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l33bang24 · 3 months

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Night Terrors

Han Jisung x GN Fem reader

Summary: The reader has a terrifying nightmare about an event that unfolds in a fanfiction series involving her boyfriend. When she wakes up, her boyfriend is by her side, offering comfort and reassurance.

⚠️Warnings⚠️: nightmares, crying, blood, bruises, gashes, gore (let me know if I missed anything)

(Big thanks to @heybrownieboy for letting me use her Of Chaos and Spirits series to write about!! I hope you enjoy this short story ☺️)

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Y/N’s POV

Today has been relatively uneventful. I initially intended to tackle some household chores due to my extra free time. However, I spent most of the day in bed, browsing through Tumblr and reading Stray Kids fanfiction. I typically try to avoid delving too deep into fan fiction about the guys, mainly because whenever Lee Know caught me reading a spicy story involving him, he never let me live it down.

I was looking through the Stray Kids fake text tag and came across an alternative universe series called Of Chaos and Spirits. I had seen it before when scrolling through my feed, but I never read it. The storyline starts with the female protagonist having extraordinary psychic abilities since birth. Not only can she see spirits from beyond the grave, but she can also communicate with them and other supernatural entities. To conceal her remarkable gift, she adopts the alias Eris. The author ties the reader to the group by having a supernatural entity haunt Jeongin.

As I delved into the story, I was engrossed in a scene where the protagonist and her friends converse about banishing a demon from a bathroom vent. The tension rises when Beomgyu alerts the group chat about his belief that Jeongin is being haunted. The plot thickens as I continue reading. However, I was taken aback when the protagonist suddenly becomes alert and turns her attention towards a fountain, sensing something peculiar in that direction.

The man before her had bloodshot eyes, and they seemed to be staring right back at her. His torn pajama set was caked in mud and stained with blood, while his skin displays an array of bruises and bumps. He also had a deep, ragged gash across his neck. It was dripping puss from an infection surrounding a large splotchy purple scrap. The chains dangling from each limb made him stand out the most.

As the story continues, I find that two of the members of the group were not only kidnapped but murdered by something that wasn't human. One was Lee Know, and the other was my boyfriend, Han Jisung. As I went through each chapter, certain parts made me cry, as though I could feel the emotions the author was trying to convey.

I was utterly captivated by the scene where Han was being chased. The author's illustration of his emotions made me feel like I was with him. After finishing the latest chapter, I call it a night and prepare for bed.

I was running.

I kept pushing through the pain, my lungs burning with every breath and my feet aching as if needles were embedded in them. But I refused to stop running.

I could feel a shiver run down my spine as claws scraped against the stone floor, and low growls filled the air behind me.

An army of hellhounds was hot on my heels, their fiery eyes fixed on me.

I pushed myself even harder, refusing to give in to the unbearable pain and overwhelming exhaustion pulsing through my body.

If I were caught, I knew I'd be torn to pieces, and that thought terrified me more than any pain I was feeling at the moment.

I couldn't shake the thought of being sent straight back to Hell. It was terrifying.

I found myself in a place I never wanted to be. Escaping was a blur, but I held on to the hope of finding safety soon.

The field would come into my view soon. Purgatory was safe.

As my thoughts drifted away, I failed to notice the menacing presence of the hellhounds creeping closer. Their menacing growls reverberated through my very being, sending chills down my spine.

I gazed upon the sprawling field, willing my body to surge forward faster.

A scream is ripped from my chest as teeth plunge into my neck. I fell to the ground with a wrenched cry as blood began to pool around me.

“No. No. No! Please, no!”

Grabbing at the ground, I try to lift myself off it, but it was useless.

The hellhounds had caught me, and I couldn't fight back as I felt more teeth sinking into my skin and screams of terror fell from my mouth.

As tears cascade down my cheeks, I extend my hand toward the vast field. My vision blurs and the realization of facing death once more engulf me.

“I’m sorry, Sungie.”

I jolt awake and see I'm drenched in sweat, with tears streaming down my face. My boyfriend's concerned face came into view as he gently asks, "Babygirl, can you hear me?" I nod, trying to avoid thinking about what happened. “You were screaming and crying out for me, but no matter how hard I tried to shake you awake, nothing seemed to work.” His hands rub my arms as he asks, "What happened?”

