hanmi-xo

[hanmi-xo]

H a n M i

'00 | ISTJ | slow-burner

☆ writing my imagination to life ☆

Svt enthusiasts 《 svt. skz. enha 》

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[hanmi-xo]

CHAPTER 12: "Hide & Seek Part 2"

| We Who Remain | Chapter List |

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------------------

| J A E W O N |

The place was an utter mess.

Minghao and I were able to get inside with little notice. There weren't many mutants thanks to the soldiers, but there was a trail of blood everywhere we went.

We both walked around the dead bodies that have finally laid rest in this medical building.

I recognized the halls and the patient rooms. The way this place was once lively with few people in it has become another cemetery.

I stopped once we reached the room I was once in.

I felt Minghao stand behind me with confusion while I stared at the room that became a mess.

"This is where Joshua gave me that note," I inform him.

Minghao stood beside me and eyed the place.

"So, do you miss this room?" He jokes.

I scoffed.

"What I miss is having actual peace in this world," I spat.

He snickered with little amusement. "Yeah, that's not gonna happen anytime soon. I hate to burst your bubble."

I sighed. "Yeah. I know."

We both turned our heels and began to look around once more.

Soonyoung had to be here somewhere...

"Hey," I heard Minghao call out to me. "You might want to check this out."

I turned my head to see him peeking out from another room.

This was the pharmacy section, and the pill bottles were hidden away into the shelves. At least they were supposed to be...

"They really grabbed what they could," I mutter, seeing how ransacked this place looked.

"Yeah," Minghao mutters. "But that's not what I want you to look at."

My eyes followed his figure that disappeared into the office behind the shelf. I followed him like a shadow with wonder on what he found.

"Remember how you said researchers are losing their work?" He tells me.

"Yeah?" I say with confusion.

He opened the desk drawers, and I watched as each one remained empty.

I narrowed my brows.

He squated down to the corpse at his feet.

"This is Dr. Lee Hyuk's space. At least, that's what it says on the plaque," he tells me.

He lifts the body up from his collar to show me the corpse. His name tag said Dr. Lee H.

"A dead doctor and no notes or anything left behind," Minghao informs me.

He tilted his head at me as though he knew I'd understand what he's saying.

"I guess you can add doctors to that list of missing research or whatnot," he says before dropping the body to the floor.

"Yeah, I guess so," I agree with him. "But that still doesn't answer why."

Minghao shrugged his shoulders before raising his hands, expressing his lack of answers.

I crossed my arms as I stared at the body that laid at his feet.

I narrowed my brows.

"What is it?" Minghao asks me.

I came to the other side of the corpse. There weren't any visible markings on him.

"There's no markings," I tell him. "Check his body."

Minghao seemed perplexed by my words, but he followed my demands anyways.

He helped me strip the man down to show his skin under his lab coat. I gritted my teeth as he appeared healthy.

I looked at the bullet hole shot through his head.

"Healthy, but he has a bullet through his head," I mutter. "But where's the gun?"

If this was suicide, a gun would have dropped to his feet.

Minghao and I looked at each other. We both were lost as this felt enigmatic.

The correlation of events felt discombobulated in my head.

All these trails, but nothing big.

Thud.

I froze.

Were those footsteps coming our way?

Minghao and I hid behind the desk, and he slowly let the corpse down to the floor.

It sounded like one person was wandering this hall while everyone else was outside going through war.

But who could be wandering this place other than us?

Minghao held his gun tightly as he slowly peaked. I remained hidden while my grip on my gun slowly formed.

We heard a shuffle of items being moved.

Someone was outside this door touching whatever's left on the shelving.

But why?

Was it just some soldier trying to get a freebie since no one was around?

The sound of shuffling soon subsided. Their footsteps were slowly making their way from us.

Could this possibly be Soonyoung?

I slowly got up, and I felt Minghao's eyes on me. I hid my body onto the wall, and he followed after me.

I need to see who that could possibly be.

I peaked my head outside the door as I crouched. I watched the figure disappear down a corner. He seemed to be in a hurry.

I got up and proceeded to follow him.

It was Minghao's turn to follow me like a shadow.

We snuck around the hallway as I drew closer to this strange figure.

Soonyoung is supposed to be here.

Was this him?

I peeked my head into the room he was in.

His dark figure was like a phantom in the night. I couldn't make out who he was since it was so dark.

Whoever he was, it was clear he wasn't sent here to pick up guns or ammo off the dead soldiers.

He was looking for something.

But what exactly?

Snarl.

The hairs on my neck stood up. That thing sounded close.

"Shh."

I froze upon hearing the man speak.

"You'll eat soon enough..."

Was he talking to the mutant?

I tightened my grip on my gun.

His voice was deep, but I couldn't put my finger on it. He sounded familiar.

But with the roaring storm and shouts outside, it was hard to make out his voice.

Thunder hit and I held my breath.

There stood an evolve outside the window.

It's head twisted as it stared at the man with a distorted look. Goosebumps took over my body like some disease.

It had no motion of attacking him.

It was like they were communicating.

Snarl.

The man scoffed. "Really?"

It then got quiet.

The sound of shuffling disappeared.

All we could hear is the storm of chaos outside. It was bizarre...

And strange.

Minghao and I looked at each other. Something doesn't feel right.

Bang.

Minghao and I jumped back from the bullet that almost hit us.

Bang.

We quickly got to our feet to avoid the shots fired towards us.

Somehow, the man knew where we were at. Was the evolve telling him of our whereabouts!?

We were ready to return fire.

But the man was gone.

"What the hell," I mutter.

Snarl.

The mutant crashed through the window in an instant as its master was no where in sight. I covered my face from the glass that shattered and blew our way.

"Move!" Minghao yelled as he grabbed me to avoid the impact.

The monster slammed its body onto the wall from its momentum, almost hitting me if it weren't for Minghao pulling me away.

The wall broke from it, leaving behind debris and a large hole.

For something that fast, it seemed pretty heavy.

We got to our feet, and we ran down the hallway to gain some distance. I turned around and fired shots at the creature.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

It dodged every bullet with such speed. This one was faster than other evolves.

I gritted my teeth.

"You piece of shit," I spat.

Minghao pulled me behind him before firing. It was his turn to shoot.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

He missed just like me.

"Oh, what the fuck!" He yelled.

I grabbed his arm and tugged him to move. It was clear this thing was out of our league.

This was faster than the evolve that attacked me when I was with my sister, and this was more precise with its dodges compared to the one that attacked Rin.

We ran through the hallway, and Minghao tried to cover fire us from the evolve that wouldn't stop its chase.

The doorway was just a few yards from us.

Snarl.

I turned around and saw the thing leap at us. We both moved away from each other to dodge it.

It was quick, but we were able to avoid it.

But if it were that fast and strong. We shouldn't be able to dodge it that easily.

My brows narrowed.

It stood in front of the door - blocking our way out.

It stood there with little motion as if this was its plan this whole time.

There's no way we'd be able to fight that thing. We'd be dead before we know it.

I looked at the windows next to us that were our only way to escape.

I elbowed Minghao to signal my plan. I felt his eyes hit me before I shot the glass.

Bang.

I winced from the shatter spraying our way.

"Fuck!" I yelled from the sudden pain.

"Come on," I heard Minghao say.

I felt him pull me as we jumped through the window. I didn't have time to think about how deep the cuts were on my face.

But I did start feeling a pain on my left arm and side.

Minghao continued to pull me as we made our way to the go-cart.

The sound of gunshots and mutants were dying down. It seems the storm was going to end soon.

I began to lose focus, and I quickly shook my head to keep up with him.

He yanked me onto the vehicle, and with one quick movement, he put the key in and gassed it. I held on for dear life.

I could see the evolve become smaller in the distance.

It didn't follow us.

I grunted as pain began to hit me.

I looked down and saw blood on my left arm and side. That was more blood than I expected from jumping through the window.

"Fuck, did you get hurt!?" Minghao asks me.

My mind began to get foggy.

Did I?

I felt tired and my body felt light.

"Hey!"I heard Minghao yell.

I wanted to respond to him. Just say anything I can to prove I'm okay.

That I can keep going.

But everything went black.

~

| J O S H U A |

I shot at the mutants that came our way.

Bang.

I hit them with headshots. My bullets skewered their bodies before they fell.

Jihoon and Jeonghan led the way as they ran, holding Soonyoung to help him keep up.

I stayed behind to cover their back.

We made it outside the building, and the sound of this hellhole was slowly dying off.

The sound of a vehicle was coming our way.

I turned around and saw Seungcheol pulling up with his men.

I sighed in relief.

Oh thank God.

~

Upon arriving to the East Wing building, Jihoon, Jeonghan, and Soonyoung sat in the back with me, but I was closest to the window that faced the front passengers.

"So, you're the only one who made it alive?" Seungcheol asks me from the other side.

"Yeah," I tell him, bluntly. "Their sacrifices were not in vain, sir."

Seungcheol nodded his head. He had an unreadable expression. It was a look that was mixed with sadness and acceptance.

"I see," was all he could say.

The ride was quiet.

It was clear we were all tired from the hellhole we got out of.

I wonder, did Minghao and Jaewon make it to the East Wing?

He should have radio'd me by now...

~

The East Wing was as chaotic as I expected. Everyone was running around with their own thoughts in mind just trying to survive.

But this didn't bother me.

I'm not surprised by the things that happened.

I more so saw this coming. My eyes went to Soonyoung who seemed to be greeted with open arms from his friends.

But Soonyoung and those victims...

I'll need to get answers from him.

"Jaewon!"

My ears perked up from the shout. My eyes went to the girl whom I expected to make it back.

"Make way!"

I froze.

Minghao ran passed everyone with her in his arms. She seemed to be unconscious.

I quickly made my way to them.

He laid her on the ground while Soyeon hastily came to her side.

"What happened?" I dare ask Minghao.

I stood by his side while his hands shook.

"The rat," he says.

His voice was tired with a state of shock.

"What," I say. "You found him?"

"She's losing too much blood!" Soyeon yelled.

My attention went to her and Seungwkan, who began to pull their medical utensils.

"I'm sorry, but you all have to go," she tells us as she kneels on the floor next to Jaewon. "We need to perform surgery."

My eyes went to the individuals who surrounded Jaewon next to us. They looked in shock and couldn't speak.

I narrowed my brows.

It seemed she had a group of friends that we weren't aware of...

"Okay," I tell her, seeing that nobody could speak.

I pulled Minghao by his arm to get away from the scene while everyone else moved slowly with reluctance.

My eyes wandered the perimeter in hopes of finding a spot where Minghao and I could discuss the events that unfolded.

My eyes met with Jihoon who was forced to head upwards with the rest of the civilians. His eyes were towards Jaewon.

It was like he saw a ghost.

For someone that's eager to leave, she leaves behinds strings that needs to be cut...

My eyes went to Minghao, who had his mind else where. We sat in the corner of the building away from everyone else.

"Minghao," I call for his attention.

His eyes were on the floor while his bloody stained hands sat in front of him on his lap.

I haven't seen him like this in a long time. My mind raced from the possibilities of what could have happened during my absence.

Was it as bad as before?

Was this similar to what happened with Dr. Wen Junhui?

"Xu Minghao," I call him by his full name.

His tired eyes were forced to wake.

"Tell me, what the fuck happened," I tell him to speak.

He looked at me with a mixed expression that showed anger, disappointment, and guilt.

"I... I took her to find Soonyoung," he says with a low voice. "Then things escalated."

I watched as he spoke. His natural nonchalant confidence has long died away the moment he brought Jaewon back in his arms.

"The rat. Did he do this?" I asked him.

His brows narrowed. It was like a spark hit him.

"Yeah," his voice boomed with anger. "He was there, Minghao. He was there."

His motionless body has gone back alive from the topic.

I gritted my teeth.

"Hong Joshua."

I heard a voice come through my radio. Minghao and I looked at each other, knowing who and what is gonna happen next.

I lifted the radio up to my lips, but before I could speak, I heard the voice come through again.

"Hong Joshua and Xu Minghao. Come to my office now."

I closed my eyes to calm my nerves.

"Yes, Staff Sergaent Lee."

● ● ●

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[hanmi-xo]

CHAPTER 11: "Hide & Seek Part 1"

| We Who Remain | Chapter List |

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------------------

Minghao led the way, and I followed him without missing a beat. The guards and soldiers were on high alert while we maneuvered around them.

I'm not supposed to leave the building.

So, of course, walking through the defenses of this place wasn't supposed to be this easy.

But with the mutants still running rampant, it was hard for me to get caught.

If Dokyeom knows about my disappearance after Seungcheol led me to safety, I could imagine the scolding that would be awaiting once I return.

But I had more important things to worry about.

I had to answer Minghao's questions about Soonyoung within the chaos around us. The possibility of this connecting.

Crack.

I swung my bat across a mutants face as Minghao gassed the vehicle.

"It's like hell just won't let us live," Minghao spat as he swerved the car.

I held on to the metal bar as my weight yanked backward.

"Keep driving like that, and we'll be dead before this hell kills us!" I yell at his recklessness.

He scoffed at my words before having a smug expression.

"You're the one rushing to save Soonyoung," he states with a raised brow. "I'm only doing what I'm told."

As reckless and right Minghao was, I just didn't like the thought of falling off this vehicle and dying in such a pathetic way.

I came this far. I could at least die with a bullet in my chest.

I saw another mutant come towards us as Minghao came past him. I lifted my bat and got in a position to hit him.

I held tightly onto the vehicle as I swung at the mutant that was coming our way.

Crack.

Blood hit my face like rain.

Its body flew back as we sped through the hell storm around us, just like the many other mutants I hit.

"Yeah," I respond. "But I'm not trying to die until I find my sister."

My eyes went to him with annoyance.

The pathway slowly became more empty, and I sat down next to him while I watched the soldiers shoot the mutants and evolved, closing the distance towards them.

Gun shots rang like a broken record. The sound of shouting and screams blared with unrecognizable noises.

Death was everywhere, and we were cutting through as if we wanted to be next.

"So, what does any of this connect with your sister, other than being an escort? Last I checked, you agreed to help us, so why do you seem more anxious than usual?" He dares question me. "To think you're this eager to find someone that isn't your sister - last I checked, being a hero doesn't seem your style? You do know we're not leaving these walls in these conditions. You do know that, right?"

I tightened my grip around the strap of my duffle bag.

His questions made sense. My thoughts with everything continued to change with the motion of all these events.

"Yeah, I know," I reply.

I stared at the equipment I had left mixed with the rounds of magazines I stole from the dead bodies on the ground.

These soldiers and guards fulfilled their duties, and it's my turn to fulfill mine. The dead can rest, and the living has to keep going.

I've come to accept the reality of things.

My eyes went to Minghao as we came closer to our destination.

"I'm no hero, but if I'm to get answers, then finding Soonyoung may help me," I reply.

Minghao glanced at me for a moment before pulling us into the back entrance of the clinic.

"There's reasons why evolves focus on researchers before their research disappears, and for Soonyoung to disappear before the attack - it doesn't make any sense," I tell him. "Does the rat have a connection with Soonyoung?"

I watched him listen to my words carefully. It was as if he was understanding the puzzle I couldn't solve and getting stuck along with me.

He shook his head with narrowed brows before sighing.

"Rat," he suddenly says.

My body shifted from the change of momentum.

Minghao parked the vehicle in a discrete spot behind the garbage cans. We were hidden from the soldiers who were busy fighting off what's left of the horde.

Minghao looked at me with an expression I couldn't recognize.

"So, you think Soonyoung's the rat?" He asks me.

I grew quiet.

For some reason, that thought didn't come to mind, or rather, I couldn't believe the possibility of it being true.

"I don't know," I tell him. "I just don't know."

I watched as he turned his head away from me. His attention was towards his hand gun he had in his right holster.

He brought it in front of him to check his rounds before grabbing the assault rifle behind him. Something he took from a fallen comrad.

"Whatever's the case," he starts. "Let's find him first."

His eyes met with mine with a glint that was similar to a predator. He was done being in the dark and was seeking answers.

He had a determination, and so did I.

I slowly nodded my head.

"Yeah," I agreed.

