything bad could come of an anonymous app. As log as your careful with your information online, generally things turn out alright. Maybe I could get some tips on improving my Korean, or sights to see around the country. I scowled again and stood, looking up at the slight orange tint of the sky. Time to head home before it got dark.
I made it back with just enough time to spare. The sky was a deep purple now, with specks and flashes of a violent red-orange on the horizon. I watched it from the safety of my small balcony. Memorizing the colors, so I could paint them later. But my paints were still packed up, in the remaining boxes that hadn't arrived from back home. I smiled, remembering my mother's tearful promise to send the first care package at the end of the week.
Since that was off the table, I settled on practicing my belly dancing, since I didn't have floorspace prepared to practice other styles yet and it would be rather rude to my new neighbors to practice violin in the middle of the night. So I donned tight leggings, my coin skirt, and a crop top, making sure to dance facing the large mirror I'd bought my first day in Korea just for this purpose. I twisted and swayed to soothing music, working on muscle isolation and hip work until I ached and was covered in a sheen of sweat. I debated taking a shower, but the time caught my eye. Fifteen minutes to midnight. I sighed; I'd danced so long? Well, a good night's rest was never my strong suit to begin with. I'd just shower in the morning.
I snatched my phone off the coffee table and set my alarms for the morning. But once I was done, I hesitated, remembering that man from earlier. I fished out the card with the QR code and stared at it. Plain and white, save for the black code and that name. Mystic Messenger, in both English and Korean. I bit my lip, torn between throwing it away and scanning it. What if it caused my phone to download a virus? I pulled out the flyer from before; it looked legit...
I tossed the card back on the coffee table. I'd think about it tomorrow.
Yet I stopped in the doorway of my bedroom, and looked back. I was still worrying my lip, clutching my phone in one hand. I looked from it to the card and back maybe a half dozen times before groaning.
Whether the man was creepy or not didn't seem to matter. My curiosity got the better of me and I raced over, snatched up the card, and scanned it with my phone's QR app. A message popped up asking if I wanted to download Mystic Messenger, and I agreed. A strange giddiness erupted in my belly, kind of like when I was a kid about to do something naughty.
The app interface was clean and all in Korean. Email, messages, call, chat room... So the functionality was kind of like Skype? I tried to click on the messages and call features, but quickly found the only one that worked was the chat room function. Maybe I needed to add people, or friend them or something first? So I clicked, seeing only one room with no one there. I raised an eyebrow and sighed. So much for that.
I was about to change into pajamas when my phone went off. It was now a few minutes to midnight, and I really was tired, but I picked it up anyway. It was a notification from that app. I looked at the clock again, figured why not, and clicked on it.
A chat room opened up, with myself and someone with the username 'Unknown'.
[Unknown]: ... Hello...?
[Aya]: Um... Hi?
[Unknown]: Can you see this?
[Aya]: ...yes...?
[Unknown]: ... Finally connected. Thank god. It's not every day you get a text from a stranger.
I chuckled a bit at that. Wasn't that the point of a messenger app, talking to people?
[Unknown]: I'm a bit flustered myself. I found a smartphone at the subway station, but all it had was this messenger app. I want to find the owner, but I don't see any contact info or call records… I've been sending messages with this app but no reply… All I see is an address and some important-looking numbers saved in notes. I'd like to go there but I'm currently abroad…
I raised an eyebrow at that. Skype could easily message across countries, sure. I guessed this app really was a lot like Skype, then. But what was this person getting at? I kind of felt bad for them; at least they were trying to return the phone, and not stealing it or anything. I sighed and typed a reply; I wanted to help, but I really didn't know how.
[Aya]: I am sorry... if you are in another country, I do not know if I can help. I just got this app today. Who are you?
[Unknown]: Me? Oh sorry. I didn't even introduce myself. I'm just… a student studying abroad. I'm Korean. I could tell you my name, but it doesn't really matter. You won't find me on search engines ^^; But, anyways… Can you help me find the owner of this phone? I know you're surprised to have somebody suddenly pop up and ask you a favor like this. But still… I'd appreciate it if you could help.
