A/N Happy New Year Everyone!! Thank you thank you thank you for all the love and support this story has gotten, I know Inhwa, KLSoEul, and I all really appreciate it!

Fair warning, there are a few intense/descriptive scenes ahead.


Yi Jeong gripped his phone with trembling fingers. A photo of Ga Eul with her head yanked back just enough to see her unconscious face filled the screen. All hope that she was ok, that she was safe somewhere outside the maze—even if it was with a charming celebrity—fled. Ga Eul was in trouble, bad trouble, and Yi Jeong cursed himself for ever letting her out of his sight.

Numb fingers searched the picture again. Surely there was something that'd give him a clue, something he'd missed. Pine trees, snow, Ga Eul. Nothing else. Zooming in something in the lower corner caught his eye. Just below Ga Eul's hand were pale pink droplets staining the snow. It was faint, but the blood on her finger had made a small symbol like an x. She must have left it right before passing out.

Smart girl! She'd left him a clue!

Hold on Ga Eul, Yi Jeong crushed the phone back in his pocket, I'm coming.


Ga Eul shifted uncomfortably, the pain in her head worsening with every pounding step. Her bleary eyes refused to focus as waves of consciousness pricked her brain. Somewhere in the back of her head she was vaguely aware she wasn't walking—someone was carrying her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

Forcing her eyes wide against the blinding light, the world was swimming upside down around her.

Where was she?

What happened?

Whoever was carrying her suddenly shifted, dumping her onto the icy ground. She landed with a painful thud and gloved hands quickly grabbed hers, tying her roughly to a nearby tree trunk.

Prisoner secured, her captor moved from behind the tree giving Ga Eul a chance to see his face. Glancing up at the all too familiar figure, memories of the morning flooded in with painful recollection

"What are you going to do to me?" She asked in a small voice, dizziness still throbbing her brain.

"Oh, nothing. Yet." Kyung Woo stooped in front of her.

"Why are you doing this?"

"Let's just say an old friend of your boyfriend wanted to say hi."

"My boyfriend? Yi Jeong? He's not my--"

"Ah that's right, you said he wasn't your friend," Kyung Woo leaned in watching her with small dark eyes, "unfortunately for you, you got mixed up with the wrong crowd. But," he trailed a finger lightly down her cheek "things don't have to be so rough if you promise to behave." Ga Eul jerked her face away in disgust while her kidnapper laughed "Who knows, you might even thank me when all this is over."

"Thank you?" Ga Eul practically spat, struggling to maintain control of her anger in front of the stoically cold man. "What makes you think I'd ever—"Black gloves were suddenly shoved over her mouth, "Shh" Kyung Woo hissed in her ear as the crunch of approaching footsteps padded near their hiding spot.

Ga Eul held her breath. Had help finally come?

She'd left Yi Jeong in a huff of anger, glad to leave with the handsome stranger he was eyeing so crossly, yet now she could have kicked herself for being so foolish! With the others in the maze, no one would think she was in danger and Yi Jeong certainly wouldn't go after her after the way she'd talked to him.

She could still remember the look of shock-hurt?-in his eyes when she'd said she'd rather be with a serial killer than him. Ha! How life had a way of twisting things around.

The steps drew closer.

Her heart beat in her ears as desperation tightened her chest. She could only hope it was Yi Jeong though logic told her that was impossible.

Just a few steps more...


Ji Hoo grabbed the back of his head as his driver started the engine. The smallest movements sent chills of pain through his skull and his face had turned an ashen white.

The driver watched Ji Hoo nervously from the rearview mirror. The ambulance had been called but he questioned if waiting was the right decision. He'd never seen the young master so wounded, yet he knew the drive out of the mountainous region would be long and he'd been ordered to wait...he'd never disobeyed an order. But maybe this time...

Ji Hoo caught the glance, "it's alright, just a bump," he attempted to sit up, "I can wait for the ambulance." Yet he wasn't alright. Every moment the pain grew worse and the struggle to breath more. He longed for sleep or even a return to sweet unconsciousness...but a nagging thought tormented him. He was forgetting something, something important.

What was it?!


Ga Eul crumbled in disappointment. The figure that appeared was not Yi Jeong or one of the other F4. There was no mistaking the leggy blonde as Woo Bin's girlfriend, Ji-ah, fumbled along the path.

