The mansion gates clanged shut behind Sergei's black car, the echo fading into the night.
Inside, the silence was cut only by the steady rhythm of his boots against marble, he didn't rush.
When he reached the familiar corridor, Sergei's hand wrapped around the brass handle of the heavy oak door.
With one sharp push, the door swung open.
Creeaak.
The room was empty.
The bed sheets were crumpled, the curtains flapping violently against the broken window.
Cold air slashed into the room, carrying with it the faint rustle of leaves from the garden below.
Sergei froze for a moment. Then...
"Ha! … Hahaha!"
The sound ripped through the silence,echoing against the grand walls.
His laugh wasn't joy,it was mockery, amusement .
Thud. Thud. Thud.
He strode forward, slow, until his black shiny boots clicked against the window frame.
He leaned out, scanning the vast sea of blue roses stretching endlessly beneath him.
He saw nothing.
Steady footsteps echoed as he descended the stairs and walked into the garden.
His grin widened with every step, his voice playful, almost singsong.
"Jiiiiiwooon~...where are you~"
"JIWON!"
The name rolled like thunder.
Jiwon froze, Trembling, his breath hitched.
[I need to hide. Quickly]
His chest rose and fell too quickly, the pain in his ankle burning as he forced himself to crawl, stumble, hide.
"Huff...ha..."
The small doghouse caught his eyes it was empty and abandoned.
He bit down hard on his lip and dragged himself inside, curling into the cramped shadows, his body shook, his chest heaving.
Meanwhile sergei's steps were steady, unhurried.
Clack… clack… clack...
His Humming grew closer to jiwon as he kept approaching.
"Mmhmhm~ hmm~"
Then he stopped.
Sergei's voice cut through the air, soft and playful.
"Hmmm… maybe I should let Nino find you, Hm?"
Jiwon's chest tightenedin confusion.
[…Nino?]
"Nino…"
Sergei chuckled, his tone laced with cruel amusement.
"Aaah~ you probably don't know do you? I have a crocodile named Nino"
"Too bad… he's a pretty good pet."
His tone dropped, smooth.
"He'd like you."
"Hah!?"
Jiwon gasped involuntarily, his chest heaving as panic overtook him, he bit his lip hard, but it was too late.
And then.....Step. Step.
The sound of the boots came closer...
"Stupid hamster "
Sergei murmured with a dark laugh.
Polished boots were gleaming Inches away from the doghouse entrance.
Jiwon's eyes widened, his chest caved under invisible weight, his broken ankle throbbing, reminding him of the hopelessness.
He had hurt himself, destroyed his only chance, just to end up here, cornered.
Rustle, he roof of the doghouse creaked as Sergei bent down slowly, lowering himself with predatory grace until his icy blue eyes met Jiwon's trembling ones.
Time froze.
Jiwon's dark pupils shook, reflecting the piercing coldness of Sergei's gaze.
They were face-to-face.
Jiwon's body shook, his eyes quivering as those merciless blues burned into his soul, he couldn't breathe or move.
And Sergei's smile was wider than ever.