My hands stilled on the phone. Alarm bells were going off in my head. Help a stranger find the owner of a phone? Every word of this was getting more suspicious, but... I still kind of wanted to help. But only if it was legit. I looked out the sliding door to the balcony. It was very dark. I couldn't go out when it was so dark out. Anyone could sneak up on me then, attack me, follow me, or worse. I looked down at the card. Was this all some kind of set-up?
[Unknown]: ... you still there?
[Aya]: Yeah... I do not think I can help. I may not be anywhere near the owner. To be honest, this is a little creepy...
[Unknown]: Creepy?...^^; I'm not a creep. Haven't you ever heard of The saying 'you get a treat if you listen to older men'.
[Aya]: No...;;
[Unknown]: Sorry I was just kidding ^^;;; Anyways… I know I'm asking too much. You might think I'm odd. ...i am a bit odd to be honest. But would you consider it? I'm talking to you right now. Two complete strangers at two completely different places… it's a miracle we've connected. No one responded to my messages. You're the first one. I don't know how we got connected… But maybe this was meant to be?
A picture popped into the chat. He looked normal enough; black hair, green eyes, a small smile. Just some kid. He seemed pretty desperate, which was odd. If there was so little on the phone, then it probably wasn't important. I chuckled; maybe it was a burner phone or something?
[Unknown]: That is me in the photo. Maybe this will make you less suspicious…? I'm returning to Korea soon, so I'll definitely make it up to you. If you feel unsafe near the place, you can just delete the app. Please I'm begging you.
I sighed. He really did sound desperate. I knew better than to trust people, even those who looked kind and nice like this guy. But still, if it really was legit, I could look at the address first and then make my decision.
[Aya]: Alright, I guess. Only if the owner's place is nearby, because it is late and dark out. What is the address?
[Unknown]: Thank you! Then I'll send you the address. Now how do you do that... Found it!
A link popped up in the chat. It went to a Google Maps search that led to a place in Seoul. My eyes widened, and I looked between the address and the map with a slack jaw. No way... it was right under me! An apartment only one floor down! Now only that, but judging from the number, it was literally the one underneath me!
[Aya]: Wow. Um... this is weird. The address is right near me.
[Unknown]: Really? So, will you go?
I drew in a slow breath. It still seemed really sketchy. Like, really sketchy. I bit my lip, chewing a bit as a ball of anxiety knotted in my stomach. It was super close, but that didn't really help too much. Sure, I wouldn't have to go out in the dark and it would only take like... 5 minutes, if that, to check, but... I ran a hand through my long, wavy hair and sighed. This was a weird start to my first semester in Korea. I looked out the window again. At least I didn't need to go outside in the dark, and no one would really jump me in the middle of a hallway of a well kept apartment building full of people.
[Unknown]: You there?
[Aya]: Sorry, I was deciding. Yes, I will go.
I stuffed the phone in the waistband of my leggings, between it and my coin skirt. No point in changing, since it was only a floor down. Once I found the correct apartment, I looked down. There was an electronic pin pad underneath the knob, just like on my own apartment. Maybe I could leave a note or something? My phone went off again, and I saw a new message from Unknown.
[Unknown]: Are you there? ^^ See. Nothing strange.
Nothing strange except how he happened to message me the second I got to the door. I raised an eyebrow and looked around; I was alone in the hall. The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end, and I gulped. This was a terrible idea. A terrible, terrible idea. I turned around from the door, intent on going right back to my room and taking my anti-anxiety medication, when my phone went off again.
[Unknown]: Is there a password lock on the door?
How did he know that? My hands started to shake, making it hard to reply.
[Aya]: Yes.
[Unknown]: I'll send you the digits. Try it.
[Aya]: Wait, how do you have the pass code to the door if you are in a different country and do not know the owner?
[Unknown]: It was on a notepad doc on the phone, along with other passwords for FB, YT, and such. Owner's probably gonna need to change them all after this.
He sent a number code. I could feel my anxiety bubbling up again. There was still no one in the hall, no light under the door. No one answered when I knocked, either. This was really, really bizarre. I don't know what possessed me to do it, but I punched in the code after a good minute of stalling. I noticed my hands were shaking again. I drew in a deep breath. No one was home.
[Aya]: The door's open.
[Unknown]: Good. Why don't you go inside?
I blinked. What was with this guy?
