We Fight To Protect

Chapter 11

"San I don't think you understand. We need to leave now. If not the town then at least this house. They obviously know where we are and they will be coming for us," Hongjoong said.

"What do you mean I don't understand? We've been going through this for five years, having to change towns every 6 to 8 months because they find us," San said with a frown.

"Look, let's just stop arguing and get going. We know a safe place for us to stay for a while so we can go there, it's only an hour walk and we can take back ways so we don't get caught. Wooyoung can come too, in fact it's probably best if he does come. I agree with San, it might not be safe," Yeosang said.

"It's a good option for now, temporary. We can figure more out later once we get there," Seonghwa said with a nod.

"Woo, are you ok with that. I'll be there to keep you safe, I promise," San whispered gently. Wooyoung sniffled slightly before nodding quickly. San reached up and gently wiped away his tears with his sleeve. While this was happening, Yeosang and Hongjoong shared a look before glancing back to the two on the couch.

"Come on, we need to get moving quickly," Mingi said. San let go of Wooyoung and they quickly stood up.

"Everyone grab your packs and secure them properly," Hongjoong said.

"You won't have your own stuff but you can share with us," Yunho told Wooyoung who nodded. They all went and grabbed their packs, putting them on their backs quickly and did all of the straps up. San winced and his knees almost buckled when he threw his pack on his back, his vision blurring slightly. He held his breath, hoping no one noticed. They can't afford to be weak, not right now so he needs to keep it in. For some reason, the minute Wooyoung calmed down more and his energy relaxed, all the pain and exhaustion hit him once again. Once they were ready, they went to the back door, Hongjoong and Seonghwa moved to the front.

"W-Wait," Wooyoung said quickly, making everyone turn to him but he glanced at San.

"I-It's safe right," he whispered. San nodded and held out his hand, linking their fingers as Wooyoung grabbed it.

"Let's go," Seonghwa said. He swung the door open and they all hurried out. Wooyoung took immediate note that their backyard linked in with one of the forests, the rougher and more dangerous one. The reason why it's more dangerous is because it's a lot bigger than others and it's a lot easier to get lost in.

"Are we going in there," Wooyoung asked. Jongho spun around in annoyance, sick of Wooyoung's constant questions.

"Watch it," San said immediately, stopping Jongho in his tracks.

"Just remember Youngie doesn't know what's going on. He isn't a fighter, he is exactly how you were when we were taken from the facility," Mingi said. Jongho sighed but nodded.

"Right, I'm sorry," he said, glancing at Wooyoung who just gave him a brief shaky smile to show he was ok. They then set out, walking into the woods.

~~~~~

They were walking for close to half an hour when San realised things were going to go south very quickly. He had been holding Wooyoung's hand the entire walk but he let go five minutes earlier to talk quietly with Yeosang. San was glad he was able to calm down a little bit more but he couldn't really focus on that, given how he was declining fast. His head was throbbing, his vision blurring slightly and every step he took was heavy and shaky. He was at the back of the group, slowing down the longer they walked but the others didn't seem to notice. He knew this was bound to happen, it should've happened ages ago. He expelled energy, got hit in the head, then had a vase smashed over it, passed out, woke up and almost overloaded, passed out again and then was brought out somehow again. The fact that he is still standing is a wonder, he's just lucky the others forgot about it. He's been doing his best to remain standing so they can get to safety and even though they aren't there yet, they're still safe right now. His knees buckled on his next step and he fell to the ground. He didn't make a sound as it happened, just blinked slowly and dropped to his side, the hiking pack tugging harshly on his shoulders but he didn't make a move to get it off, he couldn't. He just laid on the forest floor, struggling to keep his eyes open as he continued watching the boys leave. It was another close to ten seconds when someone finally noticed. Jongho glanced back before freezing, his eyes darting around the forest. He felt panic building up inside him at a fear for what could have happened to his cousin, his breath picking up. When his eyes finally landed on San, his heart leapt into his throat.