YOON | Prequel to THE8

FIVE

| CHAPTER FIVE |

Jeonghan wakes up to voices, a gasp barely making its way past his lips before the sound of the keycard is beeping, signaling someone about to enter.

Jeonghan shrieks as quietly as he can, legs tangled in the sheets. He springs over towards the door, slamming it shut just as the other person manages to open it just a crack.

"What—" Jeonghan hears a muffled voice. It's a man.

He panics, locking the door and pressing his back right against it, applying as much pressure as possible.

"What's wrong?" It sounds like a woman. Could be a wife, or daughter. Maybe a grandmother— Fuck, Jeonghan doesn't care. He's too busy sweating and trying to decide how to get out of here.

Jeonghan steps away from the door, sliding the nearby bookshelf right into his spot.

The frustrated cursing and huffs are heard, the sound of the key beeping ringing through Jeonghan's ears just as he pulls the curtains open, squinting at pain at the harsh color of this particular sunrise.

"Just open it, babe."

"I can't. Something's blocking it."

Jeonghan pales, trying to pull the window open, only to miserably fail try after try. It's like it's glued shut. He has no idea what to do... no idea how to get out of here before these guests walk inside.

Out of all rooms? This one?

Jeonghan stumbles back, ramming his elbow into the window as hard as he can, freezing as it cracks immediately. Despite the luxurious feel this place gives you, they surely lack well made things around here. Maybe it really was all for looks.

Jeonghan pushes the remaining glass away in a hurry, slicing the pads of palms in the process.

"Looks like a bookcase. Why would they put a bookca— Hey!"

Jeonghan whips his head around just as the sound of the male guest's tone reaches his eardrums, eyes flying wide as the man meets his gaze from across the room, immediately trying to push the bookshelf away from the door to get to him.

"Security! Babe, get security!" The guest's wife nods, sprinting away.

Jeonghan goes to slip out the window—

But he yelps, holding onto the windowsill as he takes in just how high up he is right now. He has no other choice but to get caught and arrested.... or try and walk on the shingles of this terribly made roof.

Jeonghan would complain to corporate if he were an actual guest.

"Hey! Stop!" The man shouts from behind him, already halfway inside.

And that's Jeonghan's cue.

With a trembled breath, Jeonghan slides out insanely carefully, gripping onto the wall for dear life— literally. He tells himself not to look down even though he ends up doing it anyways, hands shaky as his fear of heights suddenly catches up to him.