Seemingly surprised himself, Kyung Woo shifted, rising from where he'd been hunched beside her. A bony clench on her shoulder warned Ga Eul not to make a peep as he left her side.

Completely unaware of the danger ahead, Ji-ah called out

"Woo bin!"

"Jandi-ah!"

"Anyone?!"

A scream pierced the air.

"Run!"

Ji-ah whirled around.

"Get help!"

The startled girl froze as Kyung Woo materialized from the woods, blocking her path forward. There was no time to think, she screamed and grabbed for her purse but the man was too quick. Yanking it away, she was left with nothing but her nails to defend herself as the man grabbed for her arms. Swinging and scratching she struggled to free herself from his grip, flaring and kicking as her nails sank into flesh. A stinging blow struck her across the face, knocking her to the ground. "Why'd you have to make things so dam difficult?!!" Kyung Woo reeled back kicking her hard where she lay. Ji-ah clawed at the ground desperate to get to her feet but the monster grabbed her by the hair, flinging her against a tree.

All movement stopped.

Ji-Ah was silent.

Swearing, Kyung Woo stooped, grabbing Ji-Ah by the ankles and Ga Eul could do nothing but watch as the girl's limp form was dragged across the snow…


Jandi squirmed slightly as a cold shiver shot down her spine.

"What's wrong?"

"I don't know…I just feel like something's watching us."

Jun Pyo turned around quickly scanning the line of trees. "Watching us? Were you up watching horror flicks again? Yah pabo that stuff only happens in the movies."

"Yah!"

"Guess I'd be scared of everything too if I was only 5 feet tall." Jun Pyo teased draping an arm around his disgruntled girlfriend.

"I'm 5'4, thank you very much." She retorted, shrugging his arm off with a huff.

"But you're still scared of everything."

"Well, at least I'm not afraid of bugs!"

"That was one time!"

"You ran away like a little girl!" Jandi stuck her tongue out and took off down the trail as fast as her short little legs would take her.

This wouldn't do.

Chasing after her, Jun Pyo caught up easily, wrapping her up in both arms so she couldn't wiggle free, "it's alright." He leaned in closer smiling at the blush on her cheek, "I'd face even a spider for you."

Jandi scoffed but he knew she was smiling.

Such was all their interactions together, they'd inevitably get on each other's nerves but always seemed to patch things up in the end. Jun Pyo was perfect boyfriend material, obviously, but there was just no telling what this feisty girl would do. Who else would put up with her? There was nothing to do but give her the honor of being the Great Jun Pyo's girlfriend. And he'd remind her of the fact if he thought he could get away with it...but now, perhaps it was best just to enjoy the moment. Neither were fighting and they had the entire maze seemingly to themselves. Or rather, they would have if not for the sudden appearance of a stranger as they cleared the bend.

The man was lean and tall and looked vaguely familiar. A celebrity? Jun Pyo glared daggers toward the stranger, angry to have the precious little time he got with Jandi interrupted again. But the man didn't cower. Slinking his way confidently forward, the tall figure flashed them a disarming smile. He had scratches on his face.

"You guys need help?"

"No." Jun Pyo replied coolly as the stranger sided up to them.

"Good," Kyung Woo's twisted, the friendly mask dropping as he pulled out a pistol. "Then maybe you can help me."

Jandi gasped and Jun Pyo instinctively pulled her behind him as Kyung Woo pushed the two forward. Tossing zip ties to Jandi, he motioned with his gun. "Tie him up."

"Just do what he says," Jandi whispered. Jun Pyo stiffened hearing the fear in her voice but didn't resist.

Hands bound, it was Jandi's turn next.

Jun Pyo's blood boiled as Kyung Woo neared her. "You're not as pretty as your friend, but we can still have some fun."

The words had hardly left his mouth when Kyung Woo found himself suddenly thrown to the ground with a kick to the back. Shocked, he fumbled for his gun but Jun Pyo was too quick. The gun flew out of his hand with a sickening thwack as Jun Pyo landed on the stunned Kyung Woo, pinning him to the ground with both knees. Thrashing about, Kyung Woo attempted to knock his assailant off balance but found he could do nothing but brace himself as fist after fist crushed into his face with increasing rage.

"Just try to touch her!" Jun Pyo roared, emphasizing each word with a satisfying blow as the man squirmed in agony beneath him.

