5.

Chapter 5

Sunoo didn’t sleep that night.

He lay awake, staring at the ceiling of his apartment, Riki’s voice echoing in his head.

"See you soon, pretty doctor."

It wasn’t the words themselves that unsettled him—it was the way Riki had said them. Casual, amused, like he already knew something Sunoo didn’t. Like he was certain Sunoo would keep coming back.

And maybe the worst part was that he was right.

Sunoo turned onto his side with a frustrated sigh. He needed to be careful. Riki was dangerous, not just because of his history, but because of his mind. He could twist words like a scalpel, cutting deep without ever touching the skin.

And somehow, Sunoo kept listening.

Eventually, exhaustion won over, dragging him into a restless sleep filled with fragmented images—Riki’s smirk, the dim hallways of Blackthorn, the weight of the file in his hands.

By the time his alarm blared, his decision was already made.

He wasn’t stepping back.

—

The air inside Blackthorn was always stale, thick with the scent of antiseptic and something deeper, something rotten. Sunoo had long since learned to ignore it.

He moved quickly, bypassing the common areas and heading straight for Dr. Choi’s office. He needed more information before his next session with Riki.

Dr. Choi looked up when he knocked, gesturing for him to enter.

"You’re early," she noted.

Sunoo didn’t waste time. "I found something in 082’s file yesterday. A transfer request. It was denied."

Dr. Choi’s expression didn’t shift. "And?"

Sunoo frowned. "And someone wanted him moved. That’s not common for high-risk patients like him. Transfers usually happen when there’s a security breach or when a facility isn’t equipped to handle them. Blackthorn is equipped."

Dr. Choi leaned back in her chair, folding her hands in her lap. "I can’t discuss the details of that request, Dr. Kim."

"Even if it directly affects my ability to work with him?"

She sighed, rubbing her temples. "Sunoo, you’re walking a dangerous line here."

Sunoo clenched his jaw. "I’m just trying to understand what I’m dealing with."

Dr. Choi studied him for a long moment before finally responding. "The request came from an outside party. Someone with influence. They wanted 082 moved to a lower-security facility."

Sunoo’s brow furrowed. "That doesn’t make any sense."

"It doesn’t have to," she said simply. "All you need to know is that it was denied for good reason. And I suggest you don’t go digging where you shouldn’t."

Sunoo knew a dismissal when he heard one. He nodded stiffly and left.

But if she thought he was going to let this go, she was wrong.

—

By the time he arrived at the observation room, Riki was already inside, seated at the table with his hands cuffed in front of him.

The smirk was back. "Missed me?"

Sunoo ignored the bait, sitting across from him and placing his notebook on the table. "How did you get out yesterday?"

Riki tilted his head. "That’s what you want to ask me?"

"Just answer the question."

Riki exhaled a dramatic sigh. "So serious, doctor. Fine. I have my ways."

"That’s not an answer."

"It’s the only one you’re getting."

Sunoo studied him. "You’re testing me."

Riki grinned. "Maybe. Are you failing?"

Sunoo didn’t flinch. "No."

The amusement in Riki’s eyes flickered, just for a second, before returning full force. "You’re fun," he murmured. "I hope they don’t take you off my case."

Sunoo’s fingers tightened around his pen. "Why would they?"

"Because they know I like you." Riki leaned forward slightly, the chain on his cuffs rattling. "And they know you like me, too."

Sunoo’s pulse spiked. He forced himself to remain still, to keep his face neutral. "You don’t know anything about me."

"But I do." Riki’s voice softened, becoming almost gentle. "I know you’re curious. I know you want to figure me out. And I know—" he smiled, slow and knowing— "you won’t stop until you do."

Sunoo swallowed.

He should shut this down. Should remind Riki that he was the doctor here, the one in control.

But the truth settled in his chest like a weight.

Riki wasn’t wrong.

And that was the most dangerous part of all.

_________________

Yayy longer chapter! In the next one a little secret Will be revealing about sunoo:)