APRICITY | SKZ

8 - World 0 pt.2 | H.JS

The home Hyein used to live in had a very poor heating system, at least that's what her mother always used to say.

Apparently, it was always either too hot or too cold.
Apparently, it was old and outdated.

But that's not what she remembered.
Hyein doesn't remember freezing at night despite using multiple blankets and melting during the day as a child.

She remembers all the nights she would secretly stay awake with her brother to play instead of sleeping.
She remembers the dark corridors and the many creepy stories they would tell each other in order to get a raise out of the other.
She remembers how she would always sneak into her parents' bed when she couldn't sleep, which was every day, and how they always expected her already with their arms wide open.
She remembers how insanely big her garden was and how she always used to flex to her friends about her slide.

Regardless of how bad the heating system used to be, all she could remember was how happy she was while in that house.

The female never thought she could find that happiness again, because it was the same dark corridor she found her brother in and the same bedroom she found her parents in - her forever home was dead.

"Welcome to my humble abode?"

It had been a good few solid seconds since Hyein had been staring at him, completely speechless.
The male just frightened the guts out of her core and now he was acting like their interaction wasn't special at all.
The way he spoke with an unsure smile, slightly cowered into his shoulders and made jazz hands made her feel like they were just two awkward teenagers that just visited the other's house for the very first time.

"You won't answer?"
He straightened up, rasping his throat as he avoided her eyes.
"Okay then..."

His voice trailed off in sync with his eyes as he assesed her condition.

Suddenly, Hyein felt like they were just two awkward teenagers indeed, as she realised how horrible her condition must seem right now. Choppy hair, tattered and ripped clothes and dirty skin, the full package. Crossing her arms, she hid herself.

"Have you been hiding here all along?"
She finally found the words to speak, noticing how put together and clean he looked, completely different from her.

"What part did you not understand about humble abode?"
He deadpanned.
"Follow me."

He turned around to walk away, not noticing how the female's jaw clenched and her spine stiffened.

Ever since the end of the world, she barely saw humans and when she did, it never ended the way she expected. Not only those who were infected with the virus acted like monsters, the healthy ones did as well. It was like every law, type of love and sense of morality burned away with the corpses of their loved ones as the survivors raped, stole, hurt, killed and refused to act humane, even as the last humans alive.

Hyein has been tricked before, she won't trust this mere stranger, especially since he looked this clean and fine.
It was usually those who were the cruelest that looked the best.

Jisung wasn't stupid, he sensed her caution and hesitation the moment he turned around, his eyes wandering to her left hand which hovered above the holster to her knife.

"I-"

The clirring of glass outside caused both individuals' blood to freeze, the temperature dropping as their eyes met in sheer panic. Jisung quickly pushed his finger against his lips, telling Hyein to be quiet and not move when loud, ear splitting clicking sounds resonated from just outside the door.

Time stood still as they listened for any more noise, it was pin drop silent. The male exhaled softly before he streched out his hand, looking at her with pleading eyes. Gulping down her doubts, Hyein grabbed his hand and allowed him to lead her as they tiptoed their way to a door at the very end of the shop.

He opened the entrance with precision and carefully, making sure no sounds were made before he gestured for her to enter first. Hyein's hand was right on her dagger as she followed his orders, knowing that having her back turned towards him could be dangerous.

Turning around the moment she passed, Hyein analysed his every movement thoroughly as he closed the door with a very sublte click, breathing out and grabbing her hand again. The corridor was dark and eerie and Hyein saw her brother's face in every corner and turn they took before they finally saw a source of light at the end of the tunnel.

Their steps were quick and the Han boy rasped his throat once they had arrived at their destination.

"Is there anyone else?"

First things first, she had to make sure there wasn't anyone who could surprise her from behind. They were in some kind of apartment as there was only three rooms. At first glance, it didn't look like he had any roommates despite it being messy.

"No, I live alone."
For a brief second, Hyein saw hurt flash in his eyes as he spoke those words.
"You're safe here, I promise."

He scratched his neck, eyes never leaving the weapon she was tightly clutching in her hand.

"The bathroom is over there - I built a filter some time ago so the water is good to use. You can clean up and wear some of my clothes. There's food in the kitchen and you can have the left bed."

"I don't need your bed."
Hyein hissed.

She knew it was very rude to sass at someone who was trying to help you on first glance, but the past has been very cruel to her and she doesn't want to risk getting hurt again.

"I mean, you can always leave."
He scoffed and shrugged, turning around to enter the kitchen.

He knew that she wouldn't - any remotely sane person wouldn't, not when the night has just begun.

Hyein simply grunted, trudging towards the bathroom. Her eyes skimmed over the walls briefly, seeing a couple of doodles and words scribbled across them. One doodle caught her attention in particular and for a second, she felt her heart drop.

The words Forever Home were written boldly with messy, black ink, a big question mark right behind it.

She entered the bathroom and locked the door after herself.

_ _ _
Pt. 2/3

05.06.2024; 1080 words