~

| J O S H U A |

Bang.

My silencer shook as I watched the mutant fall. The scent of blood has become nothing more than a distraction.

But I've grown numb to the scent of iron that continued to cover my body like a stain I could never shake off.

"Get in!"

I listened to the voice behind me before stepping into the building swiftly. I shut the door behind me with a click.

The sound of rain, gunshots, and screams were muffled the moment we got inside.

I stared at the two researchers who were frantically out of breath yet tried their best to appear level-headed.

Jihoon and Jeonghan were the few researchers I found upon reaching the cafeteria. When I reached their rooms, they were hidden in the vents covered with mutant blood.

At first, I thought they turned, but to my surprise, they were trying to hide their scent. Or so, that's what Jihoon says.

Now here we are, in another building far from the cafeteria, in hopes we could shake any evolve or mutant off our tail. This wasn't going to be easy.

Especially since everyone else who was with me died the moment they stepped foot in the cafeteria. All the soldiers either died or turned because of the unnatural amount of evolved and mutants that were running rampant.

And because of the casualties of civilians and guards in the way - when one gets bit, the odds have become a fight for survival.

Call it luck.

Call it skill.

Call it whatever the fuck you want.

I made it out alive because of their sacrifices. And I was able to make it here with the blood this hellhole created. This storm continued to hit me with blood.

"How many bullets?" Jeonghan asks me as he regained his breath.

He had his long hair tied to avoid the sweat dripping from his face. I took out my magazine from my silencer and quickly peaked before checking the assault rifle I was given before being sent out during this attack.

"I got 4 bullets for my handgun, and about 20 in the assault rifle," I tell him. "I picked up as much as I can from the fallen, but used it to keep us alive."

Jihoon narrowed his brows. "Alright, let's make those bullets count then." He also regained his breath.

"So where are we?" Jeonghan decides to ask.

His eyes traveled to explore the dark interior. Jihoon and I followed suit.

"I never got to see the name of the building," I tell the two.

But the place seemed oddly familiar.

"Isn't this the music building?" Jihoon suddenly says.

Music building?

My ears perked up from his words.

He's right. This was the music building.

I was just here with Minghao and Jaewon yesterday...

A sudden rush of adrenaline hit me. Something didn't feel right.

We never got to inform anyone about the strange mishaps that occurred in this building after my rendezvous with those two.

Yet, why can't I shake this unnerving feeling off me.

I watched Jihoon reach for his flashlight.

I quickly reached out to stop him. My hand laid on his shoulder, and he turned to me with confusion.

I shook my head. I looked at him in hopes he'd listen.

He moved slowly, but he nodded his head.

I felt Jeonghan's eyes on us, and he didn't bother turning on his light once he saw my signal.

The sudden intense feeling hit me. It was as though we knew we were stepping into no ordinary building. I carefully led the way with my silencer in front of me.

Why was it so quiet in here...

Not a hint of life or mutant in sight...

If I remember correctly, most of this place was abandoned, and I cleared it out long ago before my meetings with Minghao began.

But I never got time to clear this place again after those three mutants appeared and interrupted our meeting.

I never got to figure out how that backdoor was unlocked from its chains. Or how those mutants made it inside...

Now that I think about it...

I glanced at the door we used to enter this building. My nerves shook my body as realization hit me.

That entrance was locked before...

Creak.

I froze.

I looked at the two behind me. They were on high alert, and anxiety filled this place like a resting home.

That creak didn't come from us...

Creak.

I pointed my gun, ready to shoot whatever came my way.

But something was telling me that it would be best if I didn't.

There was a sound coming from down the hallway. It was weak but audible.

The large doors sat in front of us as though to mock any sense of courage we could have.

If that were mutant, I'd hear a snarl...

If that were an evolve, it'd break that door by now...

I carefully stepped forward.

Whatever the hell it was.

I was gonna find out.

Besides, we don't have a lot of options on where to go. There's no stairs to head up to the second floor and the rooms we passed were empty offices.

Better now than never, right?

I brought my hand onto the handle of one of the doors. I slowly turned it.

My grip on my gun tightened.

It was unlocked...

I peaked my head through the crack of the door.

The scent of blood ran like a gas chamber.

I narrowed my brows as anxiety hit me.

Why did it smell like a blood bath in here?

I looked at the two researchers who held their noses in disgust of the stench.

I lifted my finger to my lips, signaling them to remain quiet.

They nodded their head.

I slowly opened the door, and they followed me.

Our footsteps left a soft echo within this place.

I examined the area around us. There were no windows. It was pitch dark in here.

I heard a muffling sound in the distance.

I slowly reached for my lights that sat on my shoulder holster.

My light shot through the darkness like a great divide. The place was stained with splatters of blood. The hallway reaked of corpses that I couldn't see.

What the hell happened here..

My light hit the door next to me.

The plaque on the door shined with rust.

Storage Room 1

My lights shined towards the other doors that continued next to each other with a certain distance.

This was the storage hall for the music room...

I continued to walk as the muffling sound got closer.

Storage Room 6

I gritted my teeth.

Creak.

The sound was coming from in here.

I looked at Jihoon and Jeonghan who shook where they stood.

Their eyes had mix feelings about opening this door, but I ignored their stares.

I reached for the door.

It was locked.

The sound of muffling got louder.

I narrowed my brows.

I took a deep breath.

Whatever's in there- we got its attention.

But instead of a snarl or a rush of footsteps, I was met with a muffling voice that I was able to recognize.

"Help."

There was a person in here.

I lifted up my gun and took out my lock pick before settling my gun onto the ground.

I began to mess with the lock as I carefully kept my guard up.

I can sense Jihoon and Jeonghan look around with fear as my back was against them.

Click.

I got it.

I picked my gun up before slowly opening the door.

My light hit the room, and goosebumps hit my body. This was far more than I anticipated.

There laid bodies on the floor and few chained to the wall. How long were these people held up in here?

Whatever the case, we had a psychopath in this place.

Rat.

It had to be him doing this.

I thought back to the markings those three mutants had when they attacked Minghao, Jaewon, and I.

So this is where the markings came from...

I scouted with my eyes as my gun naturally followed my every movement.

He killed these people and left their corpses here. But why?

They haven't turned into mutants yet...

How long have they been dead?

There were a few faces I recognized that were marked as missing people back in my database.

To think they were here the whole time...

In the corner, I saw a body restrained by cuffs and its head covered with a bag.

He moved his body back and forth, creating the creaking sound from the floorboards.

I stepped forward and continued to point my gun at it. The muffling got louder, and I reached to take the bag off its face.

I froze.

What the hell.

"Soonyoung?"

There laid the poor man with a beaten face and tape on his mouth. I lifted my finger up to my lips to signal him to remain quiet like I did to the two men behind me.

He nodded his head, and he stopped struggling from his captivity.

I peeled the tape off his mouth, and his lips twitched from the sudden freedom I gave him.

"W-we gotta get out of here," he whispered with a shaky voice.

His eyes were bloodshot red, and he had a bruise on one of his cheeks.

"What the hell happened," I quickly whisper.

"He's a monster," his voice shook with every word.

"Who?" I dare ask.

Snarl.

I widened my eyes as my head whipped around to the sound. The door behind was shut, and so were the large doors we went through.

That means that thing could take a while to find us.

But that doesn't mean we have a lot of time.

I quickly began to free him from the cuffs that chained him to the wall. The sound of unnatural footsteps were heard above us.

It was on the second floor...

My questions would have to wait.

"Stay close if you want to survive," I tell him once I got him out.

He nodded his head vigorously. I helped him up, but he quickly fell towards me.

I watched him hide his grunt of pain. I looked down.

His leg was bleeding.

I narrowed my brows. What the hell did he go through during this hell storm?

Jeonghan and Jihoon came to his sides. They put each of his arms around their shoulder to help steady him. They nodded their head at me as they helped Soonyoung walk.

I stared at the three.

Two researchers and a crippled..

I scoffed.

This is one hell of a night.

● ● ●

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[hanmi-xo]

CHAPTER 10: "Recollect & Go"

| We Who Remain | Chapter List |

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------------------

I watched as the chaos tried to fix itself.

The soldiers and security were trying their hardest to fulfill their duties of protecting, reassuring, and rescuing the civilians while the storm of mutants continued.

Seungcheol left a while ago after him and his team brought Rin and I here into the East Wing building, but she's already been sent to her new upper quarters along with the many civilians who seeked refuge.

The guards escorted each group of civilians carefully while soldiers scattered outside the building with guns blazing.

This was war whether or not we acknowledged it.

And they were doing what they're trained to do-

Kill.

It was clear the moment I got to this building that they were thorough with who enters and who leaves this building.

Safety is a priority, but resources are needed.

Researchers and doctors had the highest priority, and even during a time like this, their skills were needed to help the injured in hopes of recovering any man power we could have.

There weren't any proper beds to lay the injured, but rather, they laid on the ground with few doctors tending them.

They sat near the line of people who were heading upwards through the staircase.

There were plenty injured, but one person in particular caught my attention.

Soyeon.

She was a familiar face that I was glad to see alive.

Hyunju, Koshi, and Hansol were being tended by her and her colleague, whom I never met.

Mingyu, as usual, stood behind her with alert eyes.

They all have seen hell with some of them having more blood on themselves compared to others.

As happy as I am to see they're well, my mind couldn't sit still.

The thought of Jihoon and Jeonghan came to mind.

Those mutants targeted Jihoon before... there's no doubt that any evolved running rampant on this campus wouldn't do the same. If they could do it to Rin and him, anyone targeted wouldn't be safe.

Fear crawled over me like a blanket trying to choke me alive.

Seoyeon must have run into him during this chaos... right?

Right?

My legs moved on their own.

The thought of Jihoon dead didn't sit right with me.

He's vital if I'm to get answers about this plague and those strange mutants.

I have to talk to her.

I have to know if she knew where he was.

The civilians surrounding me continued to express fear, sadness, anger, and a mixture or anything possible. Some were loud, and some were quiet with a loss of words.

Whatever the case, calamity ran this place like lemon on a wound.

The commotion of pain felt endless.

But I continued to push through them.

It felt like the start of the plague all over again with how things escalated so quickly.

My adrenaline shook my body as the chaos continued to erupt like the thunder in the crowds.

I tightened my grip on my rifle as I closed the distance.

Every inch of my body was screaming to fight in hopes I could somehow calm this catastrophe, but I knew I could only do so much.

I can't run out there looking for people if I didn't even know where to start.

The dried blood sat on my face as a reminder of those things I killed and those people who turned.

The cycle of death never ends.

And even now...

Would Jihoon and his friend Jeonghan be part of that cycle?

"Seoyeon," I called to her.

Her eyes made their way to mine. She just finished wrapping Koshi's left arm.

Koshi, Hyunju, Hansol, and Mingyu followed her eyes, and they stared at me with surprise.

"Jaewon?" She said with a reassuring smile. She was glad to see me. "Thank God you're alive-"

"Have you seen Jihoon?" I asked her with urgency. I didn't intend to interrupt her, but I couldn't have small talk.

Not at a time like this.

Seoyeon froze and shook her head.

"No... I haven't seen him," she said with fear.

I felt my stomach twist. I should have expected that answer.

But I still couldn't accept it.

"Where was the last place you saw him?" I asked her.

"The cafeteria."

My eyes went to her colleague, who seemed to be listening to our conversation.

He helped another soldier up their feet before sending him off to another doctor that would tend to him.

I stared at him.

"Seungkwan- my name is Boo Seungkwan if that's what you're wondering," he quickly introduces himself.

I continued to stare at him. He seemed a bit fearful talking to me, but he stood his ground. He wanted to help.

"Joshua was with him, last I saw," he says with urgency.

"Joshua..." I repeated him.

The image of that doe eyed man protecting Jihoon felt odd.

Did he know about Jihoon's investigation on the evolve?

He must have since he leads the investigation team...

"I don't know where they went since we got separated, but Joshua was there." Seungkwan tells me. "Jeonghan told me earlier that he's supposed to meet with Joshua to discuss some matters, and that's when the attack happened..."

I narrowed my brows.

"I need to find them," I say, before turning my heel.

"No, you're not," I heard Seoyeon say behind me.

I turned around to look at her.

She was scared for my well-being like any doctor would.

"I second that!" Mingyu jumps in.

Seoyeon looked at her bodyguard before rolling her eyes. It was clear he was only agreeing with whatever she says like a lap dog.

"You're crazy if you think you'll come back alive," Hyunju decides to jump in as well. Her voice was rather shaky with distress. "We hardly made it back alive... and we can't find Soonyoung..."

Soonyoung.

"Soonyoung never made it to his post."

The conversation I had with Dokyeom ran through my head.

"Everything that's happening," I say my thoughts aloud. "This isn't a coincidence."

Their eyes looked at me with confusion and fear, but I could sense they felt it, too.

The sudden attacks, evolves targeting researchers, strange disappearances of research, those mutants entering that building Joshua, Minghao and I were in, and for me to see their unnatural markings...

And now, Soonyoung is missing before this attack.

Was the rat behind all of this?

Was there more to it than just this?

What the fuck was actually going on?

"None of this makes sense!" I unintentionally express my frustration.

The amount of confusion and anger I had couldn't be contained. The others watched me with surprise, before looking at one another with unreadable expressions.

They knew how I felt, and they must have felt the same thing too...

"Calm down, Jaewon."

My head snapped to the blond that stood behind me.

To think his appearance would give me actual joy-

"Minghao." I stared at him with utter disbelief.

He looked at me with a smirk. His body covered with some blood that matched the stains on his face.

"When did you make it back? What happened?" I asked him urgently.

He nonchalantly sat on the ground and began to light a cigarette he hid in his front pocket. His calm demeanor was throwing me off.

How was he calm at a time like this!?

He inhaled and exhaled. The smoke let out reeked the air just like the blood soaked in this room.

He looked at me, and I could see a hint of exhaustion in his eyes.

"I got here the moment you let out your fuse, but if you're asking when I got to the building, probably 5-10 minutes ago," he states. "And yes, I've seen hell and saved people just like everyone else here."

He motioned his arm towards the soldiers and guards that ran all around us as if to proof he wasn't being lazy.

"I even saved your friends over here," he claims with a smug expression.

He tilted his head towards Seoyeon and the others. In return, they looked at him and nodded their heads towards me.

Well, everyone except for Mingyu and Koshi.

"I have you know, I saved myself!" Koshi proclaims.

"And I protected Seoyeon!" Mingyu states with pride.

We all stared at the two men whose ego was louder than the screams outside.

Seoyeon and Hyunju rolled their eyes while Minghao could only scoff at their ridiculousness.

"Yeah, sure. I'll pretend I didn't hear you scream and hide behind me, Mingyu, and you didn't accidentally hurt yourself, Koshi," Minghao says before letting out another puff from his lips.

The two men were ready to voice out their disagreement, but Minghao spoke before they could.

"Joshua should be here any moment now," Minghao tells me. He changed the topic without care towards their anger.

I narrowed my brows. "How can you be so sure?"

"Trust me," Minghao says before leaning back comfortably. "He's not just brains, you know."

I crossed my arms.

As much as I didn't want to believe him, I knew he wasn't lying.

Joshua always carried himself with that quiet confidence and calculated behavior of his.

If Minghao is right... then Jihoon would be safe.

But Soonyoung...

"What about Soonyoung? What about him?" I glare at Minghao.

I didn't like how confident he sounded when there were still unanswered problems.

"Soonyoung..." Minghao repeated his name before distorting his face with annoyance.

My brows narrowed.

He knew about his disappearance, didn't he?

"Since you're an expert on saving people, then tell me. Are you capable of finding and saving Soonyoung as well?" I dare question him.

Minghao blew a puff before scoffing.

"Can't a man rest?" He states with annoyance. "Why must you nag me so much?"

I glared at him. "So you'll let him die?"

He put his hands up in defeat.

"Alright, alright. I'll try to find him." Minghao decides to get up.

The others watched us with worry.

"He went missing a few hours before the attack," Hyunju quickly tells us as Minghao stood on his two feet.

I stared at her.

Her sudden willingness to tell us about her colleague threw me ofd.

