Sicktember Sickfics

8. The closest doctor is probably hours away from here!

WARNING: Broken bones

Viewer Discretion is Advised

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As Wonbin called from below for me to come down, I made my way back to the rope. It was tied securely, swaying slightly in the wind. I grabbed it and got into position to climb down, but when I tried moving my foot, it wouldn't budge. My boot was caught under a rock—a moderate size, just large enough to trap my foot. I shifted my weight, trying to pull it free, but the rock was stubborn, refusing to give.

The rope was the only thing keeping me from falling.

I kept jerking my foot, each movement growing more desperate. When it finally came free, an immobilizing pain shot up from my ankle, a shock that left my vision momentarily white. My hands let go instinctively, and before I could catch myself, I slipped off the cliff.

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I didn't think camping would be this fun, especially with the whole group. SM must have pulled some strings to get all of us out here without any schedules getting in the way. The sun was high and the lake shimmered; everything felt like the kind of break we didn't know we needed.

The last day of the trip had come too soon. I woke up to the sounds of laughter and the faint sizzle of bacon on the grill. Shotaro and Eunseok were already up, trying—and failing—not to burn breakfast. It was a miracle we had any food left considering how they attacked the snacks last night during our scary stories.

"Anton! Hurry up, we're starving!" Sohee called, waving me over with a spatula. 

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help the grin that tugged at my lips.

"Coming, coming!" I shuffled out of the tent, rubbing sleep from my eyes. 

The sky was a brilliant blue, with only a few clouds hanging lazily, and the air was crisp—cleaner than I'd ever felt in the city. We spent the morning goofing off, taking pictures, and skipping rocks by the lake. Sungchan insisted on a "photo shoot" that mostly ended up with us just splashing water at each other until we were soaked and out of breath from laughing. It felt good. It was the break we needed, knowing what was coming.

When lunch rolled around, Wonbin suggested climbing up one of the cliffs for one last view before we had to pack up. It was different, we had rented some equipment prior, and the path there was pretty straightforward. I didn't think twice before agreeing.

The trail was steep but manageable, with roots sticking out like nature's tripwires. Sungchan was at the front, leading the charge with his boundless energy. I stayed in the middle of the group, trying to keep up but taking my time. I didn't want to miss anything—the sunlight filtering through the trees, the sound of birds I couldn't name, the easy conversation and banter flowing between us.

It was peaceful, a moment of calm before the whirlwind of schedules and rehearsals would pull us back.

We reached the cliff in question in no time, and Wonbin set up the equipment. He checked the tightness of the rope, before waving Eunseok over to climb up first. The cliff didn't seem like a super steep climb, but the height was the scary part. Eunseok took his time going up, making it to the top. Sungchan got a photo of him and he came down.

Next was Seunghan. He took his time going up. Once at the top, he struck a quick pose that Sungchan caught, before climbing down. Sungchan went up next, being cautious. When at the top, he held up a couple of peace signs. I took his photo and he came back down. Wonbin went up next and showed us how it was done. He was swift, yet careful. At the top, he gave us a pose before climbing down. Finally, it was my turn.