The Scars Between Us | KTH ✔️

Flames

🔥

Iris

It's on fire.

It's on fire.

It's on fire.

The words echoed in my mind like a mantra. I went still, trying to register the bombshell my father just dropped on me.

Suddenly, realization washed over me like a waterfall. My grip on the phone loosened and it fell somewhere near, I didn't mind looking where.

I couldn't think clearly... I am still trying to process what just happened and even though my mind accepted the fact, my heart didn't. I didn't.

A heavy weight settled over my chest, making it impossible for me to breathe properly. The harsh fall and rise of my chest indicated that I was still breathing, but a suffocating feeling overwhelmed me, sending me into overdrive.

I tuned out everything around me, the intense pitter-patter of the rain against the car's windows, the engine's loud rumble, the annoying silence fogging my mind.

I could hear the faint calls of my name, from both Tae and my father, but I could only focus on the frantic beating of my heart.

Reminding me that my heart is still there. Still beating. I'm still breathing. I'm okay. I'm fine.

I'm fine.

I'm not fine.

Tae's warm hand wrapped mine in a tight grip and I grabbed his hand equally as tight. Needing something to assure me that this is not a hallucination, not a disturbing nightmare that I will soon wake up from.

I sealed my eyes shut, in hopes that this is all one massive lie. But when I open my eyes, nothing has changed.

Tears stray downs my cheeks and I slowly turn to face Taehyung.

I'm met with his concerned eyes. He says something but I couldn't decipher what it is. It's like the world has gone mute.

His arms envelop me in a comforting embrace and I wanted to hug his torso, but I couldn't bring myself to do any sort of movement. He presses a sweet kiss to the crown of my head and turns to drive again, worry evident on him.

Returning my attention to the road ahead, I notice a giant cloud of smoke lingering in the night sky. This can't be happening...

With trembling fingers, I open the window, the cool breeze and the scent of smoke hitting me at once. This isn't real...

Tae steps harder on the gas, speeding his way to the source of the fire. I close my eyes and inhale the cold night air, wishing for the lingering odor of smoke to disappear.

But once again, when I open my eyes, I'm met with the same reality. A reality where my dreams are crashing down at me, burning into ashes.

Fire trucks, ambulances, police cars... Firefighters, medics, police officers, news reporters, cameramen...

They're all surrounding the fashion house, quietly watching it, as the rain drowns what's left of the flames.

I remain frozen, glued to my seat as Taehyung makes his way to the passenger's door and opens it.

After a few beats of silence, I grab his extended hands and step out of the car. Before I turn to meet the inevitable, I lay my head on his chest and listen to his steady heartbeat. It always calms me down.