"Oh, trust me, I know how long he's been gone." He tells her. "Staff Sergeant Lee has long told me before any of you knew."

I sometimes forget how he works closely with Seungcheol and Dokyeom, and honestly, it annoys me that he knows things before I do.

I wonder what else he could possibly know?

Hyunju's orbs began to grow glossy. The topic of Soonyoung has made her emotional.

I elbowed Minghao for his cold behavior.

He winced before glaring at me.

"We'll find him, Hyunju," I inform her as I ignore Minghao's anger.

"Yeah," Minghao reluctantly says in agreement. He rubbed his side that I hit.

"Do you remember the last place you saw him?" I ask her.

"Hansol spoke to him earlier today before he went missing," she tells me.

Hansol nodded his head towards her words.

"He said he was gonna grab some food from the cafeteria and head to the clinic later," he tells me as he recollects the last time he spoke to Soonyoung. "Soonyoung is known and loved by many... I don't know how he could disappear."

Hansol grew quiet towards the end. He was as puzzled as the rest of us, yet worried like Hyunju.

It grew quiet among us.

The fear of death and worst-case scenarios ran this place as if it were air.

I couldn't shake the feeling, nor could the others.

My eyes met with Seoyeon, who continued to look at me with worry. It was clear as day how against she was with this plan, but she knew this was needed.

"Don't die, you two," Seoyeon cuts the ice. "I lost enough people today. I don't need any more..."

I nodded my head towards her.

"I'll do what I can," I say with reassurance.

She narrowed her brows with a slight frown forming.

She didn't like my answer.

But my answer wasn't just towards her or towards the others. It was also to myself.

This is my strength and weakness.

Pretending to be strong even when I don't want to...

And with that, Minghao and I left the group as chaos continued to erupt around us and outside the building.

I know what I'm doing will be going against direct orders from Dokyeom, but this is needed. I need answers and truth.

I could wait for Joshua, but the longer we wait, who knows whats happening to Soonyoung.

Seungcheol told me before he left that I had to meet with Dokyeom when I could, but that had to wait.

This isn't my first time going against orders, and I know this won't be my last.

You can bet my life on that.

• • •

Previous | Next

[hanmi-xo]

One Call Away | (SVT Minghao x You)

M A I N | O N E S H O T S | S M U T | S C E N A R I O S

-------------------------------

Status: Complete Post Date: June 1, 2025 Pairing: Minghao x You (Faye) Genre: One Shot, Romance, Slice of Life, Angst Word Count: 2k Themes: Unknown Love, High School, College, Adulthood, Life, Enemies

Note: This is a work of fanfiction based on real people. Please respect the real Xu Minghao (Seventeen Minghao)

Synopsis:

You're ready for the next step in life after college, but someone from your past can't seem to accept that.

You're rivals, so why does Xu Minghao care if you're leaving?

Minghao and I have known each other since high school. Call it fate or destiny for us to wind up at the same college, but for him to bother me through all of it seems like nothing more than just some form of bullying.

With they way he treats me, I believe he hates my guts, and so I hate his whole existence.

One second, he's saying his oh so humorous sarcastic remark, and the next second, he's acting all nice as if we're buddies.

He seemed so bipolar to me, and I could never tell if he truly hated my existence or if he found it humorous.

Either way, I could never understand him, nor could I ever read him like a book.

Minghao was always... well, Minghao.

And I learned to accept his strange ways, yet his surprising, interactions with me.

If he truly thought I was annoying, then why want me to stay?

I stared at his stoic face that transfixed his eyes on me. His orbs became focused and somehow lost.

We stood outside my apartment building. The going away party has long ended at the restaurant, and he followed me back home.

He said he needed to talk to me about something.

And his first words were...

"You've got to be kidding me, Faye. You can't seriously think of moving out."

His words echoed in my mind like a broken record. His voice came out soft, yet his words were sharp like scratch.

"Why would I lie for some bad joke?" I tell him. My voice mixed with the harshness of alcohol and surprise under the moonlight. "Do I look like I'm kidding?"

His body stiffened. I can see him exhale through the smoke coming out of his nose. He took a breath as if he was trying to calm down or perhaps even taken aback by words.

His oh so sharp gaze drew downwards unto the ground. They were looking for the right words to say.

I stood there still in the cold. My arms crossed in front of my chest as I held the flowers my best friends gave me close to my chest.

I have never seen Minghao, so lost in thought. The boy I knew before would always say something to get a reaction out of me. He often knew what to say, what buttons to press, and the tone of his voice to embody the dramaticness in his witty yet snarky behavior.

So, where was it now?

Where was the Minghao I knew before the party?

Even at the restaurant, he was quiet.

I didn't want to think of his sudden silence or how I would find his eyes meeting mine before he would look away.

When graduation happened, he wasn't happy either.

I could see it in his eyes and the way his lips would force up when his family and friends would speak to him.

But throughout my time of knowing Minghao, one thing was certain.

His eyes never lie.

"Say something, Minghao," I say aloud. "The Minghao I know would say something witty or sarcastic by now."

I couldn't continue this awkward silence.

He just stood there as if he was questioning everything that was happening. His body remained in place as I spoke to him. He wouldn't budge.

I'm not sure why.

I sighed.

I can't stay outside like this when I should be packing. I leave in a few days...

"Don't go."

My heart hitched for a second, and I froze.

"What?" I question him.

Did I hear that right?

He spoke so softly it was bizarre. His sharp tongue disappeared, and I felt like I was talking to someone else.

"Repeat what you just said," I dare tell him.

I need to know if I'm hearing things.

Minghao drifted his head up. His dark orbs became soft like a child's.

"Don't go," He says louder. "I'm telling you to stay."

My brows narrowed. I shook my head as if all of this was some bad dream, and I needed to wake up.

I backed away from him.

"W-what," I couldn't stop myself from stammering. "No."

I scoffed. This can't be right. Minghao would never say those words to me.

"This has to be a bad dream." I tell myself. "I must've drunk too much alcohol. Why would you say that to me?"

My gaze went away from him. I was looking for answers in the ground in hopes it would talk to me.

To tell me that Minghao was lying. Tell me that I'll wake up.

I closed my eyes as I felt my heart race. This doesn't make any sense.

"Faye."

His voice was cool and collected. It was the same tone he would use when he talked to his family. It was kind and gentle, but for him to use that towards me?

It was too intimate.

Too affectionate.

Too kind.

My eyes opened, and I saw him close the distance between us. His hands gently held the sides of my arms, and his torse was slouched so his eyes could meet mine.

My heart skipped a beat.

His eyes illuminated the night, and his lips were close to mine.

His features sharp, but his expression gentle.

I wanted to pull away from him, but I couldn't.

Not because of how his large hands held me as if I was some fragile thing, but the fact that I was seeing a side of Minghao I didn't recognize.

He looked so lost.

He looked so hopeless.

And he looked so... alone.

"Why are you here," my voice came out soft with curiosity, but my words were sharp in search for answers. "Why come out here and say this to me?"

My eyes remained fixed on him. I felt his grip on my arms tighten as if I would disappear.

"Because," his voice was close to a whisper.

His eyes looked at me with such tenderness I wasn't sure what to say or do.

I didn't like this.

I didn't like what was happening.

Not because of the way Minghao's trying to he transparent with me, but because I wasn't ready for what he'll say.

"I like you."

Everything froze.

There it was.

The words I was scared of hearing. The words I never thought he could possibly say to me.

Why.

Why would he say that after all those years of treating me as if I'm beneath him?

Why act as though you care about me and change sides as if your mind about me suddenly changed?

Why...

Why now?

I pulled away from him. His warmth left my sides, and the cool air hit like a slap to the face.

I didn't know what to say.

I didn't know what to feel.

I could see Minghao back away while my eyes looked to the ground as if it's my safe haven.

I couldn't dare look at him.

No, I couldn't.

I'm supposed to hate him, but I couldn't. Nor could I hate how he felt towards me.

What I hated was the fact he tells me this when I have to go...

But why? Why did I feel like this?

I scoffed with bitterness.

"Am I some joke to you?" I say without thinking. "Why would you say that to me when I already have everything set to go?"

Silence.

I found myself upset and more angry than I thought I would be.

"Why Minghao? After all these years of knowing me? After all this time together? Why now? Why decide when I have to go?" I questioned him.

Everything began to hit me.

Every interaction we had.

Every moment we had.

Every second of his existence in my life...

I wanted to cry from frustration. But I wasn't sure why I was so upset. I wasn't sure why I was annoyed at him.

I didn't hate him... but I'm supposed to. I have to. This was the only way he wouldn't get to my head.

But here he is.

Standing there and watching me lash out at him.

I wanted him to say something.

Anything.

I sniffled from the emotions that were reaching me, and the cold air that continued to drop

"This hurts, you know?" I admit. "I was hoping to leave without any hesitation with my decision... yet, here you are trying to stop me."

Minghao brows narrowed.

"I never meant for this to happen," he says. His voice filled with emotion that he was trying to contain. "You think I wanted to stop you from going out and exploring the world? Stop you from stepping forward onto the real world?"

I watched as his voice grew louder as he tried to express his own frustrations.

"I never meant to fall in love with you, Faye," he says loud and clear. His eyes sharpened towards me.

A part of me broke hearing him say that. I didn't want to admit it, but my eyes got the best of me. I felt the tears swell up.

"Then you should have just pushed those feelings away," I snapped at him. "If you think I'm that awful, then why even like me?"

His eyes softened. I felt a tear come down my cheek.

He leaned forward, but I pulled back.

Silence.

I gritted my teeth as I tried to wipe my tears away.

I heard Minghao sigh.

"I never said you were awful..."

My eyes went back to him. His voice was in defeat.

"I never said I hate you... nor did I find you annoying..." he grumbled under his breath.

I watched him fidget as he stood there. He seemed so small compared to the amount of confidence he usually carries.

He spoke so genuinely. For a moment, I almost forgot to breathe.

"I just... I didn't want to ruin what he had," he admits. "Telling you now... this was the only way I could get my feelings across since I know we won't be seeing each other anymore."

His words felt heavy.

"I didn't expect you to like me back or feel anything towards me," he says with his voice growing low. "I just wanted you to know the truth. Selfishly hoping that you would stay even if I asked you to. It wasn't right... but I just..."

He struggled to find the words to say. His hands turned into a fist on his sides, and his eyes found the strength to look at me.

"I just.." he repeats himself with a steadier voice, "... I want you to be happy. After everything. You can say no to me. You can go."

His lips curled up, and his eyes glistened.

"I just don't want you to forget me."

My heart skipped a beat, and my breathing hitched.

"Minghao-" I began, but he stopped me.

"Maybe in another life, things would have worked out," he tells me with a weak smile. "Maybe I would have had the courage to tell you before all of this could happen. Maybe even tell you before we graduated high school so we could enjoy college together."

I stood there frozen in place. I didn't know what to say to him.

"It's foolish thinking, I know," he says with a hint of amusement.

His eyes looked away from me, and he found interest in the gleaming stars and moonlight.

"And maybe in that life, I wouldn't infuriate you, and I would show you more sides of me you never knew."

I watched him speak so highly of the possibility of us. I found his words endearing.

It was strange.

His gaze met mine again.

"So go." He tells me. "Go and do what you have to do, Faye. But you know how to find me, and you know where to reach me. I'm just a call away."

He smiled at me with a mix of sadness and love.

We stood there as silence drew back in.

But this time, it wasn't awkward.

It wasn't strange.

It was just there.

And I didn't hate it. I smiled.

"Thank you, Minghao."

I watched his eyes glisten like the stars in the sky. He smiled at me as if he knew this was going to be the last time I could see him like this.

"Get some rest, Faye," he says with a tone that was tender and soft. "I wish you a safe trip."

"I will," I tell him. "Good night, Minghao."

And just like that, my chapter in Seoul ended with one last goodbye to Xu Minghao.

But I knew my time with him would be far from over.

My time in Seoul may have ended, but this was just the beginning of something new.

Xu Minghao is only one call away, right?

• • •

End | Thank you for reading ~ ♡

Extra:

[hanmi-xo]

I Don't Love You | (SVT Woozi × You)

M A I N | O N E S H O T S | S M U T | S C E N A R I O S

---------------------

Status: Complete Post Date: Nov. 19, 2024 Pairings: SVT Woozi x You Genre: One Shot, Angst, Romance, Slice of Life Word Count: 1k Themes: Growth, Friendship, Meaning of Love, Rejection

Note: This is a work of fanfiction based on real people. Please respect the real Lee Jihoon (Seventeen Woozi)

Synopsis:

If English had another word for different types of love, then maybe you won't hate this one.

You disappeared, and Jihoon came to realize the truth of your absence. He writes his thoughts of you in his journal in hopes that one day he may speak to you once again.

Dec. 17 20xx

You don't love him.

Oh, so, that's what I was told. I wanted to believe there was something going on between the two of you, but you didn't say anything.

Maybe it's because he was my best friend and you didn't want to tell me the truth.

But deep down, I really did wish you would have told me.

He was in love with you, and you knew it. But he wasn't the only one who always thought of you...

Sometimes, I wonder how you're doing.

Do you check the voicemails I leave in your box? Do you see the number of times I texted you and the missed calls?

Do you hear how my voice calls out to you? Or how my messages become one-sided conversations in hopes that at some point you would finally respond?

There was a time when you and I did message each other, but when he came to the picture, things changed.

You became careful and cautious as if you were walking around broken glass.

Your voice that once boomed with life because quiet. And worst of all, your laughter that carried through the wind halted.

You became fearful of him.

Fearful of being loved by someone you didn't like.

But even before that.

Before this grand scheme of things that led to this lost feeling, I still thought of you.

Before he pursued you.

Before he would do everything he could to get your attention.

Your eyes never met his, but you would look to mine.

I didn't know it back then, and even now, I wonder if you were looking for solace. Looking for someone that you knew you could depend upon without worry.

He was my best friend, though. How could I do that to him?

How could I choose a girl over our friendship?

Yet, it still feels like no matter what I did or would have done would change anything.

I still lost. I still couldn't make both of you happy.

I couldn't make myself happy.

So why...

Why did you have to disappear?

Why couldn't you just accept him so I could watch you in the distance?

He wanted to walk you through the rain even when you denied his offer. He chased after you when you forgot your phone.

He would do all these acts of service in hopes that you could recognize his efforts.

He would talk about you so much. It was like I was there to witness it all.

But he only told me his side of the story.

I should have asked you how you felt.

But even so, would you have been honest with me?

I had a feeling you weren't happy. I had a feeling you didn't want to be near him.

But I didn't do anything about it.

Was I being a good friend trying to support him? Or was I just being a pathetic coward not speaking up for you?

I can't tell.

It seems all the same to me the more I think about it.

I was being an ignorant fool.

It was obvious, but I kept denying it for his sake.

I knew you didn't like him.

Even after I heard you set your boundaries, he still crossed them. He crossed each and every one of them.

Never once did I hear him say he made you happy.

Never once did I hear him say that you were glad he was there.

Everything he said was on how he felt.

And of course, I was rooting for him...

I was rooting for him because I thought that was for the best.

So why. Why does he now tell me the whole thing?

He called me last night, and I had to pick him up from the bar.

He was drunk and kept talking about you. How you rejected him more times than he could keep count.

Yet, he still pursued you.

He thought he could change your view.

I wanted to pity him, but I couldn't. Instead, I pitied you.

I pitied the fact that you had to deal with his antics and his foolish behavior.

Deep down, I knew that it would never work.

I knew you wouldn't love him.

But, I needed to hear it from you. I needed to hear those words directly from you.

I needed to be sure that you wouldn't ever love him.

Tell me...

Would it be selfish of me to admit that I liked you?

To admit that after you broke his heart, I would be able to speak to you without worrying about him?

It's cruel the more I think about it, but I missed the version of you before he came along.

I missed your presence. I missed your voice and your laughter. I missed it when you were still you.

But I would never do what he did.

I would never say what he said.

I'd do the opposite because I wouldn't want you to hate me.

I don't love you.

I would say that because I care more about you than how I feel.

I don't love you like a fool who would do things blindlessly.

But, I also don't love you without care.

