Forever, You Are My Star

Chapter 5: The Beating

*The contents of this chapter contain abuse, torture, extreme violence, and talk of sexual assault. Please read with caution. This is a warning.*

Water crashed onto a beach. The stars in the night sky were brighter than ever, almost like this was their home , and they were proud of it. Then, a woman appeared on the beach. Her skin was as pale as the moon, and her hair was as black as the night sky. But her eyes, they reflected the raging sea itself. They gave off a glow that only the daring ones would look into.

    "You have started your long, awaited journey. Do not fear for what is to come. They will be with you every step of the way." Her voice was so soothing that it sounded like gentle ripples of water on a calm sea. "I love you, Mey." A flash of green startled Mey awake. She shot up from her bed with beads of sweat dripping down her entire body, and her breathing was fast and panicked. 

    "Mey?" Mey's eyes darted up to the familiar voice. Wooyoung was sitting on a bed next to hers with a bandage wrapped around his hand. His brown, long-sleeve blouse and dark brown pants were torn even more than before indicating he had been in a fight. Part of his black hair was tied up into a ponytail with the blonde he had showing underneath, and two thick strands of black hair hung above each eye that were now filled with worry. Mey then looked over at the bed next to her to see that San was now gone then back at Wooyoung. She pushed some of the strands away from her face and tried to wipe the off of her face with her sleeve. "Are you alright?" Mey gently shook her head.

     "I don't know what that was. I've never had a dream like that before. It felt...so real." Wooyoung grabbed a clean rag from a nearby cabinet then made his way back to Mey and gave it to her. As she wiped the remaining sweat away Wooyoung sat at the end of her bed and watched with a still worried look on his face.

     "If you would like to tell me, I will listen. But that is your decision." Mey looked over at Wooyoung. He reminded her so much of Felix with his gestures and care over the now past three days. She felt she could trust not only him, but all of them who had helped her, but she could not understand why. Mey took a deep breath and tried to piece her thoughts together.

    "I was standing on a beautiful beach, too beautiful to be real. And while I was standing there admiring everything, a woman appeared. She looked exactly like me. Her eyes were glowing like torches from a ship far out at sea. She told me that my journey had started, and to not fear of what would come. She said they would be there for me every step of the way and also said my name." Mey looked over at Wooyoung who was now looking a little confused. Mey looked back down at the rag in her hands. "I don't know what it means. I'm confused and honestly a little scared. I'm sorry. I know you might think I'm crazy..." She then felt the bed raise then lower again with arms coming around her. Mey felt herself relax into the hug and closed her eye. It was what she needed. Wooyoung then pulled away and looked at her.

    "You are on a pirate ship miles away from home. You put your trust in people that you don't know and even helped them with their injuries. I do not think you are crazy." Mey smiled up at him.

     "Thank you, Wooyoung." She then took his bandaged hand in hers. "Now how did you manage this? And no lies." Wooyoung gave a chuckle.

     "Damn you are spending too much time with Seonghwa-hyung. But to answer your question, three of the other gunners and I disagreed on how a game went. San threw the first punch, but did not see the knife one of them pulled. I did, and my hand sliced open. I'll survive; it's not that bad." Mey gave him a small death glare then scanned his hand. Jongho must have bandaged it as it was not as tight as Seonghwa usually ties it. "Would you like something to eat? I could try and scrap you some food."