I couldn't hold back the tears any longer and broke down. Without hesitation, Jisung envelops me in a warm embrace, gently soothing me with his comforting words. His arms wrap around me, offering solace and reassurance. I nestle between his neck and shoulder blade, seeking solace in his comforting embrace. Time seems to blur as tears flow, but he gently drew me back and tenderly brushes away my tears.

As I try to calm down, I took a moment to explain to him what I had read earlier that day. I share with him the events that unfolded in the story I had read were eerily similar to what had occurred in my dream. Instead of teasing me about my fan fiction interest, he gently kisses my forehead and expresses his sympathy. "I'm sorry you had a bad dream, Jagyia. Do you want to watch a lighthearted drama on TV to take your mind off it?" Grateful for his understanding, I nod, managing a small smile.

As Jisung moves to leave the bed, I instinctively reach out and hold him back, silently dreading the return of my nightmares if I release him. He responds with a warm smile and gently tugs me along as we go to the kitchen to gather supplies for a cozy movie night. Not a word is spoken about my apprehension, and he lets me accompany him, understanding my unease.

As we reentered the room, he let me sit in his lap, where I curl into a cozy ball. By the third episode, a sense of drowsiness washes over me, and I let myself surrender to sleep, knowing that I was safe and secure in Jisung's embrace.

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heybrownieboy · 3 months

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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: HE NEEDS HELP FROM SKY DADDY HIMSELF

POV: Jeongin’s

Author’s Note: ANOTHER LATE UPDATE I’M SO SORRY. I should have the next chapter out Tuesday or Wednesday though so please look forward to it :)

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heybrownieboy · 4 months

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CHAPTER ONE: BITCH BOY

POV: Y/N's.

Author’s Note: Yay first chapter! I've been so excited to start this! (Please ignore the timestamps, they are not accurate at all lol).

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heybrownieboy · 3 months

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CHAPTER NINETEEN: I’M JUST SO FUCKING TIRED

POV: Hyunjin’s.

Warnings: Mentions of attempted suicide.

Author’s Note: THANK YOU ALL FOR 100 FOLLOWERS😭❤️ It means so much to me. And thank you for all the love you have being leaving on this work. It’s something I’ve wanted to create FOREVER now so seeing all the positive feedback is so amazing🥰

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heybrownieboy · 3 months

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CHAPTER FIFTEEN: SCARIER THAN A DEMON?

POV: Y/N’s.

Author’s Note: Kind of long chapter. Next one will go more in depth I promise. Also a lot more written chapters will be coming up.

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heybrownieboy · 3 months

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CHAPTER SIXTEEN: THEY’VE BEEN HERE SINCE THE BEGINNING

POV: Jeongin’s.

Author’s Note: This chapter took me forever to make because there’s so much info 😭 It’s honestly probably somewhat confusing because of that. But a few more chapters and things will really be picking up so please look forward to it :)

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heybrownieboy · 4 months

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CHAPTER FOURTEEN: NO OUIJA BOARDS

POV: Jeongin’s.

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heybrownieboy · 4 months

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CHAPTER TWELVE: BECAUSE IT WAS ALL MY FAULT

POV: Written. 3rd Person.

— Word Count: 1.5K

Warnings: Mentions of suicide attempt and drugs. Mentions of kidnapping and murder.

Author’s Note: This chapter is very dialogue and thought heavy so I hope it’s not too confusing. Also, I’m sorry if there’s any grammar or spelling mistakes.

The last thing Jeongin wanted was for anyone to find out about his suicide attempt.

He had begged his friends— plus Jaemin and Renjun— to not tell anyone. They all understood they couldn’t. If rumors broke out and the university overheard any, Jeongin could be in serious trouble. Drug abuse wasn’t tolerated at JYP—or South Korea in general— even if it was an “accidental” overdose on prescription drugs. He’d probably be suspended or maybe even expelled, and thrown into rehab. That would cost him the scholarship he worked his ass off to get. And he wasn’t going to let that happen.

But even more so, he never wanted Chan, Changbin, Hyunjin, Felix and Seungmin to find out.

Ever.

He knew they would freak out. He knew they’d bombard him with a million questions. Because deep down he knew Jimin and Hanbin were right. He knew that his hyungs still cared about him, even if they did shut him out.

So Beomgyu fighting with Hyunjin in the middle of the courtyard, totally blew up everything. But, Jeongin couldn’t find it in himself to be mad at or blame Beomgyu. He knew how over protective his best friend could get. And to be completely honest, Jeongin was shocked he hadn’t lost his temper sooner. Especially since he and Hyunjin shared a few classes.

