trouble ¦ lee jeno (UNDER REWRITING)

ch ; 19

.・。.・゜⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽ 19 ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅・゜・。.

The car ride back to Seojin's house was shrouded in a heavy silence. The weight of the day's events pressed down on her, a suffocating cocktail of fear, confusion, and a strange sense of betrayal.

The abduction, the escape fueled by adrenaline, the flickering moments of connection with Jeno – it all felt like a whirlwind, culminating in the earth-shattering revelation about Jeno and Mark.

Jeno, the boy with a troubled past, was Mark's adoptive brother...a murderer. The word hung heavy in the air, a dark stain on the image she'd begun to form of him. Her mind reeled, exhaustion settling in like a lead weight.

Mark parked the car along the familiar curb of her house. Throughout the ride, he'd remained silent, his jaw clenched, a storm brewing beneath the surface.

Finally, he reached out, placing a hesitant hand on her shoulder. "Seojin? Are you alright?" His voice was laced with concern, pulling her back from the abyss of her thoughts.

She blinked, the remnants of her jumbled thoughts threatening to pull her under again. "Yeah," she mumbled, nodding absentmindedly.

Mark stepped out of the car and opened the door for her. She barely registered the crumpled pajamas clinging to her frame, a testament to the ordeal she'd endured.

The thought of explaining everything to her parents, the kidnapping, the escape, Jeno – it felt like a monumental task, a story ripped straight out of a nightmare.

Lost in the labyrinth of her thoughts, Seojin barely noticed Mark following her up the walkway. They stood at her doorstep, a silent exchange passing between them. Doubt gnawed at her. After everything that had transpired, could she even trust Mark?

Just as she was about to turn and seek refuge within the familiar confines of her home, Mark spoke, his voice hoarse.

"Actually," he began, hesitantly, "do you mind going for another ride?"

Seojin blinked, her gaze flitting across his face. Exhaustion etched lines around his eyes, his usually sharp features softened with fatigue. The split on his lip, likely a testament to chapped lips, seemed more pronounced.

A pang of sympathy tugged at her heart. Whatever had transpired during his absence, it was evident it had taken its toll. She studied him for a moment longer, the unspoken question hanging heavy in the air.

With a slow nod, she finally responded. Mark offered a smile, a gesture that didn't quite reach his eyes. Extending a hand towards her, he waited patiently. Seojin, after a moment's hesitation, reached out and took it, her fingers intertwining with his.

-

Seojin stared out the window in confusion as Mark pulled the car to a stop. Green Memorial Park, the wrought iron gates declared in a solemn serif font. Her brow furrowed. A cemetery? What were they doing here?

"Mark?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely a whisper. "Why are we here?"

Mark remained silent for a moment, his knuckles white as they gripped the steering wheel. He seemed a million miles away, lost in his own thoughts. Finally, he let out a shaky breath and turned to her, his eyes filled with a deep sadness that mirrored the weight of the day.