𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 (𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐙)

35

It felt warm. Not a dry arid type of warm in Alaska but a very humid type of warm, one that would cuddle snuggly around your skin, suffocating you. A type of warmth familiar to the bone, the type of warmth I grew up in behind bars.

The humidity was partnered with the subtlety comforting wind breeze from the deep blue waters in the oceans surrounding Jeju Island. How long was it since I actually visited Jeju in civilian clothes?

I was completely alone and at peace in the landscape of a rocky harbor and the quiet sloshing of a still blue sea until I saw a silhouette of a man approach me.

He drew in closer, revealing himself as a man with style. I would have easily ignored him till I saw the twinkling light brown deep-set eyes. But it was impossible...he could not possibly be here in all places.

I froze, seeing his full face. My breath hitched, and I wanted to run away desperately, but the wind blew harsher. What was he doing here? Am I dead, dreaming, seeing a ghost?

"Long time no see Kim Hongjoong."

"Kang Yeosang..."

Against all odds, I would have to share the uncomfortable presence with him. It also did not strike me that it was the first time I saw him without an orange jumpsuit. Adorned with a brown beret, his light makeup enhanced his features and fluffed up his teal blue trenchcoat and checkered pattern vest. A more colorful Seonghwa with paler skin. In fact, he was too pale, a deathly shade of pale that made him eerily glow in the sunlight.

"How was the trip to Alaska."

Did he know about my assignment to Alaska? But he said trip, so he's not suspecting that I actually went to work there. But how did he know I went to Alaska in the first place? 

His smirk...must feel to gleeful to see me flustered. 

"Had fun meeting Seonghwa's son?"

"Oh yes, um-of course.  He seems to like you a lot."

Was it just me or did the wind seem harsher? And that the waves sounded more aggressive? How did he know all this? I haven't spoken to him in over a decade.

The latter cackled almost deliriously. He came closer, I wanted to move further but I still had to stand my ground. 

Gripping my chin he said, "Had fun away from Korea? Had fun evading your problems?"

"What? Yeosang let's talk-"

"Talk?" his voice grew deeper as if that was possible. I couldn't talk- the grip on my chin tightened so I retraced my steps backward but he followed me through all the way to the precipice of the doc, with the roaring sea just underneath my feet.

His voice, the way it almost seem to duplicate wasn't human. It was maleficent, almost multiplied into variations of a demonic voice. If he wasn't clutching my chin my knees would have buckled and I would have plunged into the deep blue waters.

A coarse laugh escaped his lips, "Don't play innocent Joong, you caused all of this. You the mole of Ateez. You put us into this godforsaken monopoly just for you to use us as your stupid little ploys."

"I-I did it to survive Yeosang. You know how this works."

"At what cost?" 

Suddenly I felt elevated like I was in different scenery. We were in the edge of a cliff and I was just a stumble away from death.

"I-I-"

"No need to explain," his voice was deathly nonchalant, guiltless, "You know it's your fault."

And with that, he dropped me, leaving me to the mercy of the cerulean waves.

As the water splashed onto me I woke up from my bed with a gasp.

"S-So it was a dream."

Yeah, it was just a dream. Guess I forgot to take my serotonin stabilizers again. 

Just a dream. Yes, I didn't drown, nothing else happened.

Besides, Yeosang shouldn't be in Jeju because he's dead.

Hi everyone, a short chapter here.

I've been seriously wracking my brain over here with what to write next. It's not like I'm not completely clueless but I'm trying to not be redundant.

Anyways, things are about to get real spicy soon so please await the next chapter!

Also, I've released a new book called February Darling. I've taken a different approach in February Darling which is about the supernatural and unrequited love. If you're interested in those things then I highly recommend it!

Once again, thanks for reading. If you truly loved it then leave a little star and a comment (if you wish).

-Harimzz