Chapter: Cracks Beneath the Calm
The movie played quietly on the screen.
At first, everything about it felt calm—almost too calm. Soft background music, warm colors, slow camera movements. The characters on screen spoke gently, and nothing seemed out of place.
Win lay comfortably on the bed, one arm behind his head, eyes half-focused on the screen. Lego was curled near his leg, small body rising and falling with slow breaths.
Ter sat beside him, relaxed for once, fully watching the movie.
"This is actually nice," Ter said. "You finally chose something normal."
Win smiled lazily. "Told you. I'm not always evil."
Minutes passed. Nothing strange happened.
Then suddenly—
The screen flickered.
The music stopped.
A loud, distorted sound blasted from the speakers.
A terrifying face appeared out of nowhere, filling the screen.
Ter screamed.
"WHAT THE HELL—!"
He jumped so hard that his heart nearly stopped, body reacting before his mind could understand what was happening. His breath caught painfully in his chest.
For a second, Win stared at him.
Then he burst out laughing.
Not a soft laugh.
A full, uncontrollable one.
He laughed so hard his shoulders shook, his stomach hurt, and tears formed in his eyes.
"Oh my God—Ter—your face!" Win gasped between laughs.
Ter, still shaking, grabbed the remote and shut off the TV immediately. The screen went black, and silence fell heavily in the room.
He turned slowly and stared at Win.
"You did this on purpose."
Win tried to speak but laughed harder instead.
"I swear—I didn't—know—it would—change like that!" he said, barely breathing.
Ter lunged at him.
Win reacted instantly.
He grabbed Lego into his arms and jumped off the bed.
"Nope! Don't hit me!" Win laughed, already running.
Ter froze. "WHY DID YOU TAKE THE DOG?!"
Lego made strange confused sounds, ears flat, as if asking why he was suddenly involved in this chaos.
Win ran across the room, laughing like a maniac, Lego bouncing lightly in his arms.
"PUT HIM DOWN!" Ter shouted, chasing him.
They ran in circles until both were completely exhausted. Finally, they collapsed onto the floor.
Win lay on his back, breathing heavily, still laughing.
Ter sat beside him, hands on his knees, trying to calm his racing heart.
Lego sat between them, looking from one to the other.
Win laughed again.
Ter noticed the movement and, without thinking, hit Win's arm.
"Ow! Okay—okay—it's fine now!" Win said quickly.
But he laughed again.
Ter stared at him for a second.
Then he started laughing too.
Soon both of them were laughing uncontrollably, kicking each other lightly like children.
When the laughter finally faded, Win wiped his eyes.
"So," he asked casually, "when are your parents coming?"
Ter shrugged. "I don't know."
Win thought for a moment. "Then… let's take Lego to the park."
Ter looked at Lego, who wagged his tail as if he understood.
"…Okay," Ter said.
They locked the house and stepped outside.
The evening air was cool. Lego immediately became excited, walking fast, pulling the leash forward.
"Why is he so fast?" Win laughed, almost running.
"He's been waiting all day," Ter replied.
At the park, Lego explored everything, tail wagging nonstop.
"Can we stop and eat ice cream?" Ter asked suddenly.
Win nodded. "Okay. Wait here."
He returned with two ice creams.
Lego stared at them intensely.
His eyes followed every movement.
"I want that," his face clearly said.
"No," Ter said firmly. "Don't stare like that. I'm not giving this to you."
Lego made a dramatic whining sound.
Win laughed.
Ter handed the leash to Win. "You handle him."
After some time—
"Let's go home," Win said. "I think."
"But it's still early," Ter protested.
"I'm tired."
"You lazyyy," Ter teased.
Win stood. "Okay, I'm going home now. Meet tomorrow?"
Ter nodded. "Hmm."
When Win reached home, he hurried inside and locked the door behind him.
He didn't even change his clothes.
Something felt wrong.
He pulled out his phone and typed quickly.
Win: Did you check the things that I asked you?
The reply came after a moment.
Friend: Yes. This is all the information.
