Inferno Hearts | Xu Minghao

9. Into the Abyss of Unspoken Fears

.·:*¨༺ ༻¨*:·.

In the tranquil embrace of early dawn, a hushed world stirs as the clock hands approach 4-5 A.M. A delicate symphony of colors begins to unfurl across the canvas of the sky, as shades of indigo and violet give way to the gentle embrace of pastel hues.

The air carries a crisp, invigorating chill, a testament to the night's lingering grasp and the impending arrival of the sun's warmth.

In the early hours, while most slumber in dreams, Minghao sits alone on a weathered bench by the sea. His body bears the weight of last night's excesses, and his gaze is fixed upon the restless waves.

Dawn's first light touches his worn face, and amidst his contemplation, a glimmer of determination emerges.

The sea, much like his life, holds both mess and promise, and as the sun rises, Minghao finds himself at a crossroads, seeking strength to navigate the challenges that lie ahead.

Amidst shading tears, Minghao's thoughts drift to his sister's youthful countenance, envisioning Min as she was at 14 years old.

The image of her beauty lingers, frozen in time, and he can't help but wonder how that beauty might have evolved at 22. A surge of frustration wells up within him, a painful reminder of the moments stolen from him.

The ache intensifies as he reflects on missed milestones: her graduation, the chance to know her first and last lover, the joy of holding her newborn child, and the solace he couldn't offer in times of need. His heart constricts under the weight of the truth - Min is no more.

The finality of her absence hangs heavy, an unfillable void in his life.

Min's absence seemed insurmountable, an abyss that defied any attempt to bridge. Each attempt to heal only echoed the hollowness within, and the world around him felt colorless, as if drained of its vibrancy.

The memories they had shared, the laughter and the love, now served as bittersweet reminders of what once was.

Minghao's heartache was a silent symphony, a melody of grief that played relentlessly in the depths of his being.

He yearned for solace, for a way to mend the fragments of his fractured soul, but it felt as though he stood alone in a desolate landscape, where even the most heartfelt efforts were mere echoes against the vast emptiness.

Yet, amidst the darkness, a glimmer of resilience flickered. Minghao's journey through the labyrinth of loss was far from over.

As he traced the contours of his pain, he began to realize that healing wasn't about erasing the void, but rather finding ways to carry it alongside the cherished memories of Min.

Though the void remained, Minghao's spirit started to mend, slowly and tentatively, like the first rays of dawn breaking through the night.

And in time, perhaps, he would discover that while Min could never be replaced, her light could guide him toward a new understanding of life's intricate tapestry.

In a desperate quest for answers, Minghao's tormented mind fixates on the possibility that Nabi could be responsible for his twin sister's death.

Fueled by a mix of grief and suspicion, he resolves to confront the source of this unsettling revelation – the person who had been a pillar of support and affection throughout his and Min's childhood.

With a heavy heart, he makes his way to the shelter, a place etched with both painful and cherished memories.

The walls of the familiar building seem to whisper secrets of days gone by, while the hallways hold echoes of laughter and shared moments.