Monstrosity

Episode 4 (Part 2)

You soon met with Hyun-Su, but he looked scared. He always looked scared, but tonight he was conflicted, wary as well. Lee Eun-Hyeok — the Lee-something guy — looked at us with eyes slightly narrowed.

This was the safest floor, Eun-Hyeok had told you when he brought you there with him. You were limping along the way, but that bruise had shortly healed as well, so you had to pretend to be hurt.

"Are you okay?" You asked Hyun-Su.

"They know." He simply stated. A two-word sentence had you shivering. If they knew about Hyun-Su, they would surely know about you as well. Your friend was quick to catch on to the fear so clearly etched in your eyes and put a hand over your shoulder, hoping it would provide you comfort. "You're safe, [Y/N]. I am not sure if you're truly becoming something I am..." You sighed in relief, but there was a tug at your heart.

"They would corner you." You finally dared to look in his eyes. "I can't leave you—" He cut you off, both his palms gripping your shoulders gently. He wanted to shake your fear out... if it were only that simple.

"Blend in." He ordered and dropped his hands back to his sides. You understood he was trying his best to come off as put-together. For you. "Don't let them know your symptoms. Don't trust them." You tried blocking out the urge to read his mind, but you weren't fully in control of your powers yet. 'Please stay safe. I can't survive this without you.' You heard him in your mind.

You sighed heavily, a hand of yours on his as if that would give you answers to every question playing in your head like continuous static. It was a tough decision to stay away from him when he needed you the most. 'What are you playing at, Hyun-Su...?' You asked him in your head.

"What does that mean?" He asked curiously.

"What means what?" You asked in confusion.

"What do you mean what am I playing at? I am trying to keep you safe!" He hissed at you quietly to avoid eavesdroppers. "If you want to announce to the public that there are not one but two infected members in Green Home, and especially on the 'safest floor' as Eun-Hyeok says, then go ahead! Walk yourself right onto the plank above sharks!" He was surprisingly fierce, and it was the stress finally getting to him. You blinked a few times before asking:

"But I didn't say anything."

"Of course you didn't say anything right now! I am trying to tell you to not tell them at all you're infected. Please, [Y/N]." His eyes burned into yours when he practically begged you to keep your mouth shut.

"Yeah." You nodded and somewhat dismissed his request when all you could think of right now was how he heard you in the first place. "But I didn't ask you that. Didn't ask you 'what are you playing at?'. I just thought it." You explained.

"You did. I heard it." He replied with certainty.

"I didn't even move my mouth."

"So? Some people have that skill." He shrugged and you rolled your eyes at his casual take.

"Do you not see it, Hyun-Su? I was holding your hand when I thought that, and you heard it in your head. It was telepathy!"

"So that's your new power now? The ability to talk to people in their heads when you touch them?"

"I think so..." You shrugged. "What use will my powers even be? I can't take on monsters by reading their thoughts if it requires touching them first. Predicting their attack move maybe... Ugh, this is stupid!" You said with a frustrated groan, and your hands caged your head. You let out a couple of sobs and sniffles before he intervened.