THE8 | Junhao

SEVEN

| CHAPTER SEVEN |

When Minghao wakes, he shivers.

It's cold wherever he is, and his eyes have trouble adjusting to the lights in the room, even if the bulbs illuminated a dull yellow.

When the coldness turns to room temperature, and when the blur fades from his senses, he finally manages to open his eyes.

Minghao, even in his sluggish state, manages to feel the scrape of a thick rope tied around his wrists. And it's then when the ache in his muscles tells him that his arms are clasped behind him, around a metal chair that he sits in.

He immediately squirms, whining and huffing under his breath when he has no avail, just heavy breaths and inflamed wrists.

"You're awake."

Minghao's head shoots up, his eyes squinted at the bright light. He looks around the room, dumbfounded as it was empty.

"Who are you?" It's a cliche thing to ask, and Minghao can almost see the character die immediately after this sentence, but his thick brain didn't seem to piece that together until the words flew past his lips.

It's silent for a moment, and Minghao's twisting his brows. His muscles hurt, they yell at him, but there's nothing he can do. And this incoming headache wasn't the best either.

He flinches when he hears a footstep, eyes wide when more follow.

Even if his vision still wasn't the best, Minghao tried his best to make out the figure that soon appeared in front of him, just two more behind it's dark silhouette.

And when all the puzzle pieces fall into place, Minghao freezes like an icicle dangling from a roof, "You." Is all he can think to say, staring at the man before him, "You..?"

The man above him grins. Minghao can barely make it out, but it was still a bit eery.

"It's nice to see you again." Seungcheol grins, bowing slightly to show manners. He holds his clasped hands in front of his body politely, "I told myself when we would meet again that you'd seem better... but you're clearly still lost."

Minghao tilts his head, "... Thanks, I guess."

Seungcheol chuckles, "Your father always did say you had quiet the humor." The man sighs, pulling off his glasses to wipe at the lenses with his sleeve, "I can see that now."

"My father?" Minghao sits straight, breath hitching even at the mere mention.

Seungcheol smiles, pushing the specs back on his face. He sighs with a smile, hands clasped back in front of his body.

It's silent for a moment, so Minghao looks down, feeling small. He lets the silence engulf him, paint him like artwork. The white noise weighs on him like a pound of heavy hail falling from the sky.

He speaks before he can think.

"I want to avenge him."

Seungcheol raises his brows, caught off guard. He leans forward a bit, "What did you say?"

"I..." Minghao gulps, taking a shaky breath. He meets Seungcheol's eyes, "I want to avenge him.... I want to avenge my father, but I'm weak, I'm broken, I'm nothing but a useless piece of shit—" Minghao sniffles, watching the glisten of a fallen tear darken his pants, "I'm a coward."

Seungcheol clicks his tongue at the sight of the boy crying before him, a soft sigh slipping past his lips.

"Look, Xu." Seungcheol leans over, eye to eye with Minghao. "Your father was a great man. He was loyal, passionate, and one of the strongest people I've ever known."

Minghao sniffs, swiping a tongue across his puffy lips.

"And what's that saying? The cheap, shitty, overused one?" Seungcheol looks down, snapping his fingers, "Oh—" He nods, locking eyes again, "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Minghao stays silent, letting the words sink in.

Seungcheol, seeing his expression, stands tall again, smoothing out his suit. "I can help you." He almost laughs at how fast Minghao's head shoots up, "I know the cops have done nothing about your father's case. I can help you."

"You can help me?" That's all Minghao's seemed to catch, "H-Help me— Help me how?"

Seungcheol grins, throwing his arms out, letting out an ecstatic breath, "Welcome to Pledis, Xu Minghao." His voice almost echos.

"Pledis?" Minghao's brows twist once more.

"Yup." Seungcheol nods.

"What is it?"

Seungcheol sighs, pursing his lips, "Are you sure you want to know?" Minghao seems to sit straight now, "How do you know I'm not the bad guy... I could've just taken you from those men and kidnapped you for myself... tied you up... teased you like I am now— How would you know?"

Minghao gulps, "I-I don't think-"

"Join us if you want to avenge your father, Xu." Seungcheol cocks a brow, gaze suddenly a bit too serious. It's so sharp it almost pecks Minghao's eyes.

Minghao remains in place, the shock and confusion and curiosity all too much for his weak heart.

He lets Seungcheol's words seep all through his ears, trailing all through this mindset, running through his senses— Heart soul, and all.

"Don't think too much about it." Seungcheol shrugs, "You can always take your time, we wouldn't want to rush you. Not at all."

Minghao's jaw finally works, "How would you help me?" He feels as if that's the most important question to ask. He pats himself on the back for not listening to his wants. He was about to just say yes then and there without any further explanations.

Seungcheol grins, crossing his arms as he stares at him up and down. "That's for me to know, and for you to find out, hmm?"

Minghao tries not to roll his eyes, instead does something stupid. So beyond stupid he never thinks he'll be able to feel dumber than he does in this exact moment.

"Okay."