FALLEN WONDERLAND 「LEE SOO HYUK & SEO YEA JI FICTION」

17: Unexpected Behaviors

Lee Soo Hyuk felt a wave of comfort wash over him as he stepped onto the airplane. This metallic bird soaring through the sky was a familiar haven, a place he had called home for years, especially during his days as a model. He could effortlessly curl up and fall asleep on the plane, something that had become a daunting task in his own bed. But in the sky, he felt at ease, cradled by the winds far above the ground.

As the engines roared and the wind buffeted, Soo Hyuk's brain shifted into a dream-like state. He was in his element, with thousands of miles to go and nothing to worry about. He trusted the airplane, the captain, and the crew. They were his allies, all working together to get him safely to his destination.

Masking fear was a necessary survival skill where he came from, a technique he had mastered over the years. It was second nature to him, so much so that he didn't feel fear in the way others did. He processed it differently, routing it through his prefrontal cortex rather than letting his primitive brain take control. Fear had damaged him before, but he had learned to cope with it. Unlike others, fear didn't shut him down; it made him more alert, more skilled, and more innovative in problem-solving.

As the plane soared through the sky, Lee Soo Hyuk succumbed to the allure of sleep. Yet, he knew that drifting off on a plane was a risky business. Nightmares, like predators, lurked in the shadows of his subconscious, waiting to pounce and strip him of any sense of safety.

Tonight was no exception. As he descended into slumber, he found himself in a familiar room, a place he had long since left behind. Darkness surrounded him, suffocating him, and robbing him of his senses. He felt a creeping sense of terror as if something was closing in on him. He was paralyzed, unable to move his limbs, unable to escape. Fear coursed through his veins, and he dared not open his eyes, afraid of what he might see.

The space around him felt like it was contracting, suffocating him in his nightmare. The crushing weight of it all became too much, and he gasped for air. Suddenly, he jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat. His hand flew to his forehead, wiping away the droplets that had gathered there. He panted heavily, trying to catch his breath, attempting to calm his racing heart.

It took him a few moments to regain his bearings, to come back to the reality of the plane cabin. He looked around, relieved to find that he was safe, that it had all been a dream. His heart still pounding, he closed his eyes, hoping that he would not be dragged back into the abyss of his nightmares.

As Lee Soo Hyuk slowly emerged from the clutches of his nightmare, he mumbled to himself, trying to reassure himself that he was safe. As his eyes adjusted to the dim lighting of the plane cabin, he realized that Seo Yea Ji was sleeping next to him, her head resting on his shoulder. He shifted slightly, relieved to see that she had not woken up as he had sat up. Careful not to disturb her, he reached for his backpack and stood up, making his way to the bathroom.

Moving stealthily through the cabin, Soo Hyuk slipped inside the bathroom without being noticed. He closed the door behind him and breathed a sigh of relief. Turning on the faucet, he splashed water on his face, grateful for the cool sensation that jolted him back to reality. He reached for a clean towel from his backpack and dried his face, examining his reflection in the mirror. He looked pale, worn out from the nightmare that had just tormented him. He took his medication once they landed, hoping that it would help him feel better soon.

He lingered a little longer inside the bathroom, taking care of his other morning needs. Once he was done, he made his way back to his seat, taking extra care not to wake Seo Yea Ji. He settled back into his seat, grateful for the quiet hum of the airplane engine. He closed his eyes, hoping to catch some more sleep before they landed.

Lee Soo Hyuk felt Manager Kim's concerned eyes on him, even with his eyes closed. He knew he had to reassure him that he was alright, so he opened his eyes and gestured for him to stay put. He would handle it. Although his panic attacks were infrequent these days, the memories of his past experiences at Nang Fashion Agency had triggered an overwhelming sense of fear, and he knew that nightmares were sure to follow.