Forever, You Are My Star

Chapter 33: The Creature She Could Have Been

The boats slowly made their way towards the island. Upon arrival, they were met with two women that Mey knew as Caryna and Calypso. Mey stepped out of the boat, helping San guide it safely ashore while Seonghwa, Chan, and Changbin did the same with theirs. Caryna and Calypso came forward looking into the boat Mey stepped out of. There lay Hongjoong's lifeless body with a blanket  covering half of his body. Caryna felt her breath stop in her throat.

    "Who were they?" She asked softly.

    "Yang and his crew along with Penn the one I told you about." Mey responded, her eyes fixed forward afraid to look back. Caryna looked over at her.

    "Where is he now?" Mey finally looked over to her.

    "They all have been taken care of." There was a pause as Caryna looked back at Hongjoong in the boat. Calypso then walked over to him, kneeling beside the boat.

    "He can be buried here; if that is something you are your crew would like. You now know your way here. Visiting him would not be a problem." She said softly. Mey straightened up as she walked over to them, looking down at Hongjoong.

    "I actually had another idea." Calypso and Caryna quickly looked to her as Caryna took Mey's hands in hers.

    "No, Mey, I won't allow it. It's far too dangerous." She said in a panic. By now, ATEEZ and Stray Kids were also becoming worried on what Mey had planned.

    "My mother did it for me; it is my time to return the favor." She replied.

    "You could die while doing this. I lost your mother; I cannot lose you as well. Think of your crew, your husband, your son." Mey felt her eyes soften as she looked to everyone. Once her eyes landed on San, she saw his eyes filled with worry. She then took her hands from Caryna and walked over to San where he then took hers in his and searched her eyes for answers he did not think he would find.

    "Sannie?" She said softly. San let out a soft breath as he looked at her.

    "How dangerous is this thing you are about to do?" He asked his eyes turning serious. Mey let out a gentle sigh as she looked down at his hands then back up at him.

    "If I don't succeed, I could die. If I do, then I return safely along with Hongjoong." San's eyes widened a bit.

    "You are saying you could bring Hongjoong-hyung back?"

    "When I was a little girl, I became very sick. I was on my death bed. My mother traveled here and made the sacrifice to save me; she succeeded. Unfortunately, Yang's father found her, and to prevent him from finding this place again and from finding me, she killed him, but that came with a price. This is dangerous, San, but I know I can do this. Will you trust me?" San looked at her before giving her a long and gentle kiss on her cheek.

    "I trust you with my whole heart, Mey." He then brought her in for a lingering hug. "Return safely, please." Mey pulled back with a smile.

    "I will. I love you."

    "I love you too. Forever." San smiled as he felt some tears threatening to sting his eyes. Mey then went around to everyone giving them hugs and words of comfort until finally she came to Yunho who brought her in for a long hug, letting his head rest on her shoulder.

    "Yunho, if I do not make it back, the duties of captain will fall to you. Lead them well; do not stray off the path that Hongjoong has made." She whispered only loud enough for Yunho to hear. Her words did not help the tears that began to fall.

    "I don't know how we will survive without either of you." Mey pulled away and cupped his cheek with her hand.

    "I trust you." With that, Mey turned towards Caryna and walked towards her. Caryna's eyes were filled with worry and anticipation, but also love and sorrow. She turned and let Mey follow her into the brush where the pool sat in the center of the island. Mey walked up to the pool, kneeling down beside it. She placed her hand in it, cupping some water in her hand. Memories of Caryna telling her of how her mother did this crossed her mind before memories of the crew and Hongjoong also crossed. She had to do this for the crew, for Hongjoong. She stood back up and looked over at Caryna who was now joined by Calypso. She gave a smile before leaning back and letting her figure disappear into the depths. Darkness surrounded her as she felt her body drop more and more. She began to look around for any source of light but found none. Suddenly, something swiped against her arm making her turn to the right just as she felt the water move on her left. She looked and looked and found nothing until a ball of energy made its way straight for her face. With a quick move, she let the green light dance from her fingers and blocked it. As she looked on, a beautiful creature with a purple to blue fade tail, long raven hair, and emerald green eyes was now floating a few feet from her. An evil smile gleamed across her face.