Blaze

The Pit of Desperation

As if guilty Tao's eyes lingered over the floor while everyone else awaited his answer. At last he lifted his head up to stare back at him.

In Donghae's memory, he recalled Tao searching through the internet about pregnancy.

Did he...had he really...

"It's not mine." Tao replied.

Again, shocked, Donghae felt his mind spin. He didn't think he'd ever been so dismayed before.

What the hell was going on?!

If it wasn't Tao, who then?!

Tao's eyes seemed to linger around as if puzzled with discontent before turning back to stare at Kris. Everyone, along with Donghae, followed Tao's gaze to interrogate him with their eyes. Kris' eyes looked hollow, disconcerted and dumbfounded by what he'd just heard, but his eyes didn't settle on Donghae or the others' muddled expressions. Instead, his gaze remained fixated on the doctor.

Donghae felt Kris push him aside as he stepped up, "W..what did you say?"

"Are you her husband?"

Donghae felt his eyes engrave themselves into Kris' side profile, imaginatively dismantling his features. He really didn't like how things were turning out.

"Uh...yea, yes." He lifelessly nodded.

Pressing his lips together he went on, "Your wife is in a dangerous state. I'm sorry, but we have no choice, but to remove the fetus."

Kris lips immediately drooped apart, deadpanned by the news. "Can't you...can't you save it? The baby?"

"I'm sorry," the doctor apologized again.

Slightly pushing Kris away, Donghae took over the conversation, "All right, we get it. Just go back in there and save her."

Once the doors closed again, Tao slumped back down into the seat with his head hung lower than before. Donghae felt a glare escape his eyes when he glanced at Kris and repressing a sigh, turned to stare at the doors.

~_____~

Chorong was receiving IV treatment for dehydration and to help stabilize her blood count. Finally out of her bloody clothes, she was now in her own private room in one of those hospital gowns. She'd actually never had the chance to wear one before and thought it actually felt nice. The kind nurse had also given her a sandwich and some water to drink, in order to help replenish her energy.

Ever since arriving at the hospital, she'd been alone in the ER receiving treatment for her injuries. The rest were awaiting news about Namjoo's surgery. She, too, felt very sorry about it. If only she'd been a little stronger she could have done something to prevent it, but she hadn't. Chorong thought to visit Namjoo as soon as she was out, but she also felt embarrassed. Maybe she wasn't entitled to go see her in the ward. Even as a friend, she hadn't been able to do anything for her.

The knock at the door made her look up and at first she hoped it was Suho visiting her. She still couldn't forget how he'd pressed his shirt against the cut at the back of her head where blood had been oozing out. It reminded her why she liked him so.

Suho was selfless with a big heart, always looking out for others before himself even if it was hard on him. Chorong didn't think she'd ever met anyone so brave before. He was also a source of strength for someone so useless like her. And she looked up to him too.

"Hey," it was Lay.

Pulling on a smile, Chorong further sat up on the bed, "Is everything ok?"