Krampus [Book Two Of King-Queen, Jester Series](CYJ)

16: Devil's Possession

"Oh he's the devil's possession
The Yule fire aglow in his eye."

⊱ ───ஓ๑♧๑ஓ ─── ⊰

Perseverance refers to our ability to pursue a goal or passion over time, and stick with it if we encounter obstacles or setbacks.

While perseverance is distinct from motivation and determination, it includes elements of both. As a research has shown, success at something requires persistence through some form of discomfort, an ability to push through when confronted with complications.

Throughout his life, Soobin had a barrage of complications and difficulties, and the immense ability to sustain his life from failure and, try again when thrown off his horses even if it all was only to fall back again.

Mama termed his resilient life saving instincts as that of a wild man surviving on nothing but some mere fruits and nuts, or, maybe worms.

It was yet again his that to survive instincts which indisputably woke him up that evening.

He heaved a deep, belly breath, his diaphragm contracting and flattening as the chest cavity enlarged. All this while, it felt like a boulder of 15 kilograms layed on his lungs.

Asthma. Soobin was asthmatic. His hands scratched on the floor, where he lay in a pool of his own blood, to grasp onto his inhaler. A chill of horror skipped through his veins when he failed to find his rescue.

"Hyung..." Although no one heard him, had anyone heard him, they wouldn't recognise the yell he was trying to form. Hyung was nowhere in his sight and he panicked. The asthama attack was getting stronger. Unable to breathe in, he lost his consciousness again.

The next time that he woke up, he had gained a better grip on his unstable nerves. He sat up, taking deep breaths. During his time with mama, mama had taught him a temporary relief to his condition. If he could calm his nerves down and mentally settle in the fact that his breath is normal, while at rest, he could momentarily get rid of his asthama.

This wasn't, however, a medicine. It could only help for an infinitesimal span. As his body calmed down, he looked around himself. The crimson endowed fluid under him was blood, that he had realised the first time as well. But to his own surprise, it wasn't his. He couldn't find any wear and tear on his body.

Changing the subject, he looked at the walls around him. Moisty. The place was dark and gloomy, and smelt of something extremely repulsive. Soobin's gag reflex choked at the odour.

He covered his nostrils with his hands and moved his focus to the furniture of the room. In length, the room was thrice as himself. How high could it be? Twice his length? Probably. As of furnishings, the room was mostly empty except the oil canisters and random wooden cartons. There was a large window on the east wall and a door adjoining the opposite wall on the west.