A/N: Mentions of blood and suicide. Steer clear if these topics make you uncomfortable. You have been warned.

It had been a week since her graduation, and Ga Eul didn't hesitate to finish all her legal paperwork before she caught the earliest flight. Anywhere. Of course, she ensured that Yi Jung would be well after her absence. She didn't know when he'd go there, but she didn't want to pester him. He had dropped the bombshell that he planned to go nonchalantly over breakfast as if he were making idle conversation. Relief had washed over her as soon as the words fell out of his tongue, and she hugged him so tightly that her ribs could smash.

Whenever he decided to leave for Sweden, maybe Ga Eul would've been long gone by then. She had tried more than once to drop hints that they should both leave around the same time, but she could tell he was choosing not to listen. She wondered whether it still pained him to admit that his hand was injured. That he was delaying because he couldn't handle the pressure. Whatever the reasons were, Ga Eul decided to leave him be. Although she was being vocal about her plans to travel as soon as she could.

The matter of her going to Sweden as well had been out of the question. Yi Jung loathed the idea. He stressed the fact that he would be going alone. The idea of leaving him was like an unbearable itch in her brain, but she knew that it was eventually going to happen. It wasn't like they were saying their goodbyes. It'll be a few years, and they still have more to come with each other. Maybe it would be for the best that they both take these steps alone. To grow.

She heaved a big sigh at the bellowing mixture of emotions inside her—fear, sadness, hope and most importantly excitement. She had worked so hard and endured so many nights. She knew she wouldn't find ultimate salvation just by going somewhere else. It was the sense of independence that exhilarated her. That was going to be the first step she took in her life where she would be alone. Whatever happens as a result of her choice is hers to reap. Hers to experience. Hers. The freedom to have options and make a choice was a ravishing idea.

"What's got you thinking so hard?" Woo Bin asked. Ever since the graduation, they had all been hanging out together in the den almost every day. They were trying to make the most of what was left before she and Yi Jung left.

"I'm thinking where should I go first? I was thinking of Italy. I've always wanted to go." Ga Eul mused.

"You think you can handle going there alone?" Jun Pyo asked, worried. He was the most worried out of all of them.

"Yeah, I know enough English to get by. I hope."

"How long will you stay there? And where are going to stay?"

"Relax a little. I don't know how long I'll stay or where, but I'll figure it out along the way. I'll probably stay at the cheapest place I could find." Ga Eul shrugged.

"Ga Eul, that's dangerous."

"Don't worry, I have a good head above my shoulders. I'll not run into any trouble. It's not like I'm the only one to ever travel alone."

"Jan Di, you're leaving her to go out there alone?" He asked Jan Di.

"Oh, please. I don't have any control over Ga Eul. She promises to take good care of herself. That's all that matters." Jan Di replied.

"I feel like I'm the only one here with a brain." Jun Pyo muttered to himself.

"It's going to be fine. If anything happens, I'll contact you immediately." Ga Eul said, surprised by Jun Pyo's worry over her.

"What's that going to do? If you're miles away."

"Stop being so pessimistic. You guys are wealthy. You would be able to figure it out if something should happen." Ga Eul said, trying to lighten the mood. Jun Pyo wasn't the only one worried, but he was the only one to voice it. Despite how supportive Yi Jung is, there was an undertone of worry in his expression whenever the matter of her travelling was brought up.

"Instead of mopping around, I was thinking of everything we could do before we separated." Woo Bin said.

"I'll lay it to you easy and start with a Japanese restaurant."

"Sounds good to me." Ji Hoo shrugged.

"What's special about this restaurant?" Yi Jung asked, bored.

"The best sushi you could ever get here in Seoul?" Woo Bin replied, almost annoyed.

"Sounds nice." Ga Eul said.

"Great. Because I've already made us a reservation. You're welcome." Woo Bin said.

"When?" Jun Pyo asked.

"Tonight."

"I have plans, shithead!" Jun Pyo exclaimed.

"Well, cancel them."

"I'm sorry that I don't have as much free time as you all." Jun Pyo replied.

"I'm not free, either." Ji Hoo added.

"Oh, come on. When did we become such wet socks? We're going today. End of story. I worked so hard to get us that reservation. So suck it all up, and brace yourselves for tonight."

