Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 62

The First Light of Relief

The hospital felt like a timeless void, the hours blending into one another as the faint hum of machines provided a constant backdrop. Throughout the night, the only movement came from Joshua's subtle shifts in his chair by Jeonghan's bed. The others—Mingyu, Seungkwan, Woozi, Minghao, Seokmin—were scattered across the room, finding what little comfort they could in the stiff couches and chairs. Dino had disappeared hours ago, leaving without explanation, and Jun had visited briefly to ask Joshua to ensure everyone stayed in the hospital.

"They need the rest," Jun had said in a low voice, glancing at the others with a soft expression. "Keep them here, Joshua. It's safer."

Joshua had nodded, his usual calm unshaken, though worry flickered in his eyes. "What about the others?" he asked quietly, not wanting to disturb the fragile quiet.

"They'll be fine. It'll take time," Jun replied simply before departing as silently as he had arrived.

The night dragged on, heavy with unspoken tension. The occasional cough or murmured word from one of the sleeping figures broke the stillness, but mostly, silence ruled.

Just before dawn, as the faintest glow began to edge into the sky, the quiet was shattered by Dino bursting into the room. The door slammed open, and his enthusiastic shout startled everyone awake.

"They did it!" he exclaimed, his grin wide and his voice far too loud for the early hour. "Hyungs, they did it! Viktor's finished! Gone! Off to hell where he belongs!"

Seokmin groaned, rubbing his face as he blinked groggily. "Dino, what the hell are you yelling about?"

Mingyu looked at the younger man through half-lidded eyes, his voice gravelly with sleep. "Do you know what time it is?"

"Seriously?" Seungkwan muttered, sitting up with a mess of hair and a scowl. "Dino, I swear, if you woke us up for nothing—"

Unfazed by their irritation, Dino darted to Joshua's side. "Hyung! It's done! Viktor is finished!" He clapped Joshua's shoulder excitedly, his energy infectious even in the face of everyone else's groaning.

Joshua, who had been half-asleep but still holding vigil by Jeonghan's bed, blinked a few times before registering Dino's words. A small smile tugged at his lips as he processed the news. "That's good, Dino. Really good."

Dino turned toward Jeonghan's bed, his excitement softening into something more tender. Leaning down, he spoke in a quiet voice. "Hyung, enough sleeping now. There's nothing to fear anymore. Nobody to fear. It's celebration time, so wake up soon, okay?"

He lingered for a moment, his expression a mix of hope and determination. When he straightened, he realized all eyes were on him—some irritated, others bewildered.

"What are you even talking about?" Woozi asked, his tone sharp as he stretched his stiff shoulders.

"You woke us up for this?" Seokmin grumbled, his annoyance clear.

"You better start making sense," Minghao added, his glare cutting.

Realizing he might have overestimated their willingness to be patient, Dino gave them an awkward smile and began backing toward the door. "Um... I'll... I'll explain later. Okay, bye!"

With that, he bolted, leaving the room in a mixture of confusion and irritation. Joshua chuckled softly, shaking his head. "That kid's energy is something else."

The others groaned collectively before flopping back onto their makeshift beds.

Time passed in a haze. The sunlight grew brighter, casting a warm glow through the room. Around 9 a.m., the doctor entered, accompanied by a few nurses for Jeonghan's routine examination. Joshua stood immediately, his posture tense as he watched them check the machines and gently inspect the still-unconscious man.