Jandi watched in horror as she struggled to release her hands while the two grappled on the ground. Jun Pyo was like a madman, beating the man to a pulp with no sign of slowing. She'd only seen him like that once, the day he beat up Ga Eul's good for nothing boyfriend. The fight couldn't last much longer, Jun Pyo was clearly winning-it was hardly a fight between the much thinner man-when suddenly, Jun Pyo gasped, his body crumpling.

Kyung Woo twisted to the side, heaving Jun Pyo off and drawing out a long silver blade.

"No!" Jandi screamed as Jun Pyo brought a shaking hand up to his stomach, stunned at the warm rush seeping onto his hand where the knife had sliced him like a butcher. Jandi rushed towards him but before she could reach his side, Kyung Woo grabbed her "Move it!" He held the dripping knife to her throat., "One more trick and you'll join him!"

Injured and losing blood quickly, Jun Pyo could only watch through clouding eyes as Jandi was taken.

She'd been right.

Something was hunting them.


Ga Eul leaned her head wearily against the tree she was bound to and stared at the pitiful creature across from her. In the quiet silence, she could almost imagine this was all a dream-an uncomfortable, cold dream-but a dream nonetheless. But when she looked at Ji-Ah, the nightmare became all too real.

The knock against the tree had left Ji-Ah's face covered in bruises, her blonde hair plastered in blood, and if she was breathing, it was too shallow to see. Ga Eul scrunched her eyes shut to block out the image and the terrible thoughts it brought.

If only she could free herself! She bit her lip struggling against the zip ties as they dug painfully into flesh.

A squirrel flicked its tail curiously as it watched her with wide watery eyes. Somewhere above her head a bird or two chirped. A twig snapped, causing her to jump. Probably just another squirrel. She rested her head against the rough bark, absentmindedly trying to squeeze her hands through the slight give she'd stretched. No luck.

Giving up for the moment, she wondered if any of the others had made it out. It felt like she'd sat there for hours, her body was numb with cold, her mind drifting between panic and dread. Before he'd left, Kyung Woo had said something about getting the "last one." Who was his next victim? She shifted in frustration, she couldn't just sit here waiting, she had to do something. Maybe she could bribe one of the squirrels to chew through--

--Ga Eul screamed around the gag in her mouth, jerking away from the hand that had suddenly grabbed her.

"Shhh, it's ok." Relief washed over her at the all too familiar voice as Yi Jeong worked quickly to release her hands from the zip ties. "It's just me, I found you."

Hands free and gag removed Ga Eul melted into his arms, struggling not to sob like a child as all the fear and pent up emotions washed over her. "I never should have left, I was so stupid I-" remembering herself she pulled away but he held her tight. "It's ok," the words were low and calming, "it's going to be alright."

"Are you hurt?" He scanned her body noting the angry bruises around her neck.

"I'm fine, Ji-Ah's hurt worse than me" she nodded towards the girl. "She hasn't woken once since…since he got her. I'm afraid she's really hurt."

Yi Jeong didn't answer, the silence stretching between them as they shuffled towards where Ji-Ah was tied avoiding the trail as much as they could.

Was he still upset with her?

"I never should have…" Yi Jeong clenched his jaw and stared straight ahead. "You had every reason to leave me."

So, he wasn't mad at her…he was mad at himself.

But why..

Ga Eul shook her head, it was too much to think about relationship issues now. They had to free Ji-ah before Kyung Woo got back. She wasn't sure what they'd do once they reached her, or how far they could carry her if she didn't wake up, but they had to try.

A sharp noise stopped them in their tracks.

Turning, Ga Eul's face fell. Kyung Woo had returned, with a limp and busted face this time, but what horrified her was the girl he was pushing in front of him.

"No!" Yi Jeong whispered in hushed urgency as Ga Eul pulled away.

"But we have to—"

"No," Yi Jeong grasped her arm, shaking her roughly, "Ga Eul you can't do anything."

"I can't leave Jandi!"

"He's got a gun!" Yi Jeong stared into her wide frightened eyes and softened his voice. "He's got a gun. There's nothing we can do right now. We have to find the others and get some help."

Ga Eul took one last look at her friend then let herself be led. Crawling deeper into the mesh of trees, the once festive needles were like daggers tearing away at her flesh. But Ga Eul didn't feel a thing. Her ears rang with the angry shouts of Kyung Woo discovering her escape and the pleas of Jandi to let her go.

She hardened her heart, Yi Jeong was right.

They needed to get help.


~LilisLittleRose