Haunted Fountain | Stray Kids Monster AU

Break the shell

-I killed him...Minho fell on his knees, holding his hands to his chest.

He was paralysed because of the pain.

-I killed him, he cried in front of Chan.

Through the sobs, he was taking deep breaths. He was crying like a baby and his heart was aching.

-I jus wanted to be happy... I... I love him... Why? Why? he screamed before Chan wrapped his hands around him.

-It's ok. We'll find a way to bring him back, ok? We'll make it out of here all of us, alright?

Minho shook his head in desperation.

-I don't know how to bring him back.

The others heard the noise and rushed to the room only to stop in the doorway and stare at the golden statue.

Minho could feel their judging gazes on him, but he felt too pathetic to look in their direction.

Changbin made a circle around Jisung, still not believing his eyes.

-And with that, we remained 5, Seungmin broke the silence.

-This is not the moment, Jeongin turned to the yeti.

-Really? Aren't you the one who planned to eat Jisung for breakfast? Let's face it! We all gonna die like they did!

-Enough! Chan shouted sending shivers down everyone's spines. We will find a way to bring Jisung back, a way to save Felix and a way to get out of here. Understood?

-We have 5 days left and we did no progress!

Seungmin looked around him and saw only enemies. He scoffed and but his tongue to refrain himself from outbursting at them.

-You're all a joke! he said leaving the room.

-I'll go back to my fountain. This is the end of the line, after all, Jeongin said looking down.

-Read this! Changbin threw a newspaper at Seungmin.

-Say please, Seungmin mocked Changbin.

However, the dragon didn't react or spat back, which made Seungmin behave.

-What's this?

-We found it in a secret room. There must be a clue about what Hyunjin wants in exchange for the cure.

-And you came at me because I am the brain. The only thing I'm useful for.

-My patience has limits.

-I can pass them easily, Seungmin raised an eyebrow.

Seungmin did his thing and read carefully every newspaper while Changbin just watched him in silence.

He was quite impressed by how fast Seungmin's brain was linking the dots.

-You can take a break if you're feeling like it, Changbin suddenly said making Seungmin raise his eyes from the papers.

-What?

-I noticed that your eyes are tired. You started rubbing them and blinking like you were trying to mentally slap yourself. Sleep a little and then you can get to work again.

-I don't have the courage to go to my room and see their faces.

-Then sleep here. I'll watch over you.

-How sweet of the little dragon. Do you want a kiss in return or what?

-Your sarcasm gets weaker when you're sleepy. Lay down and I'll wake you up in an hour.

Seungmin sighed and placed his head on Changbin's lap.

As soon as he closed his eyes, he drifted off.

Changbin watched him how he didn't even shift in his sleep. Such a perfectionist.

Jeongin was leaning on the bricks of the fountain, watching the moon lighting up the garden.

Suddenly he saw the bushed moving. He got on his feet and approached it slowly.

He got startled before realising it was Jisung's pet taking a walk at night. Or a crawl.

Jeongin was about to turn around, but he caught a glimpse of Pablo shedding his outer layer of skin.

Jeongin's eyes widen in realisation as he ran back to the room where the golden statue was.

He searched for the golden key made by Minho when they were trapped with the chains and banged it on the table.

Golden pieces jumped through the room, but Jeongin was focused on Chan's key revealed once the gold layer was gone.

-Jisung is still there. We just need to break the shell without hurting him, he smiled knowing there was a little hope for them.

Honestly, he didn't know why was so excited for helping someone else. Especially the guy that handcuffed him and made him sing the requiem.

Maybe deep down he wanted to escape too. He wanted to save the world and help the others.

Seungmin woke up by Changbin's little shakes.

-How did you sleep?

-Alright, I guess, he yawned, making Changbin chuckle.

-What?

-You're normal when you wake up. Almost nice.

-Whatever, Seungmin rolled his eyes. I had a nightmare with my parents. That's why I am not in the mood to kill you.

-You sleep that peacefully while having nightmares?

-I got used to it, so I don't show visible reactions anymore.

That sentence pulled a string to Changbin's heart. He was starting to understand how much pain Seungmin was in.

-I lost my mother too, you know...

-Yeah, but your mother had a proper funeral. My parents ended up as carpets. I'm sure you were taught how important is the death ceremony.

-Yeah... The souls need to take their farewell, either way, they would be stuck here forever.

-Exactly! That's why... Seungmin stopped talking when he realised...

-What? Changbin asked seeing Seungmin's shocked expression.

Seungmin suddenly started to look through the newspapers for a certain detail.

-Here! he shouted pointing to the article Minho read when he and Changbin found the room. I think I know what Hyunjin wants.

-What is it?

-If his siblings got discovered later, that means there was no one left to prepare them a funeral. Their skeletons were buried without any ritual. Their souls never found their peace. They are in the house.

-If we find them, Hyunjin will show us the cure.

-And we can turn him into a human and unlock the front door.

-We can get out of here and save the world, Changbin said with a big smile on his face. Great job, Seungmin!

-It should be easy since we know where were their skeletons found.

Changbin hugged Seungmin and the latter, who was barely awake and in ecstasy, flashed a wide smile too in the other's embrace.

Only after a few seconds, they realised what were they doing and backed off in disgust.

-This didn't happen, Seungmin said in a threatening tone.

-It happened only if I decide to blackmail you, he winked.