0112.

vi.

vi.

Ash gray skin, shadows hiding beneath strong eyes and a sick smile painted on pale lips.

He takes notice of his appearance slowly, studying every shift of the eyes and remembers how different emotions flashes through his face. His eyes shifts back and forth—from his black orbs to his hands, watching his every movement. Jongin struggles; tries to find the line between the reality and his own thoughts.

"Do you pity me?" The voice was smooth and cold. It was a nice thing to hear. He looks genuinely curious—like every emotion is painted perfectly on his pretty face. He lifts his arm from his side and struggles to sit up on his bed. Jongin watches silently as a flicker of pain flashes across his face.

"Do I have to?" Jongin answers and he hears a broken laugh.

He nods slowly, a sick smile decorating his lips. "You probably should."

The soft knocks from the door shocks them both. Suddenly, Sehun pokes his head through the opening and smiles at Kyungsoo before his gaze lands on Jongin on the opposite side of the room. He doesn't bother asking what they were talking about. He sets his mouth into a firm line and gestures for Jongin to follow him outside. The said boy sends Kyungsoo a look and the latter stares back silently before he heads to the door, closing it gently behind him. He doesn't know why he's visiting Kyungsoo. He had no idea if they were even friends to begin with. A few minutes of aimless walking leads them to an empty hall and when he looks around, he finds Jongin staring at the floor beneath them.

"S'good to see you." He says as he fishes his phone out of his pocket. "When are you coming back to work?"

Jongin lets out a breathy laugh. "Am I still employed?"

"I told them you were busy writing the book." Sehun says distractedly while looking through his messages. He looks back at him with a pointed look. "And you should. I can't always drag your ass around, Jongin. You need to work with me here."

He has to tell him now. Jongin sucks his bottom lip before looking at him. "I don't want to write about Kyungsoo."

Sehun looks at him in confusion. He desperately searches Jongin's eyes for any hint of humor. When he finds none, his eyes flashes in anger. Jongin knew that he should be thankful for all his help and that he was only looking after him. But he couldn't do it. No. Not Kyungsoo. "What? Jongin, are you scared that people will find out about him?"

He pauses; chooses his words carefully before they left his lips. "He's ill."

Sehun looked like he was going to laugh and he slaps a hand over his own mouth in an attempt to smother it. But not a minute after, he starts chuckling and suddenly he's doubled over, clutching his stomach as he laughs like a hyena. "We're all going to die, Jongin."

"I know that." Jongin answers. Then adds, rather harshly. "You think I don't know that?"

Sehun collects his thoughts and sits up straight, leaning against a wall while Jongin stands over him quietly. He turns to his side and reaches to his back pocket, pulling out a wrinkled paper and unfolding it slowly. He gives it to Jongin and the latter stares at him before taking it. "It doesn't have to be that way."

Jongin reads the note out loud, eyebrows scrunched together in confusion. "ZYX, Rm. 206. Second floor, noon."

Sehun uses the heel of his palm to push himself up and he straightens his shirt out of habit. He pushes the glasses up the bridge of his nose, looking at him in the eyes. "I know someone who could find a cure. We need Kyungsoo's help."

"What—what do you mean?"

The blonde male looks at him with a nervous but confident look in his eyes. Jongin drowns in his own thoughts. Was it actually possible to find a cure? Many have tried but no one succeeded before—especially given the deadline imposed by the number system. He looks at Sehun sharply when the dots are finally connected. "Because no one has a lead before.."

His gaze falls on the note in his hands, expression turning grim. "You want Kyungsoo to be your test subject."