THE8 | Junhao

FIVE

| CHAPTER FIVE |

Minghao never felt colder.

Trembling in his apartment, he swore he felt the way the front door mocked him, the floor stained a dark red, forever marked with death.

The air was eating him up, munching and chewing on his every right to be okay.

He wasn't okay.

He pulls the cover further up his body, letting his tears fall down his face however they pleased, splashing against the soft material of the blanket like rain on the concrete.

His eyes bore into the television, the news about the recent murder in apartment ab9 forcing the memories to return.

Blood.

There was so much blood.

Minghao clenches his eyes shut, shuddering.

He doesn't want to stay here. He shouldn't stay here, but he couldn't leave. He didn't have the money for it, and he sure as hell didn't want to freeze out on the streets.

He didn't have anywhere else to go.

His lip wobbles and more tears spill.

"Say cheese."

Minghao's father smiles at the camera right when it flashes, giggling as his son goes to hurriedly look at the picture, a smile on his own face.

"You look ridiculous." Minghao laughs, pointing at his father's wonky smile.

His father chuckles with him, "I wasn't ready. I didn't know you were taking one."

"Next time, be more prepared."

When the laughter dies down, all they hear is the waves. The calm, beautiful sound of the wind and water swirling into one, the squawks of seagulls flying above the water.

It was peaceful, and so, so beautiful.

"I want to live on the beach one day."

Minghao's father turns to him, "Yeah?"

"Yeah." Minghao smiles, hugging his knees, gaze out on the water. He plays with the sand, squishing it between his fingers, "It's so nice. I'd wake up and everyday would be perfect."

Minghao's father smiles in awe at his son, "We'll have to do that one day."

Minghao looks over, "Really?"

"Yep." Minghao's father laughs, standing up, "We'll build our own house. It could have a beautiful porch, one that looks over the water, and an amazing balcony, to look up at the night sky."

Minghao smiles, happy.

"And we'll swim till we're exhausted and stinky."

Minghao lets out a laugh, "Could we really?"

"Of course," Minghao's father nods from his spot, hands on his hips. He smiles brightly, "As long as my son is happy, I'm happy."

Minghao stuffs his face in his lap, letting his damp face wet his blanket.

His heart hurts, and so does his head.

Just everything.

He was so, so tired of living like this.

When would it get better? When would he wake up and realize his shitty life was nothing but a horrible nightmare? When oh when would he come back to earth and wake up in his castle surrounded my maids and butlers?

Minghao cries into his lap, sobbing for mercy.

Just let it get better, please.