Chapter 18: Fire Escape Frenzy
The night air was thick with tension as The Prism finished their latest performance. The fans had been ecstatic, and Chin-Sun, in her role as Min, had managed to avoid any major slip-ups. But as they retreated to their hotel, the sense of unease that had been following them since Min's attack seemed to grow.
Ho-Sook gathered them in the conference room for a quick debrief.
"Good job tonight, everyone. But stay vigilant. We've received a tip that the masked killer might be close by."
Ji-Yeong frowned.
"Do we have any idea where?"
Ho-Sook shook her head.
"Not yet. But keep your eyes open and stick together."
As they dispersed, Chin-Sun felt a shiver run down her spine. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to happen. She and Jong-Su headed to their shared hotel room, trying to keep the mood light.
"Great job tonight," Jong-Su said, giving her a reassuring smile.
"You really nailed that high note."
"Thanks," she replied, managing a small smile.
"I just hope we can catch this guy soon. The constant looking over our shoulders is getting old."
Jong-Su nodded.
"Tell me about it. But we'll get him. We just need to stay sharp."
As they reached their room, Ji-Yeong and Ye Joon joined them. Ji-Yeong's face was set in a serious expression.
"We need to talk. I don't like how quiet things have been. It feels like the calm before the storm."
Ye Joon looked around nervously.
"Do you think he's planning something?"
"I don't know," Ji-Yeong admitted.
"But we need to be ready for anything."
Suddenly, the lights flickered, and a loud noise echoed through the hallway. The fire alarm blared, and the unmistakable smell of smoke filled the air. Panic set in as guests started pouring out of their rooms.
"Everyone, stay calm!" Ji-Yeong shouted over the chaos.
"We need to get to the fire escape."
As they made their way to the fire escape, Chin-Sun's heart pounded. The masked killer could be anywhere. She clung to Jong-Su's arm as they pushed through the crowd. The group managed to reach the fire escape, but the sound of footsteps behind them made them realize they were being followed.
"He's here," Ji-Yeong said, his voice tight with fear and determination.
"We need to move faster."
They started descending the fire escape, the metal steps clanging beneath their feet. Chin-Sun's breath came in ragged gasps as she struggled to keep up. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appeared at the top of the fire escape, and her worst fears were confirmed—the masked killer had found them.
"Go, go, go!" Jong-Su urged, practically dragging her down the steps.
The masked killer moved with terrifying speed, descending the fire escape with alarming agility. Ji-Yeong looked down and saw that they were still several floors from the ground.
"We can't make it to the bottom in time. We need to jump to the next building."
Ye Joon's eyes widened.
"Are you crazy? That's too far!"
"We don't have a choice!" Ji-Yeong shouted. "Trust me!"
He led the way, taking a running leap from the fire escape to the neighboring building. The others hesitated for a split second before following. Chin-Sun's heart leaped into her throat as she jumped, her feet barely making contact with the ledge on the other side.
"Come on!" Ji-Yeong urged, helping her and Jong-Su scramble up.
Ye Joon was the last to jump, landing awkwardly but managing to pull himself up with their help. The masked killer was still on their tail, moving faster than seemed humanly possible. They ran across the rooftop, looking for another escape route.
"There!" Jong-Su pointed to another fire escape on the far side of the building. "We can use that to get to the street."
They dashed across the rooftop, the masked killer hot on their heels. Chin-Sun's legs burned with the effort, but she refused to slow down. As they reached the edge, they started descending the next fire escape, the masked killer gaining ground.
"He's too close!" Ye Joon shouted. "We need to find a way to slow him down."
Ji-Yeong looked around frantically. "We can kick the ladder down once we reach the bottom. That should buy us some time."
As they neared the ground, Ji-Yeong and Jong-Su worked together to dislodge the ladder. It fell with a loud crash, cutting off the masked killer's direct path. But he didn't seem deterred, starting to climb down the side of the building instead.
"Run!" Ji-Yeong shouted, and they took off down the alley.
They zigzagged through the narrow streets, their breath coming in desperate gasps. The sound of the masked killer's footsteps echoed behind them, relentless and unyielding. They needed to find a place to hide, but every alley and doorway seemed too exposed.
"There!" Jong-Su pointed to a small, hidden courtyard. "We can hide in there."
They ducked into the courtyard, pressing themselves against the shadows. Chin-Sun's heart pounded so loudly she feared it would give them away. The masked killer's footsteps grew louder, then paused.
"Where did they go?" he muttered, his voice sending chills down her spine.
He prowled around the entrance to the courtyard, peering into the shadows. Chin-Sun held her breath, praying he wouldn't find them. After what felt like an eternity, the killer moved on, his footsteps fading into the distance.
They waited a few more minutes before daring to move. Ji-Yeong peered out of their hiding spot, ensuring the coast was clear. "Let's go. We need to get back to the hotel."
They retraced their steps cautiously, avoiding well-lit areas and sticking to the shadows. By the time they reached the hotel, the fire alarm had been silenced, and the chaos had subsided. They slipped back into their room, locking the door behind them.
Ho-Sook was waiting for them, her face pale with worry. "Are you all okay?"
"We're fine," Ji-Yeong said, collapsing onto the couch. "But he was close. Too close."
Chin-Sun sank onto the floor, her legs trembling. "We need to be more careful. He’s not going to give up."
Jong-Su nodded. "We need a new plan. Something that will draw him out without putting us at so much risk."
Ye Joon sat down heavily, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know how much more of this we can take."
Ho-Sook looked around the room, her eyes filled with determination. "We will find a way. We just need to stay strong and work together."
The Prism members nodded in agreement, their resolve hardening. The masked killer had almost caught them tonight, but they had escaped by the skin of their teeth. They knew the danger was far from over, but they were more determined than ever to bring him to justice and protect their friend Min.
As they settled in for a restless night, Chin-Sun couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope. They had survived another close call, and with each day, they grew stronger and more united. Together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead and uncover the truth behind the masked killer's vendetta.