‘Who the hell are you?’ I said, walking backwards down the alley. + 

‘You can call me Suga,’ he replied, smiling. + 

‘Sugar? Piss off!’ I shouted, testing his patience. I scanned for escape routes, calculating how fast I could run if needed. No way was I sticking around with this creep. + 

‘Suga, without an r. It’s my name, but you can call me sweetie if you like.’ I laughed bitterly. Of all the people I’d run into, a pervert. + 

‘No thanks,’ I said sarcastically. What was he playing at? + 

‘You know,’ Suga said slowly, ‘there’s a big bounty for a girl with a pretty face just like yours right now.’ A shiver ran down my spine. I’d hoped people had forgotten about it. ‘You’re worth a lot,’ he continued, ‘in gold.’ My eyes widened. This was new. I’d previously been worth about 1000 in silver. + 

‘Don’t sell me out,’ I warned him. + 

‘Shame, cause th—’ + 

‘Ssh.’ I whispered. I thought I heard something. Then I heard it again – the click of brand-new shoes. Nobody from around here could afford anything that fresh from the packet. I cursed under my breath. At least Suga wouldn’t start a fight with me now. + 

‘What?’ said Suga, looking around impatiently. + 

‘Night-guard,’ I said. His face dropped, his eyes narrowing. + 

‘Stay here. If you run, they’ll follow you,’ I instructed him. He frowned. We could hear their voices now. I walked toward the corner, then turned back. ‘Remember you owe me one,’ I said before pulling my hood up and masking my face. + 

I rounded the corner and came face-to-face with two stern guards in deep blue uniforms, their hair greying with age. I counted to three before running. They’d chase me, leaving Suga alone. They had no reason to follow him. I could hear their footsteps like thunder behind me as I beat a pattern onto the street. I nodded at Suga as I ran past, his face speechless. I continued, taking a roundabout route toward the Dome. They weren’t far behind; if they got any closer, I’d feel their breath on my neck. I couldn’t stop. Somewhere along the way, I lost them, but I didn’t stop until I reached the centre of the dome. There, I waited for CL, catching my breath. + 

I slipped off my hoodie and mask, zipping them into my backpack. As I looked up, CL stood before me. + 

‘Here’s your money,’ she said, handing me a crumpled paper bag. ‘And a bonus too.’ I grinned, looking inside. She’d placed a single gold coin on top of the silvers. + 

‘Thank you so much,’ I responded. This was great. The boys would be thrilled. + 

‘Also,’ she interjected, ‘there are some people looking for you right now. I think they could be trouble. New in the area, too. I haven’t seen them before.’ + 

‘We’ve met,’ I said quietly. ‘Thanks again.’ I needed to head back soon; it was past three. First things first, food. + 

I walked toward a couple of stalls laden with fruit bread and other treats. I even saw strawberries. But I was still on edge. Both Suga and the night-guard had left me unnerved. + 

I kept checking behind me and on the roofs as I headed home, taking a longer route than usual. I knew I was being paranoid, but I wasn’t taking any risks. Better safe than sorry. After a while, I was certain I was alone, so I started taking a more direct path, cutting through underpasses and back alleys. Before I knew it, I reached home. + 

I walked to the back of the alley and knocked three times on the cobblestones. The trapdoor groaned as Jin pushed it open. I slipped inside as he went down the ladder. + 

‘I’m home,’ I shouted, ‘and you wouldn’t bel—’ I faltered. They all looked furious. Jimin had his arms folded, refusing to look at me, and Namjoon and Jin looked incandescent with rage. + 

‘WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU AT FOUR, Y/N?’ Jin shouted. I glanced at my watch. Half past five. Shit. + 

‘I’m so sorry,’ I murmured, looking at my hands. I hadn’t realised how long I’d been gone. I hadn’t meant to worry them. + 

‘IF WE AGREE ON FOUR O’CLOCK, YOU STICK TO IT!’ Jin continued. ‘DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WENT THROUGH?’ I shook my head, looking at the floor. My hands were trembling. I’d never seen them this angry before. I tried to steady my voice. + 

‘The time got away from me,’ I whispered. + 

‘We were so scared,’ Jimin said. A tear slipped down my cheek. I felt terrible for disappointing them. + 

‘I’m sorry.’ I whispered as he walked over. I looked away, refusing to meet his eyes when he was furious. Then he surprised me by pulling me into a tight hug. + 

‘Just don’t do it again,’ he said. I curled my fingers into the back of his jumper, hugging him back. I began to relax into his arms. + 

‘My bounty went up,’ I said loud enough for the others to hear. Jimin tightened his grip. + 

‘How much?’ Namjoon asked. + 

‘I don’t know, gold though.’ We all moved to sit at the table, and I explained about my run-in with Suga and the guards. They looked uncomfortable. + 

‘Nobody should move about alone for a few days,’ Namjoon said. ‘Least of all you, Y/N.’ I went to protest, but Jimin spoke up first. + 

‘He’s right, Y/N, you know he is.’ I scowled. ‘I can protect you if I go with you.’ My cheeks warmed slightly, flushing a pale pink. I nodded, but I still wasn’t happy being babied. Then I pulled my rucksack off the floor. + 

‘On the bright side, we have food and money,’ I said, grinning. They all smiled. + 

‘How much?’ Jin asked, excitement written across his face. + 

‘800 in silver, a gold,’ they gasped. ‘And with some silver, I bought us bread, milk, butter, and some jam.’ They laughed, and Namjoon laughed so hard he lost control of his magic again, and the lights went out. We all laughed harder as he began to fake-cry onto the table. Jin got up and pointed at the lights, fixing them one by one with magic. + 

‘Why do you break everything?’ Jin said between fits of laughter. + 

‘I don’t mean to, my magic is volatile,’ Namjoon protested. + 

‘It’s a wonder you made it to third-tier magic!’ Jin exclaimed. + 

‘Says the domestic magician,’ Namjoon retorted. Jimin and I looked at each other and fought back giggles. They were acting like an old married couple again. + 

After a couple of hours, we began to turn in. I changed into my nightshirt, an old top of Namjoon’s that was big enough to cover me properly without being too hot in summer. I sat down on my mattress and pulled the blanket over my body. I looked over at Namjoon and Jin, who were both getting into bed across the room. Jin pecked Namjoon on the cheek, then rolled over. I smiled. Namjoon looked so happy. + 

‘Night, Joonie, night, Jin,’ I called out. They replied: + 

‘Night, Y/N.’ + 

‘Night, Jiminie,’ I shouted. As I began to fall asleep, I felt a hand brush through my hair, then across my cheek. + 

‘Goodnight, Y/N.’ + 