“Once upon a time, there was a hungry snake that traveled far to find food that could fill its tummy. The snake ate everything in its path, leaving behind barren lands and ghost towns. But, even after eating many things, the snake's stomach still growled, showing how it was never full. Then one day, it crossed a path of vines wrapped around a tree. The vines were resting, basking in the sunlight and the tree’s oxygen. 

The snake gulped as it took in the vine's plump, bright green appearance. The shining sun hitting it made the vines look divine. The snake stared for a while, checking to see if the vines were really resting. Seeing no movement, the snake sneakily slithered over, stopping near the closest vine. The closest vine bowered on the soil as the snake peered around before flickering its forked tongue out. 

The forked tongue licked against the vine, causing the snake’s taste buds to explode! The snake widely opened its eyes. This is what I’ve been looking for! The snake internally exclaimed. Noticing how licking did not wake the vines, the snake took one more before opening its mouth to bite down. It took a piece of the resting vine, chewing its flesh with enthusiasm. In surprise and excitement, the snake noticed that his stomach no longer hurt from hunger. The vines were everything it had journeyed for. 

Feeling greedy with delight, the snake took another bite, eating away at the vine resting on the soil, not noticing that multiple vines, appearing from underground behind the snake, were closing in on it. After the snake went for its fifth bite, the unsuspecting vines swiftly surrounded the snake, enclosing its body. 

“How dare you eat from my body!” The vines angrily yelled. 

“Because you are the only thing that can quench my hunger. Please, Vines, let me have some of your flesh. I have been starving for so long; this is the first time my stomach has felt any fullness.” The snake begged. 

The vines did not care. If the snake had asked before eating it, it might have considered its plea, but it did not. The vines coiled tighter around the snake, slowly taking its breath away. “Then why don’t I save you from ever getting hungry again?” The snake could barely breathe, but it still opened its mouth to beg brokenly for salvation.” 

“And what happened next? Did the vines reconsider, or did the snake die?” Little Doyun asked. His eyes shone as he listened to his brother tell him a bedtime story. 

But Daeshim did not continue. He ran his hand through his little brother’s hair before pushing his blanket up until it covered Doyun’s chin. “It is time to sleep.” 

“But how did the story end?” Doyun asked once more; even though his eyes started to feel heavy, he fought it to hear his brother’s answer. 

Daeshim stood up, walking to the bedroom door as he turned off the light. Before he fully left, he glanced back and said, “It is your turn to finish the story, Doyun. You tell me, how does it end?” 

****

“Lil’Vine.” 

Doyun opened his eyes, seeing Dong-Min in front of him. They had entered the building where the photoshoot was held a few minutes ago. They did not enter the shooting area yet because Dong-Min had to use the restroom. Doyun rested on a bench outside the restrooms, closing his eyes for a little bit as his mind wandered. And every time his mind wandered, it would also return to his times with his brother. 

He rarely thought of his parents (unless it was a nightmare about their deaths), but always of his brother. 

Doyun stood up, stretching, “You ready?” Dong-Min nodded. 

They walked to the shooting area, bustling with people moving around to fix up the set. Doyun also noticed not only the workers, director, and photographer, but Division officers surrounded the area. They stood in every corner, watching Doyun and Dong-Min—more so Dong-Min—once they entered the room. 

Doyun clicked his tongue, “Is this really necessary?” He muttered under his breath. People made it seem like Dong-Min was a wild dog. Dong-Min did not do anything or act out unless someone messes with him or triggers his bottom line. Honestly, to Doyun, Dong-Min was a chill puppy. 

“Hunter Hwa and Mr. Kim, thank you for coming out! How are you?” Mr. Sim, the director, greeted. He reached his hand out for Doyun to shake. 

“Is having this many Division officers necessary?” Doyun spoke out after shaking Mr. Sim’s hand. 

Mr. Sim laughed as if Doyun told a funny joke. He waved his hand while bringing them over to the makeup room, “We always have this amount when we are working with hunters. We are regular folks, so we have to keep ourselves safe.” 

Doyun held back from rolling his eyes. The man was lying. They did have Division officers when working with hunters, but never this many. Even the husbands did not warrant this type of action, and Yongsun is known for being unhinged. Doyun wanted to say more, but felt Dong-Min’s gaze on him, causing him to swallow his original words instead. “Hmm.” Doyun finally said. 

However, when they walked into the makeup room, and Doyun saw two Division officers inside, his eye twitched. He opened and closed his mouth, wanting to complain but holding back. He did make a mental note not to work with this shoe company again. I only need to get through this shoot and go home. He counted from ten and back. 

“Ms. Park here will be doing Hunter Hwa’s makeup. We have one video shoot and a few photos planned. We will do the video shoot first to get it over with, and there are not many photos needed of him wearing the shoes. I promise we will finish this quickly.” Mr. Sim seemed to want to rush the shoot. 

Why ask for Dong-Min when you are scared to work with him? They may look carefree, but seeing the officers and how they are trying to rush things, Doyun can tell they are worried and scared. It is not the first time someone has wanted to do a shoot with Dong-Min, only to rush through the process out of fear. That is why Doyun rejects most who ask for the hunter. He couldn’t understand the human mind when it came to this. 

Doyun could only say, “Okay.” Mr. Sim quickly left the room as if someone was chasing him. 

