secrets (little taeyong)

Chapter 36

Author's POV

The practice room buzzed with energy as NCT 127 dedicated themselves to the meticulous dance routines and harmonious melodies that defined their craft. Taeyong, immersed in the rhythm of their synchronized movements, felt the music pulse through his veins. However, amidst the collective pursuit of perfection, an elusive whisper began to insinuate itself into his consciousness.

Taeyong faltered briefly, his body going still as the faint murmurs reached his ears. The voices seemed to slither from the shadows, barely audible above the thrumming bass. A chill crept down his spine at the haunting whispers that beckoned him from the darkness. Shaking his head, Taeyong tried to regain his focus, throwing himself back into the choreography. He couldn't let the uneasy feeling distract him.

But the whispers persisted, weaving their way into his thoughts no matter how hard he tried to block them out. As the others danced on, oblivious to the disembodied voices, Taeyong felt an invisible presence tugging at the edges of his mind. He grappled silently with the eerie echoes, unsure of their origin or intent.

As the dance continued, the whispers grew louder, more insistent. The haunting voices clawed at Taeyong's concentration, threatening to pull him away from the meticulously practiced routine. He could feel an otherworldly presence just out of sight, beckoning him away from the safety of his members.

Then, as if summoned by the whispers, a ghostly hand materialized in the shadows. It gestured for Taeyong to follow, to abandon the watchful eyes of his bandmates. Against his better judgment, curiosity drew him toward the spectral hand. With a furtive glance at the others, still engrossed in the music, Taeyong slipped away unnoticed.

The hallway outside was shrouded in an ominous silence, the light dim and diffuse. Taeyong hesitated, wondering if he should turn back. But the hand hovered before him, urging him onward into the maze of corridors. As he walked, the comforting sounds of the practice room faded away, leaving him alone with the hand as his guide.

Deeper and deeper, they traveled, the air growing heavier with each step. It was as if the shadows themselves were slowly encroaching, swallowing the path behind him. When at last the hand led him to an ancient door, Taeyong paused. Beyond, there was only impenetrable darkness.

Against his better judgment, Taeyong pushed the door open. An icy blast of air hit him as the doorway yawned open into a vast, endless void. The ghostly hand hovered at the precipice, beckoning him into the hungry darkness. Taeyong hesitated, torn between morbid fascination and primal fear.

A sudden chorus of sinister laughter echoed from the depths, sending a chill down Taeyong's spine. His head whipped around, eyes straining against the shadows that pressed in on all sides. The disembodied laughter continued, growing louder and more mocking.

Seized by terror, Taeyong turned and ran. He raced blindly down the lightless hallways, chased by the bone-chilling laughter. In the darkness, he became lost, stumbling through the featureless maze with panic rising in his chest. He called out desperately for the others, but his voice was swallowed by the hungry shadows.

Crouched alone in the dark, Taeyong trembled uncontrollably. Tears flowed freely down his cheeks as the sinister laughter rang in his ears. He didn't know how long he huddled there, jumping at every echo.

Back in the practice room, the members continued their rehearsal, unaware that one of their own was missing. It wasn't until Taeil paused to catch his breath that he noticed the gap in their formation.

"Where's Taeyong?" he asked worriedly. The others froze, only now realizing their leader had vanished. They exchanged anxious looks tinged with fear. Without a word, they rushed out from the practice room to search for their lost member.

Fanning out through the shadowy halls, they called Taeyong's name over and over to no avail. As they delved deeper into the maze, speculation arose about what could have happened to him.

"You don't think he's slipped into littlespace, do you?" Doyoung wondered aloud. "He gets so frightened when he's alone like that."

The troubling thought spurred them all into action. While some continued the search, others quickly spread the word to the rest of NCT. Taeyong needed them all now.

Meanwhile, Taeyong remained paralyzed in the dark, the eerie whispers continuing to torment him. He shook with silent sobs, feeling more alone than ever. But he repeated to himself like a mantra, "Everything will be alright... everything will be alright..."

At long last, the combined search party found their beloved leader huddled in the shadows. Taeyong looked up with red-rimmed eyes, relief washing over him at the sight of his bandmates. Without hesitation, Haechan scooped the frightened boy into his arms, holding him close.

"I've got you, hyung. You're safe now," he murmured.

Mark immediately called the rest of the search party. "We found him. Get back to the dorms," he said urgently. They needed to get Taeyong somewhere he felt secure.

Soon, the members were all assembled back at the dorms, their usual boisterous energy softened by concern. They gathered around Taeyong, offering gentle reassurance and plenty of cuddles. The terror of the night had opened their eyes to just how vulnerable their leader could be.

Sensing he needed more support, they invited WayV over as well. The dorm swelled with people eager to comfort their frightened friend. Though the sinister events remained a mystery, they knew Taeyong needed them now more than ever.

Their attention became focused solely on the scared little boy in their midst. They held him close, giving him pacifiers and stuffed animals to soothe his nerves. The love and care surrounding Taeyong was palpable as his bandmates tended to his every need.

As the night wore on, the fear gradually left Taeyong's eyes. The laughter no longer echoed in his mind, drowned out by the gentle voices of his friends. WayV and 127 came together seamlessly, united in their desire to protect their leader.

Slowly, Taeyong's eyelids began to droop closed, the stress and fear of the night finally catching up to him. The members made sure he was tucked safely in bed before retiring themselves, still shaken by the night's events. But they took comfort in each other's presence, drawing strength from their unbreakable bond.

United as one, NCT knew they could face any challenge, even the sinister forces that had tormented their beloved Taeyong. Those forces may lurk in the shadows, but they were powerless against the light and love that shone from within this makeshift family. Their bonds ran deeper than any darkness.

So they pressed forward, still wary of the whispering shadows but emboldened by the love surrounding them. Taeyong knew he was not alone, that his members would always have his back. Though the echoes of that terrifying night still lingered in quiet moments, together they were learning to transform those echoes into a melody of their own - one of trust, resilience and above all, the unconquerable power of family.

(I don't know, but I really like doing creepy stuff🤭🤭)