-1-
Ji Sooah
“Awe, what a scared baby. Stop your pouting, darling. It’s easy to save your own life.” I playfully smack the boy’s cheek. "And running away isn't going to work."
Emi kicks him around to see him whimper.
I kneel down and grabbed his collar. "Hand us the jewel and we'll let you go. You can't run away again."
His shaky hand finally hands us the precious jewel.
Once we snatch it from him, he gets up and stumbles away, out of the sketchy alleyway and out of our sight.
Emi and I stare at the 200 million won worth jewel in awe.
“Imagine all the things we could get with this." I snickered, moving the jewel around to see it sparkle. "What do you think we should do with it?"
“Are you sure it isn’t a fake, though? What if we got the wrong guy?” Emi worries, breaking the excitement. “You know, Sooah, fraud is big these days.”
“Stop being paranoid about this. We always get the right guy.”
Sirens started ringing at the end of the alleyway, causing us to look towards the right where the light of the streets came from.
“Go, get this to Haeun. I’ll handle the cops.” I hand her the jewel.
“You sure?”
“I know every officer in this town. This isn’t my first showdown with the cops. You know me, girl. You know I got this.”
Emi shrugs with a laugh chuckle. “You give a mean kick to the ass, I know that.” She pats my back before hurrying away with the expensive piece of jewelry.
Soon after, a cop car drives straight into the alleyway and the head lights shine right on me.
I place a hand on my hip and patiently waited for the cowardly cop to flash his handcuffs or point his gun at me.
“This is the police! Put your hands up in the air!” The police guy shouts into his megaphone from inside the car.
I chuckle.
Such a coward.
Not surprised.
I disobey his orders and walked closer to his car.
“I said put your hands up, miss!” He repeats.
“I don’t...really want to.” I flutter my lashes innocently.
The man finally exits his car and closes the door behind him.
I quickly scan his body.
His face was covered with a dark shadow, so I couldn’t recognize his features. I also noticed he didn’t take out a gun or handcuffs....
And his uniform....it looked different.
“I know I look good and all-”
“Don’t even try one of those on me. I’m not interested like that.” I scoff at his arrogance. "Policemen these days.."
He walks closer to me, his face becoming brighter and more visible.
“You’re new.” I tilt my head, pressing my tongue against the inside of my cheek.
“I may be new, but I'm good at what I do.”
“That’s nice. Seoul needs better cops. Crime just keeps rising and rising.” I smirk. "So, you plan on changing that? Or are you just a cop for the uniform?"
His eyes narrow, indicating his annoyance at my question. “Turn around.” He orders.
“I wouldn’t even put my arms up. You think I’d turn around? You’re an idiot.” I roll my eyes and start to walk past him.
His hand catches mine and he slams me against his car.
“You like it rough.” I let out a quick breath.
“I’m sure you like it too.”
I kick at his leg hard and he falls to the ground with a yelp.
“You think I’m too easy.” I stand above him with a head shake. “Why become a cop when you can't even handle a criminal?"
He suddenly grabs my foot and tugs me towards the ground. He quickly stands up and pulls me up by the elbow.
I was going to smack the sh*t out of him, but a piece of cloth was pressed against my mouth and my comments became muffled.
Then black.
-
I wake up in a really bright room.
This is new.
Usually I wake up in a dark room.
I was sitting in a chair with my hands tied up behind me with one of those elastic bands.
Again, this is new.
I’ve had tape, rope, and once even a scarf.
I sat up straight and bent my elbows. In one quick movement, I snap the plastic in two pieces, only leaving me with red marks around my wrists.
I stood up to examine my surroundings, when all of a sudden, the room turns red and alarms start blasting.
I hear a door open and it was that same police dude, but he was wearing more casual clothing. As soon as he went through the door, the alarms stop.
“How are you already causing trouble?” The dude scolds me.
I shrug it off. “I’m kinda a professional on that.”
He hangs his head and sighs.
“Anyways, you’re not an actual police officer.” I cross my arms.
“Really?” He tilts his head, impressed with my observation skills.
“I noticed your police uniform looked fake. Like a Halloween costume. And you didn’t have all the required police equipment on you.” I look at him a suspicious glare.
“Wow.”
I laugh. “And that police car you slammed me against.....wasn’t a police car. You had black painted over another color and even I know police cars aren’t that tacky.”
“You have nice eyes.” He copies my smirk.
“And...with my history of police officers, they never used that fabric trick unless,” I reach into his back pocket and pull out his ID. “They’re some secret spy or something.”
“You’re good. I’ll give you that.” He nods his head approvingly.
“You’re failing at your job. I’ll give you that.”
“Why don’t you give me a bit more than just...talk.”
He grabs my hand and slams me against the white cushioned walls.
“Are you for real?! Stop this flirting! This really isn't the time!” A deep voice echoes in the room. “It’s so cringey. It actually makes me want to get up from this chair! These youngsters nowadays...”
“Yoon- I mean Suga! Stop spying on us!” The dude yells with his head up.
“That’s my job.” Suga groans. “Now stop whatever you're doing and get that girl up here for inspection. Rapmonster is waiting.
I burst out in laughter. “What’s that again? Ratmonster?”
“Just come on.” The dude grabs my hand.
“Sugar and Ratmonster. This is too good. What’s your ridiculous codename?” I ask him, teasingly.
“I’d rather not say.” He responds while dragging me away.
“Come on, what is it?”
“J....pe...” He mumbles.
“J what?”
“J-hope. It’s J-hope.” He keeps his face away from me.
“That’s cute.” I tease. "What's with the hope part?"
-
He brings me to a glass room and roughly pushes me in there.
There was another man in there, sitting in a chair with his hands intertwined.
We were in a room with a mirror. I see myself, but I know there are other people on the other side. I can easily see the outline of 5 other humans on the other side.
They think they’re so smart.
I'm just smarter.
“Hello, Sooah.” He greets me with a monotone.
“Hello, Dr. Creepy.” I giggle.
“Do you know who I am?”
“Ratmonster.” I laugh.
“What- Who told you? Ratmonster?”
“Don’t get your panties stained. It was that Sugar man.” I answer while playing with my nails.
“What- Oh, never mind. So, you’re wondering how I know your name-”
“Not really. I’m really popular.”
Ratmonster closes his eyes, obviously frustrated with my witty self.
“Ok, just tell me about yourself.” He finally requests.
“Well. My name is Ji Sooah. I am 23 years old. I’ve been doing crimes for just 5...6....10 years. My parents aren’t here...maybe not alive, I don’t know. And um.....what else?” I play with my hair.
Ratmonster looks at me, stunned to see me talk so freely about my life history.
"Any other questions?"
“U-Uh....Your team?”
“My team? Sure, sure. Well, my team consists of 4 people. 4 rebellious girls. 4 beautiful, smart, awesome girls. We met 5 years ago in simple bank robbery. We became close and decided to make a pact with each other. Been doing crimes ever since. Been fun.”
“Their names?”
“Me, Ji Sooah. Jeon Emi. Kim Haeun. Mee Young.” I answer without hesitation.
Why did I expose their names? Because it's not a dangerous thing for people to know our names. It's actually better if more people do. Calm down, more than half the people in this state know our names.
“What were you doing before J-hope took you here?” Ratmonster asks.
“Hmm, what was I doing.....just chilling.”
The door opens and in comes that boy I beat up for the jewel.
“Sooah. This is ChimChim. He’s a part of OUR team.” Ratmonster introduces him with a smug smile on his face.
I wasn’t even shocked at all.
Being surprised shows a weakness.
