deal | jjk

04

The numbers are all you can think about as they continue to rush past you. You've managed to cut down your shifts with an hour or two, not enough to make it suspicious, but enough to give you a little more time in the evenings.

Those hours are, of course, spent by Taehyung's side with Dahyun close by. On the rare occasion you actually leave the hospital to go home and sleep, or shower and change before work, you're anxious. That's the reason you prefer not to be away from Taehyung. Dahyun, you can always take with you wherever you go, except for work.

What you don't expect when you've returned late and locked the front door behind you and Dahyun, and walked into your bedroom, is a hand to clamp down over your mouth.

"Don't scream."

Your very first instinct is to scream, but the hand successfully muffles it, and a robust arm around your middle and over your arms renders you immovable.

"Shh, it's me, Je—the demon," the low voice whispers right next to your ear. It calms you, because you do recognize that voice.

But your heart that's just begun to slow back down isn't given much rest when you consider the fact that the demon is, in fact, in your room. The last you saw of him, you accidentally offended him.

The hand over your mouth is removed slowly, as if to make sure you won't scream. You don't. You're frozen in place, painfully aware of the solid body your back is pressed into. It's dark, you didn't get the chance to turn the lights on before you were attacked, and even if you had, you're not sure you would've dared to turn around anyway.

"There's still e—eleven days left," you stutter hopelessly.

"I know. I'm not here to collect."

Even though you can't possibly imagine why he's decided to visit you, you don't ask. Instead, you leave it open for him to elaborate, which he does.

"I need your help."

The statement is what makes you let go of the fear that's been pulsing through your veins. What?

"How would I be able to help you?" The tone of your voice, you notice, sounds so surprised that it's bordering on rude. "I—I mean, I'm just a human."

Despite potentially and accidentally offending him a second time, you start turning your body around to face the demon. His arm pulls you closer to his chest, stopping your movements. It's like he doesn't want you to see him.

"I'm being hunted," he mutters angrily, so close to your ear that it sends shivers through your body. "Those fuckers... I'm hurt, and I need you to take a look at me."

The demon, who you owe so much, doesn't need to be polite. But when he adds a softer 'please,' you're once again attempting to turn around. This time, he loosens the arm around you, and you're quick to move, taking a step back to be able to see him better.

Reaching out, your hand flicks the light switch on in a swift move, and you gasp silently.

The demon in the corner of your room is injured. The first thing you're able to focus on are the wings. They're big, mostly long and lacking height, and you can tell it's not how they're supposed to be. The black feathers are there, but not as many of them as there should be. They should be abundant, long, full, shiny. Instead, they're sparser, short... dull. Something drips and joins a small puddle on the floor. Blood.

Under your scrutinizing gaze, the wings twitch, forcing your eyes to focus on the demon's face. He's uncomfortable, doesn't want to meet your eyes. It's like he's... ashamed.

Light footsteps jolt you out of your frozen state, and you're quickly reminded that your little sister is also in the apartment.

"Dahyun... I need to put her to bed. I'll be back," you inform hastily, doing your best to sound gentle and unjudging as you grab at the door. You don't want to know how your little sister would react to the supernatural being that's dressed in all black and dripping blood all over your wooden floor.