Jeongin let out a heavy sigh when he heard his phone buzz from the bathroom counter. He already knew it was one of them. All five of them had been texting him since last night. He didn’t have the strength to look at the messages. It was hard enough saying goodbye to Hyunjin. He knew that if he looked, he’d end up giving in.

And he didn’t want to go through another heartbreak again.

“I’m going to have to block them,” Jeongin grumbled, grabbing his phone and silencing it. I’ll do it later, he thought as he stepped out of the bathroom. He head down the hallway and turned into the living room.

The feeling of something— someone— watching suddenly washed over him.

That’s right. I have to try to talk to whatever’s here.

He was supposed to do it last night but, he was thrown off by his chat with Hyunjin. He had gone right to bed after that, crawling under the covers and simply lying there awake for hours. He honestly doesn’t know how long he stared blankly at his ceiling for until he managed to drift to sleep.

Jeongin took a deep breath, walking deeper into his living room.

“If someone's here,” he said, “can you give me a sign? Maybe a knock?”

A few moments passed and there was nothing.

Of course there was nothing, Jeongin reprimanded himself. He shook his head as he ungracefully plopped onto his couch. Because ghost don—

His thoughts immediately halted when he heard it. It was the faintest of knocks coming from the wall in front of him.

Jeongin blinked a few times.

Huh?

“Can you do it again?” he asked.

Not even a moment later, another knock landed against the wall, this one slightly louder.

Holy shit! Jeongin thought excitedly. This is working!

Wait. His face morphed into a shocked expression. This is fucking working?!

“Minho-hyung?” Jeongin asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Knock.

He felt his breath hitch at that.

Ask questions like Eris said, Jeongin. You need to figure out if it’s actually him.

“I want to ask a some questions,” he began after a moment. “So maybe one knock for no and two knocks for yes. Is that okay?”

Knock knock.

He blew out that breath and collected himself.

“Is this really Minho-hyung?” he asked.

Knock knock.

“Born October 25, 1998?”

Knock knock.

“Loves Japanese pudding?”

Knock knock.

Jeongin squinted. “Has two cats,” he said, “Doongie and Dori.”

A singular loud knock made Jeongin jump slightly. Then slowly, a grin started to make its way onto his face.

Yep. It’s definitely Minho-hyung. Only he would totally get pissed off at that. Even Felix-hyung got threatened with the air fryer once, when he got the number of cats wrong.

“Sorry hyung,” Jeongin said, “I was just making sure it was you.” He let out a little chuckle. “Three cats. Soonie, Doongie, and Dori.”

Knock knock.

Okay now that we’ve established it’s really him.

“Hyung,” Jeongin said, his voice taking on a serious edge now, “are you the one I hear pacing every night?”

Knock knock.

“And the humming? That was you too?”

Knock knock.

“So you’ve been here for about two weeks?”

Knock knock.

Why now? Jeongin wanted to asked. After a year of being gone, why now?

“I talked to a medium,” he said. “I told her that sometimes when I hear you pace, I hear chains. She said that you might have a spiritual debt. Do… do you have a spiritual debt?”

Knock knock.

So she was right.

“Did you commit some time of grave sin while you were living? Something we never knew?”

Knock.

“Is it a debt from a past life that have to pay off now or something?”

Knock.

Jeongin’s eyebrows furrowed together.

Then…

“Is it, like, a contract with something?” he asked.

Knock knock.

“Is it a human?”

Knock.

“Demon?”

Nothing.

“Minho-hyung, are you still there?” Jeongin asked after another moment of silence.

Immediately there were two quick knocks on the wall. Jeongin shifted in his seat on the couch.

Then, does he not know?

“Do you not know what it was?” he asked, tentatively.

Knock knock.

“Why?” Jeongin blurted. He shook his head. “I’m sorry, only yes or no questions.” He took a deep breath. “Is Jisung-hyung around?”

Knock.

Then maybe he found peace?

“So did he move on?”

Knock.

Jeongin’s eyes widened.

Okay okay. Maybe he’s a spirit on earth like Minho-hyung?

“Do you know where he is?” he asked.

Knock knock.

“Is he safe?”

Please let him be safe.

A heavy silence filled the room, causing Jeongin to start feeling antsy.

Did he leave?

“Min-“

Knock.

Jeongin felt his heart drop. His back straightened, rigidly stiff, and he could feel the way his heart rate picked up. A million questions ran through his head.

