When Worlds Collide (Taynew)

episode ✍️ 35

When Tay had saved New from Key earlier, New had been in such shock that he couldn’t process Tay’s expression or how he fought. Now, however, standing in the same plash, fully aware, he watches Tay with a chillingly intense expression he had never seen before. Tay continues to kick the man on the floor, his voice cold as he orders his men, “Take care of this bastard. I don’t want to see him again.”

His men nod silently, quickly taking the injured man away.

When Tay turns around, he notices New standing there, pale and trembling. Tay walks over, his voice firm but not unkind, “You’re alright now. Go home. Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up.”

New, still shaken, manages to stammer, “Who... who was that person you beat up? Are you... are you going to kill him?”

Tay’s eyes darken, his tone sharp. “You don’t need to concern yourself with everything I do. Just go home.”

New nods quietly and follows his bodyguard out, but the memory of Tay beating someone lingers in his mind. It plays over and over, merging with the memory of he shouting at Key. The images haunt him. He tries to close his eyes to block them out, but it’s no use. They keep replaying, relentless. To clear his head, New decides to study, hoping it will distract him.

After a while, he has dinner with his family and then retreats to his room. But when he tries to sleep, the scenes resurface again. Terrified of having nightmares, he forces himself to stay awake, not wanting to bother his mom or dad. The whole night passes without sleep, and by morning, dark circles shadow his eyes. To hide them, he wears sunglasses.

When his mom notices, she asks, “Why are you wearing sunglasses inside?”

“It’s really sunny today,” New lies, giving a weak smile. His mom nods, though she’s unconvinced.

At college, he’s visibly tired. Force notices and asks, “New, you don’t seem focused. What’s wrong?”

New sighs, rubbing his eyes. “Nothing, I just didn’t sleep well.”

Force nods understandingly, “Alright.”

After classes end, Tay arrives to pick New up. As soon as New gets in the car, he falls asleep. By the time they arrive at Tay’s place, Tay gently wakes him, “New, wake up.”

New blinks awake, groggy. Tay looks at him , “Why are you sleeping in the middle of the day?”

“I didn’t sleep well last night,” New admits.

Tay frowns, “Then why did you come here? Go home and rest.”

“I don’t want to go home,” New insists, shaking his head. “Let’s practice. What am I doing today?”

Tay sighs, “Alright, start with push-ups.”

They head to the boxing room, and New does ten push-ups before collapsing in exhaustion. “I’m too tired, Tay. Can I do something else?”

“No,” Tay responds, stern. “Do ten more.”

New groans but forces himself to do ten more push-ups. Once done, he lies flat on the floor, panting. “Give me ten minutes, Tar. I need to relax before I do more.”

Tay watches him, shaking his head. “Alright, ten minutes.”

But within moments, New falls asleep on the floor. After ten minutes passed, Tay returned to find New sleeping. This time, he didn’t wake him. Instead, Tay gently lifted him and carried him to his room, laying him down on the bed.

But after just ten more minutes, New began to stir, his face scrunched in distress, and then suddenly, he cried out. Tay rushed back into the room, finding New thrashing in the bed, trapped in a nightmare. Tay knelt beside him, rubbing his head to calm him, but New’s struggles intensified. His body was tense, and the memories of his childhood kidnapping, the dark room, and the terror flooded back into his mind.