Hyung, I See a Whale

What Kind of Whale?

He doesn't think much about the lack of noise in the dorms, how he can't hear the TV or music or voices vibrating against the walls. It doesn't puzzle him why he's in the bathtub, either. Sehun merely pulls the stopper and fetches a towel to dry his body. He proceeds with his routine until he's dry and clean. It's quiet when he steps out into the small hallway and heads to the kitchen in search of food. He notices a lump asleep on the couch buried beneath blankets. He checks up on the person -- Jongdae.

Sehun tries his best to keep the noise down, but because it's already quiet, everything he does seems to amplify in volume. He thinks Jongdae should be able to get some rest because, after all, they had a long day yesterday that led to eating out late in the hours to celebrate. They basically partied the whole night away. It must have been just before sunrise when they returned to the dorm.

Then everyone must still be asleep. Sehun abandons his mission of finding food to check the bedrooms. He expects to see bodies lying around, so when he doesn't, he gets a little confused and concerned. All the beds look made, which is unusual. Puzzled, Sehun returns to the living room and that's when he notices their shoes scattered around the front door. Unless the others walked out barefooted or wore different pairs of shoes, they should be home, yet he only sees Jongdae.

Sehun checks his phone, but the reception is bad and the loading loop keeps on chasing its tail. Sehun even checks the fridge for a note, but there's nothing. He's suddenly craving for a sweet drink. Since there's no one else around, he can head over to the shop real quick and buy himself a drink. As Sehun is putting on his shoes, he glances at Jongdae. Maybe his hyung wants a drink too; Sehun doesn't mind buying for one or two people, especially not Jongdae. Sehun likes Jongdae because Jongdae takes care of him so well. To Sehun, Jongdae is like the older brother he never had but really wants.

Sehun heads over to Jongdae to wake up him. "Hyung," he whispers, "Hyung, wake up."

Jongdae doesn't budge. With a frown, Sehun decides he would buy two, just in case. He knows what Jongdae likes, so it wouldn't be difficult anyway. Sehun removes a layer of blanket off of Jongdae, worried that Jongdae would wake up in a sweat. "You're so cute when you're sleeping," Sehun laughs quietly to himself before walking away.

Sehun turns the doorknob, but the knob is stuck. After a couple of failed twists, Sehun comes to the conclusion that it's a fake doorknob, though how, he doesn't have an answer. He tries the other doors, the bedroom doors, the bathroom doors. They all work. He goes to unlock the windows and prop them open, but there are no locks nor any way to open the windows. Sehun squints to see the outside view. Rather than the usual landscape of the city buildings and the nearby park, he sees black. All around, no matter how hard he tries, he sees black.

By now, Sehun is sweating. He's confused and afraid. He thinks it's a dream because that's the only explanation. He's had dreams where he can't leave or his vision is obscured by bright lighting. Sehun staggers to the bathroom and splashes his face with cold water. He can feel the droplets on his skin. He stumbles back into the living room where Jongdae is still asleep on the couch and again, he tries the front door and looks out the window.

Sehun slaps himself, pinches his skin, pulls his hair. He falls on his knees in front of the couch and reaches out to touch Jongdae's arm. Everything feels real. Sehun must be in a lucid dream, because he's in control of himself.

"Hyung," Sehun says, his voice seemingly loud in the quiet room. Jongdae doesn't react, so Sehun gently shakes him. "Hyung, wake up." Sehun remains seated by the couch, waiting for a response. "Hyung, if you don't wake, I'm going to call Baekhyun and Chanyeol." At the mention of their two friends, Sehun suddenly can't breathe, like he had just sprinted into a wall. As quickly as it comes, it disappears.