Why was he not with Minho-hyung? Why was he not safe? What did they do exactly? Why did they go missing in those woods that night?

“Did he make the same contract as you?” Jeongin asked after shaking off the thoughts. He needed to stay focused.

Knock knock.

“So he’s with the… thing you made the contract with?”

Knock knock.

“Do you think there’s a way to help you two? Out of the contract?”

Another bout of silence passed.

“You don’t know, do you?” Jeongin asked grimly.

Knock knock.

What should I do? Jeongin thought, head dropping. Talk to Eris? Would she be willing to come here personally? She’s anonymous so probably not. Maybe a Shaman? Though a lot of Shamans are complete rip offs. Especially now a days.

Jeongin let out a low groan, rubbing his temples in slow circles. Suddenly there was the sound of chains moving. It was only a brief moment but it was enough to get Jeongin’s attention.

“Sorry hyung,” he said. “This is probably taking a lot of your energy, isn’t it?”

Two knocks, much softer than the ones before, echoed off the wall.

“Can I ask a just a few more questions?”

Knock knock.

“Were you two kidnapped that night?”

Knock knock.

Jeongin winced. He took a deep breath, willing himself to ask the next question.

“Were you murdered?”

Only a moment after the words left his mouth, the two dreaded knocks came.

Jeongin’s heart completely shattered right then and there. A choke sob left his mouth, tears immediately springing from his eyes.

“I’m sorry, Hyung,” he whimpered, pulling his knees to his chest. “I’m so sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”

The silence that filled the room was suffocating. Jeongin could barely breathe. It felt like his world had completely came crashing down.

You knew they were dead, Jeongin. You already knew they were gone.

Because it was all my fault.

It’s my fault. It’s my fault they’re gone. I should have done something more. I should have gone after them.

Jeongin squeezed his eyes shut and took a few deep breaths, willing himself to calm down.

I have to help them.

No matter what the consequences are, I have to help them.

Jeongin collected himself, wiping away the tears on his cheeks with a sniffle. He sat back normally on the couch, running his hands down his legs.

“Minho-hyung,” Jeongin said finally, his voice watery and strained, “just one more question, okay?”

Knock knock.

“It wasn’t a human that kidnapped and murdered you two, was it?”

There was a moment of silence before the sound of two knocks— now directly on the wall behind him— confirmed the suspicion that has been eating at the man for over a year.

“Thank you, Hyung,” Jeongin said, softly. “You can rest now.”

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heybrownieboy · 4 months

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CHAPTER EIGHT: YOU COMMITTED A WAR CRIME?

POV: Y/N’s.

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heybrownieboy · 4 months

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CHAPTER ELEVEN: SO THIS IS GOODBYE

POV: Jeongin’s.

Warnings: Brief mentions of attempted suicide. Member x member.

Author’s Note: Some gay angst on the first day of pride month?? (TBH idk how I feel about this chapter aksjdk)

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heybrownieboy · 4 months

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CHAPTER TEN: A VERY ONE SIDED ARGUMENT

POV: Felix’s.

Warnings: Mentions of Suicide and drug overdose.

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heybrownieboy · 4 months

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CHAPTER SEVEN: THERE’S ALWAYS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT ISN’T

POV: Jeongin’s.

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heybrownieboy · 4 months

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CHAPTER SIX: REALLY SHOULD HAVE JUST ORDERED IN PIZZA

POV: Written. 3rd Person.

— Word Count: 684.

Author's Note: This chapter is really short sorry :(

Jeongin regrets not trusting his gut.

It had being telling him earlier not to go out. To stay home and just order dinner in.

But, of course he had to ignore it.

And now?

Now Jeongin stood in front of none other than Kim Seungmin.

The Kim Seungmin he had been oh so close to until about eight months ago.

The Kim Seungmin that he had only caught glimpses of anymore around campus.

The Kim Seungmin who was now practically a stranger to Jeongin.

As the two stood in awkward silence, Jeongin took in Seungmin’s appearance. His hair was longer, cut into a mullet and he had dyed it a honey blond that complemented his skin tone amazingly. He wore a pair of baggy black sweatpants and an oversized dark Mahagrid hoodie that Jeongin remembers stealing more times than he could count.

“Jeongin-ah,” Seungmin said, finally deciding to break the silence.

“Sunbae,” Jeongin answered back, bowing politely.

When he stood up straight again, he immediately noticed the shocked look on Seungmin’s face. Jeongin blew out a breath, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his own sweatpants.

