"Yang Jeongin, a young man found dead under suspicious circumstances in his own home. The police ruled it an accident caused by his own negligence. But I know it wasn't an accident—it was murder. What do you know? Tell me before I reveal everything myself."
Arkhan froze, staring at the mysterious message that had just appeared on his phone. His breathing quickened; his thoughts spiraled into chaos.
"No… that case was closed by the police. It was just a regular accident, not murder," he muttered, trying to convince himself.
His phone buzzed again. With trembling hands, Arkhan unlocked the screen. The unknown sender had sent a photo—a café, with a few customers inside.
"Who is this person?" he grumbled, trying to call the number. But all he got was an automated voice.
Knock knock knock.
The knocking startled Arkhan.
"Khan, you in there?" Sandy's voice came from behind the door.
"Yeah, San. What is it?" Arkhan replied.
Sandy opened the door. Her pale face showed concern as he noticed Arkhan's frightened expression.
"What's wrong, Khan?" he asked.
"I feel like something bad is about to happen," Arkhan said quietly.
"You can see the future now? Some kind of indigo kid?" Sandy teased lightly.
"I'm not joking, San."
Arkhan handed her his phone. Sandy read the message, her brow furrowing deeper with every word.
"You can count on me. If something happens, I won't leave you alone," he said firmly.
"Thanks, San."
"Come on, let's join the others. Jai's finished cooking," he invited.
A little context: Arkhan and his friends had been renting a house together since 10th grade. Now in 12th grade, they decided to spend their final school year together before going their separate ways for college.
"There's only five of us?" Arkhan asked in surprise, glancing at the dinner table.
"Yeah, two are missing," Nero replied.
"Sena and Joan aren't back yet," Jai added.
"It's already late. Where could they be?" Levan asked.
"Joan texted me. Said he's still at the café," Jai answered.
Café? The word immediately reminded Arkhan of the photo from the mysterious sender.
"They're both at the café?" Arkhan asked, panic rising.
"I'm not sure. I only chatted with my brother," Jai said.
Arkhan quickly tried calling Joan, but there was no answer.
"Why won't he pick up?!" he snapped in frustration.
"Why are you freaking out, Khan?" Nero asked, suspicious.
Not giving up, Arkhan dialed Sena's number.
Beep...
"Hello, Khan? What's up?" Sena answered.
"Where are you, Sena?" Arkhan asked quickly.
"On the way home."
"With Joan?"
"No. We were together earlier, but Joan wanted to stay, so I left first."
"You left her alone?!"
"Khan, what's with the yelling? Joan chose to stay there."
"Never mind… just get home. Don't go anywhere else!" Arkhan ordered before ending the call.
Sandy placed a hand on Arkhan's shoulder. "Calm down."
"Our friend is in danger and you're telling me to calm down?!" Arkhan snapped.
"Who's in danger?" Levan asked.
Arkhan paused, thinking fast. He couldn't tell them everything.
"Someone sent me a threatening message. I think they're planning to hurt us."
"We should call the police," Jai suggested.
"No… I-I'm afraid it'll provoke them," Arkhan replied as he turned to grab his jacket. But before he could reach the stairs, his phone buzzed again.
All eyes turned to Arkhan. With a pounding heart, he opened the message.
The phone slipped from his hand and fell to the floor.
The unknown sender had sent another photo—Joan lying on the floor of an empty room, blood everywhere.