The alarm lights flash red across the empty corridor. She’s running — I hear her footsteps before I see her. I shouldn’t follow. But my body moves before my mind catches up.

She turns a corner and nearly crashes into me. Her breath is shaky, her eyes wide. Danger clings to her like perfume.

“Jimin— someone’s after me.” Her voice trembles. Mine doesn’t.

“I told you not to get involved,” I say, keeping my tone flat even as my pulse spikes. I should push her away. Leave her. Let her deal with the mess she walked into.

But when she reaches for my arm, everything in me goes quiet. Too quiet.

“Stay behind me,” I mutter. A command. A weakness.

Because I know I’d burn down the whole building before I let anyone touch her.

Even though I’m supposed to stay far, far away.