Win sat up immediately and started reading.
His expression changed with every line.
The first thing that caught his attention was a number.
Eleven exes.
His chest tightened.
The details were clear. A pattern.
The girl always approached first. She acted sweet and interested. She learned everything about the person but shared nothing real about herself.
Then came emotional closeness.
Then small requests—money, favors, help.
And once the person was fully attached, she disappeared.
No goodbye.
No explanation.
"…Damn," Win whispered.
He called Ter.
No answer.
Again.
Nothing.
"She's dangerous," Win muttered. "And you don't even see it."
After several failed calls, Win lay back on his bed.
"I'll tell you tomorrow," he decided. "No matter what."
At Ter's house, his parents returned.
"Did your friend leave?" his mother asked.
"Yes," Ter replied. "We didn't have enough material today."
His father nodded. "Don't do anything else. Go to your room."
Ter went inside, phone already in his hand.
Messages appeared.
Girl: Ohh, I don't tell my name. Call me Yu.
Ter typed slowly.
Ter: Yu…
Yu: Can we meet tomorrow? Near the café close to the park. You know it, right?
Ter: Ohh right, I know.
Yu: So you're coming?
Ter hesitated.
Ter: I don't think I can. I have school, and I don't think it's okay to meet.
Yu: It's okay. I'm too fast. I don't think we're that close still.
Ter frowned.
Ter: That's not but—
Yu: So… you're coming?
Ter stared at the screen for a long time.
Then he sent an emoji.
And somewhere far away, Win slept with the truth heavy on his chest—
while Ter stepped closer to something he didn't understand yet.
Win came to Ter's house with a clear plan in mind.
They had decided to work on the project together, and Ter had told him earlier that he would be at home. Win even remembered the tone of Ter's voice—casual, confident, as if everything was already decided. That was why Win came directly here, carrying his bag, his laptop, and a list of points he wanted to discuss.
He parked the car near the gate and stepped out, feeling oddly restless for no clear reason.
Before he could knock, the door opened.
Ter's mother stood there.
"Oh, Win," she said warmly. "You're here."
Win smiled politely and bowed his head slightly. "Hello, aunty."
She stepped aside a little. "why are you here"..
Win replied. "I came to work with Ter."
Her smile faltered—just a little.
"With Ter?" she repeated.
Win noticed it immediately. "Yes. He said he would be at home."
She looked genuinely surprised now. "But Ter already left."
Win froze. "Left?"
"Yes," she said calmly. "He told me he was going to your house."
The words hit Win harder than he expected.
"My house?" he asked, blinking.
She nodded. "His father dropped him there."
For a second, Win forgot how to breathe.
Dropped him… to my house?
He swallowed and forced his expression to stay normal.
"Oh," he said quickly. "Yes… yes, aunty. That's right."
She relaxed, satisfied. "You boys always change plans at the last moment."
Win let out a small, awkward laugh. "Yes, aunty."
He adjusted the strap of his bag. "I didn't know he would leave so early. That's why I came here first."
"I see," she said. "Then you should go. He must be waiting."
"Yes," Win replied. "I'll go now."
He turned around slowly and walked back toward his car.
As soon as he sat inside and closed the door, the calm expression disappeared.
His hands rested on the steering wheel, unmoving.
"He didn't tell me," Win whispered.
If Ter was coming to his house, why didn't he say anything?
Win replayed the conversation in his head again and again. Ter had clearly said he would be at home. There was no confusion. No maybe. No change mentioned.
Then why this?
Win started the car, but didn't move right away.
Did he forget… or did he hide it?
His chest felt tight.
Ter's father dropping him meant it wasn't a small, last-minute decision. It was planned. And yet, Win knew nothing about it.
"That doesn't make sense," he muttered.
He pulled the car onto the road, thoughts colliding inside his mind.
If Ter went to my house… then where is he now?
Win pressed his lips together, unease settling deep in his stomach.
This wasn't just about a project anymore.
It felt like a gap—small, but dangerous—had opened between them.
And Win hated not knowing what was happening on the other side.