[Aya]: I cannot just enter a strangers' apartment. I can leave a note on the door.
[Unknown]: Sure. I'll give you my info. If something happens, you can just show my messages. That'll do.
[Aya]: Okay... I guess.
I stepped into the apartment, just over the threshold to write the note, when my phone went off three times in quick succession. I looked down at the chat room, confused.
[Unknown]: Th
[Unknown]: Ank
[Unknown]: You...
I stared at my phone, miffed at the odd broken typing. This guy was beyond weird, but whatever... A moment later, I realized he'd logged out of the chat room without giving me his information, and I was kicked back to the app chatroom hub, only this time there was a chat going on with people and nothing was grayed out. I started to hyperventilate, looking this way and that, willing myself to stay calm and not bolt for my bedroom. There was no one here, I told myself. No one was about to jump me. Dear gods, this was a terrible idea.
The sheer amount of messages drew my gaze back to my phone, even though every cell in my body was screaming for me to run. Then I blinked. And blinked again. Just a normal room; some kid with blonde haired avatar talking about failing his midterms, getting teased by a couple others. Talk about nepotism and recruitment, then...
[707]: Wait!
[Yoosung ]: Why?
[ZEN]: ?
[707]: Think someone entered the chat room;;
[Jumin Han]: Aya...?
I yelped and dropped my phone. It clanged against the metal floor piece in the doorway and flipped onto the carpet. Scrambling, I snatched it up but stayed on the ground, feeling weak in the knees. This feeling, deep in my chest. I was supposed to stay calm, stay away from things that could cause an attack. Oh gods. Oh gods. Oh gods. What was going on?
Without me actively looking at the chat, my phone kept going off. I flipped it over and clicked on the room; dropping the phone probably closed the app. I was being accused of being... a hacker? And that 707 person was... looking me up? I paled, taking shallow breaths and trying to keep myself from a full blown panic attack. All the calmness from earlier was gone. But it still looked like a normal chat room, even if some serious misunderstanding was going on.
[Aya]: ... Hello...
[Yoosung ]: Gahhh it's talking! In... English?
I blinked. My phone touch screen had switched back to English when I'd dropped it too, it seems. That's what I get for having a program that lets me easily switch, it seems. As I switched it back, the chatroom was going on about me being in someone named Rika's apartment. So that's who owned this place... and the owner of Unknown's found phone? I wanted to laugh; if there ever was a phone in the first place. Then my eyes settled onto 707's words. He tracked my IP? And they were calling me a hacker? Then the thought struck me.
They knew exactly where I was. And could be calling the police any second.
I started hyperventilating, and though my legs still felt stiff and weak, I pushed myself up. Clinging to the doorjamb for a second, I tried to stay calm. Closed the door, locked it again... and bolted back for my apartment. I could feel the tightness in my chest, the anxiety building to a fever pitch... and then I was in. I slammed the door closed behind me and slid down it, throwing the lock in case anyone came after me. There was no one in the hall, Aya. Calm down. Calm...
But it wasn't working.
My phone was still going off. I nearly chucked it across the room and cried, but stopped. Their language... they genuinely seemed okay. Unlike that last person... the 'Unknown' guy...
I sniffed, closed my eyes, and gulped. Keeping the anxiety locked back where it belonged, I typed.
[Aya]: I am sorry. I am Aya. Who are you all, and what is this chatroom? I am so confused...
[707]: Lol so awkward. I thought it was a computer talking.
[ZEN]: Seems more normal than I thought.
[Yoosung ]: What were you thinking?
[ZEN]: ... Nothing~ Nothing.
[Yoosung ]: Should we... introduce ourselves?
[Jumin Han]: Are you serious...?
[Jaehee Kang]: I think it is a bit too early for that.
[ZEN]: Hi. I'm Zen. (24 years old) Musical actor... Don't look me up on the internet. It's embarrassing.
[Yoosung ]: ZEN, you're so brave!
[Jumin Han]: Guess he wanted to show himself off.
[ZEN]: No way~!