Everything I want to say and everything that I want to do is done because I worry about you.

I want to stay by your side, but I don't want you to fall in love with anyone.

I don't want to tell you how I feel.

I would rather be ignorant than get an answer from you.

Even if it doesn't help, at least I can say I put your feelings first before mine. Your peace meant more to me than the overbearing chaos that was running through my head.

So, I don't love you.

No.

I couldn't love you.

For your sake, at least.

So come back. Come back and talk to me.

Let me know if you're well. Let me know how you're doing during all of this.

Let me know so we can stay friends. Stay in each other's lives.

Because I don't love you.

I don't love you.

I'll repeat it over and over again until you understand that this isn't love.

This isn't the love you hate.

No.

I don't love you.

------ Page 1

Lee Jihoon

• • •

End | Thank you for reading <3

[hanmi-xo]

CHAPTER 9: "Lights Out & The Escort"

| We Who Remain | Chapter List |

Previous | Next

-----

My flashlight illuminated the hallway that was devoured by darkness.

It sat tightly on my shoulder holster.

I walked carefully with my duffel bag and rifle wrapped around my body by their slings. I didn't bother leaving any gear in my room.

I wanted to believe that this might be the last time I could be seeing these halls with the way things were looking.

I could hear footsteps ahead of me.

A few people swung their dim flashlights around as they tried to make their way back to their rooms. They seemed scared, and if anything, in a hurry.

I couldn't blame them for their anxiety.

When your sight is taken, your other senses strengthen- not to fill the missing role, but because fear is what makes the body grow sensitive We become reactive and fixated on the worst that may come.

At least, that's what I believe.

I hated this feeling...

My gut was telling me to run.

But from what exactly?

I'm on the 4th floor of the building, so I should be safe for a while... right?

I let out a shaky breath.

The rain never stopped. The sound of its drops hitting the window pane like a reminder that it'll never leave us. That it'll never let us breathe.

My eyes looked through the cold glass.

I can see lights glow through the ocean of darkness. But, I couldn't tell if that was security, guards, soldiers, civilians, or whoever that were running around with their flashlights.

I couldn't make out the muffled sounds I was hearing. Was that running? Was that yelling? Was that commands? Or was that just fear?

I want to believe that there was an emergency protocol when something like this happens, but even so...

The chill down my back wouldn't go away.

We were vulnerable right now.

Seeing this many people out at night and having mutants sneak into our grounds is a feeding waiting to happen.

If anything, it would be best if everyone stayed inside their buildings and held their grounds if there was another surprise attack.

But the unfortunate reality is that not everyone thinks like that.

And the other unfortunate thing is, some people do, but not everyone makes it alive...

I watched the lights shine in the darkness before diminishing.

The lights were disappearing.

My ears perked up upon the sound of a gunshot.

Bang.

Then it continued.

Bang.

There were multiple sounds of it. It was a build-up of chaos that I couldn't see.

I soon heard a curdling scream.

It crawled all around me before making me shake. My heart raced, and my feet began to pound.

I was running.

Running towards whatever the hell I heard.

The sound of footsteps echoed the building. More people ran past me with fear and trepidation.

They weren't just rushing into their rooms.

They were definitely running from something...

Scream.

There was multiple this time.

I ran down the staircases, passing by people who were distraught.

I heard gunshots grow louder the lower I went. I was getting deeper into the hell.

Snarl.

I reached the bottom floor and saw a mutant running around with a few more of it on the floor, biting of what seemed to be guards and security.

They must have tried protecting the building when the blackout happened.

But to think so many mutants came in so fast...

I pushed my way through the crowd and quickly swung my bat at the closest mutant's skull.

Crack.

It was a clean hit. I looked down at the poor man who seemed to have died from blood loss. A piece of his neck was torn off followed by a pool of blood pouring out of him.

I narrowed my brows with pity.

"Thank you for your service," I whisper.

I took a deep breath before lifting up my bat.

Crack.

Blood splattered everywhere and covered my bat like an oozing blanket.

My hands shook as adrenaline overcame me. I looked at the other mutants and quickly swung my bat at each of them.

The sounds of their skulls cracking echoed the corridors. And just like the man who died, I smashed my bat into his colleagues' heads.

Once bit. Nobody can save you.

And that's the sad reality we have no control over.

I lifted my bat off of the last one. The stiffness of their blood imprinted my face. I could smell the iron and rotting flesh all over me.

I would vomit from the stench, but I knew it wouldn't stop the scent from going away.

"HELP!"

My ears perked up from the voice.

A girl in a lab coat came running my way. She had what appeared to be a small axe in her hand and a folder she held closely to her chest with the other.

Was she a researcher?

Behind her was an evolved who was running faster than a normal mutant.

The moonlit hit my eyes from a sudden glare. I looked down and saw a gun that one of the security dropped near their body.

I quickly picked it up and pointed towards the beast that was coming my way.

"Duck!" I yell at her.

I watched her look at me with fright before dropping to the floor. I carefully aimed my gun with my free hand while I held my bat in the other.

Bang.

It moved to the side, making me miss. I lifted my other arm up under my hand that held the gun as a steady base.

Bang.

I missed it again. It was moving with such accuracy that it was pissing me off.

"You stupid fuck," I spat.

I took a deep breath before releasing it to calm my shaking body. I aimed for its legs.

Bang.

Blood splattered. It couldn't dodge my bullet this time.

I watched it fall to the floor close to the girl. She tried to get up, but I could tell she was losing strength in her legs.

The beast was crawling towards her.

Bang.

A bullet straight through its skull. I watched it fall without coming back up.

I walked towards the girl who was shaking where she sat.

"Come on," I tell her. "You should get into one of the rooms upstairs. You'll be dead if you continue to sit here."

Some of the blood hit her face, and she slowly wiped it off before staring at her bloody coat sleeve with horror. Her hands shook as she tried to process what happened.

I helped her up as she tried to get her strength back into her legs.

"Come on," I tell her.

She slowly got her bearing back with a shaky breath.

"T-thank you," her voice shook.

"Yeah," I respond.

I watched her eyes look at me before her face distorted with distraught.

Snarl.

My breathing hitched.

I quickly turned around and shot the mutant that was running our way. It dropped like the others who roamed the halls.

More mutants were coming behind it.

There was a broken window that they were climbing from.

I gritted my teeth.

They were blocked the way to the staircase. Behind them, I could see the last civilian reach the staircase before shutting the staircase doors closed with panic.

"Shit," I say with exasperation.

Even if I make it past those mutants, there's no way those people would open the door for us.

I turned to look at the girl who seemed to be frozen in place. I put the gun in my holster before grabbing her arm, and I began to run once again.

"We have to get out of here," I tell her.

She didn't say anything. She was too in distraught to even acknowledge my words.

I dragged her by her arm to follow me, and soon, I felt her legs pick up speed as we ran down the corridors.

The sound of snarls surrounded us like a pack of wolves. We were trapped, but we kept running.

Fighting them wouldn't do much with how many they were.

I didn't bother looking back.

I just need to get out of here in one piece.

We took a turn and made our way towards the exits. The sound of gunshots blared through the air along with snarls and screams.

There was a bigger hell out there. As much as I wanted this girl to stay in the building and not be my responsibility, I knew she would be good as dead if I left her alone.

"Stay close," I tell her. "I'll bring you to another building that's safer, but after that, you're on your own."

She didn't respond. It seemed she was taken back from my words.

I let go of her arm and lifted my bat to swing at an incoming mutant. It flew back with its skull cracking.

My flashlight illuminated past his fallen body only to show a horde of mutants within the darkness.

"Holy shit," I proclaim.

I took my assault rifle off my shoulder and passed my bat to the girl to hold. I needed both of my hands for this.

I aimed my sights and began to shoot down the horde that covered the path.

I took the lead, and she stayed behind me.

Bang.

The shots rang my eardrums. My body shook with each bullet from the recoil, but I stood my ground.

I was trying to clear a path.

Snarl.

I turned around and saw a mutant come towards the girl. I was ready to shoot it.

Crack.

She swung her axe at its head before kicking its body away. The mutant fell back with its busted skull pouring onto the ground.

I took a deep breath to calm my adrenaline.

My eyes met with hers for a moment before nodding my head.

As long as I clear a path, she'll watch my back.

Bang.

Bodies after bodies fell to the ground. I made sure to shoot them in their heads without wasting a bullet.

But even so, I knew I was running out of bullets in my magazine.

A few yards from us, I could see a go cart that was abandoned. It must be one of the security must have left it behind.

That's probably the fastest way out of here, but even with that.

Where am I to go?

Click.

I gritted my teeth.

I had to reload.

I removed the empty magazine and slid it into my pocket. I had a loaded one in my holster that I prepped ahead of time, but the mutants were getting too close.

I pushed them back with my gun before hitting the closest one with the buttstock.

I tried to reach for my magazine again, but there was just too many of them coming towards us. They were closing in too fast.

I finally pulled the loaded magazine out of my side.

Snarl.

A mutant came close, trying to bite me. I tried to put the magazine into my gun, but it knocked it out of my hand.

I watched it drop away from me before disappearing under the feet of the mutants who kept pushinh forward.

"Oh fuck!" I yelled.

Anxiety overcame me.

That was the only loaded magazine I had from the gear...

I let go of my assault rifle and allowed it to fling around my body by its sling. I reached for my handgun and quickly shot the creature.

My heart was racing.

Crack.

Its body fell, slowing down the mutants behind it.

But they just kept coming.

Bang.

My hands shook.

I don't have any extra ammo for this gun. Once this runs out, I'll have to use my bat or knife.

Bang.

I was running out.

Was this how I was going to die?

The mutants kept coming.

"RIN!"

I heard a voice call out a girl's name.

Rin?

I couldn't make out the voice from the sounds of snarls and distant gunshots.

"GET DOWN!"

I heard someone yell. I quickly grabbed the girl who tried to fend herself.

With a command like that, I didn't want to get caught by a stray bullet. The girl gasped once she hit the ground.

The sound of bullets took over the atmosphere. Its booming shots rang my ears.

Blood flung everyway like a bucket of paint. I covered the girl with my body seeing that she couldn't handle the situation at hand.

The mutants dropped all around us. I soon heard two vehicles approach us and people stepping out of it.

"Rin, Jaewon."

I looked up at the man who came to save us. There stood the officer who was in charge of this place.

Choi Seungcheol.

His squad remained on high alert behind him before surrounding us like a wall. They continued to shoot at the mutants that were roaming around.

"S-Seungcheol!" the girl said underneath me.

She got out of my grasp and slowly got up with her body trembling.

"Thank God, you're okay Rin," he tells her.

He had a look in his eyes that I didn't think he would be capable of having. I was recognized that expression before. It's the same kind Dokyeom has when he talks about Dowon.

Was Rin his lover?

Seungcheol looked over at me. His expression changed. He seemed rather pleased to see me in a respectful comrad manner.

"Thank you, Jaewon," he tells me.

He looked around us to check our perimeter before meeting my eyes once again.

"My squad will lead you two back to the East Wing. You should be safe there until this turmoil ends," he says with great certainty.

I slowly nodded my head.

"Okay," I say.

As happy I was to see a group of people save us, my heart hasn't stopped racing.

"Sergeant Lee is there as we speak," Seungcheol quickly says in hopes that bringing up Dokyeom would calm my nerves.

But the mention of his name didn't help.

"Jihoon," I say. "What about him and the others?"

Seungcheol's expression narrowed.

"What about Soonyoung?" I ask him. "What about everyone else that's damned?"

He gave me an unreadable expression.

He let out a shaky breath.

"I'm sorry, Jaewon. But this has to be discussed another time. It's not safe standing here," he tells me.

I gritted my teeth.

I knew he had a point, but that still wasn't the answer I was looking for.

"Please get in the vehicle, you two," he tells us.

I reluctantly followed his commands and found myself sitting in the back of the car with the girl named Rin next to me.

Seungcheol's men hopped into the other vehicle and went a separate direction from us. They probably had orders to escort other people.

"Thank you."

I heard Rin softly say. My eyes met with hers. She took off her glasses that had blood stains.

"Yeah... it's no problem," I tell her.

I wasn't sure what to say to her. If anything, my mind was still racing with the situation we just got out of.

"Jaewon, was it?" She asks me.

I slowly nodded my head.

She softly smiled and matched my action. Her attention went to her folder that she held onto. My eyes stared at the object.

"Are you a researcher?" I decide to ask her.

Her eyes widened from my question. She gawked her head at me.

"Yes, why?" She said with confusion.

I thought back about the evolved that chased her. If there were so many mutants around us and so many people fighting for their lives...

So why is it always evolves that hunt the researchers?

The last evolved only focused on Jihoon, and this one chased Rin into the building...

I narrowed my brows.

"Nothing," I tell her.

If I told her what I knew. How would she react?

Seeing how she almost passed out from the events from earlier, I think it's best I keep my mouth shut.

For now, at least...

● ● ●

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[hanmi-xo]

CHAPTER 8: "Alliance & The Darkness"

| We Who Remain | Chapter List |

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-----

Minghao opened the blinds from our side of the window that saw through the other side of the wall to the hallway.

Bang.

There it was, a mutant.

Its face was distorted, and eyes were bleeding red. Its body looked fresh, but its face looked beaten.

"Poor fucker must have turned just recently," Minghao says as he stared directly to the monster through the window.

It bangs its head against the window and growled at him. Minghao didn't flinch and looked rather annoyed than fearful.

"The question is how did it even get in here," I tell him. "We're not that close to the wall, and security should have saw this thing a mile away."

"That's if they saw it," Joshua corrects me.

I turned around to look at him. He seemed deep in thought but also annoyed like the rest of us.

"Someone has to be letting them in," he says. "I know most of the scurity on the wall. They shouldn't be foolish enough to let these things past them twice within a short time span from the last attack."

"Yeah, but things have been getting dangerous outside of the walls. Maybe their focus is elsewhere?" I say with a possibility. "And even so, for it to come inside this building must mean it has been wandering for a while."

Minghao's eyes remained on the creature that kept banging its head. It was trying to get inside and bite him.

Minghao glared at the thing with disgust. "Whatever the case, this thing has got to go."

I watched as Joshua made his way to the door with his gun in his hand. It had a silencer. I thought back to the day he saved me with it.

If only I had my gun right now, then I wouldn't be standing here with my knife.

Wherever I get my gun back, I'll need a silencer like his. I won't have to worry about making too much noise.

"I'll take lead," Joshua says with one hand holding his gun, and the other hand on the doorknob. "Use your knife, Minghao. We don't need to alert everyone with the sound of gunshots."

Minghao scoffed, but obeyed him.

"You're one ugly, motherfucker," he cursed at the mutant. "Don't worry though, you'll get rest soon enough."

He put his gun into his holster before taking out his knife.

Joshua placed his ear on the door but remained calm. His hand held his gun tightly.

"How many do you see?" He asks Minghao.

His comrade moved around to glimpse behind the mutant that continued to bang its head on the glass.

"I can't tell," he responds.

His eyes wavered, and he froze for second. Something caught his attention. His body stiffened.

"There's bloody footprints, but I don't have much of a view in this angle," he says.

"Okay," Joshua responds. His ear remained on the door. "I hear about three."

I watched the two cooperate with each other. They were working as a team, and here I was not doing anything useful.

"Three?" I whisper to myself, repeating Joshua's words.

I can handle three, but more than that may be an issue if there's an evolved...

I watched as Minghao backed away from the window and got closer to Joshua's side. I mirrored his actions and stood on Joshua's right.

The two men looked at me, and I looked back at them.

"What?" I whisper, confused by their attention on me.

Joshua ignored me and put his ear back on the door, whereas Minghao snickered at my reaction towards them.

"So, you'll fight alongside us?" Minghao says with amusement.

"Well, I don't have much of a choice," I tell him. "Besides, I'm an able body. I can handle my own."

He snickered once again. "You heard her, Joshua. She'll help us. This will be fun."

"Well, I am trying to survive," I remark.

Joshua briefly smirked hearing my words.

"We'll put that to the test," he says with slight amusement.

I watched him get ready to open the door. He was being careful- probably timing when to open just in case there's other mutant that might be wandering close to the door.

