Evanesce

(Chapter 15) Hurt

"You're demons.."

The atmosphere in the room was already tense but it suddenly became so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. My brain stopped working and my heart went into overdrive. These people were dangerous, They weren't the people I've grown to love.

And Jongin, he's been keeping things from me since the beginning. My brain jumpstarted, putting more pieces together. My mothers' dying words were a warning of demons, and then an entire clan of them shows up. My entire family was dead because demons, I was attacked and threatened by demons. They must have been keeping me here, comfortable, to just use me for power, one witch could hypothetically keep a clan like this strong for a while. My blood was icy hot in my veins as I attempted to calm myself, panic would only trigger their predatory instincts.

"Sehun, show father to the dining hall while I talk to Minji." Sehun nodded briskly before leading the man away. I felt my entire body shake in fear as Jongin turned toward me, his eyes were dark, not red, but not their usual caramel. I took a hesitant step back without breaking eye contact, my heart was pounding against my chest, something Jongin heard clearly. His eyes softened slightly, still dark but his face looked sunken, was he feigning sadness?

"I should have told you before but-" Jongin stumbled over his words, cutting himself off at the end before just shaking his head in frustration. "I'll take you back to your room." He mumbled before leading me back up the stairs. I tried my best to stay ahead of him as my mind began to grow paranoid. Now that I knew, what did that mean? Obviously they didn't want me to find out, but why? Am I dead now? When I was back in my room I tried to act nonchalant and indifferent.

"I'll bring you a plate up soon, I can wait with you if you like?" Jongin looked at me like a kicked puppy, I attempted to stifle the NO that jumped into my throat as I cleared it.

"That's alright, I need some time to think. Go ahead and spend time with your father." I attempted a reassuring smile, hoping it didn't seem too forced. Jongin nodded slowly, watching me for a long moment before reluctantly leaving the room. I sat on the floor with my legs crossed, palms flat against the cool wood, as I tried to breath. I counted five deep slow breaths before quietly getting up and grabbing my backpack from under the bed, Mom's grimoire already inside. I stuffed some clothes in there along with essentials before quietly opening the bedroom door.

I tiptoed down the large hall, glancing down the staircase. Chanyeol and Sehun were making their way up the stairs, too immersed in their conversation to notice me. I panicked and quickly tiptoed as fast as I could down the opposite hall, quietly yanking the glass door open before slipping out. I peeked in, waiting for Sehun to leave but they just continued the conversation in the hall outside his room. I let out a quiet frustrated breath before abandoning that plan. I have to escape, I can't let them kill me. Would they kill me? Desperation filled me as I walked over to the railing of the balcony, and with a shakey breath I pulled myself over, lowering to dangle my feet. I squeezed my eyes shut and let go, keeping my knees bent to brace the fall.

I resisted the urge to yell out as I fell into the darkness, then suddenly my feet gently touched the grass, I opened my eyes in shock as I looked back at the drop. I had no time to wonder how, as I heard the voices inside getting louder and quickly scurried into the trees, leaving the manor behind. I ran until my lungs burned and felt as if they would explode, the cool wind burned my face. I tried my best to avoid obstacles but continuously tripped or was struck in the face by a low branch. I turned to see how much distance I made but slipped when I took a step back, sliding down a small hill made up of mud and rocks.

I brushed the dirt and new blood from my hands and continued onward. When I thought I was far enough, I pulled out my phone for lighting. I was surprisingly still grateful for Jongin both for the phone and for showing me the flashlight feature, my conflicting feelings were beginning to get burdensome.