Deep End | Hyunlix

1

Felix jolted awake, gasping for air as his heart pounded erratically in his chest. Tears blurred his vision as he struggled to catch his breath, his body trembling with the aftershocks of the nightmare. He wiped at his face frantically, but the tears kept coming, mixing with the sweat dampening his hair. It took him a few moments to pull himself together, to remind himself that he was safe, that it wasn't real. The dream had been so vivid, too vivid, that it lingered in his mind like a lingering shadow.

He sat up in bed, staring blankly at the walls of his room as he tried to steady his breathing. Breathe, Felix. Just breathe, he told himself. His hands shook slightly as he ran them through his messy hair. It wasn't the first time this had happened. He'd woken up from this kind of nightmare before, but it had been weeks since the last episode. Still, the fear that gripped him was like an old companion, familiar but unwelcome.

Taking a deep breath, Felix swung his legs over the edge of the bed and stood up. His bare feet met the cold floor, the chill grounding him as he made his way toward the window. He parted the curtains slightly and looked out at the early morning sky. The first rays of sunlight were just starting to paint the horizon in shades of gold and pink. The sky, calm and serene, contrasted sharply with the chaos of his thoughts. He let out a long, shaky breath. How did we get here?

He already knew the answer to that question. He had known it for a while now. It all started two years ago.

Two years ago.

Felix's body ached, his head throbbed with the remnants of the beating he had taken. He was tied to a chair, blood dripping down from a gash above his right eye. His left eye was swollen shut, but he didn't need to see perfectly to know he was in trouble. His entire body was sore from the violence, from the blows that had come in fast, relentless bursts.

"Hang in there, boss. We're almost there," Seungmin's voice crackled in his earpiece, steady despite the chaos surrounding them.

Felix barely managed a snarl, his voice hoarse from the blood in his throat. "That's all you got?" he growled, his head swimming as he tried to stay conscious.

The masked man in front of him sneered, then swung a fist into Felix's jaw, sending him reeling back in the chair. Pain exploded in his skull, but he didn't have time to dwell on it.

"Boss, don't get yourself killed before we get there!" Han's voice was sharp, urgent.

Felix's vision blurred, but he spat blood at his attacker, defiance still burning in his chest despite the overwhelming odds. The man took a step back, momentarily stunned, but Felix knew this was just the calm before the storm. He needed to buy time. He needed to hold on.

"I'm going to ask you one more time," the man hissed, his breath sour behind the mask. "How did you find this location?"

Felix was about to speak, to give them the answer they wanted but before he could, the door to the room flew open. Another masked man stepped inside, whispering to the first. They exchanged a brief, quiet conversation, then turned their attention to Felix.

A cold dread settled in his gut, but then the two men walked out, leaving him alone. Felix's heart thudded in his chest. This was it. This was his chance.

"Now's your chance," he whispered into his earpiece, his fingers fumbling with the ropes that bound him.

"Got it. We're touching down now. Be ready," Chan's calm voice responded, and Felix's heart lifted just a little.

He wiggled in his seat, trying to loosen the ropes around his wrists. The chair creaked under his movements, but Felix didn't stop. He rocked back and forth, every movement a calculated risk. Then, with a loud crash, he toppled to the side. Pain shot through his ribs, but he ignored it, focusing on the task at hand.

The door was still ajar, but no one had come back. He quickly lifted his right foot to his face, using his chin to click a small hidden compartment open. A small, sharp knife popped out, and he grabbed it with his teeth, carefully maneuvering it into his hands. He glanced up, watching the door as he began cutting through the ropes binding his wrists.

Just then, an explosion rocked the building, sending a shockwave through the room. Felix's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't waste a second. He cut faster, desperation driving him. The explosion had been the signal.

Finally, the ropes were severed. Felix rubbed his sore wrists, wincing as he stood. His gash was still bleeding, but there was no time to address it now. He wiped his hand on his pants, blood staining the fabric, and cautiously approached the door. He cracked it open, glancing both ways. The hallway outside was empty—at least for now. He pushed the door open wider and slipped into the hall, moving cautiously, his senses on high alert.

As he crept down the hallway, smoke and dust still lingered in the air from the explosion. He heard shouting up ahead voices raised in panic. Felix pressed his back to the wall, holding his breath as footsteps grew louder.

"Someone go check on the prisoner," a voice barked. "We got it from here."

Felix froze, his heart hammering in his chest. He waited, but then, before the approaching footsteps could round the corner, they suddenly stopped. A moment later, the sound of two figures moving swiftly in all black came into view.

"Felix!" Seungmin's relieved voice broke through the tension, and Felix let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.

Seungmin was at his side in an instant, wrapping an arm around Felix's waist to steady him. "I got you," he murmured.

"We need to move, now," Chan urged, looking over his shoulder with sharp eyes.

Felix nodded, his body protesting the movement as they quickly made their way down the hall, the sound of their footsteps echoing in the tense silence.

They reached the exit and jumped into the van, the door slamming shut behind them. Felix's eyes scanned the area one last time, but nothing seemed out of place. They were safe at least for now.

But none of them saw the black car parked in the shadows, the driver watching them with cold eyes and a grin that spoke of things to come.

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1112 words