The theater doors swung open behind them, and for a moment Taehyung expected the world outside to be just as they'd left it—buzzing, bright, alive. Instead, as he stepped into the corridor, he stopped. A cool draft from the vast lobby drifted in and swirled around his skin, contrasting with the fading warmth of the theater's air-conditioning.

He clutched the empty popcorn bucket against his chest and glanced behind him. Soohee was following quietly, eyes still reflecting the glow of the movie, while Jungkook stretched like he'd just woken up from a nap, a goofy grin on his face.

"Best movie ever!" Jungkook declared, performing a dramatic bow to an invisible crowd.

Taehyung laughed, shaking his head. "You say that every time we go to the movies."

Jungkook flicked his hair over his eyes, all swag and confidence. "Because every one of them is the best, man."

Soohee didn't say a word. This was her first movie in a real theater—her first time being in a place this big. Every moment still felt unreal to her. She barely registered their banter, instead trailing behind them, caught somewhere between awe and daydream.

The hallway that usually pulsed with noise now seemed hollow. No footsteps. No chatter. No clinking drinks or popcorn spills. Just silence. Thick and soundless.

Taehyung slowed. Jungkook stopped. Soohee, lost in thought, walked straight into Jungkook's back.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she mumbled, immediately bowing her head.

"It's okay," Jungkook said, gently steadying her. His brows furrowed, gaze sweeping the corridor.Something wasn't right.

The Lotte World Tower Mall on a Friday night was a living creature—loud, crowded, full of life. But now... now it felt like a photo after the shutter closes. Frozen. Still.

Even Soohee, who'd never stepped foot in Seoul before today, could sense it. When she arrived, the mall had been glorious—the chandeliers, the laughter, the polished lights glinting on everything. Now, although the hallways were the same tiles, the same walls—it felt cold. Empty. Wrong.

It was too quiet.

Not even the faintest hum of the building's enormous ventilation system.

"Where is everyone?" Taehyung whispered, his voice small. He found his fingers tightening around the popcorn tub as if it were an anchor.

The three of them walked slowly, footsteps echoing unnaturally loud against the marble. The lights glowed weakly overhead, flickering just enough to send shadows rippling over their faces. Soohee shivered.

Jungkook glanced down the long pathway that should've been full of mall-goers—families, staff, cleaners—yet not a single person was in sight. A crumpled advertisement flyer lay near a trash can. A half-empty soda cup sat abandoned on the floor. The poster of a child's animated film twitched at one corner as if someone had just brushed past it.

But no one was there.

"Everyone probably rushed to grab food," Taehyung said, forcing a laugh. It sounded painfully thin.

"Yeah... totally," Jungkook agreed, though even he seemed unconvinced.

They made their way toward the main railing on the 122nd floor—the highest floor that contained the theaters. The view usually looked down over a spiraling wonderland of shops, restaurants, escalators, and light. But as they reached the glass and looked over...It all looked dead.

Shadows pooled over every store. Neon signs buzzed weakly, flickering on and off. Clothes hung unmoving in display windows. Toy cars on a train track sat frozen in place. Escalators — stopped, their steel steps nailed in mid-cycle. Chairs and tables lay oddly misplaced on the lower floors, some even overturned as if someone scrambled in a hurry and never returned.

It didn't just look empty.

It looked abandoned.

Soohee's breath hitched. "This... this isn't funny."

Jungkook leaned his forehead against the glass, trying to peer down to the mall's ground floor which was too far to see clearly. The shadows below seemed alive, but unmoving. Watching.

"Maybe it's just the power..." he muttered.

"Then where is everyone else?" Taehyung asked quietly. "No guards? No staff?"

"No one even trying to fix anything..." Soohee added softly.

They walked toward the elevator. Taehyung reached out and pressed the call button. It flickered once... and died.

His heart dropped.They turned to the escalators—but they weren't moving either.Still. Silent.

And then—A thud.

Low. Distant. Like something heavy fell far below.Soohee flinched. Jungkook instantly stepped in front of her, body protective.The gesture sent a tiny jolt of heat to her face—embarrassed, but strangely safe.

"Something probably just fell over," Jungkook said.

But his eyes didn't match his voice.

A flicker somewhere on the 120th floor caught their attention—the lights fizzled and died completely. That entire level went black.

"Let's get to the car," Jungkook said quietly. He reached out and took Soohee's hand. She didn't even hesitate. She nodded. So did Taehyung—but Tae's eyes fluttered briefly to their joined hands...

They started down the dead escalator steps.

Midway down, the entire mall shook with a short vibration, and the overhead lights went black.Soohee gasped, clutching Jungkook's arm.

Before total darkness set in, red emergency lights flickered to life, bathing the entire atrium in a pulsating blood glow. Shadows stretched tall, long, and silent.

"Jungkook..." Taehyung whispered.

"Let's just stay calm," Jungkook replied. "Stay close to me. Both of you."

Soohee pressed herself closer. Taehyung fell in beside them.The emptiness seemed to close in, thick and suffocating.The mall they'd entered so eagerly just hours ago...

No longer felt like a place of wonder.It felt like a place that was watching.

For the first time since they'd entered the mall that afternoon, Soohee wished that she'd never come at all. The building that was once felt like home, familiar, comforting, part of their lives for years, suddenly felt alien.

And in that red glow, the stillness of The Lotte World Tower Mall no longer felt empty; it felt like something was watching.

HELLO LOVELIES, PLEASE READ MY STORY, COMMENT ALL YOUR THOUGHTS, VOTE, FOLLOW AND SHARE THIS AMONG YOUR FRIENDS!

Thank you so much for ideas and thoughts on the previous chapters...

Add this little book to your reading list too... love yall...

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