UNKNOWN

CHAPTER 9 - RECONNECT

CHANYEOL'S P.O.V.

We went back from the rooftop. Shiro's eyes were bloodshot because of crying so we went to the restroom first. After that, I brought him to see Baekhyun and Kyung Soo. He said that he wants to apologize not just for breaking the glass at the recording studio but also for scaring them. I guess that's one of the reasons why he cried. He must be frightened by the thought that he scared Baekhyun and Kyung Soo. He was anxious at first but he said sorry to the two guys. Kyung Soo didn't say anything but he's always silent so I guess it's okay. Baekhyun just said that it's fine and said that he needs to go to his next schedule so I think everything went fine.

I bent my knees and held Shiro's shoulder, "Shiro, hyung also needs to go to another sched. Is it okay if I leave you here?"

He frowned a bit but answered, "Nae."

I don't want him to be alone so I gave our leader a call, "Suho-hyung, I need to be somewhere. Can you stay with Shiro? I don't want to leave the kid---"

"Shiro is not a kid!" he protested.

I laughed a bit, "I don't want to leave Shiro here. Can you accompany him?"

The voice from the other line replied and asked, "Where are you right now?"

"We're nearby the studio."

"Okay, I'll go there."

When Suho-hyung came, I bid goodbye to the two and left for a filming schedule.

SUHO'S P.O.V.

"Shall we go?" I asked the pale guy beside me.

"Hmmm... can Shiro--- ah! Can I go to my room first?"

"Sure, but where is your room?"

I followed him and ended up in the forbidden room.

"Ah, so you stay here?"

"I'll be quick," he said then entered the room.

I just waited for Shiro outside his room. A group of trainees passed by me giving me weird looks. But why? They bowed and greeted me when our eyes met then they leave immediately.

I heard someone whispered, "That's the room where no one is allowed, right?"

Ah, so that's why. It seems they've already read the contracts that they will sign when they got to debut. The rule about this room is still included to the latest contracts, huh?

I think I spaced out for a while and didn't notice Shiro opening the door, "Oh, you're done?"

"Leader-kun, where should we go next?"

"Hmmm... since we can't do recordings not until tomorrow, what do you want to do?"

"Gomenasai," he lowered his head and started fidgeting the ends of his shirt.

I patted his head, "It's not your fault. The glass is just too fragile and old. It'll get fixed tomorrow morning."

He seems more relaxed.

"So, where should we go, Shiro?"

"There's something I want to do."

"And what is it?"

"Shiro wants to attend lessons."

"Lessons? Hmmm... let's see. I think the other trainees have walking lesson today. Do you want to go?

"Nae!" he shouted full with enthusiasm.

_____

Right timing! There's a lesson for trainees and they are just about to start. I talked to the teacher to include Shiro temporarily to the class and she agreed. She warned Shiro that she won't go easy on him just because I insisted for Shiro to join the class.

I watched Shiro from afar and I noticed that he's always trying to keep a distance from the others. Is he having a hard time making friends?

The one-hour lesson is about to end so I went to the cafeteria to buy Shiro a drink.

The lesson just ended right when I entered the room. I gave Shiro the drink I bought and he accepted it shyly but he smiled. He was drinking it but stopped midway.

Shiro put down the drink. He had this stern look on his eyes. He inhaled and exhaled very slowly. He whispered under his breath, "Chanyeol-kun is in danger," then sprinted out of the room.

CHANYEOL'S P.O.V.

Right after coming out from the SM building, I saw our manager waiting for me on the coaster gesturing to get on board quickly. We're running late after all.

"What took you so long?" he scowled at me.

I didn't answer and just get in the coaster as soon as possible.

We were on the highway. The traffic was not that bad but he's driving faster than usual.

I was fidgeting on my phone when I felt an itch somewhere in my left arm. I scratched it once then scrolled down to check my Instagram feed. But the itch persisted. It got to the point that I put down my phone to focus on scratching. It's awfully itchy!

Our manager keeps on looking on the rear-view mirror, "What are you doing?"

"Hyung, just drive," I replied.

The itch suddenly turned to continuous rapid stings. It stings specifically right at the top of the line of my left arm. It hurts and I keep on touching and tapping it, but it's bearable.

"Are you okay?" our manager asked. "We're getting close to the set. If you're not feeling well, take a rest for few minutes."

"Arasseo," I replied on a soft but annoyed voice.

_____

We reached the set and I hurriedly slid the coaster's door and ran for the restroom. It stings a while ago but now it burns that I can't keep a straight facial expression.

"Aaa!" Damn it! What's wrong with this arm?! "Aaa! It hurts!" It's a relief that there's no one here at the men's restroom.

I quickly opened the faucet and put my arm underneath aiming for the part near my elbow. I felt the cold water drenching my left arm but it doesn't ease the pain.

"Aaaaa!!!" washing it with water didn't really work. I keep on tapping harshly on it trying to lessen the burning sensation but the pain just keeps getting stronger. "Aaaaaaaaa!!!!!" I'm gripping on my arm very tightly. I almost sit down because of the pain when I see something on the source of my suffering. I looked at it closely, there's something emerging from it. It looks like blood is coming out but it's black! After a few second, I realized that it's not blood, I'm not sure but it looks like ink and it's forming something. But more than that, the excruciating pain is still making me suffer.

"Aaah!" I gasped for air 'coz it seems like forever since I last inhaled oxygen.

Something caught my attention from the restroom mirror. I stared at my reflection and almost hopped at the sight of it.

Two tiny lights were glowing. Red in color. Nope, crimson blood fits more. My eyes.

I looked back on my left arm and saw a familiar insignia that formed right on the top of the line between my forearm and upper arm. It resembles a bird with a glorious tail. A phoenix, maybe.

The pain started to subside.

Back at the mirror, I saw something alarming again. There was a flicker, then a burning sound and a warm heat. From the mirror, I looked on my left hand trying to deny what I'm seeing.

.

.

.

A scorching flame blazed upon my palm.