ATEEZ Still Present

Chapter 1

There were flames everywhere, so hot, the heat seared slightly against Seonghwa's skin. He walked above the deck slowly, limping and holding his side in pain.

"Boys, Hongjoong. Guys, where are you," he called out, scanning over the deck in search for any signs of life. Any signs of his crew, his family. He bit his lip nervously, limping across the ship in frantic search. As he walked, he noticed three bodies piled close together. He held his breath and hurried over, stopping with a gasp and a whimper. It was San, Yeosang and Wooyoung, all tangled together with their hands intertwined. It would've been sweet if it wasn't for the lack of movement and the burns and cuts all over their bodies. San's eyes were wide open but unseeing, facing towards Wooyoung and Yeosang. Seonghwa let out a sob and dropped to his knees, his hands reaching out desperately but not touching. He heard the sound of a groan and he stumbled to his feet quickly, hurrying behind a bit of debris to find Yunho leaning against the side of the ship, Mingi in his lap. There was blood pooling around there, too much blood.

"Y-Yunho," he whispered. Yunho's head lifted up and Seonghwa's stomach dropped. There was blood dripping from his mouth and a wound in his chest.

"H-Hwa," Yunho whispered. The tears fell quicker down Seonghwa's face as he dropped down beside the two of them.

"What's wrong with Mingi," Seonghwa asked, reaching out for him.

"He's dead," Yunho replied, his voice barely even a whisper. Seonghwa's head snapped up, mouth open in shock.

"Wh-What," he stuttered out. Yunho opened his mouth again to reply but all that came out was a cough as blood spurted out of his mouth.

"Y-Yunho, stay in there. Stay with me," Seonghwa said, reaching forwards and desperately trying to stop the blood from Yunho's chest. It didn't help much though; it continued to pour from his chest. Yunho coughed up a bit more blood before his body went limp and his head lolled to the side.

"No. N-No, Yunho," Seonghwa cried out. He placed his hand on the youngers cheeks, tapping lightly but there was no reaction, all it did was smear more blood over it. Seonghwa sobbed and checked his pulse on his neck but there was nothing. He let go of Yunho and his head lulled back down to the side. Yunho and Mingi were dead as well. Seonghwa sniffled and briefly wiped his eyes with what was left of his shirt sleeve. He slowly raised himself to his feet, diverting his eyes away from his two friends surrounded by blood. He continued walking alongside the ship, scanning in the hopes of finding the last two boys, of finding them alive. His hope dimmed however as he noticed a figure lying on the deck, three arrows sticking out of his torso. He walked over and dropped to his knees, getting enveloped in more sadness as his eyes trailed over the youngest face. He sniffled sadly and lifted his hand, using it to gently cradle his face before sliding his eyes shut. He bent down slowly, leaving a soft kiss to Jongho's forehead before standing up again. They're dead, all of them are dead. There's only one person left, the person he cares for the most. Hongjoong. Seonghwa froze where he was, crouching down and clenching his eyes closed. He didn't want to do it. He didn't want to move, he didn't want to risk finding Hongjoong, only to have his heart ripped out. He didn't want even the possibility of finding the love of his life in a state like the others. He couldn't. He just stayed where he was and sat crying his eyes out, his arms curled around his body.

"Don't cry my love; everything's going to be ok." Seonghwa's head snapped up and he looked to his right to see Hongjoong kneeling down beside him.

"Oh god. Joongie," he gasped out, lunging forwards and embracing Hongjoong tightly. Hongjoong's arms wrapped around him as well and Seonghwa let out a breath of relief at the knowledge that he was still alive.