Gateway [ONF FF]

Epilogue: Prospects of peace

Days turned into weeks, and Changyun found them dragging. Settling into the new house was strange. Building their secret entrances and hidden compartments had taken his mind off the recent silence, but the tasks began to diminish.
His new office was a little smaller, causing most books to be put in the living room. His desk was set against the right wall, facing the door, and to his left was only one slim shelf that blocked off a window. The rest of the room was still rather empty. While the flowery wallpaper made it seem chique, and the chess table at least livened up one corner, it still felt lacking.
He never thought he would miss the competitive conversations that he had gotten used to.

It had been a near month since Seungjun had left, and while Changyun tried to keep his trust, he got more and more anxious. A month was the longest that the head maid had guessed the mission to take, and every one of them knew the new address and how to get to it, so Changyun had hoped it would last much shorter. But no contact had been made yet.

Changyun simply went back to meetings, auctions and other gatherings to broaden his network or find places to invest in. He couldn't complain too much about his life. There was a roof, money, and people that cared for him. The resistance had become close enough to fill in for his lost family. But one void remained.

A deep sigh left Changyun as he finished writing a thank you letter for a recent gathering. He opened a new envelope and found an invitation for another meeting. They became more and more tiresome every time. There were a few people he enjoyed talking to, and he looked forward to catching up with Minkyun again. But it was hard to smile politely enough, pretend that he was alright and as relaxed as his fellow men wanted him to appear. He looked up and to the books. Most he only had for display and couldn't bear to read through. They used to be a simple filler, but had become painful reminders. Any part of the house reminded Changyun somehow. It was a new place, but they had taken all their old furniture.

The layout of the house was slightly different, as one would enter the wide living room right as they opened the door, and it was connected to a kitchen and hallway. While the kitchen was a dead end, the hallway connected to the office on the left and the medical room a bit further on when one passed the staircase. Everything was just a tad smaller, but also more concealed. They were further away from the city, right next to a forest, in the hopes of being tracked less well.

Changyun was sure Seungjun knew the way, that the women had informed the group well enough.

Why is it taking so long?

Another week passed, making the mission officially last longer than predicted. Everyone became worried for their friends and the rooms were tense every day. They all tried to keep each other encouraged, but the stress was noticeable.

Changyun slept poorly. That night again, he woke up after only a few hours and stared at the ceiling. He knew it was for peace and that he shouldn't be selfish, but a part of him wished that they had never sent the group on their mission. While he wanted Hyojin back, he didn't want to lose Seungjun.

He threw himself to the side and pulled the blanket up.

With no warning, his door swung open and Changyun jumped up instantly. A maid stood in the doorframe and with the help of the morning sun through the curtains, Changyun could see tear stains on her cheeks. He hurried to his feet.

"What's wrong?"

"They're back," she whispered.

Changyun froze for just a second, adrenaline rushed through his muscles but his brain couldn't yet decide what to do with it.

He's back...

The maid spun around and ran down the stairs, Changyun following her closely. His body didn't feel his own when he saw the person in front of him. He wondered if he was even in the present.