0112.

v.

v.

His lungs are burning. Every second he spent submerged underwater makes it hard for him to breathe. But it helps him think clearly and so he doesn't come back up the surface until water enters his lungs and he's suddenly coughing violently, eyes blurry at the edges and stinging whenever he blinks. He sits in his bathtub, staring at the wrinkled skin of his pale fingers and only standing up to dry himself when he hears the telephone ring for the fourth time today.

He leaves wet footprints on the floor. The water from his hair drips down his face and to his neck. It races down his spine and he shivers from the cold breeze. It's November and he feels as if every part of him is made of ice—that no matter how much clothing he puts on to stay warm, the coldness comes from within his body. He feels like everything is warm around him yet he still feels so cold.

"Is it done?" A voice comes in broken sobs and his heart drops at the sound of him crying. The panic in the caller's voice can be heard when he speaks again, startling the both of them. "Tell me where you are. It's almost twelve."

The line goes silent again and he looks at the clock on the wall. He had less than ten minutes before pain engulfs him again. He was tired of it—so, so tired of the searing pain on his arm as if a demon was inside him and was ripping out his skin to escape. He laughs breathlessly, watching his reflection in the mirror as a drop of water traces the curves of his cheeks. He looks at the bottle of sleeping pills in his hand with a dangerous glint in his eyes. Three months was spent in a blur. He was in and out of the hospital during his marking and his best friend was there to support him in any way he can. In a few minutes was the first day of the fourth month—the last digit will be carved in his arm any time now. But he already made up his mind. He will sleep through his death today. "No, but you'll see me soon. Don't worry."

"Don't feed me lies, Chanyeol."

"I never lie." It was true. Chanyeol never lied to him. He kept things from him, but he never lies. He had his own way of putting things into words and at that time Jongin didn't know what he should expect. He was the kind of man who says one thing but means two. He hid a lot of secrets behind his words and Jongin didn't know when it would explode in his face. But it was true. Jongin did saw Chanyeol. Chanyeol slept for two years and Jongin was still the same man, although now painted with scars. He always visits his best friend. He sees him every day.

But he never seemed to wake up from his slumber.