Why in the world would I look him up on the internet...? I was about to type a reply when a picture of a man graced the chatroom. He was looking offscreen, both hands free of the phone so it was probably an old picture. White hair that made me picture the man from today, the one who gave me the card in the first place. But that was the only similarity. This man had bright red eyes, pale skin, and a sort of easy nonchalance about him. He was very attractive. Very attractive. Not that such things really mattered to me, at least not anymore. Looks mean nothing if the person underneath is evil.
[Yoosung ]: Omg... a photo too.
The others began introducing themselves as well. Yoosung Kim, a student. Jaahee Kang, assistant to Jumin Han, the heir to a famous corporation. Something about him being obsessed with his cat... coupled with a rather adorable picture of a dark-haired and stern-looking man with a white cat, then later the red-headed 707 with the same cat in a black and white photo. 707, also known as Luciel, the hacker that was currently trying to... ferret out my information. I gulped, wondering what he would find. A lot, if he knew my name. Even more, if he could really hack. The news articles never mentioned me by name, but still... I whimpered, running a hand down my face, trying to stay calm. I was safe here, safe in my apartment. I looked back at my phone after a minute of calming myself. They'd just been talking about the cat.
[ZEN]: True. Aya, how did you get in here?
[Yoosung ]: Is it really Rika's apartment?
[707]: Yup. It's for sure... How did it get the apartment password?!
[ZEN]: Where the hell is the apartment?
[Aya]: Excuse me, I am not an 'it'. Someone gave me a card with a QR code to download a messenger app when I was on campus today, and when I downloaded it, someone named 'Unknown' said he found a lost phone with this app on it and asked me to find the owner. The address was right below my-
I cut myself off and hit backspace quickly, ending the message a bit differently before I gave myself away. IP tracing would only get them so close to me, and I wasn't in the apartment anymore so probably shouldn't just tell these strangers where I was.
[Aya]: Excuse me, I am not an 'it'. Someone gave me a card with a QR code to download a messenger app when I was on campus today, and when I downloaded it, someone named 'Unknown' said he found a lost phone with this app on it and asked me to find the owner. It was close, so I went to leave a note for the owner for this 'Unknown'.
[Jumin Han]: Chatting with a stranger. How naive.
My eyebrow twitched, but the chat kept going on so I let the comment slide.
[ZEN]: So cute lol. Went to an address from a chatting app lolol.
I couldn't help it, I blushed. So this one was probably the flirt of the group. Calling someone cute before even seeing them, flashing a selfie almost immediately... I would have rolled my eyes if this whole thing hadn't left me feeling so anxious.
[Yoosung ]: Don't listen to strangers~ The world is dangerous.
[Jaehee Kang]: I agree.
[707]: Wait. Do u have that person's username or chat record?
[Aya]: Yes, let me pull it up.
I backed out of the chat room, but it was gone. The messages from 'Unknown', the links with the password and address, all of it. Come to think of it, the chatroom with 'Unknown' had a background of code, unlike the other room. I logged back into the chat and typed;
[Aya]: ... the record was erased. His username was 'Unknown'. He had black hair and green eyes in the picture he sent to try and prove he was not creepy, but I do not know if it was a legitimate picture...
[Yoosung ]: You type really formally.
[Aya]: I am sorry. Korean is not my first language, it is my third.
[Yoosung ]: Ehhhh?! A foreigner? You said you were on a campus... :O SKY?! A foreign exchange student?!
I gulped. The kid was sharp. 707 kept digging, trying to find some sort of information on 'Unknown' or me I supposed. Zen called everyone dumb, earning him some teasing. It was Jaehee who told everyone to calm down. I figured she - I could tell from her profile photo she was a girl - was probably the dependable one of the group.
[Jaehee Kang]: Who do you think that 'Unknown' person is?
[707]: Maybe... *shocked emoji* A hacker?!
[Yoosung ]: !
[707]: A hacker! No way. I have everything covered! Hey, Aya. So he told you the password for the door lock?
[Aya]: Yes.
[Jumin Han]: I see... That 'Unknown' person could have dragged you into this.
[707]: Since you got it off a QR code, I can't really trace whoever gave it to you...
[Jaehee Kang]: I think it would be a good idea to contact V.
[707]: Yeah. I think that's a good idea. I'll call and explain everything.
[Jumin Han]: I can call.
[707]: Already on it lol
[ZEN]: Fast.
[Yoosung ]: Seven seems to talk to V pretty often.
