/ Run Away /- Jeongin

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ 24

I woke up from my sleep petrified. A whole month it has been since my nights were filled with nothing but darkness.

I was at her funeral last week, staring at her smiley photo. Everyone was there, including her brother, all of them in black. I had no tears left to cry. Seeing how much her family was in despair was saddening. I watched how Eunjae hyung fell on his knees, how all of her friends held onto each other for support. No one had expected for the sudden fall of an angel.

I locked myself in my room for days, hoping to wake up the next day to a different ending, but nothing had changed. I was going back to the days when I haven't met Seoyeon, where nothing had seemed to go my way. I couldn't help but remind myself of why Raewon doesn't exist anymore. I asked myself all the time, why does everyone important to me end up loosing their lives?

It's my fault again.

Minho pov

As I headed up the stairs, I heard the faint voice of Chan praying for our maknae to leave the room. Jeongin ate all his meals, drank enough water and got enough sleep, but he did nothing else. I know how devastated he is, it's the second time it happened.

I couldn't take it anymore, there was no way I'm seeing Jeongin fall into depression again. I won't let that happen.

"Just come out for once, please. Oh Minho-"

I barged in, knowing very well Jeongin would never lock his door even when he said he will. I immediately closed it, turning the lock so Chan wouldn't come inside as well.

"I'll help you, Jeongin," I told the boy.

Jeongin looked up with red eyes. I almost teared up seeing him like this. I managed to contain myself and walked over to his bed, sitting down next to him.

"There's nothing we can do to bring the dead back alive," the boy deadpans.

"No, I can change that," I demand.

"We need to find Hajoon."

"What?"

"Seungmin told me," Jeongin spoke, "He said he saw things before she died, pictures like memories flashed into his sight. It was Hajoon, he stabbed her in the stomach, leaving her behind in the blood bath."

I stared at the boy, confusion written all over my face. Seungmin had never told any of us these things before.

"He was also the one who blackmailed her. Seungmin scanned through her memories, he knew she was going home by herself at that time. I should have left with her," Jeongin says blankly.

"Are you sure?" I asked him.

"Yes, we must catch him," he replies.

I take a deep breath, turning to face him better before telling him my deepest secret.

"I.N ah, I... I can help you save her."

Jeongin finally looks up, the glow in his eyes coming back to life.

"H-how-?"

"I have red eyes, colour of a phoenix. Phoenixes are a symbol of rebirth, I can bring you back to before she dies. This power is too strong though, so I only get to use it once," I said, "But, it comes with a consequence."

"What is it?"

"You disappear," I tell the boy, "from everyone's memories, including your parents, friends, strangers. You don't exist in this universe anymore, you are stuck in one where everything hasn't happened yet. No matter you succeed or not, there's no going back."

Jeongin takes his time processing everything I had told him. He speaks up after a few seconds.

"What about your parents? Why don't you use it to save your mom?" Jeongin asked.