"On my mark..." he says.

Minghao and I took a breath. I felt my heart slowly begin to race. I tightened my grip on my knife.

3

Thud.

2.

Thud.

1.

Joshua swung the door open, and immediately he shot the mutant closest to us that was banging its head.

Its body dropped dead to the floor with a bullet to its head, leaving blood to spray around the area from the impact.

I heard another snarl, and from the other direction of the hallway, I saw two mutants running straight at us with their bodies distorted.

They were alerted from the doorway's creaking and our footsteps.

Those things also seemed to have just turned, similar to the one Joshua just killed.

Minghao went in front of me and took the one running closer to us. He dodged its arms that tried to grab him and stabbed it on the head.

The sound of cracking can be heard.

He pulled the knife out. Blood was released onto his knife, and it oozed out upon release.

The creature fell to the ground.

Minghao was ready to stab the other creature that was coming close to us, but Joshua was quicker. He shot it between its eyes.

Its brains exploded, and its body dropped like the others.

Minghao glared at him, and in return, Joshua smirked. As much as I appreciated their competition with one another, my attention went to the bodies that lay next to us.

The more I looked at them, the more I came to realize these were young adults. Possibly college students that attended this university.

I knelt down and stared at the first mutant Joshua shot since it was the closest to me.

The face was messed up, but the body looked healthy. There wasn't a bite mark visible to my eye, but I noticed markings on its wrist.

I narrowed my brows and got up to look at the other two mutants.

"What are you doing?" Minghao asks with wonder. Blood was stained on his hands, and a few blood splatter marked his face.

I didn't respond to him.

I looked at the dead bodies that lay next to him. They two had deformed faces as if they were beat, but their bodies were healthy. I looked at their wrists.

There were markings as well.

Why did all three of them have markings on their wrists? It look as if something tight was wrapped around them. And why did they seem like someone beat their faces?

I feared the worst possible thing that might have happened. But I didn't want to think about it, or rather, I didn't want to believe anyone would do that to them.

I heard footsteps, and I saw Joshua come towards me.

"Did you find something strange?" He asks me.

I nodded my head. "Yeah..."

My voice was slow since I was still thinking of what could have possibly happened to these things that were once people.

The two men didn't say anything.

They seemed curious yet careful with my paranoia and inspection on the dead. Their eyes were on the corpses, but they didn't say anything. Maybe they were trying to figure out what happened to these things as well...

There was a silence between all of us.

We were thinking, but it also felt as if we were mourning the dead. If my theory was right, then I had a feeling things would only get worst from here.

The silence was soon interrupted.

We heard a noise.

Joshua and I got up, and Minghao stood by our side. We were high alert just in case more came our way.

But nothing.

We didn't hear a snarl or anything.

It got quiet.

A little too quiet.

The sound of rain echoed these halls, and not a peep was heard.

All three of us looked at each other, and we carried similar expressions of vigilance.

Joshua was the first to take a step forward, and I followed suit. I could hear Minghao follow behind me.

We drew closer to the noise, but we kept our guard us.

We went down the hallway and followed the trail of bloody footprints as our only clue. It seemed that wherever the mutants came from, it was leading us to the possible location of the noise that decided not to speak.

The more we followed the bloody stains, the more strange it felt hearing nothing but our footsteps and the pattern of raindrops.

We went pass the empty rooms that once carried the sound of college students. This was the building of music, but all that was left was darkness and an old classroom that was nothing more than a memory.

I could only imagine what they used to study. The sound of music that would carry throughout the room. And their passion and dreams of being part of the music industry or whatnot.

But the music is gone.

Just like most of the world.

The trail of blood soon came to a halt.

We found ourselves at the other side of the building, the opposite end of where we came from.

Down a staircase, there was an exit door. Rain drops dripped down the door's surface. Someone must have used it recently. Those raindrops look fresh.

I felt a chill run down my back.

Was the noise we heard the door? If that were the case, then someone was just here...

"Someone's been sneaking around here," Minghao says behind me. "A rat being a rat."

I remained quiet.

Joshua went down the stair case and checked his corners to see if there was anything on the lower floor other than the exit door.

I followed him and saw two large doors that were closed shut. He tried put his hand on the door handle, but it wouldn't open.

It was locked.

Joshua's eyes examined the doors before looking back at the exit door.

Minghao stood next it, and he too was analyzing the wet door. It seemed that was the only path that was unlocked.

We made our way to him. We glanced at one another with the same look of vigilance before Minghao decided to open the door.

It swung open and the rain immediately hit us.

Our eyes wandered the premises, but there was nobody in sight.

We were in front of an abandoned parking lot with large garbage containers set to the side of the building.

This must be the back entrance.

I stared at the door we came out of. There was chains on it, but the lock on it was unlocked. Someone opened the doorway from this side...

"What the hell," I mutter.

Joshua and Minghao followed my gaze before we looked at each other.

Minghao scoffed. "So, what now? This is where the trail ends."

My eyes met with Joshua who was trying to find an answer. Our eyes wandered around us if we could find any more clues.

"If someone wanted us dead, they wouldn't send only three mutants," I tell the two.

My thoughts went back to the corpses that had markings on their wrists and beated faces.

I hummed in thought. Certainly, there must be more to this.

"Unless," Joshua says, moving his free hand to his chin to think.

Minghao and I looked at our colleague who seemed to know something we didn't. Joshua's eyes looked at us, and I saw a glint of realization.

"This was just a distraction to bring us out of the building..." his words were slow yet heavy.

My eyes met with Minghao before looking back at Joshua. We watched him look around with high alert.

"Let's split up," he suddenly says. "I have a feeling we should check the security and research departments. I can't help but think something happened during our meeting, and this only slowed us down."

His words crawled over me like a spider. I didn't like that theory of his, but I also knew it was a high possibility.

Joshua and Minghao are key people close with Dokyeom, and I've been getting watched.

"Yeah," I agree with Joshua. "Something doesn't feel right. As much as I don't want to agree with you, I know how dangerous things are getting."

The two stared at me.

"So, you're in this with us now?" Minghao asks me.

His voice wasn't held with mischief like it usually is. It seemed he genuinely wanted to know, and if anything, eager.

Joshua's eyes met with mine. As much as I hate his guts, I knew I have to.

This was the only way anything could be done.

"Yeah," I said. "Let's do this."

Joshua's lip curled up. "Glad to see eye to eye."

~

I wandered the corridor in hopes I could see if Jihoon or anyone else was alright.

But everything seemed normal.

Nobody was screaming or showed any fear or paranoia. If anything, they still couldn't get over the evolved that appeared the other day.

So, that means they don't know anything about the mutants I encountered with Joshua and Minghao...

I made my way to Jihoon's office that he stayed in.

Upon coming close to his door, I saw someone standing outside it. The person wore a lab coat and had long black hair. They turned around once they heard my footsteps draw closer to them.

I was bit taken back from their appearance.

Was this a man or a woman?

"Are you here to see Jihoon as well?" Their voice was deeper than expected.

Was this a man?

"Yeah," I tell him. "Do you know Jihoon?"

He smiled with a slight nod. His eyes looked tired, but he had a calm aura.

"He's my collegue. We're going to discuss some... work," he paused before finishing his sentence.

He seemed to have his guard up.

I nodded my head slowly.

Why did it get awkward? Was he scared I might do something?

Jihoon's door slowly opened, and the young man peeked his head. He had his glasses on his head as usual.

"Oh, Jeonghan," he says meeting eyes with the man before looking at me with suprise. "Jaewon? What are you going here?"

Jeonghan looked at Jihoon before glancing over at me. Jihoon watched his colleague stare at the both of us.

"She's trustworthy," he whispered to him.

I watched at the pretty man stare at me with a nod of approval.

"Yoon Jeonghan," he suddenly says. "My name is Yoon Jeonhan, but Jeonghan is fine."

Jeonghan? I remember Jihoon telling me about him yesterday.

This was the man he works closely with...

"Noe Jaewon," I introduce myself. "But just call me Jaewon."

Jeonghan's expression soon changed with a look of surprise.

"So, you're the girl that saved Jihoon's life," he said with a smile forming. He nodded his head with approval once again. "Makes sense why he would stay friends with you. No one feels safe even with these walls and this protection of guards."

His gaze wandered the premises as if someone was watching us. He was paranoid like everyone else.

"Us researchers don't have many people to trust," Jeonghan quickly says before looking back at me.

"Makes sense," I slowly say.

I wanted to tell the two about the three mutants Joshua, Minghao, and I encountered, but I don't need them spreading the word to others or being more frightened than they are now.

My eyes went to Jihoon. He stared me with concern.

"What is it?" He suddenly says.

"Nothing..." I lied. "Just stay safe you two."

His brows narrowed from my words.

"Did something happen?" He suddenly asks.

This time, it was my turn to check the premises with my wandering eyes.

"Let's just say, you both shouldn't wander alone," I warn them. "Don't come to my room either, Jihoon. If you can, please get a roommate. You too, Jeonghan."

My voice came off more worried than intended.

I avoided eye contact with him and his colleague. There was a moment of silence before Jihoon sigh with fear.

"Alright," he says.

He didn't ask any further questions.

I nodded my head slowly. "Thank you. I'll see you around then. Stay safe though. I do mean it."

The two nodded their head, and that was my cue to leave.

~

"Come in, Jaewon?"

I sat in my room that seemed untouched from the last time I was here.

I held my radio in my hand.

"Go ahead," I respond to Dokyeom, who seeked my attention.

"Joshua told me what happened," he suddenly says. "I'm going to send an investigation team in that building."

"Don't," I tell him.

I had a feeling it was best if he didn't.

"Why? What happened?" He asks me. "Joshua said you were checking the corpses since there was something strange about them?"

I bit my lip in fear of what I should say. Should I tell him my thoughts?

Things have been escalating...

"Do you know if there's anyone in the safe haven that seems a bit odd? As in a criminal record of sort?" I ask him.

"Not that I know of. Seungcheol is careful of who comes in and out of this place. Why?" He asks me.

My eyes wandered my room. The sound of rain continued to hit my window as it did this morning.

But it was now getting dark. It was dusk.

"I was just curious," I decide to say.

There was a moment or silence. Maybe Dokyeom was thinking of something.

Maybe telling him about the rat wouldn't be a good idea...

Joshua and Minghao know about the strange things happening, but Joshua did say Dokyeom doesn't know.

Was this for the best?

"Did you want to have a meeting with Seungcheol?" Dokyeom decides to ask me.

"No," I say. "I already spent too much time here... I need to go see Dowon as soon as I can."

I know if I talk to Seungcheol, I'd spend more time dealing with this issue than needed. I want to believe that maybe Joshua or Minghao could talk to him instead.

I already stick out like a sore thumb. I don't need to drag anymore people into this. I'm being watched...

I don't need Seungcheol be on their list.

But... Seungcheol is the head of the place if not Dokyeom...

What if he knows something useful?

"Okay..." Dokyeom says.

"Also," I add. "I was told Soonyoung might have to leave for a rescue mission. Is this true?"

I need more information if Soonyoung is heading to Dowon or not before I decide to meet Seungcheol.

"Soonyoung?" Dokyeom repeats the man's name.

His tone changed. It seemed the man's name bothered him.

"He was supposed to be sent out an hour ago... but, he didn't show up to his post." Dokyeom states.

Wait... what?

I felt a chill run down my back.

"What?" I say confused. "What do you mean he didn't show up to his post?"

There was a pause.

"Jaewon," Dokyeom says my name, emphasising the important information he might be telling me. "Seungcheol sent his men to find Soonyoung, but we can't find him."

Anxiety overcame me.

I didn't know what to think...

My lights began to flicker. The sound of thunder shook my room. My lights went out.

I looked outside my window to see what's happening.

Darkness.

The whole safe haven has gone dark.

It was a blackout.

"Jaewon," Dokyeom calls for my attention, "I'll contact you later. I have to deal with something."

His voice became urgent. The black out must have reached his office, too.

"Wait," I say, hoping to ask him more questions.

Silence.

Dokyeom didn't respond back.

"Shit," I mutter before putting my radio away.

I needed answers.

What was the mission Soonyoung was going to have? And where the hell did that man go?

I got off my bed, and quickly put on my gear. I didn't like how things were looking here. I didn't like it at all.

Just when you think things couldn't get any worse, it just does...

And sometimes it just doesn't stop.

• • •

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[hanmi-xo]

CHAPTER 7: "Information & Trust?"

| We Who Remain | Chapter List |

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---------

The sound of rain echoed the corridors. Training had to come to a halt due to weather circumstances. It was cold, and the heavy clouds had no intentions on leaving.

"So, there's no training?" I repeat his words.

Hansol nodded his head.

He came to my doorway to inform me of the sudden forecast that one of the scout teams relayed.

"One of the teams came back last night and informed us of gray clouds forming." He says. "Usually, their information is correct. I'm sorry we couldn't inform you sooner. I received the message from Soonyoung an hour ago, and he's been spreading the word to other Messengers."

I hummed in response before looking over at my window that the rain kept impacting. It was heavy. It seemed it would be storming all day.

"So, training continues tomorrow? What am I supposed to do?" I turn back around to ask him.

Hansol shrugged his shoulders with an unsure expression. "Usually when this happens, Soonyoung gives us a day off and encourages us to do card games with our colleagues. He says it helps build synergy in a team if want to build trust through friendship."

"Card games?" I repeat after him.

Hansol nodded his head. "Yeah, it's something he thought of a few months back. But I don't think he'll be hosting one today. He said he had a meeting with Seungcheol later this afternoon, and he said he has a feeling he will have to go on an urgent mission tonight."

"Tonight? But it's probably going to rain until tomorrow afternoon from the way the weather is looking," I tell him.

He would skip training today but is willing to go on a mission tonignt? How urgent did it have to be?

"He didn't give me the details, but I want to believe it's a rescue mission," his voice became weary.

I narrowed my brows upon hearing his words.

Rescue mission? Who were they rescuing? And where would they be heading?

Will it be the same direction as they previously planned to go northward?

Or will they go the direction of Dowon?

"What happened? If I may ask." My focus was on him.

Hansol looked around with hesitation. His eyes soon met mine, but his eyes showed fear. He knew something was up, but he wasn't sure if he should tell me.

He leaned in towards me and brought his hand up to whisper.

"I can't say exactly, but things outside the wall have been getting a bit out of hand." His voice was soft yet deep. "Even though one of the mutants snuck in the other day, apparently they've been more active outside the walls. Nobody really knows why, but whenever a team comes back from a mission, the Messenger of the team usually informs other Messengers of the dangers that lurk around."

He was explaining to me carefully before pulling away from my ear.

My eyes remained on him as I processed everything he was telling me.

"My job is hard," he admits, "But someone has to carry the information and inform the leaders of the teams. Not everyone can handle traumatic information- nobody likes bad news, but that information can save lives if we prepare for the worst for the future."

"But that makes you a target if someone wants information," I tell him.

He knows what's going on inside and outside this safe haven, but chooses whether or not to speak on the matters?

For Hansol to take up a heavy job that can be mentally draining makes me wonder how well he works under pressure.

I hardly know this guy, but he seems very attentive even if he won't say too much.

"Yeah, I know," he admits. "But we all die at some point, don't we? And besides, they won't get any information even if they try to kill me."

I wanted to admire him for his bravery, but I was more intrigued by his words.

He had no fear of death.

"So, you're not scared of dying?" I say my thoughts aloud.

He smirked and shook his head.

"I lost my family in the beginning of the plague, and if anything, I'd be more surprised if I make it out of this if I can be honest with you." His words were heavy, but his tone was light. "I never thought I'd make it this far, but here I am- just going with the motion of everything."

I wasn't sure what to tell him, or rather, I wasn't sure to even say to someone like him.

Was I supposed to say something encouraging or leave him be? I hardly know him, but it's clear he doesn't really care too much about his own well being.

"Well, I have to go," he tells me after looking at his watch. "I'll see you around, Jaewon."

Before I could say anything, he turned around and made his way down the hallway.

Even though he talked about a very heavy topic, he was walking around as if he were okay.

I wasn't sure what to think of him.

