Our Summer || NCT DREAM

Chapter 9. Into the Glitch

"Yes, it's me."

Just as Minhyung replied, the watch's alarm suddenly went off on my chest. But it had a different sound than the usual beep.

This one sounded more like a warning, like something was not right.

"What's that?" Minhyung asked, looking at the necklace on me.

I hurriedly opened the lid and saw that the light that was supposed to be green became red.

Haechan then walked with heavy strides towards us, an upset expression on his face.

"Great, since we're all here now, why don't we go home." He said through gritted teeth.

He snatched the watch from me, the silver chain snapping.

"Haechan, wait!"

It was too late, Haechan had pressed the top button.

And in a matter of seconds, a dark red hole opened up and sucked us in.

Compared to the white and black holes wherein it felt like gravity was just pulling us down rapidly, this red whirlpool of a portal felt painful.

My skin burned, my insides felt as if they were being turned upside down, and my whole body was in excruciating pain.

Our normal screams turned to ghastly shrieks of horror. Even Minhyung's and Haechan's cries of pain sounded terrifying to me.

And all I could see was red.

"AHHHHHHHHHH!"

At first, the red color was strong. And then slowly, it faded and faded.

Until silhouettes started to form. Then blurred colors.

Then my eyes started to focus as I sat down.

A soft comfortable bed was under me.

When I rubbed my eyes, I felt movement behind me.

Curious, I turned around to someone getting up in haste.

It was a man with dark brown disheveled hair, his body covered in the thick layer of duvet.

His head turned from side to side in a quick manner, before turning around to me.

It was Haechan, but a little older. Like maybe in his thirties.

His eyes turned wide in fright as he looked me up and down, then he screamed at my face.

"Ahhhhhhh!"

"Haechan, it's me!"

"–hhhhhhh!"

"It's me, Haneul!"

He finally stopped when I shook him hard.

"What is it?"

"You're not... H—Haneul." He pointed to me, eyes frightened.

I furrowed my brows, skeptical.

"But it is me, Haneul!"

"But you—"

He touched my whole face, then my hair, pulling some strands out for me to see.

It was light brown.

"You look... different."

"What do you mean?"

I scurried out of the bed and went to the nearest mirror I could find.

And then I—do I even need to say it?