Sasaeng Sister [In big roles: Sunghoon, Lee Know, skz, Ateez, Jungkook]

Chapter 51

Recovering from witnessing the deaths of my brother and boyfriend, not to mention the act of killing Han, wasn't easy—even after discovering it had all been fake. I moved through the rest of the day in a haze, barely registering what happened around me.

At times, I managed to pull myself out of the spiraling thoughts. However, it didn't take long before I was thrust back into the haunting memories—hugging Sunghoon's cold body or locking eyes with Han as he staggered back, a bullet in his chest.

Lost in the lingering panic, I missed the room arrangements for the night. I didn't know where to stand when the ceiling construction began to lower.

Hongjoong's voice broke through my daze.

"Filina, you're with us."

He gestured toward Bang Chan and Jungkook, who had gathered in the designated area for the neutral room.

Sleeping in normal room temperature was a luxury I hadn't yet experienced during the abduction.

I curled up in one corner of the room, watching the other three get comfortable.

Bang Chan lay down immediately, not wasting time looking for a place. He shivered feverishly, and the bitten hand looked inflamed, although not nearly as swollen as in my simulation.

Jungkook opted for the corner farthest from the rest of us. At first, he positioned himself facing the wall. Soon he shifted, turning onto his other side, seemingly intent on maintaining awareness of his surroundings.

Hongjoong prepared to sleep in the middle of the room but sat up when Bang Chan's breathing became erratic. He cautiously approached the Stray Kids leader, sitting cross-legged beside him, leaning forward to assess the older idol's condition. Hongjoong stayed there until he determined that the breathing irregularities were a one-time thing that had passed.

I was afraid to fall asleep, fearing that the simulation would continue if I allowed my mind to wander. Jungkook seemed to share this sentiment; his eyes were open every time I glanced his way.

Jungkook had been queasy after returning from the mystery room, more affected than he had been in my simulation. One aspect of his reaction mirrored his actions in my virtual reality, though: he avoided eye contact. Actually, he shied away from any interaction, seemingly believing that distancing himself would deceive us into thinking he was fine. He answered when people asked him something, but even then, his responses were brief, consisting of only a few short words. Between those moments when no one approached him, he paced restlessly, cracking his finger joints, tapping his foot, fidgeting with his sleeves, and biting his lips.

Yet now, he lied still. Had it not been for his dark, distant gaze, I might have mistaken him for being asleep.

Anyway, I had been a bigger mess than him. After returning from the mystery room, I had cried for hours. People were more worried about me than about him.

***

A distressing high-pitched sound woke me up from a dream I forgot immediately.

Hongjoong sat by Bang Chan.

I lifted myself slightly, resting my forearms on the floor.

"What happened? Is he okay?"

Hongjoong touched the back of his fingers to Bang Chan's forehead.

"He has a fever. But it was Jungkook who made the sound."

My attention shifted to Jungkook, who tossed and turned in his sleep.

"Do you think Bang Chan will be alright?" I asked, refocusing on the idol, who had always been kind and considerate of me. I couldn't imagine losing him.