15.

Chapter 15

Sunoo was losing his mind.

There was no other explanation.

The sleepless nights were catching up to him, pressing against his skull like a vice, turning every shadow into something else, something watching, something waiting.

He hadn’t closed his eyes properly in days. Every time he tried, Riki’s words echoed in his head, looping like a broken record. They were never going to catch the real monster.

That, and the kiss.

He clenched his fists as he walked down the dimly lit corridor of the facility, forcing himself to focus.

Riki was getting to him.

That was the truth of it, wasn’t it?

Riki wanted him off balance. Wanted him doubting things. Wanted him questioning the very case that had landed him behind bars.

And Sunoo—Sunoo was letting it happen.

He pressed his fingers to his temple, exhaling slowly. Just breathe.

But then—

A flicker of movement.

Sunoo’s breath hitched.

His head snapped up, eyes darting to the edge of the hallway.

A figure. Tall, lean. Just standing there.

His pulse thundered.

It was him.

Riki.

No. No, that was impossible.

He was restrained. He was locked up. There was no way—

Sunoo blinked.

The figure was gone.

His throat went dry.

Slowly, he turned his head, scanning every corner, every shadow.

Nothing.

Just an empty hallway.

His skin prickled, his heartbeat refusing to settle.

He was paranoid. That’s all this was.

Paranoia from lack of sleep.

But it had felt so real.

Sunoo swallowed hard, forcing his feet to move. He needed to get to the interrogation room. He needed to see Riki—see him actually restrained, in his seat, so he could prove to himself that this was all in his head.

Because if it wasn’t…

He didn’t finish that thought.

—

Riki looked far too comfortable for someone in chains.

Sunoo barely hesitated before stepping into the room, but he couldn’t ignore the way his pulse jumped when Riki’s eyes lifted to meet his.

Amusement. Knowing.

Like he knew.

Like he had seen.

Sunoo shoved the thought down.

“You look tired, doc.” Riki’s voice was smooth, teasing, but there was something sharper beneath it. Something digging in.

Sunoo ignored the comment and took his usual seat. “We’re continuing from last night.”

Riki hummed, tilting his head. “You sure you’re up for it? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Sunoo tensed.

Riki knew.

But that was impossible.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” Sunoo muttered, keeping his voice even.

Riki smirked, leaning forward just enough for the chains to clink. “Am I?”

Sunoo didn’t react.

He would not let Riki get under his skin again.

“Tell me about the inconsistencies in the case,” Sunoo said firmly. “You claimed the police caught the wrong person. Who was the real killer?”

Riki exhaled dramatically, leaning back like this conversation bored him.

“I already told you, doc,” he mused. “You already know the answer.”

Sunoo’s jaw tightened. “If I knew the answer, I wouldn’t be asking.”

Riki chuckled. “Mm. Maybe. Or maybe you don’t want to know.”

Sunoo frowned. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

Riki’s gaze sharpened, and for the first time tonight, he looked serious.

“You’re tired,” he murmured. “You’re seeing things.”

Sunoo stiffened.

His blood turned cold.

Because those were his thoughts.

The ones he hadn’t said out loud.

The ones he hadn’t even admitted to himself.

“How do you—”

Riki smiled. Slow. Knowing.

Sunoo’s breath hitched.

He needed to get out of here.

Before Riki saw too much.