You Call Me Monster

“So what’s the plan?” Xiumin asked.

Soonjin took a deep breath. “Okay, so the mayor wants all of you spread out across the room,” he began, gesturing to the whiteboard.

“What about Lay?” Nari interrupted. “He’s still healing.”

Lay rolled his eyes. “It’s been over a week and the wound’s already closed. I’m not sitting this out, Nari.”

Soonjin coughed nervously. “So, across the room. Three in the balcony, at least one on each side, two near the front and two in the mayor’s personal guard.”

Chen glanced up at this. “Why his personal guard?”

“After the attempt on his life, the mayor doesn’t trust his bodyguards,” Soonjin explained.

“Smart man,” Suho mumbled.

“He wants you and one other man with him in case…” Soonjin trailed off.

“In case Chul tries to kill him again,” Chen finished. “Fine. What else?”

Soonjin uncapped his marker. “Chul is going to be called as a witness, so he'll be sitting here,” he said, circling the front section of the courtroom. “He won't be called at first, so you'll have to be patient. Once he's on the witness stand, you can make your move.”

Suho snickered and Chanyeol elbowed him. Soonjin reddened slightly.

“Why does he have to be on the witness stand before we arrest him?” Baekhyun asked.

“Why can't we just kill him?” Kai interjected, flipping his knife with one hand.

“That's not what I meant!” Baekhyun exclaimed.

“We have to get him away from the crowd to prevent any casualties,” Xiumin said.

“We aren't killing him, are we?” Baekhyun asked, looking around.

“I doubt anyone would miss him,” D.O said.

“I say we kill him,” Kai repeated.

“Haven't enough people died already?” Baekhyun demanded. “Why is everyone so eager to kill him?”

“Because he's evil!” Lay exclaimed.

Chen gave a sharp whistle and everyone fell silent. He nodded at Soonjin. “Please continue.”

Soonjin mopped his forehead with his sleeve. “Remember, don't arrive together and try not to let Chul see you once he arrives.”

“We've been doing this for four years, Soonjin,” Suho said. “You don't have to walk us through every step.”

Soonjin blushed again. “Of course, forgive me.” He hefted a large bag sitting beside him. “I was able to collect some police uniforms and other official looking stuff for you to use. I'll see you all at the trial.”

Soonjin left and Xiumin opened the bag eagerly. “Check it out,” he said, pulling out an officer's shirt. “There's even a badge,” he continued, flashing the shiny metal at the others.

“This isn't dress up, Xiumin,” Nari snapped. She got up and left the room, heart pounding. Chen followed her, closing the door behind him. “I know this is hard for you,” he said without preamble, “but you're in command with me right now. You have to set a better example.”

Nari sighed. “I know, I'm sorry.” She sat on her bed and crossed her arms. “I'm just really on edge.”

“Everyone is,” Chen replied, sitting next to her. “The others are just one argument away from total anarchy. We can't lose control of the situation now. I need you to do better.” He sighed, looking down at the floor. “I'm worried about him too,” he said quietly. “I wish I didn't have to be so hard on you right now.”

“Do you think he's okay?” Nari asked. Chen smiled. “Knowing him, he's probably more worried about us than anything else,” he said, winking at her.

Nari grabbed his hand and held it tightly, like he was her lifeline. She felt Chen stiffen slightly, but he didn't pull away. They sat together quietly, each one as frightened as the other.


******


Sehun sat on the bench, his back against the cold cement wall. Despite his throbbing head and aching muscles, he stayed relaxed, his hands folded comfortably in his lap. He was determined to be completely aloof, as though nothing could touch him while he remained calm. On the outside, anyway.

Why haven't they come back for me? he wondered. He had been interrogated endlessly over the last few days by several people, all of whom left frustrated at his cold silence. Maybe they've finally given up, he thought hopefully.

This detention center was much bigger than the police station, and Sehun had been tucked deep inside it to await trial. They're probably afraid I'll break out, he thought. Baekhyun would have to build his biggest bomb yet for that. This amused him and a faint smile tugged at his lips.