I took in a deep breath. The beating of my heart was slowing, I was calming down. Anxiety attack averted. I was safe in my apartment, no one was coming after me again. I closed my eyes for a moment, and when I looked back in the chat, someone new was there.
[707]: V's coming here soon. He just hung up.
[V]: I'm already logged in.
[707]: Oh, V! You're here ^_^
[ZEN]: Finally he's here.
[V]: Yeah. I guess I'm the last one to know about this.
[Jumin Han]: Oh well.
[V]: How is everyone? Jaehee, you've been well?
They all said hi to V for a moment before going back to the topic at hand. About how I knew this Rika's apartment password, that I was still there - I didn't tell them I wasn't. About how no one was allowed to go to the apartment, and only 707 and V knew where it was. That V actually owned it, but he respected this Rika's privacy... that 707's real name was Luciel Choi. Yoosung made a comment about me staying in the apartment, and I chuckled a bit at that. Staying in a stranger's apartment, really? Then came the real kicker, when I felt my heart drop to my feet.
[V]: If I am right. Aya being at her apartment right now... Rika must have wanted that.
[Jumin Han]: Rika called in a complete stranger from up in the sky?
Up in the sky. Up in the sky. I was just standing in a dead woman's apartment. I hadn't the time or mental clarity to look around, but how long had it all just been sitting there? Was it a recent death? And someone all these people knew...
"What was this Unknown person thinking...?" I shook my head, sighing again. I got the feeling I would be doing that a lot.
[V]: Rika wanted someone to do the work she did before. At the place she worked before.
[Jumin Han]: What...?
[ZEN]: No way...
[Jaehee Kang]: The work Rika did before...
[707]: Hosting parties?
[ZEN]: You mean Rika's party.
Between the six of them, they explained it all to me. I got the sense that they didn't trust me, and when I asked them to explain, they told me about the RFA. How they hosted charity parties where rich, powerful, and charitable people, organizations, and such would get together to raise money. V would sometimes sell his photography, how this Rika was such an amazing person. Yoosung even included a picture of her. Long, wavy blonde hair, straight-laced but cute look... she was really beautiful. Both her a Jaehee... hell, all of them were. I suddenly felt really small. For the first time, as they were explaining, I peeled myself away from the door. My computer was still on from when I was playing music to dance to earlier, so I looked them up. Sure enough, the organization was real, and like the chat said, hadn't had a party in two years. I saw pictures of the members in various party photos and articles, matching them up to what was on their profiles on the Mystic Messenger app. They all matched.
It was all legit.
I sank back down into my tiny couch and looked back at the chat. They were begging me not to talk too much about Rika, since it was someone they cared about who died. I could understand that. But then they started discussing me taking over for her in planning these charity events...
[V]: Everything that you have to do... will be linked with this app installed on your phone.
[Aya]: What do you mean?
[707]: This app program is not just a simple messenger. All the party related emails in Rika's computer will be transferred to this app. U'll be able to automatically receive the guests' information as well. And send personal messages to other members...
[V]: Then there's no need for Alicia to touch Rika's old things.
[Jaehee Kang]: All Alicia has to do is use this app.
[Aya]: What? Take over for your... passed friend? I do not know...
[V]: Give it some thought. The way Luciel has it set up, all you'd really be doing is messaging through this app. Answering some emails a few times a day, getting suggestions for invites from these guys, etc.
[Aya]: I... I am not sure...
[V]: It's up to you. Jumin.
[Jumin Han]: ?
[V]: Please take care of things for me.
[Jumin Han]: ... Alright.
- V has left the chatroom. -
[707]: ... V's gone.
[ZEN]: Yup. What's he so busy with?
[Jumin Han]: None of your business.
[707]: Anyways, let's do what V said. Aya, u can log into this chatroom from time to time right? Please log in at times and do what Rika did. All u have to do is use the features in this app. Most of it is just checking emails. Most of the emails will be about people who want to attend the party.
[ZEN]: Yup. And come chat with us regularly.
[Aya]: So you can... give me the information of potential party... people? I am sorry, I do not know the right phrasing in Korean...
[Jumin Han]: Party-goers or party attendees is fine.
[Aya]: Thank you. I am sorry, this is all a lot to take in.
