Forbidden Longings | Seulrene AU

Chapter XI (✓)

Seulgi's car glided smoothly down the dimly lit streets, casting long shadows that danced with the moon's waning glow. Once they arrived at Joohyun's house, its warm porch lights illuminated the darkened surroundings. As Joohyun shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her mind heavy with a revelation that threatened to consume her.

She stole a glance at Seulgi, her heart aching for the truth to come out, but fear gripped her in its cold embrace. Seulgi, oblivious to Joohyun's internal battle, glanced at her with concern.

"Is everything okay? You were silent most of the ride here.", Seulgi asked, her voice was soft, filled with genuine worry, but Joohyun plastered on a forced smile and shook her head.

"I'm just tired that's all.", Joohyun excused and Seulgi nodded.

"If it's about earlier and the whole ordeal with Krystal, I'm sorry. I'll clear it up with her first chance I get.", Seulgi promised and Joohyun smiled.

"You don't have to do that Seulgi, but I'd appreciate it.", Joohyun replied and Seulgi nodded as she stared into the older's dark orbs. Causing Joohyun's heart to pound in her chest as she prepared herself for what she had to do.

"Text me when you get home.", Joohyun said and Seulgi nodded with a small smile. Though Seulgi's happy expression faltered momentarily as she studied Joohyun's eyes, searching for something, and Joohyun quickly averted her gaze, fearing that her mask might be transparent.

"I will.", Seulgi responded and Joohyun leaned back as she gathered her things and exited the car with a thousand thoughts swirling in her mind.

"I'll see you at school tomorrow then.", Joohyun added as she took off her seatbelt and got a hold of the car door, hesitating on whether to leave or not as she then decided to lean over to Seulgi.

But before the younger could react, Joohyun surprised her by placing a soft kiss on her cheek, a gesture meant to deflect any suspicions or worries that Seulgi might harbor.

"Good night Joohyun, get some good rest tonight.", Seulgi lastly said after receiving the kiss that left her grinning like an idiot and the older nodded.

However, once Seulgi drove off, leaving Joohyun standing at her doorstep, her facade crumbled, revealing the whirlwind of conflicting emotions swirling within her. She hurried inside, her heart pounding in her chest, and made her way to her room where the old vampire history books she had borrowed from the city's library lay in disarray on her desk.

Joohyun's hands trembled as she frantically flipped through the yellowed pages of the ancient vampire history books scattered across her bed. The words blurred before her eyes, her mind struggling to process the shocking revelations within the faded text. Her heart pounded in her chest, fear and disbelief warring within her as she delved deeper into the forbidden knowledge.

Images of Seulgi, Seungwan, and Moonbyul flashed through her mind, their smiles now tinged with a sinister edge in Joohyun's eyes. Could her friends, truly be hiding such a dark secret? The thought sent a chill down her spine, her world spinning out of control.

"There's no way..", Joohyun mumbled to herself and shook her head.

As she read about the vampire ancestry tied to her town, Joohyun's breath caught in her throat. The names Kang, Son, and Moon leaped off the pages, intertwining in a complex family tree that seemed to ensnare her friends within its intricate branches. Each detail she uncovered only deepened her sense of dread, the pieces of the puzzle aligning in a way she never could have imagined.