Should I pity him or agree with him that there isn't much life during this lifetime?

Would I end up like him if Dowon ends up like the rest of the fallen world?

I'm not sure.

But if I did, I wouldn't be surprised.

~

"Noodles or rice?" Minghao asks me, showing the two options of food he has.

He sat across from me while Joshua leaned against the counter towards the end of the table.

We were in an old meeting room, and we were having a late breakfast. I met with them at the cafeteria after my enounter with Hansol.

I needed more information about this alliance they want to form with me, and I have questions I hope they have answers to.

Though I was alone with these men since we were away from everyone else, the meeting room isn't that bad. Every building had one for social gatherings, but this one was abandoned since it was further away from the dorms.

Although it hasn't been used by the public, the space wasn't that terrible.

It didn't reek of mold nor dust. I want to believe Joshua and Minghao may use this room quite often for their meetings.

We were on the second floor, and the windows were slightly cracked open for air, but not wide enough for anything dangerous to come in.

The sound of rain can easily be heard, and the raindrops left trails all around the window frame.

"Noodles," I answer Minghao.

He snickered at my answer. "Welp, I guess rice is for you, Joshua."

He turned to his colleague and raised the wrapped meal to him with one hand, and in response, Joshua took it without much of a reaction.

Minghao scoffed. "Oh come on, at least be annoyed you didn't get noodles. I know they're your favorite."

Joshua ignored him and placed the meal on the counter next to his hip.

"So is she going to work with us or not?" he abruptly asks him.

I narrowed my brows from Joshua's words. It wasn't surprising to hear him get straight to the point, but then again, I would think he would be a bit nicer to his colleague.

But it was clear. He had no interest in Minghao's antics.

I kept in mind Joshua's directness. He didn't use his fake persona like he did with the others. He didn't smile nor show any interest in lightening the mood.

Minghao rolled his eyes at Joshua before looking back at me.

"Ask her yourself. She's right here," he said, slightly annoyed.

He began to unwrap his meal that seemed to be a kimbap and took a bite out of it since it wasn't cut up.

Joshua's eyes met with mine. Those doe eyes were sharp.

"So, what's your answer?" He says with a hint of impatience. He crossed his arms at me. "Yes or no?"

I scoffed at his directness.

My eyes went to the meal in my hands before I began to tap my thumbs on it. I needed time to think.

"As much as I want to say yes," I begin. "I need you guys to answer a few questions before I make my decision."

I felt the atmosphere grow stiff. I felt both their eyes on me. They didn't speak, and I could tell their attention was focused on me.

"First thing is, if I were to help with whatever plans you two may have," I start. "I asked Minghao this last night, but, will you both be completely honest with me?"

Joshua and Minghao remained quiet. I looked at Minghao who sat across from me, but his eyes went to Joshua. I followed his gaze and saw the brunette in deep thought.

His brows were narrowed before looking over at me.

"I can't guarantee your request," he tells me.

"Why's that?" I dare question him.

He took a deep breath before sighing. His hands made their way into his pockets, changing his composure.

"I don't believe you'll fully follow through with my plans," he tells me. "But, I know you're capable of doing them if you choose to follow through."

His words were careful but held truth.

"Things are not getting easier inside these walls," he explains.

"Yeah, but things aren't getting easier outside the walls," I proclaim.

Joshua's eyes fought with mine after hearing my words. He seemed taken back and a bit annoyed.

"So, you know the mutants are growing ever more rampant?" He tells me. "Did Hansol tell you?"

I glared at him. He had a hint of displeasure after saying Hansol's name. It was as if I wasn't supposed to know anything that was occurring outside this safe haven.

"So, what? Am I not supposed to know this?" I dare say.

I was getting annoyed by his secretive attitude.

It was his turn to scoff.

"Gain information however you want, but know that if you want to get out of here and get the help you need will only happen with Minghao and I," he tells me.

There was tension in the air, but I didn't give a damn.

I wanted answers.

"So, I'm just supposed to blindly help you and hope for the best?" My tone came out aggrivated. "Why is it only you that get's to make decisions in any of this? You haven't told me anything that shed light in this whole ordeal."

I can feel Minghao's eyes bounce back and forth between Joshua and I, but he remained quiet and finished his food.

"I hardly know you," I tell Joshua. "And all you've been doing is speaking in code. I hate to break it to you, but I'm no genius, but I'm not an idiot either. So tell me what you know, then I'd gladly help you."

I took a breath to calm myself down. My attention was on this man who seemed as riled up as me.

He made a face almost as if he wanted to say something but immediately changed his mind.

"You don't want to know what I know. Trust me," he says with a firm voice.

It was like he was trying to warn me about something. But I don't know what.

"What's so bad that you won't tell me?" I question him. "The world is in hell already. What else could make it worst?"

Joshua closed his eyes with annoyance.

"Because, there's a rat and I don't know who it is," he snaps at me.

My eyes widened at his words. He wasn't mad at me. He was mad at not knowing who to trust.

He has been on edge from the very beginning and tried his best to not lose his cool. Yet, here he was, struggling to find answers just like me.

He sighed heavy.

"Listen," he tells me. His voice changed with slight worry. "You don't have to trust me, but know that Minghao and I have witness hell more times than anyone else in this place has."

His words were sharp, and his voice grew with emotion.

"We need you to help us because there's not many people to trust. There, are you happy?" He finally says with a huff.

I stared at him for a moment before looking over at Minghao who was still spectating Joshua and I. He nodded his head with his eyes staring off into the table.

He was here mentally, but he had no words to say.

"Alright," I say.

I wanted to believe Joshua's words, but I had one more thing to ask them.

"Before I agree to this alliance," I carefully say.

Minghao and Joshua's eyes turned to me.

"Did one of you guys try to enter my room last night?" I finally ask.

I watched as the two narrowed their brows before looking at each other. It was as if this was news to them.

I sat there confused seeing their reactions, and a hint of fear overcame me.

"Why would we go to your room?" Joshua said with bewilderness. He seemed utterly confused as I was.

"I agree with Joshua." Minghao says. "Why the hell would I go straight to your room? I was tired after that talk with you."

I looked away from the two and thought back about the strange things that's been happening since I came here.

"I don't get it," I say. "I don't get it at all."

Joshua and Minghao were perplexed from my words.

"What do you mean?" Joshua says. His tone careful once again yet curious.

I let my eyes wander as I thought about the dangers that hid in this safe haven. How Jihoon and other researchers were scared for their lives.

How a researcher's work has gone missing after her passing.

And why would anyone even attempt to enter my room in the middle of the night.

"The rat," I begin.

The two men listened to me as I slowly spoke to process everything.

I closed my eyes to get a clear picture. "I've been putting a few pieces together, but I don't have a clear idea on who it could be. It has to be someone that has been attentive to the researchers, and have some sort of connections to be able to walk around freely here without anyone suspicious of their doing."

I tried to explain my thinking to them.

"For an evolved to show up out of nowhere and attack a researcher is one thing, but for it to show up and ignore everyone else and target one specific person is totally different. It's like it had a mind of its own and it knew what its doing. And just recently after that, I had a feeling someone has been watching me. They even tried coming to my room last night after my walk with you, Minghao."

Minghao's composure stiffened, and his eyes widened. He sighed in disbelief.

"If they came to you after our walk, then that means they have also been watching me." He says.

Paranoia ran through his voice, but there was a shade of anger.

He scoffed. "To be on someone's watch list is something they'll regret."

Joshua got off the counter, and his attention went elsewhere.

Minghao and I looked at him. His gaze was at the doorway, and before either of us could say anything, Joshua lifted a finger for us to stay quiet.

Minghao nodded his head at him before slowly getting up with his hand on his gun holster. I watched as Joshua did the same before I too followed their actions, but instead of a gun, I had my knife on me.

Joshua slowly closed the window without making a noise, and Minghao and I kept our guard up.

Joshua heard something Minghao and I didn't hear, but what exactly was it?

Thud.

There. A faint noise outside the doorway.

But nobody's supposed to be at this part of the building since it's sectioned off.

I looked over at Minghao, and he pointed his gun up at the door.

I felt a rush of nervousness hit me.

Thud.

Something was making noise.

But what exactly?

Then there it was-

A snarl...

• • •

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[hanmi-xo]

Epilogue: Between Us

| Between Us | Chapter List |

Previous | END

------------------

A month has passed since the events of Joshua's appearance and ordeal. With his actions, and Junhui's reaction which led to saving Minghao and Lihua, a court case was done.

Because of the social media and camera evidence along with Lihua and Minghao's witness statements as victims, Junhui was found innocent.

Though so much has occurred, Lihua finds herself disappearing to get away from everything.

But where would she go?

If she went home, the Press would find her there.

And if they found her at the cemetery where her mother lies, it would be disrespectful to her mother if she lead the Press there if they find her.

So she finds herself wandering off into the museum where not many people would think of going.

She heads there in hopes of seeing a certain art piece.

But to Lihua's surprise, it was gone.

Nothing more than an empty spot on the wall where the painting once hung.

"Someone bought it."

She heard a familiar voice say behind her.

She turns to look at the man who decides to stand beside her. He was at the court case and was also the victim within the events that occurred.

Minghao glanced at the empty wall before gazing at her.

"Who would buy it?" She asks with confusion. "I hardly see anyone look at it..."

Her voice was low with disappointment.

Minghao had a glint of mischief in his eyes. He knew something she didn't.

"It took awhile, but I've done some research on the painting," he tells her.

Her eyes widened upon hearing his words. Minghao smirked after seeing her reaction.

"Li Hua," he says. "That's the name of the painting."

"Li Hua?" She repeats after him. She wasn't sure if she heard him right.

He nodded his head with amusement.

"Xi Jian," he says. "She had a daughter who she named the painting after. But, from what it seems, I don't think her daughter recognizes the painting she helped her make. Xi Jian sold it soon after her husband left her, hoping that she may gain money to take care of her daughter.

Lihua stood there motionless. Everything made sense to her. And what made it worst was how she knew he was telling the truth because,

Xi Jian.

That's her mother's name.

"H-how-" she stutters.

"Let's say Joshua wasn't the only one invested in your life..." Minghao answers her.

Lihua wasn't sure what to say to him. She was still processing everything he was saying, and before she knew it embarassment came over her.

She wanted to question him more, but she couldn't find the words- or rather the voice to say anything.

She found herself growing shy from how upfront Minghao was towards her.

"I- well, that is- Who bought it?" She tried to speak.

Minghao smiled brightly. His cold demeanor became upbeat and more charming than usual.

"Me," he says.

He took a folded paper from his pocket to show the document and receipt he signed to show her proof.

She carefully took it from his hands and stared at it in utter shock. She skimmed over the paper through each line proofing that what he says is true.

"But, I want you to keep it," he quickly says.

She looked up at him with even more confusion.

"What.. but, why? I- I don't understand?" She struggled with her words.

"On one condition," he tells her.

She held the paper tightly and placed it against her chest. She was curious yet concerned about what he could possibly say.

Minghao looked away from her for a moment before deciding what to say.

"When the time comes, and everything cools down," he begins. "Can I come with you to greet your mother? I want her to know that I'll take care of you, be it as a friend or even a lover."

Lihua's face grew red from his words.

"But," he adds, "I'll still give you the painting even if you say no to this request."

Her eyes remained on him. He was beginning to get flustered and couldn't look her in the eyes anymore.

"You can keep the painting and hang it wherever you like in your room..." his voice grows soft almost a whisper.

He was beginning to feel nervous knowing everything he was saying was coming from his heart.

"All I ask for is that you don't hide in your room anymore..." he says. "There's alot of people that care about you and want to see you..."

His eyes wavered, looking towards the ground. He didn't have the courage to look at her.

He felt a warm feeling on his cheek. He froze in his spot before looking at Lihua with surprise and embarrassment.

Her lips left his cheek leaving her warmth upon his face.

He stared as it was his turn for his face to turn red.

She remained close in proximity towards him. This time, neither of them backed away.

"Yes," she tells him. "You can meet my mom."

Her eyes glistened with sincereness and affection. He was getting lost in her orbs.

"Thank you for everything," she tells him. "I'll try to leave my room more often."

She smiled towards him and in return he smiled back.

"Okay," he whispered to her.

His hand went up to her cheek. He made little motions with his thumb causing her to grow flustered.

"Then it's a deal," he says happily.

The two stay like that for a while before pulling into a hug. Both of them warm with feelings that were overcoming them.

He hugged her tightly as she fallen deeper in his arms.

This was their beginning and an end to what was only between them.

Or as they say,

Between Us.

--- SM Post: Many has posted...

• • •

Previous | END

Thank you for reading~ ♡

[hanmi-xo]

Chapter 8: Mine

| Between Us | Chapter List | Previous | Next ------------------

| L I H U A |

I moved my thumbs up and down next to each other, twiddling them as I tried to calm my nervous.

Minghao disappeared off to the bathroom a few minutes ago.

But, my heart kept racing as if he were still here.

Traces of his existence next to me still lingered in the air, and I could still feel his warmth on me.

I closed my eyes.

I took a deep breath and released it through my lips.

"Calm down, Lihua," I whisper to myself.

I turned around and grabbed the bowls Minghao left on the counter after he helped me...

The image of him looking down towards me with his expression I couldn't read left a mark in my mind. He was still as handsome as he was in high school...

I closed my eyes once more and held the bowl up to my face. Its cold surface pressed against my burning temple that refused to relax.

It left a tingling sensation upon my skin, and I kept whispering to myself to calm down.

"Lihua?"

My eyes shot up once I heard my name.

The voice was muffled but clear as day.

I put the bowl down, and I looked up.

I felt a rush of fear creep over me once I met his eyes. They looked dark and unnatural with the way he was stared.

It was as if I was coming face to face with a killer.

But, worst-

"Joshua," I say with a shaky voice.

---

| M I N G H A O |

My hand rested upon my chest to calm my beating heart. It pounded loudly, leaving my hand to feel its vibration.

I couldn't believe how fast things took a turn.

Here I was hiding in the bathroom like a school girl flustered talking to her crush, except...

I'M A MAN.

I let out a loud groan of frustration with myself.

"What the hell are you doing, Minghao?" I scold myself.

I got off the bathroom door and quickly turned on the sink to wet my face with cold water.

I let it cool my face off to calm my mind that was running miles around Lihua.

She's pretty close up-

I pulled away from the sink and turned off the water. I stared at myself in the mirror in hopes I wasn't losing it.

I groaned in frustration once more.

The image of her soft yet surprised expression wouldn't leave my mind even when I tried to force it out.

I put my hands against my face to wipe off the water.

"She's a normal girl," I whisper to myself. "Get a fucking grip and just talk to her."

I suddenly heard a loud noise and I shook from how loud it was, startling me.

It sounded like the sound of shattered glass.

"Lihua?" I say aloud in confusion.

I heard her dog bark hysterically with the sound of his paws running.

Did she drop something? Did she hurt herself?

I then heard a scream.

"Lihua!" I yelled before running out of the bathroom.

---

| L I H U A |

I stared at the man who broke through the back screen door. He wore a baseball cap but had a chic attire.

"Lihua?" He says with a voice that sounded too emotional. "All you had to do was let me in. I just want to see you. Why were you ignoring me?"

The sound of broken glass can be heard as he walked towards me.

I backed away from him and maneuvered to the other side of the counter island.

Senko was barking at him trying to scare him off, but it wasn't working.

"Lihua," he calls out to me once more, "I love you. Did you like my flowers? I even got you a love letter."

His voice left an eerieness in the air as if it was trying to suffocate me.

"W-why are you here," I stutter.

I knew he would be back in town, but why would he come here of all places? I didn't think he would do something so reckless as this.

"To see you," he tells me.

He opened his arms open to me as if he wanted me to hug him.

I felt my stomach knot in disgust. I wanted to vomit and run, but I knew I couldn't out run him even if I tried.

He was in the track team in high school.

But I had to take my chances.

I quickly bolted towards the hallway that lead to the front door. I could hear him trail after me and before I could reach it, I felt his cold grip pull me back.

I screamed.

I then heard Joshua gasp, and I saw Senko bite his leg. He moved his head vigorously as if he was trying to deepen his bite.