I really should have just ordered in pizza, Jeongin thought.

Seungmin opened his mouth as if he was about to say something before he was interrupted. The door to the restaurant the two had been standing outside of swung up and two men walked out, laughing with each other.

Jeongin eyes widened as he watched the two familiar men walk towards Seungmin.

“Oi, Minnie,” the shorter said, his familiar deep voice echoing in Jeongin’s ears, “we got….”

He trailed off as soon as he noticed Jeongin, body immediately going tense.

“Innie?” the other, taller of the two men asked, surprised.

Jeongin stood frozen, mouth slightly open in shock.

“Are…” Jeongin’s voice shook. “Are you fucking serious right now?”

“Innie, we—“

“Don’t call me that, Hyunjin,” Jeongin snapped.

Hyunjin winced at the harsh tone of Jeongin’s voice.

“Jeongin-ah,” Felix said warily, “how have you been?”

Jeongin snorted in disbelief. “How have I been?” he mocked. “Do you actually care?”

“Of course we care,” Seungmin said.

“Really? Cause it sure as hell doesn’t look like it right now.”

Hyunjin stepped forward, eyes glossy, and tried to reach for Jeongin.

“In- Jeongin please,” Hyunjin pleaded.

The younger to a large step back, shaking his head. “No,” he said firmly. He glared at the three older men. “Eight months. Eight fucking months of no contact. Absolutely nothing. Because you all thought it was ‘the best option’. And now I’m finding out you’ve been hanging together? And the first thing you ask is how I’ve been?”

“We didn’t think you wanted to talk to us,” Felix said. “We know we hurt you.”

“Hurt?” Jeongin hissed. “You fucking broke me. You all left at the time when I… when we need each other the most.” He took a deep breath. “Do you even know how fucked up I’ve been these last eight months? I’ve just barely started to get back to normal. And now…”

“Baby—“

“You have no fucking right to call me ‘baby’, Hwang Hyunjin!” Jeongin snapped.

Hyunjin’s head dropped. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

“How long have you guys been back in contact?”

"Two months," Seungmin said.

"Have you been in contact with the other two?"

Seungmin and Felix shared a look.

Jeongin huffed out a bitter laugh. “So it’s just me, right? Why am I even surprised?”

“Jeongin, please,” Seungmin pleaded. “It’s not like that.”

“We just didn’t know how to reach out to you,” Felix said, voice becoming watery.

“There’s this thing called a phone,” Jeongin said, voice almost unrecognizable. He felt nothing but betrayal and anger. “It’s not that hard to hit dial or even just type a few fucking words.”

The other men stayed silent. All three of them looking like kicked puppies in Jeongin’s eyes.

He clicked his tongue in annoyance. “Don’t even bother trying to contact me now,” he said. “You all made your choice."

With one last icy glare, he turned on his heel and walked away, ignoring Hyunjin's weak pleas of his name.

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heybrownieboy · 4 months

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CHAPTER THREE: WAS THIS ONE POINTY?

POV: Written. 2nd Person.

— Word Count: 1,196.

Author’s Note: My first written part :) If there’s any grammar or spelling mistakes, I am sorry. I don’t have a beta reader so I might miss things while proofreading.

Achoo!

You groaned, pulling your face out of the elbow you just sneezed into and sniffled a little.

“Someone’s talking about me,” you mumbled.

Nicholas and you sat outside in JYP University's main courtyard. It was one of the nicest days there's been this year. The sky was a clear blue, only a few fluffy white clouds could be seen and the sun was high overhead, casting warm rays down on everyone below. The two of you had been lucky enough to snag one of the few benches under the courtyard's massive weeping willow. It offered the perfect amount of shade from the sun and much to your pleasure, a great view of the gorgeous three tier marble fountain that sat directly in the middle of the courtyard.

“We’re outside in the middle of Spring,” Nicholas chuckled. “You sure it’s not just the pollen? Or is this another one of your 'psychic intuition’ moments?”

You pouted a little. "It better be my psychic intuition. I don't feel like sneezing all damn day."

You adjusted the chain of the cross necklace that hung around your neck. It had just been returned to you, not even fifteen minutes prior to this. Earlier you had offered it to Nicholas when you meet up with him outside the chem lab's bathroom. The taller man took it with a grateful look, proceeding to then mutter something about having to "incorporate one into every outfit from now on" if he was going to continue to be your "emotional support bitch". That had caused you to break into a fit of laughter and you thanked him for his "services".