I took another deep breath and just came out and said it.
[Aya]: I am not in Rika's apartment anymore. I got... what is the word? Spooked, and ran back to my apartment. I have only been in Korea a few days, but my apartment is very, very near Rika's. That is why I agreed to help 'Unknown' anyway."
[707]: Really~? How near is near, hmm...? *smiling emoji*
My breath hitched. If this guy was such a hacker he could background check me while talking in the chat, I wouldn't really have a chance to keep anything a secret, would I? I couldn't answer, or it would make him more curious. He seems like the type who would take an inch and stretch it to a mile. In my silence, Jumin and Jaehee started explaining things again, with the occasional comment from the others. Then;
[Jumin Han]: All we are trying to do is host parties, raise funds, gather people... and things like that. Our organization has done a lot of good so far. ... You will never regret joining.
[Yoosung ]: I thought Jumin was against her. Why the sudden change?
[Jumin Han]: I am only following V's decision.
A thought struck me. This... charity group, this RFA... my little noogle search gave an orgy of evidence that this all was legit. So could I... get them to donate the money to specific charities? I did a little of that work back home, with charity events at school for musicians and dancers and such, where the ticket proceeds went to places like St. Jude. I smiled, just a bit. Maybe this wasn't such a terrible thing, after all.
[Aya]: How do you decide on a charity to donate the proceeds to?
[Jumin Han]: It varies. Homeless shelters, clinics, poverty groups, it runs the gamut. We usually take into consideration what everyone in the RFA wants to donate to for that party, but usually Rika has the final decision.
[Aya]: So I could... suggest one? Even an international one?
[Jumin Han]: Of course. We usually stick to Korean charities, but we've supported plenty of international ones too.
My smile widened. From my search, they'd raised millions for charity already. I could help people like me. People who've had the... difficulties I've had. Unbidden, a memory flashed in front of my eyes. Hands reaching for me, throwing me here and there, touching me in places no one should be touching. Doing things to me without my permission. Keeping me in the dark, locked away, only for him...
There was a long list of messages by the time I went back to the chat. Asking if I'd fallen asleep or something. I shook those dark thoughts from my head and sighed.
[Aya]: Sorry I... spaced out there.
[707]: Don't pass out just yet, leave that for the paaaaaarteehhh!
[Aya]: I will do it. I have done some charity work back in America.
[ZEN]: Oooh, an American~~ Keep yourself healthy, Ms. America. No spacing out if we're gonna plan another party~
[707]: lololol Zen. I'm gonna peace out.
[Jaehee Kang]: Well, since she has joined, I think everyone can leave if they need to.
[ZEN]: Yeah?
[Jumin Han]: Hmm. Let me check my schedule...
[Yoosung ]: Okay.
[707]: Anyways, welcome Aya.
[Yoosung ]: Welcome! Good luck to us.
[ZEN]: Glad you joined, Aya ^^
[Jumin Han]: We'll see how you do.
[Jaehee Kang]: For now, I look forward to working with you.
- Jumin Han has left the chatroom. -
[ZEN]: Oh- By the way. I had a good dream last night. I think I saw you there- Or not. Bye~!
- ZEN, 707, Jaehee Kang, and Yoosung have left the chatroom. -
I stared at the empty chatroom for a good long while. This was... bizarre, to say the least. The silence of my apartment met me as I thought over everything that had just happened. Looking at the time, it was only about fifteen minutes. It felt like ages, from installing the app to this 'Unknown' to everything else. I wasn't sure if all this would turn out to be a good thing, or a bad one. I'd come to Korea hoping to get away from everything, to help keep my anxiety down and keep myself as far away from him as possible. Helping coordinate a charity party with a group of stranger's on a messaging app that I got from a QR code from another stranger at my new campus...?
I sighed, deep and heavily. What had I gotten myself into?
Author's Note: That's probably the only time I'll mostly word-for-word the in-game chats. There just wasn't too good of a way to do it otherwise. Most of the rest will be original writing, with smatterings of the in-game stuff. Gonna stick to mostly Zen-route stuff, with later bits of the rest all culminating together, etc. etc. Gotta add my own flare, after all, especially because with fanfic I'm not stuck to just the responses programmed into the game :P