The Red Cosmos

Begonias

"Where are we going Da Hye?"

"It's a surprise Seokjin!"

She giggles tugging his wrist forward as they rush down the block. He doesn't know what to expect from her strange behavior.

He had been closing up shop earlier than usual when she rushed up to him all excited to show him the project she'd been working on all week. While he wasn't all that interested, he didn't have the heart to say no to her.

He knows she's only trying to make him feel better after everything that's happened.

Mina was still missing with not a single clue as to where she could be or whether she was even still alive. He hated the thought of it, he didn't want to believe something bad happened to her. What made matters worse was the fact that Hoseok was missing as well.

He didn't want to believe it was Hoseok this entire time, the man radiated rays of sunshine and smiles. When evidence was found at her apartment against him the betrayal he felt was horrible. He cried for days, anger coursed through his entire being. He wanted to find Hoseok himself and kill the man.

After days of pain and fears it all simmered into a sort of sick sense of defeat, he hated it. All the anxiety and sadness had almost numbed him.

He was thankful for Taehyung and Da Hye's constant support, things were hard and he prayed Mina was alright but at least they were there for him.

Speaking of Taehyung, he hadn't seen the man all day and he had yet to tell him why he had a large gash on his bottom lip. Shaking his head he doesn't realize they're inside Spring Day until the smell of flowers engulfs his nose.

"Seokjin?" Da Hye eyes his concerned, "are you alright?" she tilts her head in confusion.

He puts on the best smile he can "I'm okay Hye, what did you want to show me?".

Like the flip of a switch, her entire aura changes into one of nervousness. She meets his eyes, her cheeks are tinged pink and she's fiddling with her fingers.

"I- I know with everything that's been happening lately you've been stressed and hurt. I hate seeing you that way, it hurts me too" she says, "but there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time and... it's best if I show you".

Holding out her hand once more he takes it.

"Where's Mr. Kim?" he asks as she leads him to the back room.

"He's out sick today, so I'm in charge for the day"

He should visit the old man sometime.

The backroom is cold, it makes him shiver. "Why is it so freezing in here?"

"Sorry about that" she laughs "it's to keep the flowers fresh".

She stops in front of the basement doors, thinking back to the last time he'd been here he laughs remembering the scene she'd caused when she thought someone was watching her.

She turns back eyeing him questioningly.

He shrugs.

Placing a hand on the doorknob she twists it and pulls it open. The air coming from below is even colder than the one in the room.

As they descend into the darkness, she squeezes his hand reassuringly.

"I'm so excited for you to see!"

He merely hums in response.

It's extremely dark, "wait here, let me find the light switch," she says letting go of his hand.

The loss of contact leaves him feeling vulnerable. He listens to the sound of her shuffling around.

He's never been in the basement of the flower shop before, so he is curious as to what it looked like. His phone buzzes in his pocket and he unlocks it finding a message from Taehyung. Despite the light from his phone being way too bright he still could see nothing around him.

"Hye?" he calls not liking the silence.

"I'm here! sorry, it can be confusing looking for the switch in the dark" she laughs from somewhere to the far left of him.

He clicks on Taehyung's message.

From: TeTe :D
8:19PM
Where r u?

To: TeTe:D
8:20PM
I could ask u the same thing lol
I'm with Da Hye at Spring Day, whats up?

There's a reply from Taehyung but he isn't able to see it as there's a quiet "aha!" from Da Hye and a flash of the basement lights turning on which blinds him momentarily.

"Shit those are really bright!" he says rubbing his eyes.

"Sorry, it takes some time to adjust to," she says

"Well... Surprise!!" she yells cheerily.

Blinking away the blurriness, his eyes are unfocused as they settle on the large object in front of him.

Taking a few steps closer, Taehyung's message forgotten, the object is becoming clearer. He can see Da Hye standing in the corner excitedly.

The moment his eyes finally clear up and he's able to make out the figure his blood runs cold.

Freezing mid-step, his heart drops.

"What do you think?" she says, he's too choked up to respond.

Fear pools into his stomach, his feet are rooted in place.

The world feels as though it's crashing down all around him, his phones clatters loudly as it falls to the floor.

Seated in a chair, as still as a doll, is Mina.

The sight before him is grotesque, horrifying, and yet, he can't tear his eyes from it.

She's wearing a white, frilly dress covered in lace and pearls. Her eyes are empty, the light is gone from them. Her skin is unnaturally pale.

The thing that sends fear creeping under his skin is the stitches.

They're sloppy, jagged, bloody.

There are roses, yellow, and peach-colored, sewn into her delicate skin with a thick black thread. Her shoulders, arms, legs are all stuffed with the flowers, sewn so tightly the skin is swollen. Blotches of yellow and purple bruises litter her entire body.

If one were to merely glance at her, they'd think she were one of those antique porcelain dolls.

His knees are weak, shaking so much he drops to the floor.

"MINA!!" he screams ignoring the pain in his throat.

Tears blur his vision as his heart thuds violently in his chest. Suddenly the room is too small, claustrophobic, it's closing in on him. His throat is constricted, tight as he scratches at it, trying his hardest to catch his breath. he barely hears the faint call of "Seokjin?" as Da Hye rushes to his side.

The moment her hand curls around his in an attempt to placate him, he instantly snaps from his panic and shoves her back harshly. She falls roughly to the floor with a pained gasp.

The tears cascade down his face when he glances back at Mina, standing on shaky legs he rushes to her side. The smell that emits from her body has him retching. Her body is decaying slowly, the reason she kept the place so cold was to preserve Mina's body, he thinks with disgust.

"No no!! Please Mina!!!" he cries, begging to no avail at the once bright girl whose existence had been the only light in his life.

"What did you do!!??" he screams facing Da Hye.

The sight he's met with sends a chill down his spine.

Da Hye stands before him, lopsided smile on her lips, head tilted in confusion as though he were the mad one. She resembled a demon, watching him from afar, hauntingly. There isn't a trace of remorse in those eyes.

"I'm in love with you Seokjin, I've always loved you".