The following morning, Adryn ended up waking up around 6 am due to how early she'd gone to sleep. She was hit with an instant wave of hunger, the one she slept to avoid in the first place. She was also thirsty now. So, trying to help both of those, Adryn went to the kitchen and drank the now warm water she'd forgotten about the previous day.
"Hmm?" Once Adryn had drank the water, she noticed the money on the table had doubled. "How the...?" The only thing Adryn could think of was that Taeyong had snuck in again and given her money, just as Eclipse had done. Adryn sighed out loud and then glared at the money. She then picked up the money, reluctantly. She figured that she'd eventually give it back to the two people. As she did so, she found a note.
'Take care of yourself, my love ~ '
The note confirmed that Taeyong had snuck in again and left his own money as well. This now caused Adryn to understand that she needed to go out and get food and drinks. So, Adryn went back to her bedroom and got ready for the day. After putting her contacts in, she changed into a pair of black jeans and a red tank top, with no sweater or coat, since it wasn't too cold out.
Adryn then put the money in her wallet. She collected her phone, her keys, and the wallet before heading out to the convenience store that she'd gone to the previous day. The entire way to the store, Adryn felt an incredibly weird feeling, but she wrote it off and ignored it. As soon as she got into the convenience store though, a man greeted Adryn. She instantly got a strange vibe from him, as she'd never seen him before. To add to that, he smiled at her, too friendly, and was trying too hard to seem like he was friendly.
Despite feeling the strange vibe, Adryn made her way through the aisles and gathered a few items that she wanted to buy with the money she'd received from Taeyong and Eclipse. After picking out what she wanted, she took it all to the man. He checked her out as normally as the other workers before him had. He bagged her items but as Adryn went to hand him the money, she noticed something. There was a splotch of red on the man's wrist.
"Are you alright? I think you have blood on your right wrist?" Adryn asked the man, in Korean, who then looked down at his wrist. He sighed out loud before the friendly demeanor he had faded away.
"I wish you weren't so observant." The man replied in Korean before pulling out a gun. He pointed it at Adryn, but instead of gasping and trying to run away; Adryn froze. Adryn wasn't sure what to do at that instant. "Get behind the counter. Now I have to kill you as well."
"What? No. If I go behind that counter, who knows what you'll do with me." Adryn instantly replied to the man as she slowly came back to her senses. The man glared at her and cocked the gun.
"Do you want to die, little girl?!"
"Honestly? Yes, I do. So you'd be doing me a favor by killing me." Adryn could hear Eclipse's voice in her head; yelling at her to stop being stupid and to fight for her life. However, the man didn't pull the trigger, because both he and Adryn were interrupted by the doors to the store opening up. There stood a blond Asian male who looked completely and wholly annoyed.
The man instantly pointed his gun at the other man, but couldn't get a shot off, as he was shot instead. Adryn stood there in shock as the blond man sighed, put away his gun before he pulled out his phone. He then began to speak in fast Korean. All Adryn could understand was Taeyong's name and something about needing someone to come and clean up for the mess he'd just made.
So, taking this time to herself, Adryn grabbed her bags, put money on the counter in front of her, and then turned her attention to the blond man.
"What are you doing?" The blond man asked in perfect English.
"I'm paying for the stuff I've bought and I'm just taking it so I can bring it with me?" Adryn responded as if it was the most normal thing ever. This caused the man to just sigh and shake his head in disbelief.
"I'm Mark, by the way."
"Hello, Mark. I would like to go home now... But something tells me that really isn't possible anymore."
"You're right. You need to come with me. The man I just killed might have friends and you're in danger now."
"Alright." Adryn shrugged her shoulders and then handed Mark the bags she had. "This stuff is heavy so I want you to carry the bags for me."
"Okay?" Mark took all of the bags from Adryn before guiding her out the back of the convenience store. The two quickly walked to his car, which was parked a little ways away. Once at the car, Mark threw her bags into the backseat and opened the driver's side door. "Get in. we need to get out of here."
"Where are you going to take me?"
"Get in, then I'll explain." To Mark's words, Adryn shrugged her shoulders again and got into the passenger side of the car. Mark instantly pulled the car out of the spot and drove away from the convenience store.
"So? Where are we going?"