"I mean if it's a great sushi place, it might as well be as important as any other plan." Jan Di said.

"Right? This one gets it." Woo Bin said.

"I'm playing along to get out of any crazy idea he gets later." Jan Di murmured to Ga Eul who stifled a chortle.

"Genius." Ga Eul whispered back.

"I'm with Woo Bin. We only have so much time left." Ga Eul said, taking Jan Di's advice.

"Thank you, ladies. Much appreciated." Woo Bin faked a bow, earning a chuckle from them.

Ga Eul felt her phone vibrate in her pocket, taking it out, her heartbeat dropped.

I won't appear in your life again.

This is my farewell to you.

A picture of a bloodied knife was sent beneath the message.

Ga Eul's throat got closed off and her throat went dry. Feeling the world closing down on her, she gripped the edge of the couch for support. All blood drained from her body when she saw the photo as if it were her blood he drew with the knife.

She tried to compose herself, not wanting to garner any attention. Everything depended on how well she acted in that situation. Her hands shaking, she put the phone back in her pocket.

"Change of plans, Jin Woo needs my help today in the workshop. You can all go ahead without me though." She uttered, hoping her voice didn't betray the fear she felt.

"Why so sudden?" Yi Jung was the first to ask.

"Something about the bike. He tried taking a ride today, but the brakes didn't work." The words flew quickly over her lips.

"Is it serious? Did he get hurt?" Jan Di asked.

"I don't think it's anything fatal. I'll go see what happened.." She stood up quickly, gathering her stuff.

"I'll leave now." She said over her shoulder, already on the move.

Her hands quickly nicked the keys to the Lotus from its key holder beside the door. If she wanted to get there and fast, she had to take it.

Her shaky hands were gripping the wheel with all the force she could muster. She knew what she had to do. If her guess was correct, he would be at the vacation house. He had to be, she muttered to herself in desperation.

He couldn't have done it, yet. She kept praying. She knew he was probably provoking her, but she couldn't be sure. It was Hong Joon, he could be unpredictable and reckless if he wanted to. Maybe that was his way of ensuring Ga Eul would always remember him. Nothing seemed certain. Her nerves were playing tricks on her body. She was high on adrenaline.

Her foot was pressed against the accelerator. Could she make it in time? She had sent Hong Joon a message, but he threatened her with taking his own life if she told anyone. She knew Yi Jung and the others wouldn't approve of this, so she had to go alone. She called Jin Woo instead.

"Hello, Ga Eul." He replied right away.

"Jin Woo, I need your help. I'm going to send you Yi Jung's number and a location. After exactly an hour, I want you to call him and tell him to come to this location." She spewed quickly.

"Ga Eul, are you in trouble?" He asked, catching on her serious tone.

"Just do as I say!" She almost shouted. "Please." She begged, then hung up the phone.

The trip to Jeju would take her six hours, but she hoped with the Lotus's speed she could cut the trip much shorter.

Jin Woo didn't keep his promise because almost immediately she got calls from Yi Jung. Fuck, Jin Woo—she muttered to herself. She would've shut off her phone, but she was waiting for any calls from Hong Joon.

It had been three hours since she received the message, and it still felt like a lifetime ahead of her before she made it there. She knew it was a possibility that Hong Joon was messing with her, but she couldn't take the risk. How would she live with herself if he went through with it, knowing she could have stopped it? She knew it was a risk, but it was one she had to take.

She tapped her fingers on the wheel, her thoughts racing. She was getting closer. Everyone would be safe, she kept chanting to herself. Yi Jung's messages and calls were about to make her lose her damn mind. From the location she sent, he had to have known it was related to Hong Joon. Who else knew about the vacation house? She knew he was livid, but she would deal with that later. She would promise and plead, but for now, she wanted to arrive as fast as she could.

She was in Jeju, her wheels hot on the street scaring people with its speed. She was right in choosing the Lotus. She was close now, so close.

She didn't dare to slow down even as she took the familiar curve down the street that took her to the house, hidden away from people. The car screeched loudly announcing her visit when she roughly parked it in front of the house. She almost lost the momentum of the car.

Her breath was heavy as she ran inside the house. She called his name as loud as she could.

