SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS I

Mingyu | Fear of Heights

Mingyu's heart raced as he walked through the studio corridors, each step echoing louder than the last. Today was supposed to be an exciting day, but for him, it felt like a personal nightmare waiting to unfold. The members of Seventeen had gathered for another episode of "Going Seventeen," the popular variety show that often featured wild and thrilling challenges. But today, the challenge was different-a bungee jumping adventure.

As he passed by his fellow members, Mingyu forced a smile, trying to mask his anxiety. The group had been talking animatedly about the day's activities for weeks. Everyone seemed so excited, but Mingyu's stomach churned with fear. He had always had a fear of heights, but none of the members or the staff knew about it. It was something he kept to himself, never feeling the need to burden anyone with his fear.

"Hey Mingyu!" Woozi called out from the set, his voice cheerful. "You ready for today?"

"Yeah hyung, totally ready," Mingyu replied, his voice coming out more as a strained whisper. "I'm just going to go get some water first."

Woozi nodded, turning back to the group as Mingyu slipped away. He needed a moment to collect his thoughts. Mingyu found a quiet corner of the studio and leaned against the wall, taking deep breaths. He knew he had to speak up before it was too late.

The members gathered in the main studio area, where the production team had set up a large screen showing a video of the bungee jumping location. The towering platform and the bungee cords looked intimidating even on the screen. Mingyu's hands were sweating as he approached the group.

"Hey guys, can I talk to you for a sec?" Mingyu asked, his voice barely audible.

"Sure," Joshua said, noticing the nervous look on Mingyu's face. "What's up?"

"I... I actually have a bit of a problem with the bungee jumping today," Mingyu began, hesitating. "I don't think I can do it."

The room fell silent. The members exchanged puzzled looks.

"What do you mean you can't do it?" DK asked, genuinely confused. "It's going to be fun!"

"I... I just don't handle heights very well," Mingyu admitted, his face flushing with embarrassment. "I was hoping maybe I could sit this one out."

Seungkwan, ever the jokester, chuckled. "Come on, hyung, it'll be a blast! It's all in good fun. You'll be fine."

"Yeah," Hoshi chimed in, clapping Mingyu on the back. "It's just a quick jump. You'll be over it before you know it!"

Mingyu tried to protest further, but the members were already rallying around him with encouragement and playful taunts. They didn't seem to understand the depth of his fear, and Mingyu, feeling trapped, decided to reluctantly go along with the group.

The bus ride to the bungee jumping site was filled with excited chatter and laughter. Mingyu sat in the back, trying to calm his racing heart. The sight of the giant platform in the distance did little to ease his nerves. His hands were cold and clammy, and he could feel a knot forming in his stomach.

As they arrived at the site, the members' enthusiasm only grew. They suited up in harnesses and began making their way to the platform. Mingyu's anxiety increased with every step.

"Come on, Mingyu! We're up next!" Jeonghan called out, waving him over.

Mingyu forced a smile and joined the group at the base of the platform. The sight of the towering structure and the tiny figures jumping off it made his head spin. He tried to breathe deeply, but the air felt thick and suffocating.

"Hey, we're almost there," Wonwoo said, putting a reassuring hand on Mingyu's shoulder. "You got this."

Mingyu nodded, though he felt far from ready. As they climbed the stairs to the top, each step seemed heavier than the last. By the time they reached the top, Mingyu's hands were trembling.

"Alright, who's first?" the instructor asked, holding a clipboard.

The members cheered as they took their turns, one by one. Mingyu's turn was approaching, and he could feel his panic rising. He tried to focus on the view instead of the jump, but it only made his fear worse. The ground below seemed miles away.

"Mingyu, it's your turn!" The instructor's voice cut through his panic.

Mingyu's vision blurred as he stumbled forward. His heart pounded so loudly he could barely hear the instructor's instructions. He felt dizzy and light-headed, and his breaths came in short, ragged gasps.

"I... I can't do this," Mingyu mumbled, his voice shaky.

The instructor, mistaking Mingyu's hesitation for nerves, smiled reassuringly. "It's okay, just take your time. We can do this together."

But Mingyu's body was betraying him. His legs felt weak, and his vision darkened. Before he could even comprehend what was happening, the panic overcame him. His breaths came in sharp, painful bursts, and he felt as if the world was closing in on him.

"Mingyu, are you alright?" Joshua's voice called out, filled with concern.

Mingyu didn't have the strength to respond. His vision went black, and he collapsed onto the platform.

When Mingyu woke up, he found himself lying on a stretcher, surrounded by worried faces. The members, the staff, and even a paramedic were all looking at him with a mix of concern and relief.

"Mingyu hyung, you're awake!" Seungkwan exclaimed, his eyes wide. "You scared us half to death!"

Mingyu blinked, trying to clear the fog in his head. "What happened?"

"You passed out from a panic attack," the paramedic explained gently. "It's okay. You just need to rest."

"I'm sorry," Mingyu mumbled, feeling ashamed. "I didn't mean to cause a fuss."

"It's okay, really," Jeonghan said, sitting beside him. "We should have listened to you earlier."

"Yeah, we were too caught up in the excitement," Woozi admitted, looking remorseful. "We didn't realize how serious this was for you."

Mingyu managed a weak smile. "I didn't want to ruin anyone's fun. I should have spoken up more clearly."

The members rallied around Mingyu, their earlier excitement replaced with genuine concern. They helped him sit up and made sure he was comfortable. The bungee jumping activity was paused for the moment, and the crew focused on making sure Mingyu was okay.

"Hey," Hoshi said softly, "how about we do something else for today's episode? We don't have to force anyone into something they're uncomfortable with."

Mingyu's heart warmed at the thought. "Thank you. I really appreciate it."

As the members helped him back to the bus, they reassured him that they understood his fear and supported him no matter what. The day's plans were adjusted, and the group decided to focus on more low-key activities.

Later, back at the studio, the episode was edited to show a more relaxed and fun side of the group. The bungee jumping segment was replaced with a series of humorous and light-hearted games that allowed the members to bond without any pressure.

Mingyu watched the final cut of the episode with a sense of relief and gratitude. The support and understanding from his members had made him feel better, and he knew he was lucky to have such a caring group of friends.

As the credits rolled, Mingyu turned to the members who were gathered around him, each of them smiling warmly.

"Thanks, guys," Mingyu said softly. "For understanding and for making today special in a different way."

"Anytime, Mingyu," Wonwoo replied, clapping him on the back. "We're a team, and we'll always have your back."

The members nodded in agreement. Mingyu felt a renewed sense of belonging and comfort, knowing that he didn't have to face his fears alone.

And so, the episode of "Going Seventeen" ended with laughter and fun, but more importantly, it ended with the strengthening of their bonds as a group. Mingyu's fear of heights remained, but with the support of his friends, he knew he could face any challenge, whether on or off the screen.