𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 ˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ 𝐧𝐜𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐦 - 𝐡𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐮

⇛ 𝐂𝐇. 𝟐𝟎

𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝟏𝟐

"jihyun? are you awake?" chenle's quiet voice could be heard over the soft snores filling the cave.

"i am." she replied, turning over to face where he was. "had another nightmare?"

"yeah." he whispered, moving closer to her.

"do you want to talk about it?" she asked.

"no."

"alright. well, if it makes you feel any better, i'm going to be awake for a while. maybe my presence will be comforting."

he nodded, closing his eyes. that was exactly what he wanted. to know that someone was there, almost watching over him. yet, it wasn't enough. he had changed his mind.

"i'm scared." he muttered so quietly jihyun had almost not heard it.

"i think we're all scared of dying."

"no, not just that. i've never been good at expressing my negative emotions. i wouldn't cry because i didn't know how to or want anyone to see. but ever since i stepped into this arena, i've been overwhelmed with emotions..." he explained. "i like you all. i don't want any of you dying. and i'm also scared if you do, my emotions will explode."

"you shouldn't be afraid to show those emotions. it's completely normal to. crying can be unpleasant but sometimes it'll make you feel better because you're releasing what you've been holding in. you should really try it..." she said, knowing she was a complete hypocrite. "we can go climb up a mountain to scream and cry and laugh together. let it all out."

"you're a funny person, jihyun yoon." he laughed, his nose scrunching. "only you would think of doing that."

"what? you're telling me you've never done that? district two has so many rocky mountains. i honestly think everyone should try."

"wait. you were being serious? you've actually done that?" he laughed even harder.

"what are you laughing about?" renjun asked, rubbing his eyes, having been awoken by them.

"ji likes to climb onto mountains to yell into nothing about her feelings." chenle replied, expecting him to join in on the teasing.

"that sounds fun. i probably could let out all my anger that way." renjun said.

"you were meant to back me up..."

"yeah, you seem like you have a lot of anger in that short body of yours." another voice added.

"i'm not short." renjun scowled at donghyuck.

"hey! we're the same height. i'm not short either!" jihyun exclaimed. "and why are you all even awake? when did you wake up?"

"chenle laughs too loud..." jaemin said.

"you're up too? sorry guys." chenle apologised, feeling bad for waking most of them. "jihyun just says funny things."

"it wasn't even meant to be funny but i'm glad it lifted your mood." she said and he grinned.

"yes, thank you. i needed that."

"good. now, all of you go back to sleep."

"you too, foxy." jaemin said.

"what?"

"don't act like you don't sleep at night." he rolled his eyes. "you should actually get some proper sleep for once."

"proper sleep? i wouldn't consider sleeping in a cave as such a thing."