Midnight Tales | ✔

28

Jaehyun

The changes around the place became more obvious—no longer was the golden hour, it was now replaced by a mere four o'clock afternoon glow, the trees on the back lawn have grown some flowers now, and the bottle of milk inside the fridge was no longer full but is now half empty. Then some things have started to disappear too. It was the sound of the birds chirping first, suddenly replaced by silence. I could no longer find the shovel I used the other day. And the swing in the garden was gone too.

Time has started moving again, yes, but it was moving faster. It seems to be in a hurry to erase this reality. To get lost in this place. Soyoung seems to notice the changes around already but she just ignores it as she spent days focused on finding ways for me to go back.

She's determined as hell to get lost of me.

I've been wanting to go home. Go back to my normal life. To the boys. But I also don't want to leave Soyoung alone. Especially knowing what's going to happen in this reality once I'm gone.

I can't bear the thought of Soyoung's disappearance forever.

I was preparing Soyoung's breakfast since she has not woken up yet. I was in the middle of setting her plates when she finally came down. She stopped at seeing me.

"I know you don't like it, but we don't have enough—"

I quickly ran to her at seeing her stumble and caught her before she could hit the floor.

"Soyoung!"

She opened her eyes slowly, turning to me. I pushed back her hair away from her face. Her skin's too cold. "Hey Soyoung, tell me what's wrong"

Instead of answering me, she leaned her head between the space of my neck and my shoulder. Her slow breath fanned over my skin.

"I'm tired Jaehyun. I want to sleep" She whispered.

I quickly picked her up and carried her to the bedroom to lay her down on the bed. I stayed sitting on the side as I watch her sleep. Lola on the other side of the bed curled beside her. I watched and waited there as I held her too cold hand.

"Not yet Soyoung, please stay"

She stirred. Her eyes opened but they were still tired, she looked around then turned to Lola then to me.

"You're still here" she breathed before closing her eyes and sleeping again.

I never left my place. We stayed there all day—Lola and I, to watch over Soyoung. It was when the sun have risen again that I made my final decision.

I turned to Soyoung who was still sleeping soundly. I reached for her hand and found that her temperature has gone back to normal. Sighing in relief, I lay my head down on the bed and fell asleep. Soyoung's hand still clutched in mine.