Chapter Text
I grew up watching them on TV. They started off as well known science experiments; the EXO project from MAMA Facilities. There were originally twelve boys with extraordinary abilities that ranged anywhere from teleportation to controlling time. We saw all their faces on the Discovery Science Channel live as they grew from small children to teenagers, from teenagers to young men. I think in time everyone simply forgot that they were once someone's sons, someone's cousins, someone's nephews and grandsons. In time these twelve individuals lost their names and soon became known as numbers 99, 7, 00, 1, 10, 4, 61, 21, 12, 68, 88, and 94. They were always shown in that exact order, from oldest to youngest. Their faces were a blur. Their numbers, however, became icons.
Number 88, for instance, was a particular hit among the ladies. He had teleportation abilities and a killer smirk, but was known to be temperamental due to his bipolar disorder. There were several conspirators that went on further to guess that he had DID, or Dissociative Identity Disorder. If he did, the scientists kept it under wraps.
Another famous number was 61, for his general jest and wit, along with a superb ear for instruments and music. When they were allowed free time within the facility, the audience would watch him compose music. A disclaimer that would always pop up whenever he did so was: All sounds and music are taken from the MAMA-Safe Musical Library, so as not to upset the numbers within the facility once they hear these noises. We wouldn't want them to be sent for reprocessing.
Reprocessing, I remembered thinking as I sat next to my family on the couch, looking at the screen absently. Isn't that something used for robots?
Number 12 was recognizable for his soulful vocal chords, which were used to amuse the viewers of the channel during holidays and special events. Aside from that, not much was said about the boy. I guess he was only worth what he could be used for.
The one nobody paid attention to was Number 4. But I was watching him. I saw the blank, dark expression in his eyes whenever the scientists or "Doctors" were near. I saw the never-changing frown on his face, the forever down-turned pout in his rosy lips. He never spoke a word to anyone and never posed a threat to anyone's safety, but somehow I could just tell. I knew that he would cause trouble. I knew that he would break free. And honestly, I found myself wanting him to succeed someday.
Until that someday came in the form of terror on the streets, death tolls by the hundreds and a reign of crime on the city of the Seoul. MAMA Facilities had been destroyed from the inside out, and the numbers had broken free. They now had names and faces and identities for all.
I should have paid more attention to the rest of their names, but the only one that rang in my ears as the newscaster went on was Byun Baekhyun.
Number 4. My Number 4.
Well, he wasn't exactly mine but. Still.
The headlines flashed all the crimes they had committed so far as they roamed the streets: arson, theft, assault, reckless driving, fraud, public intoxication, and indecent exposure. What I noticed was the lack of rape, murder and manslaughter. I mean, weren't they supposed to be dangerous criminals? Why were they not committing the most heinous crimes? Why were they only committing crimes that anyone would commit? Were they even dangerous at all?
Yes, that was a bit of a stretch. You can't blame a girl for trying though.
Why was I so quick to defend this group of individuals that were formerly known as the numbers with a lowercase n, and that were now known as the notorious gang of criminals called EXO that ran drugs through the city? Why did I defend people like that?
Well, to be frank, they were hot.
... Yes, that is what I said. I am not some overly good Samaritan that claims to feel sorry for the numbers because they were so oppressed in the MAMA Facilities, nor am I a lovesick girl that wishes to be united with her bad ass band of criminals (especially number 4). No, I am not delusional. I am just thirsty and in need of some eye candy to quench said thirst. And EXO just happens to be really good eye candy. So there it is.
Kim Iseul is a hoe for EXO. But only in her imagination, so if you could not alert them of who I am or any of my contact information, that would be great, thanks.
Anyways, this is how it started. This is how EXO was born. And this is also how my obsession for them became my greatest downfall.
Because if you fantasize about someone enough, at some point in your life, they are bound to show up at your workplace with a pet snake and bag full of stolen cash.