"To Taeyong." Mark's words were a relief to Adryn, though she didn't understand why. Adryn felt a small smile form on her face, but it was short-lived. "Fuck!" Mark muttered under his breath.
"What's wrong? And how come you speak perfect English?" Adryn was more interested in why she was able to finally converse with someone other than Eclipse.
"I'm from Canada, and we're being followed. Did you notice anyone else in the store or were you being followed before or anything?"
"Oh, well... I guess I had a weird feeling before like I was being watched or followed."
"Fuck! Put your seat belt on." As soon as Mark spoke the words, Adryn quickly did as she was told. Moments after, Mark took a sharp turn, turning into an alley full of people. He didn't stop or slow down, so the people had to hurry up and get out of his way. Mark did this a few more times and took some unexpected turns along with backtracking a bit before he finally felt safe. "Alright, I think we're safe now. I'm pretty sure I lost them."
"Were we being followed because of you or because of me?" Adryn's question was left unanswered. The silence filled Adryn with anxiety. So, Adryn fell silent as well. She thought about the events of the day and how the normal cashier of the convenience store was most likely dead. Just as she almost ended up. Adryn wasn't sure if she was relieved that she was saved, or disappointed.
Adryn was so lost in her thoughts that she stopped watching her surroundings. So she was surprised when Mark slowed down and turned into a driveway with an open gate. There was a fairly large home beyond the gate and fencing which surprised her even more. Mark ignored the awe in Adryn's face as he pulled into the large attached garage.
"Let's go," Mark mumbled to Adryn as he turned off the car and opened his door. He grabbed her bags and then headed for the door to the house through the garage. Adryn hurried up and got out, following after him. Mark made it up the few stairs into the house first, but when Adryn walked up the steps, she tripped over her own feet.
"Fuck!" Adryn gasped out as she fell forward, but was instantly caught by someone. This caused Adryn to jolt backward immediately, nearly causing her to fall back into the garage behind her.
"Calm down, Adryn." Adryn's head snapped up to see Taeyong, holding her up by her arms. "Also, if you're going to fall for me, can you do it in a safer way?" Taeyong smirked at her, clearly showing he was trying to flirt with her. Adryn couldn't help but blush as Taeyong helped her up the last step and into the house.
"Thank you," Adryn muttered shyly to Taeyong. Taeyong continued to hold her arms though, more gently now that he didn't have to hold her up. "Is something wrong?" Taeyong instantly released her arms. Adryn felt a strange sense of emptiness as Taeyong turned away from her.
"I'm sorry. Come with me." Taeyong guided Adryn to the kitchen of the house. Adryn kept her eyes on Taeyong as they walked. This was her first time really seeing him in decent lighting and with contacts in, rather than glasses on. Taeyong was a bit taller than her, but with her being 5 foot 2 inches, there wasn't much shorter than her. Taeyong's pale pink hair was a bit more fluffy than she remembered. He also had different clothes on as he was wearing a pair of blue jeans with a graphic t-shirt. "Sit down, please." Adryn was snapped out of her thoughts by Taeyong motioning to the stools at the counter of the island in the kitchen. She did as she was told and just stared at Taeyong as he moved to the microwave. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, I am. I haven't eaten since yesterday."
"Good. Here, you can eat this." Taeyong set a plate of eggs, hash browns, and bacon in front of her. She stared at it for a moment before looking up at Taeyong with confusion on her face. Taeyong laughed at her confusion. "Sometimes I treat the rest of the gang to more American type of food. We had some this morning and I reheated it when Mark told me he was bringing you here."
"Thank you, Taeyong." Adryn picked up the fork that he handed her and then dug into the food. She ate it quickly, probably a little too quickly.
"When was the last time you've eaten a home-cooked meal?" Taeyong's question was met with silence as Adryn thought about it.
"The last time I had a home-cooked meal was the day I tried to kill myself. My mom cooked me one last meal before they sent me away. So... 2 years ago?" Taeyong just stared in shock at Adryn before responding to her.
"How are you still alive?"
"You'd be surprised how far ramen and alcohol go to keep someone alive." Adryn laughed, but Taeyong frowned and shook his head.
"From now on, you'll be eating like a normal person. Besides, it isn't like you can go to a convenience store anymore for alcohol and ramen."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"There is a group of dangerous people that could be after you. The incident at the convenience store wasn't an accident. They'd been searching for you. We just aren't sure who exactly they are yet."