Nicholas laughed. "Maybe someone is talking about you then," he said. "Maybe someone walked past the bathroom earlier and heard you threatening someone with holy water. They're probably gossiping about you to their friends right now."

"The only reason I had to pull out the holy water was because that thing didn't want to leave!" you protested. "It just stayed in the vent staring at me. And then got angry when I pulled out the vile! You felt how hot it got in there. It left like some pissed off little kid that didn't get its way."

"It did get hot as fuck in there for a moment," Nicholas agreed. "Was this one pointy?"

An image of the entity you saw earlier popped into your head. You grimaced. "Yeah," you said. "It was just tall and... sharp, like a lot of them are."

"Why was it here anyway? I thought demons don't come out in broad daylight?"

"I mean, they definitely prefer the night. But, just because the sun is out doesn't mean they're powerless. Plus, Lily and the others were definitely on to something earlier. It was probably here to attach to someone."

"A university does seem like the perfect hunting ground for those things," Nicholas said. He took a sip of his iced Americano. "Jake was one lucky bastard that it didn't choose him.”

"Nah," you said with a wave of your hand. "That guy radiates nothing but good energy. He has a pretty strong aura and a sound mind. So, it'd actually be harder for it to attach to him."

"Okay yeah that makes sense..."

You swirled around your iced latte mindlessly as you listened to Nicholas talk. But, soon you noticed how quiet it went. How quiet nature went. The light breeze that had been blowing over campus a moment ago, stopped and all of the birds in the area had gone completely silent.

That's when you felt it. Your whole body went rigid and your eyes peeled away from Nicholas. His voice began to drain in the background as you looked for whatever you had just felt.

Then, as soon as the fountain came back into view is when you saw him.

The man stood in front of the fountain, facing you and Nicholas. He completely ignored all of the other people moving around him, his blood shot black eyes locked in on you. He had a strong build and beautiful, almost cat-like features. The blue plaid pajama set he wore was practically in shambles— torn up, covered in mud, and splotches of blood. His whole body was littered in cuts, bruises, and bumps. The deep gash that wrapped around his neck made you wince. It was ragged, dripping puss from infection, and surrounded by a large, splotchy purple bruise. It made you wonder if he was strangled to death by a rope of some sort.

But, as you fully took him in, that is when you noticed them. Chains. Each one of his wrists and ankles had thick chains and all four of them were connected to massive iron balls at the ends.

What the hell?

What kind of spiritual debt does he have to warrant every one of his limbs to be chained down?

Your eyes connected with his and you could almost feel the dominance. His stare was just as intense as the heavy aura rolling off him. You immediately sat up a straighter, the feeling of intimidation hitting you head on.

He is human... right?

Wait...

Why does he look so familiar?

"Y/N? Yo! Earth to Y/N!"

Your eyes snapped towards Nicholas, slightly alarmed. He tilted his head at you, a look of confusion scrawled across his face.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

You blinked at him a few times, feeling almost like you were in a daze.

"Y/N? What did you see?" Worry laced his voice now and he shifted closer to you on the bench.

You stayed silent though, your eyes slowly traveling back over to the fountain.

"He's gone," you muttered.

"He's gone?" Nicholas questioned.

"A man. He was standing at the fountain, staring at me..." You trailed off, eyebrows drawing together.

Why?

Why did he look so familiar?

Nicholas's eyes scanned over your face. “Y/N...” he said, reaching out and placing his hand on yours. “Are you okay? You look and sound really out of it.”

He was right. You did feel out of it. Something about that man threw you completely off kilter. It didn’t help that his aura was so… dominating. So intimidating.

“I’m okay,” you said. “I feel a little out of it, yes, but I’m okay. He had a really strong aura, that’s all.”

"Was he human?" Nicholas asked, warily.

"I don't know. Maybe?"

You clicked your tongue in mild frustration.

Why can't I remember who he is?

Think Y/N, you chided yourself silently. Think! Where have you seen him before?

Suddenly, a flurry of memories popped into your head— dozens of past news segments, reporting on two missing people and flyers stamped on every corner around the city.

"Oh my god," you breathed, a cold chill running down your spine.

Slowly, you turned back to Nicholas, your eyes wide and pupils blown. He tensed immediately at your expression, his hand beginning to grip yours.

"Nico," you said, voice grim. "It was one of them. It was one of the men that disappeared last year."

Nicholas stared at you in shock. “What?” he croaked. “Which one?”

“The older one. Lee Minho.”