"Hong Joon! I'm here alone. Please." She screamed. The sound of someone rummaging through a room upstairs was the only response she got. He was in Chun Ja's room.

She took the stairs and headed towards the room. The curtains were open, leaving the view of the front yard from the glass wall. It was the same as she had left it years ago. Ruffles of white satin across the room. The vanity was opposite the glass wall.

He was curved in a ball on the floor, his knife held to his chest.

"Hong Joon, I came. I'm all alone." She said, raising her arms in defeat.

"Don't come any closer." He shouted, slurring his words.

"I won't. Just going to take that knife. Is that okay?" She pleaded in a small voice.

"GET AWAY." He stood up, tumbling. Ga Eul tried to help him, but he flared out his arms, scratching her arm with the knife. She hissed in pain, backing away.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to. I didn't mean to." He cried. His eyes were mad and his back hunched. He didn't look like Hong Joon anymore. He was a shell of the person he was long ago.

"It's okay." She said. "Can you please put that knife on the floor? So we can talk like we used to. Hm?"

"No."

"You don't want to hurt me, right?" She talked in a sweet voice.

"No, it was an accident! I swear."

"Then, put the knife down. Friends don't talk to each other with a knife. You want to talk to me. That's why you called me, right?"

"Okay, I'll put the knife down. Don't come any closer though."

"I promise." She said as she backed away, her back to the glass wall.

"There was a misunderstanding between us. Let's clear that up. I was only mad for a while. That happens to friends sometimes." She was going to lure him in. Invite him to surrender with whatever he wants to hear.

"Do you think I'm an idiot? You ruined me. Us. Your little boyfriend made sure to never come near you again. Is that what you think of friendship? You throw me away the second you get a boyfriend. Me and Chun Ja never excluded you out." He shouted.

"He was jealous of our relationship. You got jealous of Chun Ja too, remember?"

"That's different. I had the right to do so. Like I have the right to you over that prick."

"What are you talking about?" She asked, feeling sick to her stomach. This was so wrong. So twisted.

"You and I should've been together in Germany right now. Everything was going so well until you decided to become that guy's toy. He's mad at me because he thinks I took something of his. He doesn't know that I had Chun Ja and you first."

"You're right. He doesn't know me like you do. It's not the same with him. Like the three of us used to hang out. Do you remember it?" She asked with a honey-like voice. If he wanted Yi Jung to be the villain, so it shall.

"Of course. I do." He huffed. "It's you who forgot."

"I was blinded by his words. His promises. I'm not a fool anymore. I-I'll get away from him. I'm not mad anymore."

"Really? It was ridiculous that years of friendship would go down the drain like this." He looked relieved. His eyes were shining once again. She had never seen anyone so depraved.

"Yes! Yes, it was, so let's leave now. We'll talk in another place. We can return to how we were."

"You think so?"

"I'm sure." She replied.

"You're not lying to me because if you are, it won't be just me that'll get hurt. I'll make you regret this. Badly."

"I'm not lying. I have always been on your side, haven't I?" She beseeched.

"Yes, you were." He said, seeming to get relaxed. Ga Eul took that as an opportunity to come closer. To take the knife away.

"Let me pull that knife aside." Ga Eul said, taking a few steps closer to him.

"I TOLD YOU TO GET THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME." He yelled, yanking the vanity chair from its place.

In what seemed like a second, suddenly the chair was hanging in the air, aimed at her. She had tried to get away, but her feet got frozen in shock. The only receptor in her body that worked was her voice as she shrieked in horror before the chair collided with her guts. She curled upon herself in agony as she was pulled back, expecting to hit a solid surface that never came. Instead, she felt herself leapt in the air. Shards of broken glass surrounded her, cutting her face and, revealing hazy reflections of her shocked face staring back at her.

She heard the thud before she felt it. Her head was smashed against the ground as was her body. Her sight got hazy as blood spilt from everywhere, soaking her clothes. It felt warm underneath. She wanted to get up with all her might, but she couldn't move a single muscle. Her head hurt. Everything hurt with a blinding pain. She could feel her bones get crushed. Even taking a breath hurt. Her ribs were digging daggers inside her.

It was painful.

Too painful.

So she closed her eyes.