this will be 25 chapters. but expect slower updates. i wanted to end this at 20 but it seems impossible after i wrote this lmao. so enjoy.
especially you, girl-who-threatened-me-saying-youll-commit-suicide-if-i-dont-update :)
🕸
❝ hyung— run. ❞
it was the moment when mark and jeno watched jisung's video again when they heard footsteps approaching them. by instinct, both of them knew that it was the caretaker, and prepared to make a run for it.
but, just their luck, he reached them before they could even stood up.
" what are you two doing? "
the caretaker took large steps towards the two, eyeing the laptop almost immediately with a suspicious glance. it was only when he heard the laughter when his eyes turned wide in alarm. he scowled at the two.
" where did you boys find this? "
jeno secretly unplugged the usb, too in fear to even eject the thing safely before, and shoved it in his pocket before the caretaker noticed. mark stayed still staring at the caretaker, whilst his eyes were on mark's as well.
" jeno, " he said. " i'd like to have a talk alone with mark, alone. "
jeno shifted glances between the two, before nodding. he didn't have any other choice.
" yes, sir. "
once jeno was out, the caretaker let out a deep sigh. a sigh of panic, followed by a laugh in disbelief.
" where did you find that, mark? "
mark blinked and sucked in a breath, suddenly recalling the core reason he was searching through all these in the first place. all the flashbacks came back to him at once, different scenes of random timings, but his expression didn't change. it was almost as though he was already...used to it.
" i-i just want to go home, mister, " mark replied, voice a little shaky from shock.
the caretaker stared. " i thought you didn't want to go home. "
mark couldn't look him in the eye anymore; he kept his gaze rested on the ground as his vision slowly blurred up. he let out a cough.
" y-yeah, but— but after i ate the gum, i realized i m-miss them. i really miss them, mister. i want to go— "
" theyre dead, mark. "
mark's head snapped forward, trying hard to keep his stoic expression on. but with a news this shocking, who could control anything?
" w-what? "
" your parents are dead. " the caretaker repeated, letting out a grim grin of a smile, crossing his arms across his chest.
" along with all the other kids'. they're gone. so don't go looking for them ever again, mark— "
the two stared at each other dead in the eye, and mark could tell that he wasn't quite done. he stayed silent, out of fear, shock, both at once. he didn't need to speak.
" —or you'll be joining them. "
