Samhain

chapter thirty: samhain

Mingi, two months later

Mingi stands on the edge of the frozen lake, a solitary dark figure against the stark white landscape. The frigid January air bites at his skin, mirroring the frostiness that has encased his heart.

A week ago the forest clearing was bustling with activity and brimming with brightly colored decorations from Christmas and New Year's celebrations. Now draped with blankets of snow, it's a hollow and empty place that perfectly suits his mood.

Is he the only one who cares anymore?

He picks up a smooth stone from the snow-dusted ground, tracing over its cold hard surface. In the distance, the skeletal branches of dead trees reach skyward, stripped of their vibrant foliage. The lake before him lies still, a solid expanse of ice concealing the depths beneath.

Mingi takes a deep breath. The crisp winter air stings his lungs.

He skips a rock across the frozen lake and listens to the tap, tap, tap as it skids across the surface. Mingi gets deja vu. He can't help it; everything reminds him of Yunho. He's transported back to those warm summer days years ago when it was just him and Yunho, and nothing else mattered.

But now Yunho will be leaving to begin the spring semester in a few days. He anticipates that Yunho will return to his late-night study sessions with Wooyoung, and Mingi's existence will fade to the back of his mind all over again. It's a cycle that Mingi has grown accustomed to, always forgotten and longing for a place in Yunho's world.

Wooyoung is at the center of it all. He's Yunho's favorite person, as Yunho reminded everyone many many many times when he was drunk during the New Year's party.

Mingi can't help but resent them.

All of their inside jokes, shared laughter, and secret glances wear him down. What drives him even more crazy is that, deep down, he knows it isn't Wooyoung's fault things ended up this way. But the irrational jealousy he's developed over the years has already taken root and poisoned his thoughts.

As the rock slides across the ice until it vanishes, Mingi's mind wanders to thoughts of revenge. A desire to get back at Wooyoung for the two years of torment he's been subjected to.

Years have passed since Wooyoung stole his best friend, which should've been long enough for Mingi to think of some plan of vengeance. But the thought of him doing such a thing is ridiculous. He's too much of a coward to confront either of them.

He gazes at the horizon where the sky meets the trees, consumed by the swirling emotions of regret, sadness, and jealousy that hold him captive. The forest was once his sanctuary; a place he could go for some quiet, but now the tall trees start to close in on him. He'll forever be trapped within his own self-imposed barriers.

The sound of approaching footsteps disrupts his thoughts. Mingi hastily wipes away the tears brimming at the corners of his eyes. He plays it off like he was just yawning, raising his hand to cover his mouth.

He turns to see Yunho standing at the edge of the lake with him. The winter wind ruffles his hair, adding a touch of wildness to the alpha's appearance. A hesitant smile plays on his lips, unknowingly mirroring the uncertainty hiding beneath Mingi's expression.

"Hey, Mingi," Yunho greets him, breath forming frosty clouds in the chilly air. "Kinda hard to skip rocks on a frozen lake, isn't it?"

Mingi nods and breathes out a laugh as his throat tightens. He's glad that he doesn't have a scent anymore. Scents betray their emotions. Yunho will never be able to pick up on his sadness and he wants to keep it that way.