𝔻𝕀𝕊𝕋ℝ𝕀ℂ𝕋 ℕ𝕀ℕ𝔼 «재현»

06

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ꜱɪx

The streetlight cast a pale glow over the parking lot of the grand hotel, as a sleek black sedan glided through the entrance gates. Its engine purred softly, barely audible against the backdrop of the night. The car came to a graceful halt beneath the inviting glow of the hotel's entrance.

As the car rolled to a stop, the teenagers exchanged cautious looks. Doubt mixed with hope in their eyes, as they yearned for a temporary break from their harrowing reality.

As they stepped into the lobby, adorned with crystal chandeliers and marble floors, a sense of awe washed over them. The reception desk stood like a beacon of hospitality, manned by a courteous attendant. He greeted them with a warm smile, well accustomed to the enthusiasm of youthful travelers.

"Welcome to the Whale Inn Hotel," the attendant said, his voice carrying a touch of sophistication. "How may I assist you this evening?"

"We need a room. The quietest one you have."

The receptionist's eyes flickered with curiosity, but he remained professional, and he nodded.

"Of course, I have a room available on the second floor," he replied discreetly. "Room 215. It's tucked away from the main corridors, offering you privacy."

Relief washed over the teens as they accepted the keycard. The mere thought of a locked door between them and the Children's League gave them a momentary relief from the constant adrenaline coursing through their veins.

The elevator doors slid open, revealing a softly lit corridor adorned with plush carpets and tasteful artwork.

The trio walked side by side, the air alive with anticipation, until they reached Room 215. With trembling hands, Jaehyun inserted the keycard into the lock, and with a satisfying click, the door swung open, revealing their temporary sanctuary.

The room was spacious, its decor a blend of modern elegance and comfort. Large windows overlooked the shimmering city lights below, casting an ethereal glow across the room. The teenagers entered, dropping their bags in unison, and the room filled with a symphony of excited exclamations.

As they settled into their temporary home away from home, the teenagers felt a sense of freedom.

Amidst the flickering glow of the hotel room, the trio huddled together, their faces etched with unwavering determination. Their recent escape from The Children's League had left them acutely aware that danger lurked around every corner, and they couldn't afford to let their guard down for a moment.

Trinity, her naturally ebony-black hair cascading around her shoulders like a waterfall of darkness, reached for a can of hair dye.

On their way to the motel, the trio had collectively agreed upon the need of altering their appearances by dyeing their hair. It was a sensible solution to masking their identities and maintaining a low profile in their journey. They had acquired a box of hair dye from an abandoned hair salon conveniently situated along their route to the hotel, and now it was time to put their plan into action.

The trio immediately set to work, mixing the dye and preparing for the transformation. Trinity's once inky black hair gradually transformed into a vibrant shade of rose gold, her new identity a stark contrast to her former self.

Jaehyun, his normally black locks now hidden beneath a cloak of reddish-brown, studied his reflection in the mirror with a mixture of curiosity and satisfaction. It was a subtle change, but it made all the difference, a crucial step toward freedom.

Yuta's black hair was replaced with a rich shade of platinum blonde, and he ran a hand through the unfamiliar strands with a sense of wonder.

Trinity couldn't contain her excitement as she admired her friend's new hair, reaching out to touch it and humming in delight at its softness. "This color looks great on you."

The Japanese teen grinned in appreciation, extending a hand to gently touch Trinity's rose gold locks. "Yours looks awesome, Trin. It suits you perfectly."

Trinity then turned her gaze toward Jaehyun, who had been examining his reflection in the mirror, seemingly lost in his thoughts. His new reddish-brown hair complemented his warm ivory skin tone, giving him an ethereal appearance. His button nose was scrunched, and his lips curled into a small smile, causing his dimples to pop out on both cheeks.

Long gone was the awkward thirteen-year-old boy she had met at Veridale. In his place stood a strong, handsome, and incredibly confident young man who had evolved in the face of adversity.

Trinity didn't realize how long she had been staring until she caught the playful smirk on Jaehyun's face, which indicated that he had been aware of her scrutiny.

"Do I look that good, Trin?" he teased, his voice laced with humor, and Trinity felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment. Yuta couldn't resist snickering beside her, and she playfully drove her elbow into his ribcage, being careful not to cause any harm as she retorted, "Shut up."

As the night deepened, exhaustion started to seep into Yuta's bones. He excused himself and made his way to his sleeping corner, leaving the Blue and Purple alone.

Trinity settled onto the small couch, and Jaehyun took a seat next to her, their shoulders brushing. They looked at each other, a shared understanding passing between them.

Jaehyun broke the silence, his voice filled with sincerity and curiosity. "How do you think our lives would have been like if we never met each other? You, me, and Yuta, I mean..."

The question hung in the air as the teenager thought long and hard about a response. She couldn't even think about the possibility of living without the bond the trio had developed at Veridale. The rehabilitation camp's atmosphere was harsh and cruel, but together, they were able to find happiness amid darkness.

"Meeting you, Yuta, and discovering our abilities changed everything for me, but I wouldn't have survived in this world if it weren't for you both," Trinity replied, her voice soft with gratitude.

They leaned closer, their eyes locked in a profound connection. The weight of their words lingered in the air, their bond unbreakable. "I'm grateful for you too, Trinity," Jaehyun whispered. "You gave us the hope we needed to get out of that sinkhole."

The Purple smiled, her heart swelling with affection.

They continued talking long into the night, sharing dreams and fears, their conversation dancing between lightheartedness and depth. As the night waned, the pastel-haired teen yawned, her exhaustion catching up with her even though she had napped in the car.

"I should probably get some sleep," she said, stifling another yawn.

Jaehyun nodded in agreement, his gaze softening. As Trinity rose to leave, he gently caught her hand, pulling her closer, and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, a silent gesture of protection and affection.

"Goodnight, pretty," he whispered, his voice a gentle caress.

Trinity's heart skipped a beat at the endearing nickname, a mixture of emotions flooding her being. "Goodnight, Jae."

With one final lingering look, they parted ways, retreating to their separate beds to seek solace in sleep. As the room fell into silence, the kiss remained etched in her mind, a whispered promise of love and safety.