Rope

Tick tock.

Taemin had always been strange. He constantly did little things, it didn't matter when it was, where it was or who it was with, he just did random little things that definitely won't considered normal. Nevertheless we all just shrugged it off and put it down as a 'Taemin thing', after all what he got up to was none of our business. He wasn't necessarily the only one with strange little habits. So when he started to fiddle with small pieces of rope and staring into space, twirling it and rubbing it between his fingers we weren't bothered by it. Of course we all noticed but as I just said; at the end of the day, it was none of our business. Then he begin to act more distant, he started to spend all of his time in his room; only coming out for food, to work and to pee or shower, it was then that me and the others began to grow slightly worried.

We rarely saw him, I missed his warm smiles, his skin ship or just having him near, but when he was around he was like an empty shell, putting on a face for the public. What ever he did, he always had a piece of rope on his person; wrapped around his wrist or made into a anklet. I tried to accept that he was probably going through something personal, but I was still worried. So I aimed to keep him out of his room, invite him to meal dates and such; all of which, of course he rejected. ......

Tick tock, tick tock.

...... However one morning, he stumbled out of his room muttering something under his breath glaring at the floor coldly. During practise he stumbled showing a big red bruise around his ankle. I had gasped slightly, not loud enough to be heard not wanting to get the attention of the other members, remembering how they cared for Taemin but could not help but think about it all day.

Tick tock, Tick tock, Tick tock.

Upon entering our home, Taemin dashed for his room, but being faster I caught him easily, only to be met by a piercing glare. I grabbed him around the waist pulling him away from his bedroom door, he kicked and screamed violently, trying to get away but I still managed to pulled him away and into the kitchen.

"Taemin, What the hell is going on?!"

Taemin stopped struggling and turned fully towards me, shaking me off. I stepped back, no this isn't right. He looked at me, not a glace, a full I-can-see-into-your-soul look, and it frightened me.

Silence.

Taemin's face softened slightly, eyes traveling from my face to the floor. He looked as if he wanted to say something but was wondering how to say it.

"Taemin?" I asked slowly, gulping slightly when his eyes turned back onto me sharply, face hard and hands clenched into fists by his side.

"Nothing, Hyung" then he disappeared into his room slamming his door behind him, leaving me to try and understand the expression on his face.

Tick tock, Tick tock, Tick tock, Tick tock.

He refused to come out of his room for the rest of the evening, no matter how much we begged and pleaded he just wouldn't. We all ate in a depressing silence and soon after retired to our own respectable rooms. That night; I couldn't sleep so I laid awake on my bed, thinking. It was about 2 o'clock in the morning, as I was just dropping off, I heard soft wispers and scratches from the room next door.

Taemin's room.

I didn't dare move, after what occurred that afternoon I was hesident to even breathe, I struggled to hear what was being whispered.

".............. deserves it .............. rope ........... morning" then a soft laugh drifted through the wall making me shiver, what the hell is happening?!