"Senko!" I yelled at my poor pup who was trying to help me.

Joshua groaned in pain before kicking him to the wall making Senko groan in pain.

"Senko!" I yelled again. "Joshua stop!"

Senko let go of Joshua's leg, and immediately Joshua kicked him into the laundry room and slammed it shut. The sound of Senko barking and slamming against the door can be heard throughout the house.

"Whats wrong with you!?" I scream.

How could he do that to my dog!?

"Lihua, why are you running from me?" He held me so close to him I could hear his hot breath burn my ear. He was ignoring my words.

"Get off of me," I say with a weak voice.

His arms were wrapped around me, making it difficult to wiggle out. He held me tightly, and I felt stuck in his grasp.

I felt him sniff me, and I flinched from the way he inhaled my neck.

I wanted to cry.

"I smell a man's scent on you," he says with a hint of annoyance.

I tried to pull away from him. I hated the way he was acting towards me. What happened to him?

Why was he acting like this!?

I suddenly heard footsteps running towards us.

"Get off her!" I heard Minghao yell.

I stared at him in surprise. I forgot he was here because of the heat of the moment.

I pulled away from Joshua the second I felt him loosen his grip on me, and immediately, Minghao tackled him.

Joshua yelped to the floor upon impact.

I shuffled to my feet as I back away to the front door. Minghao and Joshua were wrestling on the floor.

"Go!" Minghao yelled, trying to put Joshua in a hold.

Joshua struggled in Minghao's arms and kept elbowing him. Minghao grunted in pain but his eyes remained on me.

"Go, Lihua!" He says once more.

I shook in my spot. Could I really trust Minghao to deal with him? What if he gets hurt!?

"Don't leave me, Lihua!" Joshua yelled at me with desperation.

The way he spoke my name made me want to believe I was in a nightmare. I don't want him near me.

I have to run, but I couldn't move my legs.

Minghao struggled holding down Joshua, and it was as if he knew I couldn't leave.

I watched as Minghao grabbed one of the vases off the table stand that stood as decoration before smashing it onto Joshua's head.

I flinched from the loud impact, and Joshua groaned in pain.

Minghao let go of him, and shuffled to his feet before running to me and grabbing my hand.

He lead the way as we bolted out of my house.

Where were we supposed to go?

"LIHUA!" I heard Joshua yell.

I turned around and saw him get back on his feet while Minghao kept tugging me to follow his running pace.

Before I knew it.

We were crossing the street, and Joshua was so close to us.

Minghao put me behind him the moment we made it to the other side of the sidewalk.

And before anything could happen.

A car came, and it hit Joshua. The driver hit his breaks, and I watched Joshua's body fly before rolling onto the ground.

I held onto Minghao's arm with the horror I was witnessing.

Joshua wasn't moving.

Was he dead?

---

| M I N G H A O |

Lihua held my hand as the paramedics and police came to the scene. She never let go of it since we ran out of the house.

I didn't mind her though. I didn't plan on letting go of her.

We watched as Junhui spoke to the police with Fallon next to him.

As much as I felt bad for him, I was grateful to know he was the one that hit Joshua. He was scared when he existed his car since he was only trying to help.

He said that he was supposed to meet with Fallon to teach her how to cook one of the meals he learned in class, but he saw us getting chased and he didn't know what to do.

So he ended up hitting Joshua with his car so he can stop him.

The paramedics told us that Joshua is still breathing but is dealing with a concussion and possibly a broken leg.

Whatever the case was, he wouldn't be bothering Lihua anymore in his state.

On the other hand, Dokyeom and Lihua's roommates were talking to police investigators about the events that unfolded.

I wasn't sure what they were saying but I saw Dokyeom look my way. And for a moment he gazed at Lihua and I before giving a slight nod of approval.

I nodded back at him.

---

| L I H U A |

I watched as Joshua's name came up on the news. It's been a few days since his surprise visit, and things were cooling down.

I hugged Senko while he sat on my lap.

He had an armbrace since he got a fracture from Joshua. The vet said he'll be good in a month or so, but even so, I didn't like seeing my pup hurt because of me.

The news continued explaining the different charges Joshua had. after the investigators saw his social media posts along with the video evidence we have from our house cameras.

And as a result, he has been put to prison along with the need for therapy.

His modeling and fashion company is currently being questioned because of the state he is in.

Possibly a result of his stress from work and the people around him. Along with the fact his mother recently passed away creating a great decline to his mental health...

I wasn't sure what to feel.

All I knew was that Joshua was finally out of my life.

---

SM Post: Many people have posted...

• • •

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[hanmi-xo]

Chapter 7: "I Have to See Her"

| Between Us | Chapter List | Previous | Next

------------------

| M I N G H A O |

It's been a week since I've heard from Dokyeom. Ever since the whole Lihua situation, he's been growing distant with me.

I was never one to reach out, and I knew if I did reach out to him, it certainly wouldn't be natural.

So the past few days for me have been work and painting. I did this on repeat. It's not because I entirely wanted to-

But it's because of Lihua.

I couldn't get her out of my head, and I needed something to distract me from her.

But I couldn't help and wonder what's she's been up to these past few days. If she's been eating well. If she still wonders about the painting.

If she still thinks of coming back to the museum. And if she would gaze at the painting as I did.

See the beauty of it and ask me about it.

But, would she even talk to me?

She was the first girl to consume my every thought, and I felt sick to my stomach, knowing I couldn't do anything about it.

"Get a grip," I mutter to myself. "You're at work."

It was past noon, and this whole shift felt like I was in autopilot mode. I just went with the motions of everything. Being a tour guide, talking to coworkers, etc.

But now that I was away from everyone, and I could catch my breath, here I was, standing in front of the very painting that seemed to draw me closer whenever it possibly can.

The white flower painting that brought Lihua's attention.

It remained hanging on the wall like an untouched relic. Its beauty was eternal, but its mystery was asking to be solved.

Maybe I could do more research on this. Possibly reach out to the client that sold me this?

My train of thought was interrupted.

I felt my phone vibrate.

I took out my phone from my pocket to see Seungcheol seeking my attention. I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but I responded to him since it seemed urgent.

Joshua?

As in, Lihua's ex?

I narrowed my brows at his name.

Why in the world would he be in town?

My thoughts went back to Lihua, and I found myself curious yet annoyed from this conversation.

I rolled my eyes at Seungcheol's messages.

I knew who Joshua was, but I was more interested in why that asshat was even back in town.

I played dumb. I didn't need him knowing what I knew.

I need him to give me more information.

Even if it pisses me off.

I decided not to respond to him after reading his last message.

It was stupid and annoying to look at.

I exited the messages I had with him and found myself looking for Joshua's social media account on social media.

I remember him being friends with Dokyeom and the others, but I never got to know the guy. I had different classes from him, and during lunch I never paid attention to him. He was more interested in talking about money and what not with his other friends.

Jeonghan and Seungkwan. The two guys that were always full of themselves. To think Dokyeom's ex bestfriend and Seungcheol's ex bestfriend became a trio with Youtuber wannabe Seungkwan.

Thank God I hardly knew them.

It didn't take long for me to find Joshua's social media account. I recalled Lihua talking about his modeling career and he was one of the top people to pop up as an emerging popular model.

The guy had so many photos of himself it was giving me an eyesore.

He had thousands of followers, but even so, what exactly was he posting to these thousands of people that has stirred up this commotion?

What has he done to make Dokyeom mad, and hurt Lihua?

I narrowed my brows.

What the hell am I looking at...

Why is he acting like Lihua and him are still in love? From what I know, she wants nothing to do with him.

I felt annoyed the more I looked at his posts. Each one was like a love message towards Lihua as if he's trying to win her over.

How long has this guy been doing this?

And Lihua has been dealing with this?

I scoffed.

This guy was more obsessive than in love. And for him to even send her flowers? Tag her in his posts? Exposing her private account and everything?

Model or not- this guy needs mental help. I don't blame Dokyeom punching him. Maybe if he does it again, he'll knock some sense into him. Or even better, he'll forget about Lihua if he gets a concussion.

What am I saying-

We need the police in this.

I had to contact Lihua. If Joshua's back in town, then he's bound to bother her again.

There's no way I'm letting a guy like that near her.

I have to see her.

---

| L I H U A |

My brother continued to message me while I ate my lunch alone at the counter island.

He was more protective than usual, and I wasn't surprised by his words.

I was ready to put my phone away. I didn't want to think about Joshua anymore.

It's been a week since he sent me that package and when I told Dokyeom about it, he immediately came over and got his agent to help him install cameras.

His agent, Mingyu, was not happy about it, but he did what he was told since he wanted to appease my brother.

Dokyeom was slowly growing in popularity with his songs that he was producing with his colleague and producer Jihoon. To lose someone like my brother in the industry, and much more in a music company, would be like losing a bag diamonds by being careless.

I don't recall ever calling him by his real name now that I think about it.

My brother wanted everyone to call him Dokyeom in high school since he wanted to use it as his stage name, and ever since then, it just clicked.

Lee Seokmin was nothing more than his childhood hidden behind his now signature name Dokyeom.

Joshua was the only one who would call him Seokmin though. It was his way of trying to show a clear closeness he had in friendship with him.

Afterall, he was friends with my brother since middle school.

But then again, Minghao also knew my brother during that time. I never got to meet him until high school since I was a grade lower so I never hung out with my brother and his friends.

Minghao...

I haven't spoken to him for awhile, and I did leave us on awkward terms.

With Joshua sending me random gifts and whatnot, I never really thought too much about Minghao.

He's probably at the museum doing work or something. In his own problemless world.

I sighed.

What was I thinking pouring out my thoughts and feelings towards him at the pier?

I placed my hands upon my face as I groaned with embarrassment. My voice vibrated through my palms as I tried to calm myself from my foolishness.

"Lihua, don't do that again," I scolded myself.

I felt my phone vibrate.

My train of thoughts ended by my phones notification.

Was it my brother again?

Or was it Joshua trying to send me follow requests?

He already tagged me in one of his posts and I've been getting random messages from strangers throughout the week all thanks to him.

I want to hide in a hole and never get out of it.

Why did my existence have to bother people so much?

Can I go back to the time nobody knew me except for the girls?

I looked down to my screen in fear of who could possible bother me at this hour. I know it can't be the girls since Ellis is at work and Fallon and Astrid are at school

I froze.

Minghao? Why in the world is he messaging me?

I wasn't sure what to say.

Did the others tell him about Joshua and his stupid antics?

I sighed.

Of course he would get his information that way.

Astrid and Seungcheol always spend time together. If there's drama, he's the first of the guys to know anything because of her.

But even so, it was strange messaging Minghao like this. I appreciate him caring about me, but it just felt odd knowing I'm getting comfort from him of all people at a time like this.

Isn't he at work?

He shouldn't have to worry about me because of Joshua.

I don't want to be a burden to him.

Him hating me is the last thing I need right now.

His type bubble appeared above his name, and he began to message about his concerns over me and my brother.

Minghao was being reasonable, yet reassuring. I felt the ends of my lips curl up at the end of his message.

Is Minghao like this with everyone?

Whatever the case was, I couldn't help but like his message.

I felt myself grow flustered. It was like a rush of nervousness yet excitement hit.

Like a leaf floating through the wind, the feeling took over me and I smiled like a child given a present.

Why did he seem to sincere?

Why does he care?

And why did he have to message me that?

It was like he was trying to enter my bubble without breaking the surface. He was being caring like how he was back at the pier.

I bit my lip.

I shouldn't be this happy reading his message.

He's Minghao. I shouldn't like him.

But, I wouldn't mind him coming over as a friend.

---

| M I N G H A O |

I wasn't sure what to do once I got to her house. I wasn't even sure if I should bring anything to cheer her up.

What if she ends up crying because of that asshole?

Or what if she's awkward me and I get the silent treatment?

What if there are other people there and it isn't just me? Will I have to sit there and wait for a moment to speak to her?

My hands were getting sweaty the more I thought about it.

But I wasn't going to be a coward and go back from my word.

Besides, I'm already in front of her door with flowers in my hand and ice cream.

My mom told me when I was younger that girls like these kinds of stuff. Something pretty and something sweet.

I took a deep breath.

I was ready to press the doorbell, but before I could reach the button, I heard footsteps shuffle towards the door along with the sound of smaller faster ones which I could only assume was a certain girl with a small dog.

The door slowly widened, opening the entrance to the home, but the first thing I was met with was a beautiful pair of brown eyes.

There she was.

The girl that consumed my brain like a cavity to my teeth.

Her hair was clipped up into a messy bun with her bangs framing her face. She wore a grey tank top with matching grey sweats. Behind her was her dog who seemed happy to see me.

He barked with excitement while Lihua remained gazing at me.

I've realized we both haven't greeted each other, and I found myself struggling to speech.

"Ehm," I tried to clear my throat.

I moved the flowers and ice cream towards her so she can see it in my hands.

She looked down at them before looking back at me. Her eyes grew wide.

Did she like them?

"I-I wasn't sure what to get you-" I stuttered like an idiot. "I thought that you might need ice cream or flowers or something..."

Why did I feel so nervous talking to her?

I watched her lips curl up before she moved her hands up to cover her laugh.

I clenched my jaw to stop myself from possibly smiling.

Why is she so cute?

I internally screamed in my mind.

Get a grip, Minghao. This is Lihua. A normal girl. Dokyeom's sister.

You can talk.

I opened my mouth, but no words came out.

SPEAK MINGHAO. JUST FUCKING TALK.

"Uhhh," I finally said.

I internally face palmed from my stupidity.

I closed my eyes ready for her to laugh. It's been more than a week since I last saw her and hear I am acting like a mime.

"Do you want to come in?" Her soft voice filled the air.

I watched as she grabbed the flowers and carton of ice cream from my hands.

I quickly wiped my sweaty hands to my sides.

"Yes," I finally spoke.

She smiled towards me before opening the door wider so I could come inside. She shut the door behind me, and even though I've been to her house before because of the party, it felt different knowing that the guys aren't with me.

Here I was, possibly alone with just Lihua and I.

I felt more nervous, but I tried to keep my composure. I looked at the staircase in wonder if her friends were home. I didn't see any other cars in the driveway, but then again, the house does have a garage.

"Minghao?" I heard Lihua call after me.

I didn't even realize she disappeared until I heard her voice in the distance. Was she in the kitchen?

"Yes?" I called out to her.

I took off my shoes and went after her voice. There she was, putting the flowers into a vase with water while the ice cream carton sat on the counter.

"The girls aren't home so you don't have to feel nervous," she tells me. "I know you don't like being around girls so you don't have to worry."

A rush of anxiety hit me.

So, I really am alone with her?

Why did that make me even more nervous!?

Her eyes met with mine, and I remained planted in my spot. She smiled brightly, and I felt my heart do flips.

"Thank you for the flowers and ice cream. It's been a while since anyone got me flowers," she says with a warm tone.

I felt the ends of my lip tug up but I stopped myself from smiling.

"Yeah, I wasn't sure what to bring you to cheer you up," I tell her.

She smiled at me again, and I felt myself grow more nervous the more she looked at me.

"You didn't have to get me anything," she says. "You being here is enough."

I felt myself unconsciously smile. Hearing her say that to me made me feel light as a feather.

When was the last time I appreciated a girl's compliment that wasn't my mothers?

I can't recall.

I made my way towards her. She finished fixing the flowers and tossed the trash that was left over before washing her hands. Her dog made his way past us and yawned. He disappeared past the corner, probably making his way to take his dog bed to take a nap.

It was quiet between Lihua and I for a moment.

Similar to when we went on a walk outside the museum the other week.

It was quiet, yet peaceful.

I stared at Lihua. She was wiping her hands before opening one of the top cabinets. She was trying to reach for bowls that were a little too deep in the cabinet. She was on her tiptoes, but her hands couldn't reach them due to her stature.

So I went behind her, and I helped her.

She turned around once I grabbed the bowls, and I found myself towering over her with our bodies close and face close in proximity.

We were close.

A little too close.

---

| A N O N Y M O U S |

My love...

She's still loves me right?

She has to. I gave everything away for her...

