Then I Wake

Chapter 10

Seonghwa

"Hey, Seonghwa?" I turn around to see Changbin. He walks towards me and pins me against the wall. At least, he tries to, but the height difference makes it a bit difficult.

"You're not going to win this. They all think you're going mad. They're just letting you talk to make you feel better. None of them really care about you, you know that? You're wasting your time."

He lets me go as soon as San comes out of his room.

"Good morning, San. Sleep well?" He smiles as if nothing happened.

Dirty, manipulative liar.

"Fine, fine." San says, half asleep. "Seonghwa, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"Anything you want to say, you can say to both of us, can't you, San?" He smirks, "Or are you two single boys going to cry about it together?"

That was low.

San turns back without a word, tears falling from his eyes.

"That was really unnecessary, Changbin. Low, even for you."

"Can't have anyone knowing the truth, can I? Not that anyone would believe you, besides San."

He's right. It's hopeless.

3 days later.

None of them really care about you.

No one believes you.

It's hopeless.

You're not going to win this.

They all think you're going mad.

It's over.

It's over.

It's over.

I stand in the shop where we first bumped into Taeyang, the one that's been closed for years.

Tying the rope before me, I stand on a box of drinks cans.

I'll be with you soon, Taeyang. With you, and free.

The rope is secure, it's not going to fall or break with my weight. I made sure of that.

I put my head through the loop, when my phone buzzes.

San: Seonghwa, please, we need to talk. I believe you, and I want to get the truth out, for Wooyoung.

I can't do it.

You: Ok. Meet me at the abandoned shop ASAP.

San: Got it.

I can't leave this unresolved.

I sigh, not sure whether I'm grateful San stopped me or not. But what I am sure of is that this murder can't go unresolved. The truth will come out.

"Need some help with that?" A familiar, threatening voice comes from behind me.

The next thing I know, the loop tightens around my neck, and the box is gone.

San

"Seonghwa? I'm here!" I call out.

No response.

"Seonghwa? Where-"

I turn the corner, and there he is. Hanging, swinging from the ceiling. Dead.

He killed himself? But he was going to meet me here, why would he?

I look at his neck. It seems to be scratched, almost like he was trying to get the rope off. Did he regret his decision?

Or did someone get here first?

Whatever happened, the others need to know.

Hongjoong isn't picking up.

Neither is Yeosang.

"Mingi! Get everyone over to the abandoned shop. Now!"

"San, what? Is something wrong?"

"There's no time to explain, just get here!"

Soon enough, they arrive.

"He's dead. Seonghwa, he's gone. I came to meet him, and I found him... Hanging from the ceiling."

I don't think he did this to himself. That smirk on Changbin's face says it all. This is murder.