The Party That Killed || Hyunlix

82 🕸️

As the officers led the cult members outside, Seungmin walked slowly, his gaze fixed on the ground. He could feel his parents' eyes on him, but he didn’t have the strength to look at them. Not now. He wasn’t even sure if he ever would.

"Seungmin…" Felix began softly, but the boy just shook his head. He didn’t want to talk. He didn’t want to analyze what had happened. Not yet.

Minho and Changbin walked out of the building slowly, guiding Seungmin outside. He was exhausted, but his eyes remained focused as if he was still trying to process everything that had happened. When they reached the police cars, which were already waiting, Jeongin almost immediately sprinted toward Seungmin.

"Seungmin!" he shouted, his voice trembling with emotion. As soon as he reached him, without a second thought, he pulled him into a tight embrace.

Seungmin stood still for a moment, feeling the warmth of his friend and the shaky breath against his shoulder. Eventually, he raised his arms and returned the hug, closing his eyes.

"I'm… I'm here," he whispered, though his voice was barely audible.

Jeongin only tightened his grip, as if afraid that if he let go, Seungmin would disappear.

"I thought I'd never see you again…" he said quietly.

Minho and Changbin stood slightly to the side, watching the scene unfold. Felix and Hyunjin, who had just approached, also stopped, sensing that this was a moment they shouldn’t interrupt.

"It’s okay now. I’m in one piece," Seungmin said, attempting a smile, though exhaustion was still evident in his eyes. "Thanks to you… to all of you."

Jeongin pulled back slightly but still held onto his arm.

"I won’t leave you like that ever again. I promise."

Seungmin looked at him with a small smile and nodded. For the first time in a long while, he truly felt safe.

≈🎃≈

Seungmin stood on the hill, gazing at the river flowing below. The wind tousled his hair gently, and the water moved steadily as if the whole world was in constant motion, never stopping even for a second.

"Hyunjin…" Seungmin's voice was quiet, tired, but steady.

Hyunjin looked up and tried to smile, but something inside him broke.

"I failed you." The words slipped from his lips before he could stop them. "I should have protected you, been there for you earlier. If I… if I had tried harder…"

Seungmin lowered his gaze to his hands, weighing his words for a moment. Finally, he smiled softly, almost in relief, and shook his head.

"Hyunjin, don’t blame yourself."

"But it’s true." Hyunjin turned away. "I should have done something sooner. I shouldn’t have let you go through all of this alone…"

Seungmin placed a hand on his shoulder and looked him straight in the eyes.

"You will always be my real brother," he said with gratitude in his gaze. "Maybe you weren’t there every time, but when I truly needed you, you were. And that’s what matters."

Hyunjin froze for a moment, then pulled Seungmin into a firm embrace. Seungmin, though never one for grand displays of affection, returned the hug.

"Thank you…" Hyunjin whispered, feeling the tension slowly leave his body.

After a moment, he took a deep breath, as if an invisible weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He patted Seungmin’s arm before glancing toward the rest of the group waiting nearby.

"We’re leaving soon. Don’t stay here too long," he said, walking away.

Seungmin nodded but remained in place a little longer. In silence, he watched the river flow forward, never stopping. And that’s when he saw him.

Jungmin stood on the other side of the river. He was there, smiling, as if he had never left. For a split second, he looked so real, as if he was truly standing there. Seungmin wanted to step closer, but he knew it was just an illusion. This was the moment he had to accept the truth. His heart clenched in his chest, but this time, he didn’t feel pain—only peace.

Jungmin was gone. It wasn’t him—or maybe it was, just in a different way.

"It’s time," Seungmin thought. "I have to accept the truth. Jungmin isn’t coming back."

Chan’s words echoed in his mind, words that once made no sense to him.

/"Not everyone who leaves had to go. Some had a choice, but someone took it from them…"/

He looked at Jungmin again, who was watching him with a gentle smile. Maybe Chan was right. Maybe Jungmin had a choice but chose his own path.

A warm breeze wrapped around Seungmin, carrying a faint whisper of farewell. He closed his eyes and, for the first time in a long while, allowed himself to feel at peace. A soft smile crossed his lips as the weight on his heart slowly lifted.

"Thank you," he whispered.

When he opened his eyes, Jungmin was gone.

"Seungmin, come on, we’re leaving!" Jisung called from the distance.

Seungmin took one last look ahead before turning around and walking toward his friends. Behind him, only silence remained and the ever-flowing river.

Sometimes, to move forward, you have to learn to let go.

🕸️🕸️🕸️

There will be another extra chapter in a few days, apart from that it's over ;⁠)