The medics reached the downed stagehands. One started a rapid assessment on the man who was sitting, checking pupil response and asking questions. The other knelt beside the unconscious one, fingers on his neck, counting his pulse.
"He's breathing," she called out. "Pulse steady. Possible head trauma. We need a backboard."
The production manager appeared, phone already to his ear.
Kang appeared at my shoulder. "Band members?"
"Dressing rooms." My voice sounded steady. Nothing like the emotions racing underneath. "Away from this."
"Good."
The backboard arrived. The medics worked with careful efficiency, stabilizing the unconscious stagehand's neck. His eyes fluttered but didn't open.
The other stagehand started talking. "It just—it came down so fast. We were right there. Another three feet and—"
He stopped and realized how close he'd come.
My phone buzzed.
Eamon:Seeing reports of incident at venue. Confirm status.
Griffin:Rigging failure. Two injured. Members safe. Truss fell on Rune's mark.
Eamon:Intentional?
I looked up at the sheared mounting point and the fall line. At the silver mark on the stage floor.
Griffin:Yes.
The production manager ended his call and turned toward Kang. "They have canceled tonight's rehearsal. We can't operate with compromised rigging."
"Understood," Kang said. "I'll inform management."
I looked around the loading dock. The crew stood in small groups, talking in low voices. The shock settled in.
Then I saw him.
Soo-jin stood at the threshold between backstage and the loading dock. Far enough back to be removed from the turmoil. Close enough to see everything.
He wasn't on his phone. He was watching.
Our eyes met. He didn't look away. His expression was calm, professionally neutral.
I held his gaze. Didn't blink. Didn't look away first.
The connection lasted three seconds. Then Soo-jin turned and walked away, already reaching for his phone.
I stood there in the wreckage as cold certainty settled in my chest. Soo-jin had chosen violence by proxy.
I no longer had the option of restraint.
I pulled out my phone and typed a message to Rune.
Griffin:Where are you?
Rune:Dressing room. We're locked down. Are you okay?
The word we're told me Jinwoo was with him. Taemin, probably, and Minjae.
