The days went by pretty quickly.
The second night of camp was golden.
Lanterns lined the walkways like floating stars, and laughter carried across the dark treetops. Students were huddled around fires, sharing snacks and playing dumb games — but Jisoo wasn't with them.
He stood quietly near the trail by the lake, heart pounding in his chest. A blanket was already laid out. Snacks. A thermos of cocoa. A small candle in a jar flickered between them.
His hands were cold, but he was sweating.
"You're actually doing this," he whispered to himself.
He checked the time: 9:47 PM.
Sera had said she'd meet him at the edge of the trail, just outside her camp cabin.
He smiled faintly.
She'd smiled when he asked. Bit her lip like she couldn't believe he had the guts.
But now she knew.
He felt something.
And tonight… he'd finally say it.
Earlier That Evening ,
She kept glancing at the clock as she finished brushing her hair.
Taeyang and Minjeong were out by the campfire, close enough to keep eyes on her but not smothering.
They didn't know about her meeting with Jisoo.
They didn't need to.
Not tonight.
She wrapped a scarf around her neck, breathed into her palms, and smiled at her reflection.
He's really doing this, huh?
Her phone buzzed.
Jisoo:
"Already waiting. No pressure. But I brought your favorite cookies. "
She bit her lip, a small squeal stuck in her throat.
Her fingers hovered over her reply.
And then—
A sudden hand.
Clamped over her mouth.
The sharp, chemical sting of chloroform filled her nose.
She thrashed.
Tried to scream.
Tried to kick.
But it was too fast.
Too practiced.
And in seconds, the space was empty .
Her phone buzzed once on the floor, unread.
9:56 PM – Jisoo
Still waiting.
Still pacing.
The cocoa was lukewarm now.
He checked his phone again.
Nothing.
"She probably forgot," he mumbled. "Or maybe Minjeong pulled her into something dumb."
He tried to laugh at himself.
Tried to ignore the squeeze in his chest.
But it didn't work.
The minutes ticked on.
The candle flickered lower.
"Sera?" he called out softly toward the trail.
Still nothing.
Just the sound of cicadas.
And the growing silence in his heart.
He stood there another twenty minutes.
Hope deflating.
His fingers curled tight against his palms.
He didn't know she was gone.
He didn't know she'd been taken.
He just knew…
She promised.
And she wasn't here.