Chapter 4 Raven
I pushed the door open and Raven stumbled in, collapsing on the floor Bruises and finger scratch all over his face,a purple map around his cheekbone, a red cut on his neck. His white shirt had tears, and his knuckles were darkened, as if he has been fighting with wolves..
I took him by the shoulders and guided him inside. He slumped onto the floor, and for the first time in days, his quiet look vanished. He looked small. Human and dangerous,
What happened?I asked, Who did this to you? We should go to the hospital. You shouldn't be walking around like this.
"No, he cut in, his eyes burning red. "Don’t go out please,is not safe and I can’t too,Not now.
I checked his forehead temperature,warm but not feverish, but his breaths were short.
"You're hurt. Let me help.
Raven's hand pressed the floor. He pushed himself into a sitting position. My life is in danger, jina please Stop. Please. Stop whatever you're doing."
Stop? I haven't even started, Raven.
Raven's dark eyes snapped up at mine.
"Jina, he said, voice low, "they're everywhere. You think you're the only one who notices? Their eyes are every where and you don't see them until they're right on your face. Stop playing detective for a while because this people are stronger than you and you have no power”.
"Who? Who is 'they'?"
"For now jina,please stop," he said again and then softer and almost pleading "Please Jina can I stay here tonight? I don't want to sleep in the corridor or the hostel. I'll leave in the morning."
"All right, "But you're not sleeping on the floor. I have a spare blanket. Yen's bed is packed away; it's dusty, but it's still a bed."
"No bed," he mumbled. "I will take that mat in your wardrobe. I will be gone in the morning.
He picked out an old woven mat and spread it where the light fell tiny across the floor. I made him sit up while I fetched hot water and a towel. His wounds were worse than I first thought a split eyebrow, a raw abrasion on his elbow, one knee was heavily injured…
I soaked the towel in hot water, and gently cleaned the cuts. He made a face at the sting when I dabbed on it, then hissed when I pressed a bandage to the split on his brow. My hands were steady…
"What happened to you?I asked again, quieter.
Raven didn't look at me.
Jina just stop what ever you feel you are doing,that’s all I could say for now…
I wanted to tell him about Eunwoo and the notebook I saw earlier…
I finished bandaging Raven's wounds and sat back on the bed, watching him curl up on his mat,He kept his eyes open for a long time. At last his breath evened out. He was asleep.
I should have slept too. Instead I sat on my bed, and thought about Raven's warnings..
Should I stop and let everything die off or still continue what I was doing,knowing I could be saving someone’s life?
Raven was gone before I even woke. I didn't see him leave, but the tiny click of the door was heard in my half-sleep .
Today was music class ,the one class I hated with my whole chest.
I dragged myself into the shower, After dressing, tying my hair up, and packing my books, a knock came at my door.
Jina! She's gone!Jan's voice called from the hallway.
Probably talking about the teacher
"Go on ahead, I said.
I locked my door and headed out.On my way to music class, I ran into Minho.
Jina, he said softly, "how was your night?
I am fine. I tried sidestepping him.
He stepped the same direction. "Hold on, Jina.
"Minho, please. I need to get to class
Any troubles again?
I said I'm okay now, I repeated,I attempted to move around him again,and again he blocked me.
Minho, "please.
This time his smile deepened and as mischievous as always”Why the haste? Are you hiding something from me?
His tone was playful again as usual, but his eyes weren't. Anything you want to tell me? Anything you think I should know?
He leaned closer.
You can tell me anything, Jina. I won't judge.
"Minho, I don't understand. Something like what? I don't have anything to tell you. Please let me go in.
I tried again and suddenly he grabbed my wrist.
"Min,your hand it hurts!" I said slowly,He smiled wider and then let go.
"Don't hide things from me next time, Jina," he whispered,And he walked off smiling like nothing strange had just happened.
I stood there for a moment, frozen. My wrist turned red and painfully where his fingers had pressed into my skin.
What did he mean by that?
I shook the thoughts off and entered the music class. The teacher was already there, arranging sheets. I search for Raven at his usual spot but as usual,it was empty.. I figured he might skip classes today. With wounds like his.
By the time the class ended, my headache increased again. The teacher left as students followed immediately..
Just as I started packing my things, my phone buzzed.
It was a message from an unknown number,a voice note…i played it and a cracked voice came on instantly…
"Hi… my name is Eunwoo."
Hearing the name my entire body vibrated,I have to pause it and look around and only five students still in the room,laughing and minding their own business..
i lowered my head again, put the earpiece back in, and pressed play.
"If you're listening to this… it means you're ready. Ready to help me and Ready to get justice for me."
"I was blackmailed. And the people who blackmailed me… I am going to list their names.
I searched for my notebook and pen, my hands shaking,but before the voice could continue,a hand snatched my phone violently from behind.
and Before I could even stand, the phone slammed onto the floor with a crack and then a heavy slap exploded across on cheek...My eyes got blur and footsteps rushed away,someone running.by the time I blinked the blur away and looked up…
Everyone was gone,
Tears filled my eyes and my phone lay shattered on the floor the screen broken, i bend and picked up the broken pieces..
Who hit me?
I packed the rest of my things and left the classroom in a rush and straight to my room without looking back…
What just happened?
Why send a message… then attack the second I listened?Did they know what Eunwoo was about to reveal,and eunwoo case was connected to my father and he was investigating the case before he died....What if they weren't even wearing a school uniform?
I decided to wait till night fall at least I needed someone to talk to,knowing Raven warned me earlier and now they already knew me…
