Flicker (BossNoeul AU)

Chapter 3

..Noeul sat across from his father, his hands trembling as he tried to make sense of the accusations being hurled at him. His father's voice was heavy with disappointment and accusation, each word piercing through Eul's already shattered composure.

"I don't know, dad. I read the lab reports..."

"You were the one who administered the medicine, Eul. The lab reports stated that the potassium levels were high. You... you shouldn't..." His father's voice faltered, unable to finish the sentence, but the unspoken accusation hung heavily in the air.

Eul pleaded silently with his father, his eyes begging for understanding and support. But his father couldn't meet his gaze, instead turning away with a heavy sigh, his disappointment palpable.

"You practically killed him, Eul.."

"I DIDN'T, DAD!!" Eul's voice cracked with emotion as tears streamed down his face, his whole body shaking with the weight of the accusation. He was overwhelmed by the unfairness of it all, the crushing burden of being blamed for something he was sure he hadn't done.

"If you didn't, then why? Why did you administered such medication into Mr. Kim, Eul? Tell me! Why didn't you ask the nurse? Why were you in the room? Why were you alone?" His father's questions came at him like a barrage, each one a painful reminder of his own confusion and guilt.

Eul struggled to find an answer, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting thoughts and emotions. He remembered his friend asking him for a favor, a simple task that he had agreed to without question. But now, in the harsh light of his father's accusations, he couldn't understand why he had been the one chosen for the job. Why hadn't he questioned it? Why hadn't he spoken up?

"...you weren't the assigned doctor for Mr. Kim, Eul." His father's words cut through the haze of Eul's thoughts, driving home the harsh reality of his mistake.

Noeul woke up, gasping for air, heart pounding, tangled in sheets damp with sweat, haunted by a nightmare that forced him to confront his past. Memories flooded back, reminding him of the things he had clung to and the reasons why he had fled. Each detail of his past actions weighed heavily on his mind, urging him to confront the truths he had long avoided. Sensing his distress, Chopper, cat, immediately settled by his side, emitting concerned meows.

Memories from the past flooded his mind once again, haunting him even through his dreams. He could vividly recall the accusatory stares, the murmurs of blame echoing in the room. Malpractice, they accused. The scrutiny of everyone present weighed heavily on him, while his father's gaze bore into him with sheer disappointment. "I didn't do it. I didn't do anything wrong," he repeated to himself, feeling the weight of unjust condemnation pressing down on him.

His reverie was interrupted by Chopper, who nuzzled his head against his thigh, fixing him with a steady gaze. Noeul snapped back to reality, shaken from his thoughts by the cat's gentle insistence.

With a heavy sigh, he throws out the bedcover, rose from the bed and made his way to the nightstand, where a tumbler of water awaited. As he took a sip, he couldn't shake off the lingering sense of unease that clung to him like a shroud.

Memories of the past resurfaced once more, like ghosts from a forgotten era. He could almost hear the whispers of accusation, the sharp pang of betrayal as those he trusted turned against him. It was like reliving a nightmare, each detail etched into his mind with painful clarity. The weight of judgment heavy upon his shoulders. He remembered the looks of disdain, the disbelief in their eyes as they condemned him without a second thought. And through it all, his father's disappointment cut deeper than any accusation could.