WILTED | SEOKSOO FF

PART 11

Jihoon’s fingers trembled as he ended the call, his heartbeat thundering against his ribs. He had just lulled Dino to sleep, whispering reassurances even as his own hands shook. But the weight of the night pressed down on him, thick and suffocating. He had seen the look in Seokmin’s eyes.

This wasn’t over.

Seungcheol and Jeonghan needed to be here. Now.

The knock at the door came sharp, urgent. When Jihoon unlatched it, the two men stepped in. Jeonghan’s face was unreadable, but his sharp eyes flicked around the apartment, scanning every shadow, every darkened corner—as if expecting Seokmin to lunge from the darkness. Seungcheol, however, didn’t bother with caution. His jaw was clenched so tight that the veins in his neck stood out, his body still taut with the rage from their earlier confrontation.

"Where is he?" Seungcheol’s voice was a low growl, the kind that meant he was barely holding himself back.

Jihoon motioned toward the guest room. Inside, Soonyoung sat beside Jisoo, murmuring quiet reassurances, but it was clear they weren’t reaching him. Jisoo hadn’t spoken since Seokmin left. Hadn’t moved much either. He sat curled into himself, arms wrapped around his torso, fingers digging into the fabric of his hoodie like it was the only thing keeping him together. His eyes were empty. Hollow.

Jeonghan exhaled sharply and pushed past Seungcheol, crossing the room in three strides before dropping to his knees in front of his brother.

“Jisoos,” Jeonghan murmured, voice gentle but firm. “Hey, look at me.”

Jisoo didn’t react. He just kept staring at the floor, his shallow breaths too fast, too uneven.

Jeonghan’s stomach twisted. He knew this state. This wasn’t just fear—it was terror that had seeped into his bones, locked him inside his own mind.

Jihoon stayed near the doorway, arms crossed over his chest. His expression was grim. “We have to send him somewhere safe,” he said, voice clipped. “Seokmin isn’t going to stop. We all know that.”

Jeonghan didn’t look away from Jisoo. “I’m not letting him out of my sight. Not in this state.”

“You might not have a choice.” Seungcheol’s voice was colder this time.

Jeonghan shot him a glare, but before he could argue, Soonyoung spoke up.

“I know somewhere.”

Silence. All eyes snapped toward him.

He hesitated, as if weighing the words in his mind before saying them aloud. “I have these friends—Minghao and Jun. They live in China, outside the city, and they owe me a few favors. They’ll help.”

Jeonghan frowned. “China? You’re saying we should send Jisoo out of the country?”

Soonyoung nodded. “Seokmin won’t find him there. He doesn't even know about them. Minghao and Jun live in the middle of nowhere. No one knows their exact location unless they tell them. It’s the safest option.”

Jihoon considered it. Minghao and Jun… he had met them at their wedding a brief meeting. They were quiet, calculating, and fiercely loyal. More importantly, they had the means to make someone disappear, especially Minghao, his aura was dangerous yet attractive like a Venus flytrap.

But Jeonghan was still shaking his head. “I don’t know if I can just send him away like that.” His voice was tight, cracking around the edges. He turned back to his brother. “Jisoos… what do you think?”