Divine Enmity (Catnipz)

XLII. A thousand steps back.

"Let me go!" Haerin screamed through sobs, trying to free herself from her grip.

Once inside the cabin, Minji released her and shoved her, causing her to stumble. Hades' daughter was fuming, and Haerin could see the shadows spreading across the cabin, blocking any possible exit.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Haerin spat, rubbing the arm Minji had grabbed, her voice trembling.

Minji let out a bitter laugh, and the shadows in the cabin seemed to stretch toward her, responding to her turbulent emotional state.

"What's wrong with me?" her voice was dangerously low. "You have the nerve to ask me that after everything you've done?"

Haerin took a step back, surprised by the intensity in Minji's voice. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, you don't?" Minji stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "How about disappearing without a word? Or ignoring me for days? Or acting like what happened between us never even occurred?"

Haerin's face paled, but she quickly composed herself, narrowing her eyes in a defiant stance. "I don't owe you an explanation."

Minji felt her blood boil at those words. The shadows around her stirred violently.

"You don't owe me an explanation?" she repeated, incredulous. "Are you serious, Haerin? After everything that happened between us?"

Haerin looked away, biting her lip. "I... I needed time to think."

"Time?" Minji let out a bitter laugh. "Time for what exactly? To pretend nothing happened? To flirt with Niki?"

"I wasn't flirting with anyone!" Haerin protested, her eyes meeting Minji's again. "Who do you think you are to accuse me like that?"

"Who do I think I am?" Minji stepped closer. "I thought I was someone important to you... but I see now that I wasn't."

Haerin stepped back, trying to ignore the sting of Minji's words, which hit her like a bucket of cold water. Anger replaced the pain in her eyes.

"You have no idea what you're talking about."

"I don't?" Minji advanced, cornering Haerin against the wall. "Then enlighten me, Haerin. Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you care more about distracting yourself with Niki than facing me."

Haerin clenched her fists, her face reddening with anger. "Don't drag Niki into this. I told you, he has nothing to do with it."

"Doesn't he?" Minji snapped, stepping even closer, slamming her hand against the wall behind Haerin. "What does he have that I don't, huh?"

"Nothing!" Haerin shouted, pushing Minji away from her. "It's not about that! Stop overthinking everything!"

Minji stumbled from the force of the push, surprised by how hard Haerin had shoved her.

"Overthinking?" she laughed bitterly. "You think I'm overthinking? What else am I supposed to do? You disappear without a word! You leave me alone right after...!" She cut herself off abruptly, gritting her teeth and looking away.

Haerin ran a hand through her hair, frustrated. "Not everything revolves around you, Minji. Did it ever occur to you that I have my own reasons? You're not the center of the world."

That only made her angrier.

"What reasons?" Minji insisted. "What could possibly be so important that you disappeared like that?"

"I can't tell you," Haerin muttered, avoiding her gaze.

"Can't or won't?" Minji stepped forward again, stomping her foot on the ground.