Sweetheart (Minsung)

40. Saved

TW: Graphic Description

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A loud thumping noise wakes Jisung, pulling him from his dreamless slumber. He opens his eyes, staring up at the all too familiar ceiling. He licked his dry lips, hydrating them even if it was just for a second. The taste of dried blood that had settled on his upper lip didn't affect him, it was a taste he had gotten used to.

It had been three weeks. One week since his punishment was over and he'd had food. His ribs protruded from his stomach even more and he was ghostly pale after not having not seen the sun in a month. He weakly sat up, body aching everywhere.

He had bruises running along his arms, different shades of purple, black, yellow and blue. His stomach was the worst, with much larger bruises decorating his torso and chest. His hip bones stuck out through the thin sweatpants he'd been given.

After a while of being trapped, his pants were too big, and Eun had to reluctantly give him new clothes. Though the shirt and pants he wore were thin and still a little big, they were an improvement from before.

What sounded like gunshots rung from above, causing him to snap his head to the door. His eyes widened above the dark eyebags he'd earned from barely getting enough sleep. The floor was hard and with only a a thin blanket, it caused his back to hurt and sleep to never want to come.

Many sets of footsteps could be heard running past the door, their shadows flickering under the wood. The sounds of painful, excruciating screams reached his ears. Jisung backed into the wall, wrapping his boney arms around his knees that were pulled to his chest.

He didn't know what was happening and was terrified to find out. He stared at the door, waiting in the silence only broken by muffled noises from whatever was happening outside. A loud banging on the door caused him to flinch and bury his face in his arms.

Something new that had happened since he went missing was that he started praying. There wasn't much to do in that little room, so praying was often a way he let the hours go by.

He prayed Minho didn't forget him.

He prayed Minho would save him.

He prayed Minho was safe.

He prayed to one day, be strong enough to kill Eun.

The door swung open, slamming into the wall and making the boy flinch again. He pushed himself into the brick as much as possible, mumbling incoherent sentences about not hurting him.

A presence settled in front of him, kneeling so close their legs touched. Jisung felt two warm hands snake their way to cup his face and lift it up tenderly. His eyes were squeezed shut and he was still muttering, shaking from fear.

"Please, don't hurt me. I'm begging you, leave me alone-"

"Sweetheart, look at me." The honey words flowed to his ears, soothing the terror in his mind. He recognized the voice and melted into the hands that were now caressing his sunken cheeks. Jisung didn't open his eyes, terrified he would be gone when he did. That he would be alone again.

"Please, Jisung, look at me." The voice had a hint of desperation, but was still calm and soothing, patiently waiting for him.

The boy opened his eyes, and they sparkled at the man in front of him. Minho was kneeling there. He was here. He had come to rescue him.

"Minho!" He cried, jumping forward and grabbing to his shirt with his restrained hands, ignoring all the pain amplifying in his body. The other held him tightly before pushing him back and glancing at his body.

Jisung knew he looked sick, and so different. He had changed so much in the month they'd been apart and suddenly felt the need to stop his lover from seeing the torture he had been through. He couldn't though, as it was written on his skin. 

"Are you okay?" Minho asked, taking the younger's hands in his. The boy nodded.

"I am now that you're here." When he finished something through the open door caught his attention. Flames danced through door, climbing the walls and lighting the place in a welcoming glow. The elder noticed his gaze and looked back, cursing before turning to his boyfriend.

"We have to leave. Now." He said sternly but gently, standing and helping the boy up. Jisung was about to ask about the chain, but Minho had already got his gun. He shot the wall that it was attached to a few times. 

It broke off instantly and they unwrapped his wrists, revealing the intense bruising underneath. They started to walk, but after just a step the younger started to fall, being caught by his boyfriend before he hit the floor.

Jisung hadn't walked in a month because of how close the chain was to the wall. Minho looked at him in concern.

"Ji, can you walk?" He asked. The boy nodded and latched onto him more. They stumbled their way to and up the steps, arriving in a house drenched in fire. The smoke was strong, filling Jisung's lungs and making him cough.

Dead bodies littered the burning floor, some with gunshot wounds, others with bad burns. Multiple bodies had broken bones, limbs at odd directions that made him want to throw up. Minho guided him through the flames to the door.

Jisung gasped at spotting a familiar corpse on the floor. Though he had no hair and a charred scalp, no hands and bullet in his forehead, the boy knew exactly who it was.

Jae.

He gulped and followed his boyfriend out the door and onto the pathway to the street. He glanced back, seeing the roof up in a blaze along with everything else. It emanated a warmth, one that would draw you into something dangerous.

His gazed moved to the lawn, seeing bodies littering the grass, staining it red. Like a field of bloody, charred daisies.

He felt happy, seeing the horrible place up in flames like this. Seeing Jae dead. Though he wished Eun could join him.

"What happened here?" He let out breathlessly, eyes still following the beautiful view. Minho faced him, watching as the inferno swayed and twirled in the reflection of his eyes. The elder grabbed Jisung's hands, holding them and stepping closer.

The younger turned to face him, eyes locking onto his.

"They all tried to stop me from finding you."