He heard footsteps and a man came around the corner, wiping his forehead with a handkerchief. He was pudgy and balding, and his pinstriped suit was wrinkled.

“You'll go to court tomorrow,” he puffed. “It's likely you'll be sentenced to life in a maximum security prison, but I might be able to do something about that if you cooperated with the police?”

Sehun ignored him and the lawyer sighed. “I don't know if you're noble or just stubborn, but either way this seems rather extreme.”

Sehun resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Go away, he demanded silently. The pounding in his head was increasing with every word the lawyer uttered.

“Well, it's your life,” the lawyer said, shaking his head as he walked away.

Sehun closed his eyes and tried to imagine what the others were doing.

Nari is pacing her bedroom and pretending she's not worried about tomorrow. Lay is trying to convince her that his leg is healed enough to go with them. Baekhyun is making explosives and sticking small pieces of tape to Suho’s bed because it annoys him. D.O is cooking dinner, probably something fancy. Chanyeol and Xiumin are arguing over what to watch on TV. Kai is asleep on D.O’s bed. Suho is lifting weights in the garage because he doesn't like working out during the day. Chen is working on his bike and teasing Suho constantly.

Sehun opened his eyes and sighed. He had complete faith in his men, but being locked up, unable to help them, made him uneasy. He laid down awkwardly on the narrow bench, tucking his arm under his head. Good luck, everyone, he thought. After tomorrow, we'll all be safe.


******


Nari took her place against the wall, folding her arms casually. The trial didn’t start for another thirty minutes, but the courtroom was already starting to fill up. There was even a section for press near the front, and photographers were already snapping pictures.

She glanced across the room at D.O, already in position. The two of them were disguised as police officers, hidden in the slew of security lining the walls of the courtroom. He makes a pretty good policeman, Nari thought. If it wasn’t for the way his head tilted slightly to one side, Nari wouldn’t have been able to tell him apart from the other officers. She knew he was keeping one eye on the door, waiting for Chul to arrive.

Nari tried not to stare at the door where she knew Sehun would enter from. A wave of anxiety made her stomach twist and she swallowed hard. Get it together Nari, she told herself. Soon all of this will be over.


******


Chanyeol leaned on the balcony railing, watching the room below fill with people.

“How are we supposed to get down there to help the others?” Kai whispered next to him. “We’re a good twenty feet up, at least, and Limpy over there can’t make any jumps.”

“Hey!” Lay hissed. “I don’t need-”

“Stop it!” Chanyeol cut them off, putting a hand on each man. “There’s an emergency stairwell over there,” he said, discreetly pointing to the left. “We should have enough time to get down that way, if we need to get down there at all.”

Kai leaned back in his seat. “I’m perfectly capable of fighting down there,” he muttered.

“Chen put you up here because you’re too easily recognized, not because you can’t fight,” Chanyeol reminded him. “Both of you just… remain calm.”

Chanyeol looked back at the people below, resisting the urge to sigh loudly. He saw Nari and D.O on either side of the room, and Xiumin was just taking his seat amongst the reporters. Where’s Baekhyun? he wondered.


******


Baekhyun squeezed his way past a pair of old ladies and slid his glasses back into place. The amount of people crowding the courthouse was nearly suffocating, but he’d finally made it inside without anyone stopping him.

He slid into a seat near the reserved section for witnesses, making brief eye contact with D.O as he did. Trial starts in fifteen minutes, he thought, checking his watch. Where’s…

There was a flurry of activity by the door and Baekhyun turned around to see what was happening. He caught a glimpse of the mayor and sighed with relief. We’re all here, he thought, watching the mayor take his seat. He spotted Chen and Suho among his bodyguards, dressed identically in black suits and ties. Chen did a slow sweep of the room, putting two fingers to his earpiece as if he was listening for something.

That’s the signal, Baekhyun realized, turning back around. He’s here.

Notes