Our Past World

Siren

I felt the need to look around the floor, something wasn't right. I was right. something was very wrong and I found out very fast what it was. 

While scanning the floor we were on, I saw something. I walked toward what I saw. One of my friend's jackets. I slowly picked up the jacket and held it close. Where are you, Jinsung?

I walked back to where Theo was standing, he waited for me after signalling to the others to continue making their way up the building. I put the jacket on quietly and put the hood up. I felt safe this way for some reason. It was almost a reassuring feeling. We continued to the top floors. 

I got ahead of everyone and continued ascending the building. By the time I was four floors above the others, I realized I just made a mistake. A huge mistake. I realized then that this is possibly the end of my journey. I was at gunpoint by over five people. Oh no.. now what do I do?.. I quickly sweep the room, looking for anything I can use to defend myself. There was nothing, there's only one thing I can do now. Slowly, I put my hands up and went down onto my knees. 

I kept my head down and refused to answer during questioning. At this point, it had been days since I surrendered. I kept praying that Theo, Keeho, Jongseob, Jiung, and Intak went back or got out of here. At this moment, I'd much rather know they're safe and not here but not sitting in a room tied to a chair without eating or drinking water. I knew the tactic that was being used was to break me into answering their questions. I knew it wouldn't work. I'm loyal to my friends. 

We were sent here for a reason. We were given the coordinates for a reason. We just had to find that reason other than finding my friends. 

[FLASHBACK]

I ran into Theo and Jongseob. They brought me to where they were staying. Theo treated me as his own son. I had never felt more accepted before. I still missed home, but I knew that this would be my own small family. A few years later, Jiung and Keeho came along. I had always wondered what it was like to have a family full of brothers, now I know. I now had a place I didn't want to leave, people who cared for me and wouldn't let me leave even if I wanted. 

[END OF FLASHBACK]

I snapped back to reality after hearing a scream. It had the sound of grief and pain. After processing, I realized that it was Theo. No, what did they tell him? 

"THEO!" I screamed. I wouldn't stop. I kept screaming his name. He had to know I was alive. He never replied. Was I now really alone? Why did Theo scream? What about the others, are they safe? 

Over the next few weeks, Theo's scream haunted me. An endless amount of questions wandered about in my mind. The answers, I'd never find unless I got out of here. Unless I got out of here.. I looked around the room and found a way out. I'd just have to untie myself first. But how? Someone came into the room, they were wearing a mask. The person untied me from the chair and took me down a hall. I was pushed into a room and I saw the others.

My mind started racing. No.. what's going on?.. why are they still here?.. what do they want from us?.. 

"Choose one." A voice from behind me followed suddenly. 

I collapsed onto my knees. How could I choose someone when I don't know what's going to happen next? "I can't.. I won't.. not without knowing what'll happen next.." 

"Just choose me. None of us know what's going to happen next. Soul." Intak snapped at me. 

"How?!.. How can I choose anyone knowing that we might not see each other again!.. Don't you dare put yourself up like that!.. A family is supposed to stick together.. if it weren't for either of you, I know I wouldn't have lasted this long.. I got us into this, I should be the one that finds out what happens next.." I shouted at him. I could never choose one of them knowing I got us into this mess. 

I turned around and faced the stranger. "I choose myself." I was pulled out of the room and down another hall. 

He was there. The one we came to get out of this place. Lee Jinsung. 

"Jinsung? But this doesn't make sense."

"It makes perfect sense, Shota."