Placebo || 3Racha ✔️

7

It is four in the morning. I haven't slept a wink. Every time I try to, my thoughts scare me until my eyes are open again. This can't be happening. I need to go read it. I need to see if it's from them. I need to.

I quietly slip out from under the blankets. The two are cuddling one another anyway. Thank god. My bare feet patter against the flooring.

When I get to my office, I close the door behind me. The lights blind me for a second, but I see a baby blue envelope. Nothing but my name and address on it. I tear it open.

I see you have become aware of my presence. How sweet, my dear Changbin. It warms my heart that you've been thinking about me so much. See you soon, my charm~

The message is engraved into my memory. My hands tremble as I hurry to throw it into the drawer. Oh, god. Oh, god. See you soon? What does that mean? Is it actually someone I'm working with? Is it someone I've met before? Of course I have. Why would a complete stranger send me random messages? Why wouldn't they?

I slide down the wall behind me. I bury my face in my hands, straining my neck down.

"This isn't happening," I whisper to myself. "Why is someone doing this? Who could be doing this? It's gone too far. Why me? Why my family?"

As I think to myself, the words blur together. They're repetitive. Over and over. Why, why, why. I don't understand. Can't they give me a clue? Can't they tell me?

-

"Changbin, wake up." Someone shakes me, tapping my cheek as well.

I slowly come to, lifting my head with a groan. A sharp pain goes through my neck. "Ow, shit." I rub it, hoping to at least soothe some of it.

"Why were you sleeping in here?" Jisung asks, helping me stretch my body from its crumpled position.

Do I tell the truth? Do I lie? What do I do? How do I explain myself? If I tell the truth, they would think I was lying, wouldn't they? If I lie, it's just me protecting them. But how long can I do this for? I don't want to cause another misunderstanding. Would they even believe the truth? This kind of thing is something you would see in a movie.

"I don't know. I must've slept walked."

He frowns, tilting his head. "Have you ever done that before? I don't recall you ever sleepwalking."

"I don't know. I mean, I was asleep, so I couldn't really tell you."

Every lie that comes out sends an ache to my heart. How could I do this to my loved ones? I'm just trying to protect them. But why does it hurt so much?

"Okay, well, it doesn't matter. Come on. Get ready. I'll have your breakfast ready soon."