The Echoes Of Autumn | Minseok

Chapter Two

22/01/2017 - Evening

Some hours have passed and I awoke with stinging eyes and my cheeks were marked with tears. I was still sitting in the same place with the crumpled photo of Sumi in my hand.

I turned my attention towards the window where the sun was once at its highest peak of the day but was now setting getting ready for the moon to make its entrance. Through teary eyes I watched the sun fall behind the horizon from my window painting the sky with hues of red, orange and pink.

I saw my reflection in the transparent window and saw someone I barely even recognized. My hair was a tangled mess sticking up awkwardly in different places, my eyes were blood shot and had dark circles underneath due to the sleepless night I have had.

I flinched back away from the window and looked away from myself gazing at my hands. Unexpectedly I felt two warm and very familiar hands running through my brown disheveled hair. I looked up to see Sumi smiling at me sadly tears threatened to fall again but she cupped my cheeks with her small hands I ached to intertwine mine with and made me look deeply into those once bright coffee coloured eyes but were now a faded grey.

'You must look after yourself Minseok...' Her voice echoed inside my head as she stared intensely into my eyes.

I moved to wrap my hands around her waist only to stumble forward and come into contact with nothing. I took deep intakes of air to prevent leash holding my anger from slipping but it didn't work.

I slammed my fist violently onto the floor causing a crack to echo through the empty room. I didn't feel pain,though. All I felt was

Blankness.

Numbness.

Nothing.

I forced myself onto my feet slightly wobbling in the process due to how long I was sitting in the same position for. I padded into the bedroom where the sheets were thrown across the floor.

'I miss you the most at night when everything is quiet and the constant silence is there to remind me you're not sleeping next to me anymore..'

There were clothes scattered around the room. Some her's and some mine. I grabbed a pair of denim jeans and the jumper that Sumi had brought me a week before she died and tugged them over my body and grabbed the navy blue cap sitting on the wooden dresser where all her usual things lay.

Although it has been two years I refused to pack away all her things. Doing that would mean I would be getting rid of her presence here, and that was something I didn't want.

Every so often when Jongdae would come around to check up on me once a week he would always try to convince me to start packing some of her stuff away.

To begin the process of moving on.

He said it would hurt to let go, but sometimes it hurts even, more to hold on.

But I didn't want to let go.

I couldn't accept that no one knew how she died that night. I couldn't accept it. I wouldn't accept it.

I strolled out of the bedroom towards the door taking the picture of Sumi I took on the first day we met and opened the door where a strong breeze caught me off guard as I stumbled slightly. I sighed and shut the door venturing out for the night.

I walked around with my head low and my cap obscuring anyone from recognizing me. There were crowds of people flocking the city where I still desperately searched for Sumi to appear amongst them.

I still search for her in the crowds, empty fields and soaring clouds.

And today I found myself searching for her on the anniversary of her death in the city lights and passing cars, on winding roads and wishing stars.

There were days where we both walked around the busy streets in the evening with our hands intertwined. Just when I thought about that memory I felt a warm tingly sensation near my right hand. I froze and whipped my head around only to see emptiness.

"Strange." I mumbled to myself looking at my hand from different angles.

'I guess I really do need a drink today..'

I made way to a bar which was very crowded today since it was hosting an event. I sat on the bar stool bracing my hands on the counter still hiding my face.

"What can I get you?" the bartender asked in a rough voice.

"Vodka shot." I simply said back.

The man walked away pouring the alcohol into the small shot glass sliding it over to me before moving onto the next customer.

I'm not much of a drinker.

Hell I've never had vodka once.

But today I need this. I need to let go and clear my mind.

Vodka may not be the answer but it's worth a shot.

I lifted the small glass up to my mouth and caught the strong intoxicating scent of alcohol that made me hesitate for a second. I closed my eyes and again I could feel that warm presence around me so without hesitation I placed my lips onto the edges of the glass, tilting it up.

The alcohol swirled inside my mouth before slithering and burning down my throat. I sighed in content and stared at the small empty glass.

I should leave now; I have had my small amount of alcohol.

But I was already addicted.

So I waved to the bartender catching his attention instantly and signalled I wanted another shot.

He poured it into the glass quickly and efficiently sliding it towards me which I stopped with my hands.

I stared at the liquid rippling due to the thunderous bass of the music.

I have to forget, even if it is just for a moment...

A.N: Hi Cinnamon Rolls! I know these updates are short well at least I think they are but I'm hoping they will get longer as the story progresses on. Possibly in the next chapter, a key event will take place.

Hope you enjoy reading this so far and of course, thanks for reading, voting and commenting!