𝟮 𝗛𝗢𝗧 | 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗵𝘆𝘂𝗰𝗸 || 𝗔𝗠𝗕𝗪

𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘇𝘆

The day had dawned clear and bright, but for Haechan, it felt like a storm was brewing. Every sound seemed amplified, every glance felt accusatory, and the anxiety from the unknown messages ate at him like a relentless tide. The nervous energy made him snappy, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced by a tense irritability that didn't go unnoticed by Mark and Hope.

"Hey, are you alright?" Hope asked, her concern evident as she watched Haechan pace the room. "You've been off all morning."

Haechan stopped, running his hands through his hair, trying to feign calm. "I'm fine," he muttered, though his voice betrayed him, tight and edged.

Mark, who had been observing quietly, exchanged a worried look with Hope. "You don't seem fine, Haechan. If there's something going on, you can tell us."

Haechan shook his head, a sharp gesture that ended the conversation abruptly. "I said I'm fine," he insisted, though the hard set of his jaw told a different story. He turned away, leaving the room to avoid further questions.

As the day progressed, Haechan tried to prepare for the upcoming live TV interview. It was an important appearance, one that could significantly boost their profile if it went well. However, as he reached for his medication—a crucial stabilizer that helped him manage his stress and maintain his composure—he found the small container missing.

Panic clawed at his insides. He tore through his belongings, overturning bags and scattering contents with frantic haste, but the medication was nowhere to be found. His heart pounded, his thoughts swirling into chaos. The timing couldn't have been worse.

"Damn it!" Haechan cursed under his breath, his mind racing with possibilities. Did someone take it? Was this another move by the unknown tormentor? The missing medication felt like a deliberate sabotage, and the thought made him feel even more isolated.

With no time to solve the mystery, Haechan was forced to face the camera without the aid of his medication. The bright studio lights felt like they bore down on him, each beam a weight that threatened to crush him. He sat stiffly, his smile plastered on, but beneath the surface, he was a bundle of raw nerves.

As the interview progressed, Haechan fought to keep his composure. His responses were clipped, his laughter a little too sharp. Mark and Hope, sitting alongside him, could sense his struggle and tried to cover for him, filling in gaps in conversation and laughing a bit louder to ease the tension.

After what felt like an eternity, the interview wrapped up. Haechan barely waited for the cameras to stop rolling before he bolted from his seat, ignoring the puzzled looks from the crew. He made a beeline for the nearest exit, desperate for air, for space, for anything that could help him regain control.

Outside, the cool air hit his face, but it did little to soothe his frayed nerves. Haechan leaned against the building, his breathing heavy, his mind a whirlpool of fear and anger.

"I can't keep doing this," he whispered to himself, the weight of his secrets and fears pressing down on him. He knew he couldn't hide forever. He needed to confront whatever was happening, find his medication, and, most importantly, confide in Mark and Hope before the secrets destroyed everything he cherished.

As he stood there, alone and on edge, Haechan realized the time had come to face his demons, come clean with his friends, and reclaim his life from the shadows that threatened to engulf him.

As the weeks stretched on, the changes in Haechan became more pronounced and increasingly disturbing. The absence of his medication, combined with the mounting pressure from the unknown threats, pushed him further away from his usual self. His behavior became erratic, his moods swung wildly from sullen silence to bursts of inexplicable anger. The once warm and vibrant Haechan was now often cold and detached, sometimes even cruel in his interactions.