"What? Why? What did I ever do?" Adryn was horrified to hear that people might be after her. Her main worry was that they could also be after Eclipse.
"They must have seen me sneak in or out of your apartment before. Either that or they noticed one of my members following you around and keeping you safe." Adryn just stared at Taeyong in shock. However, her shock turned to curiosity at his wording.
"What do you mean by your members?" Taeyong looked at Adryn in confusion as he tilted his head to the side. The look on his face was as though she'd just asked the dumbest question ever.
"Well, I'm the leader of NCT, so... they are my members?"
"Ah, okay," Adryn responded normally, but then paused and just blankly stared at Taeyong as she looked him up and down.
"What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry, Taeyong, but you just seem too nice to be a gang leader," Adryn replied with a chuckle. Taeyong laughed too but then got serious.
"Well, I have the biggest kill count of the 23 of us."
"Hold up, there's 23 of you?" Adryn looked around the room as if she'd find them there. "Where are they?"
"Hmm... I wonder that too." The two shared a laugh before Adryn got serious herself.
"So, where will I be staying then? I assume I can't go back to my apartment now."
"Right. I have a room being prepared for you. It'll be across from my room."
"Cool, but can I get some stuff from my apartment? There are things that I want." Adryn's question was left unanswered for a moment as Taeyong thought about it.
"I guess so. I'll have Mark drive us, for more protection." Taeyong then poked his head out of the kitchen and called for Mark. The blond man appeared a few moments later. "Get the car ready. We're going to Adryn's apartment."
"Alright." Mark walked off to do as he was told. Meanwhile, Taeyong washed up the plate and fork that Adryn had used.
"You know, you're taking this pretty well." Adryn literally laughed as a response, which worried Taeyong.
"I've just been through enough in life that nothing really bothers me anymore and I don't care about much either."
"I'll change that. I'll find a way to get you to care about things again." Taeyong replied as he set the dishes in the dish rack before drying his hands.
"Good luck," Adryn replied with a smile.
"Let's get going." Taeyong guided Adryn out of the kitchen and to the front door. Mark and the car were just outside of the door in the driveway, waiting impatiently for them. "You can be in the front," Taeyong instructed Adryn as he got into the backseat. Adryn climbed into the front seat with Mark and put her seat belt on immediately.
"Hey, Taeyong? Are you sure it's safe to take her to get her stuff?" Mark asked as he began the trek to her apartment. Taeyong shrugged his shoulders before replying to Mark.
"If anyone bothers us, we'll kill them. It's a scummy area. People there go missing randomly all the time anyway." Taeyong's cold words were a shock to Adryn, but she remained silent. Taeyong then turned his attention to the shocked woman. "So, how are you really doing with all of this, Adryn?"
"I... Hmm... I think things are pretty crazy but I really don't mind at all. It's a welcome change from my boring pathetic life. Despite the fact that I dislike change."
"I'm sure you'll be just fine. You'll be living with a bunch of male gang members, so you'll be the most protected woman ever." Mark commented with a laugh.
"I wonder how Eclipse will react..."
"You probably shouldn't tell anyone about your new life with us," Taeyong spoke up to Adryn. She shook her head though.
"That isn't possible. We tell each other everything and she's really all I have since we came here together."
"Now you have NCT, and we'll treat you right," Taeyong replied with a smile on his face. Adryn reciprocated the smile and turned to look at him.
"Thank you for being so compassionate with me, despite you not having to be so kind to me."
"Well, I love you. So of course I'll be compassionate and kind to you." Hearing Taeyong's sweet words caused Adryn to blush and turn back to face forward. Mark could help but cough to hide his chuckle.
"I knew about your feelings for her, but I haven't heard you be this soft for a while," Mark spoke up to his leader. Taeyong instantly frowned and looked at Mark. It was as if he'd forgotten the blond man was there.
"You can't repeat anything you've heard."
"That's fine because the other guys will see your softness in time."
"I'm not soft!" Taeyong snapped at Mark instantly.
"Dude, yes you are." Mark and Taeyong then descended into a bickering conversation. Adryn couldn't help but chuckle as she watched and listened to the two men argue with each other. It was clear that they were more like brothers than anything else. It was a nice change for Adryn.
