Bubble

14. Flux

Minho stood where he was as Changbin sat up straighter as he readied himself to tell his theory. Looking at Bang Chan, Changbin held out a hand towards him.

"I feel the best way to confirm what I'm thinking at this moment is by example. Can I have one of your arms please?"

Confused by what Changbin was saying, Bang Chan arched a brow but complied otherwise. He stuck out his arm as Changbin unearthed a scalpel from a drawer nearby. He hovered it right over Bang Chan's arm before slicing it across it.

Nothing happened. No scratch. No blood. It was like he hadn't even done anything even though they had all witnessed Changbin's actions.

"What does that mean?" asked Bonita in shock.

"It means Bang Chan here is invincible because he doesn't exist."

"But I'm sitting right here," said Bang Chan.

"It's because you're in a condition...I'm going to term it 'flux'. The thunderstorm Bonita claims snapped you from your show to this world essentially brought you from a world of fiction to one of reality. Nothing in this reality can affect you while you are in this state of flux because you don't exist in this world."

"And you are meaning to tell me that you just came up with a theory like this right on the spot based on some ridiculous story those two told you that you also seem to believe?" asked Minho.

"Are you telling me you don't believe?" asked Changbin as he looked at Minho. "I was told you were the one to watch him fall thirty-five feet to what should have been his death."

Minho fell silent as Changbin turned his attention back to Bang Chan who was obviously still trying to take this all in.

"So I'm...invincible?" asked Bang Chan.

"To a certain extent, yes," said Changbin. "Nothing in this world may be able to affect you, but you are still being slowly affected by your world. There's always some sort of give and take. I'd have to run some tests of my own to confirm for sure, but I have a feeling that the longer you stay in a world you don't belong, the more risk you have of fading from existence all together."

The weight of Changbin's recent revelation hung in the air of the closet. Bonita looked over at Bang Chan as he looked over at her. She could see slight traces of sadness and fear mingled in his eyes that he was trying to hide. Bang Chan didn't want to go back to his life of isolated solitude, but it seemed like there was no choice in the matter.

"This is...a lot..." said Bonita finally as she looked at Changbin as he nodded.

"I know it is. I also know that I'm just theorizing here, but if you'll allow me to spend some more time around Bang Chan and run some tests..."

Bonita, Minho, and Bang Chan all exchanged looks. It felt like they hadn't had a moment to let anything sink in since it all happened.

"I have to put it this way," said Changbin when he sensed their hesitancy. "Either I can conduct tests on him or the doctors at the hospital probably will. I heard whispers."

"But Bang Chan is not a lab rat," said Bonita as she looked back at Changbin. "He's a human being."

"I know," said Changbin. "I will treat him as such. Please. You have to trust me and let me help."

- - -

After they had all agreed to let Changbin run more tests in an attempt to help, he started to plan how to best get them out of the hospital. Leaving the closet and entering the room next door, Changbin told Bang Chan to lay down on the bed and fake being dead.