"Hyung, are we there yet?" Tao grumbled for the third time in thirty minutes. "I'm hungry, hyung."
And yet again, Luhan saighed an enormous sigh and said, "No, not yet."
"Luhan," I murmured timidly, "where are we actually going? You haven't told me yet, you know."
Luhan chucked. "It's a secret surprise! Can't tell you, not yet at least." He smiled at me through the rearview mirror. "But as soon as we get there I will explain. I promise."
I grunted, not pleased by his response. But Luhan kept his promises.
More than an hour had passed and we still had not arrived at out destination. I was beginning to wonder if we were going to be driving for eternity when Luhan announced that we were taking a short stop before continuing our journey. At the gas station, I took the time to stretch my legs out and enjoy the scenery. The beautiful multi-colored autumn sky was spotted with whispy clouds. And right on the horizon, a glorious orange setting sun.
"Gorgeous, isn't it?" Tao whispered.
"Mm."
"It reminds me of where I used to live, in Seoul. I used to love just staring at the sky. There was a lot to see up there." He blushed slightly. "I guess I was just one of those kids who had no friends and liked to daydream." He chuckled. "I was a bit of a loner."
I smiled. Tao looked so serene at that particular moment, his hair moving with the soft wind. A strong gust came over us as we stood there, making me shiver and hug myself. I felt something warm being placed over my shoulders, and looking around, I found Tao only in a gray t-shirt.
"Tao, you shouldn't have." I protested, but he shook his head.
"No, no. You need it more than me." he replied, smiling softly. I blushed. "Plus, it would be unthinkable for me to leave a lady shivering in the cold."
Yet again, I could not repress the tint in my cheeks. Again, he looked up towards the sky.
"Luhan hasn't told you why we're on the trip or where we are going, right?" His voice lowered slightly.
I shook my head and shrugged. "He's like that."
Tao nodded. "We should get back to the car." He stated simply, dropping the uncomfortable topic.
†
Our final destination turned out to be a mountain hut in the middle a forest, away from anything that looked remotely like a supermarket, gas station or corner store, or something living other than trees, really. The house itself was built of stone and had a modern elite feel about it. Several acres of undisturbed forest stretched out in all directions.
While Luhan a and Tao unpacked the bags and straightened out the house to accommodate us, I wandered around until I found a narrow path leading into the woods. Instantly curious, I followed it until I reached the end of it. There, at the bottom of the path, was a large clearing, a desolate field , empty and green. I frolicked among the tall prairie grass. In the distance to my left, I could see the magnificent blue ocean, and to my right was the enormous house we would be occupying.
The field was encircled by a barbed wire fence. I gazed out at the ocean, wondering if I would be able to visit I during our stay. I had been to the ocean only once before, with mum, Luhan and... someone else.
But I couldn't remember who.
The water had been cold, even thought it had been summer. I smiled at my childhood memories, but something troubled me. I couldn't remember certain parts of the occasion. It was all jumbled in a heap, and inconsistent. I wondered if I was already getting dementia, but I pushed the negative thoughts aside and was brought back to reality when I felt something soft brush up against my leg.
A little black kitten gazed, back up at me.
"Hi there!" I cooed as I crouched down to it. "What's your name?" I didn't expect a reply.
"Nyaaaaan!" It meowed as it cocked a paw at me.
"Oh, how polite!" I giggled, and took its tiny paw in my hand and shook it gently.
"If your such a polite kitty, maybe you should have a name." I thought out loud. "Oh, I know! I'll call you Pimil because you're going to be a secret!" I smile at him. Pimil meowed his approval.
I talked to my new friend about the drive to the house, about school, about Luhan and Tao, about my friend Minho who moved away last summer. And Pimil just listened to all of it, curled up in my lap gazing up at me.
Something wet hit my back; I looked up. The blue sky had been replaced by an overcast one with dark clouds gathering. A thick mist was settling. I took the kitten into my arms. "Do you want to come home with me, Pimi?"
The kitten meowed again.
"I'll take that as a yes!" I smiled. "Let's go before it rains harder."
†
It took much longer to get back to the house than I expected. The rain fell in huge droplets and thunder rumbled loudly. Clutching Pimi to my chest underneath my jacket, I hurried through the field of tall grass,back along the narrow path and toward the house.
By the time I reached the front door, I was drenched and out of breath. I hid Pimil under the front porch, and after telling him I would see him tomorrow, hurried inside.
Luhan was waiting for me. Like a concerned older brother, he interrogated me while Tao stood in the background foldind a pair of jeans. After he blew out his string of questions (none of which I answered, he was speaking too fast), he sighed and said, "You should have a shower, eat then go to bed. That should keep you from getting sick."
He held me tightly in a hug. "I was treally worried. Don't disappear like that again, okay?"
I nodded, then left for the bathroom.
†
The wind howled and blew that night. Under my two duvets and covers, I shivered. It was unbearably cold, even though I was wearing two pairs of socks and an camisole under my pajamas.
I hoped it was past 5 a.m., so I would only have to endure a few more hours of discomfort, but to my dismay, the digital clock on the nightstand blinked 12:43.
I couldn't sleep. I worried about Pimi. Would he, could he, survive the brutal night? Would he be there on the morning or would he disappear in the middle of the night?
I struggled out of the bed and tiptoed down the corridor, entering the first room, hoping that it would be Luhan's. It smelt of Luhan's vanilla scented deodorant, so I made my way over to the bed and poked him slightly.
"Nn!" He grunted. Granted, no one likes to be woken up in the middle of the night. "Taooo~... go back to bed." he slurred.
"Luhan, its Kyoori-a." I whispered.
"Eeeh?!" He opened one eye. "What?"
"I'm c-c-cold." My teeth chattered as I spoke.
Luhan lifted the covers on his bed. "Get in, then, unless you want to freeze to death."
Gratefully, I climbed in and snuggled up to my older brother, surprised at how warm he was. That night I dreamt about little black sheep and Pimil.
**
Chapter three for you, my lovelies! The picture of the adorable kitty is Pimi.
(Pimil means secret in Korean, so I thought that was an appropriate name for him! )
Glad to see so much support for my first ever story! (*hugs everyone*) its quite nice to know that my story is appreciated.
Sorry I haven't updated earlier-I've been really sick, and so its not pleasant... (*cries silently*) Hopefully I can update sooner for the next chapter!
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Today's song is AIKOTOBAⅡ by DECO*27 - feat. Hatsune Miku (愛言葉Ⅱ feat. 初音ミク) [I really love this song, it has nothing to do with long trips, kitties or rain, but its awesome!] ／(^ x ^)＼
xxx-
Ellie.