“Can Hunter Hwa sit here?” Ms. Park timidly asked, pointing to the chair facing the vanity desk mirror. Dong-Min glanced at Doyun before sitting down. The woman nervously swallowed before picking up things to cleanse and prep the skin first. She hesitantly looked at the muzzle before reaching for it. When her fingers grazed against the buckle, Dong-Min quickly grabbed her hand in a tight grip, causing her to cry out in pain. The Division officers pulled out their guns, pointing them at Dong-Min, “Let her go.” 

“Stop,” Doyun spoke, moving between Dong-Min and the guns as he put his hand up. He did not fear them shooting him; his vines would protect him. “Hunter Hwa, can you let go of her hand?” Doyun softly asked. 

Dong-Min let her go. Ms. Park took a few steps back, gripping her hand to her chest while a sliver of fear crossed her eyes. She knew she shouldn’t have taken this job. Doyun ignored her and the Division officers who still had their guns up as if Dong-Min would attack at any second. Which is pointless because Dong-Min could knock them out before a bullet even leaves the weapon. 

“Do you not want to take your muzzle off?” Doyun asked. He knew the husbands were the main ones who took off the muzzle; others rarely touched it. Dong-Min slightly nodded. Doyun turned towards the anxious makeup artist, “Does his muzzle need to come off for this shoot? I asked a few days back, before accepting, if the muzzle would be an issue. They told me no. Is this going to be a problem?” 

“They did not mention anything about what to do about the muzzle to me. They only talked about the outfit and direction of the shoot.” Ms. Park quickly answered. 

Doyun sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. Shitty company. He started walking towards the door, getting ready to leave to speak with the director, when the makeup artist popped up and grabbed his sleeve. “W-Where are you going?” She nervously glanced at Dong-Min, then the Division officers who kept their weapons up. 

“To speak with the director,” Doyun answered with a raised eyebrow, pulling Ms. Park's hand off his sleeve. 

“Shouldn’t you take Hunter Hwa with you?” 

“Why, he is not a baby.” Doyun wanted to say dog, but swallowed the word. 

“Please.” She softly begged, her voice growing low like she didn’t want Dong-Min to hear her. Which was unnecessary because Dong-Min is an A-class hunter; he could hear her perfectly. 

Doyun glanced at Dong-Min, who, in turn, looked back at him. He sighed before saying, “Hunter Hwa, can you follow me?” The hunter stood up and followed Doyun to find the director. Once they left the room, the Division officers finally put their weapons down. 

When he spotted Mr. Sim, the man peered at them, wondering why the hunter wasn’t made up or dressed. 

“Mr. Sim, the last time we talked, you told me that the muzzle wouldn’t be a problem. The makeup artist was getting ready to take it off. Is there now a problem with keeping the muzzle on?” Doyun started. 

****

The sound of someone chewing in the background filled the dimly lit room. The light mainly came from the many screens, showing different areas within the building. A woman sat down in one of the chairs, typing away as she froze the cameras and cut off the panic button. 

In the corner of the room, the chewing started to get louder. The woman turned over in her seat, watching the teen eat the dead security guards. “Do not waste your appetite, little snake; there are still many people to feast on.” The teen ignored her, eating away. 

The woman chuckled before turning back to the screens, “Hmm, it would be a little difficult with the hunter there, but not impossible.” 

Turn off the lights [Yes/No] 

The woman hit yes as the lights started going out. “Little snake, go out and have fun.” A wind passed by as the teen swiftly left the room. 

****

“The muzzle isn’t a problem, but the makeup artist still needs to put makeup on him. It will be a quick process; would he mind us taking it off for a little?” Mr. Sim responded. 

Before Doyun could say anything, Dong-Min quickly grabbed him, pulling him towards an empty spot near the exit door. Everything happened fast, barely giving Doyun a chance to question why Dong-Min moved him away when the lights went out. 

It was quiet for a second once the lights went out, no one knowing how to react, before someone let out a scream. The scream sounded strangled as a body hit the floor, then the cracking of bones followed soon after. The breaking of bones is what set everyone off. People started running and screaming, trying to move through the dark and look for an exit. 

Things hitting the ground, people falling to their feet, and blood-curdling screams began filling the room. Even the smell of blood spread around every corner. The Division officers pulled out their guns, trying to shoot at a blurred figure moving through the dark. 

Doyun took a deep breath, trying to catch his bearings as Dong-Min pushed him into the exit door. “Don’t move.” He ran off into the chaotic darkness. Doyun didn’t question as he touched around the exit door, trying to push it open. But the door wouldn’t budge; it seemed like someone had locked it. He clicked his tongue, looking back, wondering what he should do. Doyun did not fear getting hurt; he had his safeguards, but if there was something in the room hunting people, he did not want to be here.

He reached for his phone, almost fumbling it when someone ran into him before they ran another direction. Doyun gripped his phone tightly as he dialed Changmin’s number. But the call wouldn’t go through. Someone must have put up a signal blocker. He thought. 

Doyun stuck close to the walls, trying to figure out what to do next. The exit is blocked, so it is safe to assume the others are too; the signals are blocked, the lights are out, and there is one hunter here with many Division officers. And whatever is in the darkness is moving fast. There are not many options here. He thought. Let’s hope that whatever is in there, Dong-Min can deal with it.