Black Thunder (Markson AU)

Chapter 11: Trial and Error

The time had come.

Jackson and Mark stood outside of the large metal door that was much taller than them, trying as hard as they could not to pace around in anticipation. Jackson swallowed down the nervous saliva that began pooling at the back of his mouth. Mark shook out his arms and refused to speak a word.

They weren't sure what was behind those doors.

Suddenly the sound of footsteps caused the two of them to turn their heads towards the noise. In the distance, they could see Taecyeon's tall figure approaching them, sporting his signature trench coat and black shoes. Instantly the two shuffled and regained their footing to appear aloof and undisturbed.

"Good morning," he greeted them cheerily, sipping on his travel coffee mug. "I hope you two had a good rest last night?"

Jackson nodded. "Yes, thank you."

"Splendid." Taecyeon smiled and slipped his free hand into his pocket to get the key to the door. He neatly fitted the key into the lock and unlocked the door. "Follow me," he told the boys, pulling the door open and walking inside the room.

Nervously Mark shuffled behind Jackson, who was taking slow, tentative steps. There was no visible light radiating from the room. It was just pitch black. He swallowed down saliva once Taecyeon stepped inside and closed the door. It was completely dark.

Suddenly a strip of neon blue light buzzed to life along the wall, illuminating the handrail that ran along on their left side. Taecyeon's swift figure walked in front of the two of them.

"Ready?" The man didn't even wait for their response. He took off down the hallway that was lit up by the single strip of neon blue light along the handrail.

Jackson was quickening his pace to keep up with Taecyeon, but he noticed the footsteps behind him getting fainter and fainter. Desperately he turned around and waited for Mark to catch up.

"Hey," he said in a low voice as Mark approached him, "stay close to me, okay? Don't get lost."

Mark nodded mutely, taking in Jackson's words after a few seconds. He was too focused on following Taecyeon. Jackson threw his arm around the other without a word and hurried the both of them along the dark corridor. He had no idea where they were going.

They were led to a room that was pure white, a terribly bright contrast to the room they were just in. The ceiling, the floors, the walls...all blindingly white. Mark found himself shielding his eyes for a minute for his eyes to adjust to the light. Once his eyes had adjusted to the light, he saw that this white room was very stylish. On the opposite side of the room, the doors were large, with a glass cylinder mounted to the wall next to it. On the left wall was a floor-to-ceiling mirror, with a potted plant tucked in the corner. The right wall had informational posters and motivational quotes. Jackson scoffed a little bit to suppress a laugh. In the center of the room were multiple wingback chairs and a murphy sofa bed, all of them being a creamy vanilla white color with dark brown wood and decorated with black throw pillows. All of these laid atop a light gray, brown, and black patterned rug. 

"Wait here a moment," Taecyeon instructed, closing the door. "Kihyun, they're here."

Suddenly a door from the left side of the room slid open, and a man with brownish-orange hair dressed in dark gray clothing emerged, pushing a metal cart. On top of the cart was several black garments. He wheeled the cart in front of the two and looked up with a friendly look on his face.

"Get them suited up, please," Taecyeon ordered to the smaller worker as he adjusted the earpiece in his ear. "I'm heading up to the control room."