I did this for her. I left behind my career for her sake. I ignored Jeonghan and Seungkwan's words about you.

So why won't you respond to me?

I just wanna talk to you.

I just wanna see you.

"Lihua, are you home?" I whisper.

It looked just like the picture her friends posted when they were drunk out of their minds. The house was picture perfect. An image that came to life.

I smiled. They made my life a lot easier...

I wonder if she'll be happy to see me? Hopefully, she won't be too upset with what happened between us.

I love you Lihua.

I love you...

My eyes met with a certain vehicle, and all joy disappeared.

I never saw that car in the pictures...

So, who's car is that?

-----

SM Post:

Many people have posted...

• • •

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[hanmi-xo]

Chapter 6: "Trouble Comes Forth"

| Between Us | Chapter List |

Previous | Next

------------------

| L I H U A |

"Lihua, we'll stop asking about Minghao."

I can hear Fallon say after she knocked on my door. I can hear the girls outside whispering and I could tell they didn't want me to be annoyed but they missed my presence.

It's been a couple of days since the party, and that was the last time since I saw Minghao.

Or rather, that was the last time I chose to see him.

Because ever since then, his name has been a hot topic among the girls ever since they found out Minghao and I went out during their party.

I didn't intend to hide it from them, but when we were coming back to the party, Junhui just so happened to be there trying to help the drunkards from hurting themselves with their lack of motor skills.

As much as I appreciate him for taking care of the others and bringing great joy in Fallon's life, he can be a little too informative whenever she asks him a question. Then again, at least he's an honest man.

The next day, when she finally got sober, she asked a simple question of whether or not she was a handful drunkard, and he responded with,

"Oh, no. You weren't. Lihua and Minghao helped me. They came back in time when I arrived."

And hearing the phrase "came back," Fallon certainly had some questions on what he meant from that...

The girls kept asking me about Minghao and why we "snuck out" but all I told them was that I needed some air.

But of course they wouldn't buy that even if it was the truth.

Minghao doesn't just go off with a girl in the middle of the night. Minghao the woman hater of all people...

I sighed.

I laid in my bed in hopes I could get some piece of mind.

It was the afternoon, and I remained in my room as usual. But the thought of Minghao wouldn't leave my head.

The question of Minghao wasn't as bad as before, but with my brother? It was like he grew more protective.

Of course he never said anything bad, but when the others would randomly bring up Minghao, it was like he didn't want me to hear about him.

Word spreads like a disease, and as my older brother who is friends with everyone, word would leak out to him.

My brother is usually easy going but with the events that occured, he's been a bit different...

Maybe it was because of Joshua.

Afterall, Joshua was a close friend of his and eversince our break up, they never stayed friends after that.

He might not want to repeat history...

Joshua.

Just thinking of him still annoys me.

He made different social media accounts trying to contact me the past few days, and I've been ignoring them.

I still don't understand why he's trying so hard to talk to me.

The past is the past. He should move on.

Then again... shouldn't I do the same?

-----

| M I N G H A O |

Ever since the party, I never got to see Lihua. She didn't even say goodbye to me when we got to her house.

She helped me with the drunkards but disappeared right after.

Her friend Fallon was a pain in the ass with the way she kept screaming she was a mermaid, and her friend Junhui needed my help to bring her to her room.

I never met the guy before, but right off the bat when he spoke to me, I knew he was Chinese from his slight accent.

It was nice to know there was a fellow Chinese with me so I could speak my mother tongue, but even so, I couldn't help but think of Lihua during all of it.

She must speak Mandarin to him all the time.

So will she do the same with me?

I wanted to slap myself.

What is wrong with me?

I was on my break, and I needed to get her off my mind. Everything she said that night bothered me.

I hated it.

I hated know she liked me before. I hated knowing she dated that jackass ex of hers. And most of all, I hated the fact that it even bothered me.

What made it worst was knowing that Dokyeom was her brother.

And because of my actions, he's been cold towards me.

I found myself rereading the messages we had the other day.

I never thought he'd be so confrontation towards me..

Who could blame him though?

That's his sister who went off with me in the middle of the night while he was partying.

Any older brother would be concerned.

I couldn't help but sigh at all of this. How ridiculous this whole thing was and how i put myself into this mess because of this stupid girl.

I wanted to see her.

Even if she didn't want to see me. Even if Dokyeom would hate me.

I had so many things I wanted to ask her. So many things I wanted to talk about with her.

Her words from that night echoed in my head.

"I don't want you to hate me."

I scoffed. For her to say that. For her to even think that.

"If anything, I don't want you to hate me," I whispered to myself.

That's the last thing I want.

---------

| L I H U A |

"Hey, Lihua, you have a package," Ellis tells me before knocking on my door.

It was night time and Ellis was the first to come back home before the others.

"A package?" I repeat her words.

I got off my desk chair and my way over to her.

Senko hopped off my bed, and the sound of his tiny paws echoed my room. He stood behind me while I opened my door to see my friend with a package in her hands.

"I don't remember ordering anything online?" I sat aloud as I continued to stare at the package.

I looked up towards her and I watched her expression change into confusion. She looked at the package then back at me.

"What?" She raised a brow.

Something didn't feel right.

I took the package from her hands and opened my door wider for her to come in.

I got my scissors and placed the box on my bed before opening it. Ellis remained beside me. Though she was quiet, I could tell she also was interested in the box.

"Do you think Dokyeom bought you something?" She decides to ask me before I could unwrap what's inside.

"My brother's nice. But he's not that nice. And if he did, he's a few weeks too early," I tell her.

Upon unwrapping the material inside, my eyes widen upon seeing something I never planned on getting.

"Ooh is that from Minghao?" Ellis jokingly says.

I felt all color disappear upon my face. There was a rose along with love letters and petals.

And from the writing, I knew who it was.

"This has to be a sick joke," I spat. "This is disgusting."

I looked over at Ellis who quickly changed her demeanor. Her eyes were wide as if she saw a ghost.

"When did this package arrive?" I dare ask her.

"A little while ago... I saw the delivery guy drop it off when I was about to pull up to the drive way," she answers me with a hint of fear. "But he sped off before I could park."

I quickly took the package in my hands and made my way out of my room. I was heading down the stairs. Behind me, I could hear Ellis follow after me, along with Senko trying to keep up with us.

"Wait, did that piece of shit send the package?" Her voice trailed behind me.

I couldn't answer her. Or rather, I didn't want to confirm if it were true.

I just wanted this out of my sight.

I put on my outdoor slipper and opened the front door. It didn't close behind me, and I could only assume Ellis was watching me from the distance.

I made my way to the trashbin and threw the remains of the package inside. Trash was meant to stay with trash, and that's where it belonged.

I looked around me as my hands began to feel sweaty.

It was like someone was watching me, and I didn't know where, but I had a feeling of who.

I need to call my brother.

--------

SM Post:

Joshua has posted...

Minghao has posted...

• • •

Previous | Next

[hanmi-xo]

Our Ballad | (SVT Joshua x You)

M A I N | O N E S H O T S | S M U T | S C E N A R I O S

-------------------------------

Status: Complete Post Status: Nov. 13, 2023 Pairing: SVT Joshua x You Genre: Angst, Romance, SMAU, One Shot Word Count: 900 Themes: Moving On, Unrequited Love

Note: This is a work of fanfiction. Please respect the real Hong Jisoo/ Joshua Hong Thank you for reading~

Synopsis:

Sometimes a spark doesn't always lead to a flame. He was a song that she never finished listening to. Even seeing him on his special day was difficult to breathe.

You were the reason for our beginning, but you were also the reason for our end. If loving you was going to leave a scar, then I wouldn't have let you in.

I remember how it all happened. The memory of us was like a song I couldn't stop playing.

You reached out towards me. You were everything I thought I wanted, but I wasn't what you needed. It's strange the more I think about it.

Were you the one that chased me or was I the one that followed after you? What happened before? Do you remember?

Do you remember what lead us together? Do you remember the clouds that filled the sky before the rain pour?

We were only in high school, but it felt like I knew you forever ago.

You held your hand out to me after I fell to the ground. I remember that look you had. The way your eyes widened with wonder and concern while your curled lips turned to a gasp.

It was embarrassing but I remember it.

You stuck by my side since then. Maybe it was because of our classes that destined us together, or maybe it was the fact that we couldn't ignore each other. All I remember was the way you'd pass notes to me in class and we would often get into trouble.

You'd goof around with me during detention and even when we had disciplinary exercises.

You could never stay up against the wall like I could and I could never hold that many books on my hands like you did. You were the memory that stayed with me, but your notes is what left your trail.

It was the highlight of my day whenever I would go home and find your random note in my backpack.

You always did let your presence be known with your signature smile with a musical note at the end of each one. You loved the reactions I would give you, and I would always love your attention.

You were a melody I couldn't stop humming. A song that I always wanted to sing but could never be sung.

You were my first love and you were my best friend.

You were always kind to me. You were always sweet. You did everything you can to make me happy.

But even so, it didn't mean you loved me.

Or rather, you didn't love me the way I wanted you to.

When I met you outside of school to watch a movie, you seemed nervous. I asked you to come along in hopes I would see a different side of you that day, but I saw more than I wanted.

And I heard a pitch change in the melody.

When you walked me home, that's when I heard the truth.

"I'm sorry. I never meant to lead you on..."

Your words were slow yet sharp. It was like I was impaled by a knife into my chest or being eaten alive by a monster. I shouldn't have expected more, but I did.

You stopped the tune that I wanted to listen to. What I thought was a ballad was just the blues.

I shouldn't have thought someone like you would love someone like me.

I was bitter when we went separate ways. Even more bitter knowing I won't find anyone like you. But I wasn't bitter enough to hate you. Nor was I bitter enough to take my own life.

But you did.

You weren't there for my birthday.

You weren't there for our graduation.

And you weren't there when you said you'd see me one last time before you'd go.

You never said where. You never said when.

All I remember was your message that you left. You wrote it as if you were going away and you'd see me far from now.

I remember the way your words were written like a poem. It was playful yet dejected. I wish you told me what was going on with you. I wish you told me what happened outside of school.

Outside of our safe haven.

But all I have is your message. All I have is this poem that just reminds me of your absence.

It's not fair. It's not fair that you could leave me like that while I was stuck in the darkness hoping you'd come back.

I have so many questions, but I know you won't answer them.

How could you when you're already gone?

Your mom was there you know? Your mom was there at your funeral. You looked just like her, but she didn't have that melody.

She was cold.

You never talked about her or about your father. He wasn't there. Did he know or did she not tell him?

Or did you not want him to be there?

I wish you told me your story.

I wish you told me all your flaws so I knew the process of your tune. The melody and notes I always listened and hummed to were cut short.

You ended it too soon.

And I know I'll never hear it again.

• • •

End | Thank you for reading <3

Extra:

[hanmi-xo]

To You | His Last Letter

| One Last Letter |

---------------------

Pairing: SVT Dokyeom x You Genre: Angst, Romance, Moving On/ Death, Two Shot, Love Letter Summary: Seokmin and you used to write love letters to each other. Even though you guys were together, writing how one felt always left a warm feeling towards each other. It was a memory you both can physically feel and remember just by rereading the letters. But when you passed, you left one last letter to Seokmin. And in return, after years of trying to move on, he left one last one for you.

It laid on your tombstone with a rock holding it in place next to the flowers he left behind. This was his way of letting go. This was his way of moving on.

Dear Love,

I still remember the time we first met. I remember how you laughed at me for running into a pole when I first noticed your beauty in this busy city.

It was embarrassing at first, but it's what led me to you. I remember it all too well. The way you ran to me to help me up before bringing me to your flower shop. You gave me an ice pack from the mini fridge you left in the back room.

I remember the way your hair would bounce whenever you tilted your head and the beige apron you wore to protect your clothes.

You were beautiful then and even more so the last time I saw you.

But that was long ago. It's been a bit over a decade now and my friends and I have been doing well.

I've been doing well...

You were right about the rewards and the fame that came to us. You were right about the recognition and love I received from everyone around me.

It was hard without you. It was harder knowing I couldn't even contact you.

But I was able to do it because of you. Because of the words you said before your passing and the letter you left with me.

I still look back it you know.

I still have your letter...

But it doesn't hurt anymore. It doesn't keep me up at night nor do I feel alone. I've been eating my meals and exercising with the others. I remember how you care a lot about my health and well being.

I visited the beach you always liked going to. It hasn't changed much since, but more foreigners have been showing up because of international advertisement.

I was in that advertisement...

I didn't want to do it at first since that place reminded me of you, but I remembered how much you would stare at the horizon. How you wished more people could love what you saw in that place.

You always did have a good heart to the world around us.

If only the world was kind enough to let you stay...

I'll meet you again once the time comes, but I'll keep going. I'll do what I can to take care of myself and for everyone else.

I don't know if I can fall in love again like I did with you. I won't find anyone like you, but I know I can't keep holding on to what we once had. If I fall in love again, and if I were to get married and have kids like you wanted, I don't want you to think I stopped loving you.

Because I could never do that. Not in a million or billion or any number of years higher than that.

They say all love is different, and if that were to be true, then my love for you would be unchangeable.

Maybe, I'll fall in love again, and that love may be different from ours, but I'll never forget you. I won't forget everything we had and we went through. I love you still as much as I loved you before.

But I have to at least try to move on now. Not because you told me to, but because I know I have to.

So let's meet again in the next life, okay?

Rest well,

Your Sunshine

• • • To Him | To You

[hanmi-xo]

To Him | Her Last Letter

| One Last Letter |

---------------------

Pairing: SVT Dokyeom x You Genre: Angst, Romance, Moving On/ Death, Two Shot, Love Letter Summary: Seokmin and you used to write love letters to each other. Even though you guys were together, writing how one felt always left a warm feeling towards each other. It was a memory you both can physically feel and remember just by rereading the letters. But when you passed, you left one last letter to Seokmin.

And here he was, reading that letter you left behind. The one letter he'll always hold on to.

Dear Sunshine,

If you're reading this, then I'm already gone. I'm sorry I had to leave you behind like this. I wish we had more time. There's so much more things I wish we could have done together, but I'm also grateful to have done a lot with you.

I'm not sure what to say since my mind is jumbled with so many things. Even now, writing this hurts, but I don't want you crying alone. I don't want you to cut away from the world because of my absence. There's people that are still here. They're still by your side. Even if I may not be next to you, I'll always be there.

I wasn't scared of dying or knowing what was to come for me. What scared me was knowing that I was going to leave everyone I knew behind. I was going to leave my world behind.

I was leaving you behind...

But we'll meet again soon. I'll wait for you. I'll watch as you become the greatest singer in the world and be known as Dokyeom. Those friends of yours have become your brothers and I can already see the amazing things you all will be doing.

I'll watch as you gain rewards and be remembered world wide as the man who has the brightest smile and strongest spirit. The world will hear your voice and the sounds of your heart.

You will be loved, and I will watch it all.

One day, you'll move on and fall in love with someone and have a family of your own. And you'll realize how great life truly is. You'll learn to love again. You'll learn to love everyone and everything again.

So, don't cry. Don't cut yourself off from everything and everyone you love. Don't forget about those around you. You won't be alone. You'll never be alone, remember that... please.

Even if it takes time, I know you're strong. So strong that you'll keep going.

Because that's who you are, and that's who I fell in love with. I love you Seokmin. I love you my Sunshine and Forevermore. Even if we can't stay together in this life, may we meet again in the next.

And I'll love you as I always do.

Forever and always,

Your Love

• • • To Him | To You

[hanmi-xo]

One Last Letter | (SVT Dokyeom x You)

M A I N | O N E S H O T S | S M U T | S C E N A R I O S

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Status: Complete Post Date: Nov. 11, 2023 Pairing: SVT Dokyeom x You Genre: Angst, Romance, Two Shot Word Count (Total): 1.2k Themes: Moving on, Death, Love Letters

Note: This is a work of fanfiction based on real people. Please respect the real Lee Seokmin (Seventeen Dokyeom)

Synopsis:

Lee Seokmin and you once were together until an illness took you away from the world. Letters were both your love language. Two letters between two lovers that parted ways without choice.

These were their last letter to each other.

Letters |

To Him • To You