Inferno Hearts | Xu Minghao

10. Trauma

.⋅ ۵♡۵ ⋅.

  𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓦𝓮𝓮𝓴𝓷𝓭 - 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓵𝓼

↻ ◁ II ▷ ↺

Minghao's voice carried a note of urgency as he turned his gaze toward the members, seeking their interpretations and insights. "Can anyone decipher these expressions?" he asked, his curiosity and concern evident in his words.

"Are you sure about this, Minghao?" Joshua chimed in, his voice carrying a note of caution and consideration.

Minghao's response carried a stark determination. "If I wasn't sure about what I wanted, I wouldn't have come so resolutely," he retorted, his words tinged with an edge of frustration.

"If she's determined to fucking die, then she'll have no option but to face it. I'm exhausted, and my patience has worn thin," he added in a tone marked by harsh resolve.

As Joshua was left momentarily speechless, Jeonghan stepped forward, taking the lead. "I'll handle it Minghao," he declared with a sense of authority.

A simmering resentment lingered in his voice as he continued, "The day I discovered what happened with Min, I felt nothing but disdain for her killer and I am ready to do as you say so."

Without awaiting a response from Minghao or any other member, Jeonghan strode toward the basement, his determined steps echoing his resolve.

In the dimly lit depths of the basement, Nabi awaited Jeonghan's arrival, consumed by a potent mixture of her own internal struggles and the forces at play.

As Jeonghan's gaze bore into her, she sensed the impending weight of his judgment.

Her strength had been sapped, leaving her devoid of the vigor needed to stand on her own. In her heart, a desperate yearning for it all to come to an end grew stronger.

"Are you ready to die?", Jeonghan mockly said.

In a bid to steady her racing heart, Nabi closes her eyes, focusing on slowing her breath.

With a resolute determination, she attempts to convince herself that this drastic choice is the only path to freeing herself from the suffocating grip he had on her.

Jeonghan strides toward the edge of the bed, his gaze unwavering as he unties the knots that had kept Nabi's legs bound for over a week.

As the ropes come undone, they leave behind faint red marks on Nabi's ankles, her pain made evident by the expression she wears.

However, Jeonghan remains unmoved by her suffering. In fact, it's precisely the sight he sought, for it reaffirms his intentions.

What Nabi is experiencing now pales in comparison to the torment Min endured, a stark contrast that underscores his grim purpose.

As Jeonghan attempts to help Nabi rise from the bed, her legs give way as soon as they touch the floor, causing her to stumble and fall.

Jeonghan refrains from offering assistance, his expression revealing a deliberate detachment. The effects of a week spent in bed, restrained and immobile, have taken their toll on Nabi's body.

Her physical strength has weakened, leaving her struggling even with the simple act of walking.

"Get the fuck up," Jeonghan spats.

Observing Nabi's lack of initiative, Jeonghan's frustration simmers to the surface. With a surge of anger, he seizes her hand and forcefully lifts her from the cold floor.