Falling Through the Stage (New)

630 11 0
                                        

The stadium was alive with the hum of activity as The Boyz prepared for their most ambitious concert yet. Platforms were being adjusted, lights synchronized, and staff scurried to finalize last-minute details. Amidst the organized chaos, New stood on his assigned platform, peering down at the stage crew.

The platform beneath him gave a low, unsettling groan as it shifted upward during a test run. The sound sent a chill down his spine, and he felt the platform wobble ever so slightly.

"Excuse me," New called out to a passing stagehand. "The platform—it's making some weird noises. Is that normal?"

The crew member barely glanced at him before nodding. "Yeah, don't worry about it. These things always creak a bit during setup. It's perfectly safe."

New bit his lip, hesitating. The last thing he wanted was to appear overly cautious, especially with the concert so close. The Boyz had worked tirelessly for this moment, and he didn't want to be the one to hold them back. Forcing himself to push aside his apprehension, he nodded.

"Got it," he replied, though the unease lingered.

The final rehearsal arrived the following evening, and the group was buzzing with nervous energy. Each member climbed onto their platform, their choreography crisp and on point as the opening notes of their performance echoed through the venue. New inhaled deeply, his earlier fears temporarily set aside as adrenaline took over.

The rehearsal was flawless—until it wasn't.

Halfway through the second run of the set, New's platform began to ascend. Just as it reached its peak, a deafening crack split the air. Before he could react, the platform gave way beneath him. Time seemed to slow as he fell, the sound of collapsing metal and splintering wood filling the arena.

"NEW!" "CHANHEE!"multiple voices screamed in unison.

Dust and debris clouded the air as New disappeared beneath the rubble. The other members leapt off their platforms, panic etched into their faces.

"Where is he?!" Sangyeon shouted, his voice trembling as he scanned the chaos.

The stage crew rushed forward, attempting to clear the wreckage, but the members couldn't just stand by. Hyunjae and Juyeon began frantically pulling away broken pieces of wood and metal, their hands shaking. Kevin's face was pale as he called New's name repeatedly, his voice breaking with each unanswered shout.

It felt like an eternity as they worked, their fear mounting with each passing second. Finally, Sangyeon, realizing the severity of the situation, called emergency services. "Please, send help now," he pleaded into the phone, his voice cracking.

Nearly 30 minutes passed before paramedics arrived. The members were exhausted, their hands bloodied from clawing at the debris. When New was finally found, a collective gasp rippled through the room.

New lay unconscious, his body battered and twisted at unnatural angles. Blood trickled from a cut on his forehead, staining his pale skin. His left wrist was bent in a way that made Juyeon turn away, unable to look. His knee was grotesquely swollen, and his chest barely moved with shallow breaths.

"Step back, please!" one of the paramedics ordered as they rushed to stabilize New.

The members stood frozen, watching helplessly as New was loaded onto a stretcher and whisked away to the nearest hospital.

The hospital waiting room was suffocatingly quiet, save for the ticking of a clock on the wall. The Boyz sat in a huddle, their usual energy replaced with a heavy silence.

Sangyeon paced back and forth, his fists clenched. Jacob sat with his head in his hands, whispering a prayer under his breath. Q and Kevin clung to each other, their eyes red from crying. Juyeon stared blankly at the wall, his mind replaying the moment of the collapse over and over.

After what felt like an eternity, a doctor approached. The members stood as one, their eyes pleading for answers.

"Mr Choi is out of surgery," the doctor began. "But his injuries are severe. He suffered a broken wrist that required pins, a shattered kneecap, a spinal cord hemorrhage, and a brain bleed. We were able to stabilize him, but he'll need to remain under observation for at least two days. He may regain consciousness soon, but I must stress that he'll require extensive recovery."

The weight of the doctor's words hit them like a tidal wave. Kevin sank into his chair, tears streaming down his face. Juyeon cursed under his breath, slamming his fist against the armrest.

"Can we see him?" Sangyeon asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Not yet," the doctor replied. "He needs rest. You'll be able to visit him in a few days."

The next morning, their manager gathered the group. "The concert is still scheduled for tonight. I know this is hard, but you have to perform."

The announcement was met with silence. The thought of going on stage without New felt unbearable.

"We can't cancel this," Sangyeon finally said, his voice heavy. "But we'll do it for New."

That evening, the group stood before a sea of fans, their hearts weighed down by worry. Before the performance began, Q stepped forward, microphone in hand.

"We have something to share," he began, his voice trembling. "New had an accident during rehearsals and is currently recovering in the hospital. He's strong, and we know he'll get through this. Please send him your love and support."

The crowd erupted into cheers and chants of New's name, their unwavering support bringing tears to the members' eyes. They performed with everything they had, dedicating the night to their injured member.

When the group was finally allowed to visit New, they entered his hospital room cautiously. He lay in bed, his face pale but peaceful. His left wrist was in a cast, his leg immobilized, and monitors beeped steadily beside him.

"New," Kevin whispered, tears spilling down his cheeks as he approached the bed.

New's eyes fluttered open, and he managed a weak smile. "Hey, guys."

Those 2 words broke the dam. The members surrounded him, each taking turns holding his hand and telling him how much he'd scared them.

"I'm sorry," New said, his voice hoarse. "I didn't mean for this to happen."

"Don't apologize," Sangyeon said firmly. "This wasn't your fault."

The doctor informed them that New would need at least two weeks in the hospital, followed by months of physical therapy. The road ahead would be long and challenging.

"We'll take care of you," Juyeon promised. "Whatever you need, we've got you."

When New was finally discharged, the members transformed their dorm into a haven of comfort. They set up his room with everything he might need, from extra pillows to snacks and entertainment.

For the first few weeks, New struggled with nightmares of the collapse, waking up drenched in sweat and gasping for air. Each time, a member was there to comfort him. Sangyeon would sit with him, his steady presence a source of reassurance. Kevin and Q often stayed up late, cracking jokes to distract him from his fears.

Physical therapy was gruelling, and there were days when New felt like giving up. But his members never let him. Juyeon and Hyunjae accompanied him to every session, cheering for his progress no matter how small. Jacob brought fan letters and videos, reminding New of the love waiting for him outside the dorm.

Slowly but surely, New began to heal. His body grew stronger, and his confidence returned. The incident had left scars—both physical and emotional—but it also solidified the bond between the members of The Boyz. They had faced the unthinkable together and come out the other side stronger than ever.

As New looked around at his members one evening, he felt an overwhelming surge of gratitude. "Thank you," he said softly. "For everything."

"We're a family," Sangyeon replied. "And families take care of each other."

Months later, New stood on stage once more, his heart pounding as the lights dimmed. The crowd erupted into cheers, and he felt a wave of emotion wash over him. His members stood by his side, their support unwavering.

As the music began, New took a deep breath and stepped forward, ready to face the world again. The platform may have fallen, but he hadn't. With his family beside him, he knew he never would.

Kpop Sickfics and Hurtfics Part 2Stories to obsess over. Discover now