Alive II Yoonmin

18

I walked out of the room willingly, leaving behind a piece to the puzzle of putting my mysterious past together. My friends sit waiting for me in two chairs that appear ready to collapse right under them. 

"Wow you lasted longer than I thought. I hope this visit was enough to not see you face around here again, yes?"

The woman's raspy voice makes me want to throw her in a room just like the one Jimin's in but lock her in there forever. I thank her for the time she did her job and do not answer her questions nor the ones bombarded at me on our way out. The two standbys claim in the time I had left them, they heard voices through the walls. The place must hold more than one patient, that I believed obvious but they apparently had not even considered so.

"How are we going to get back to town?" Mark asks just as the black gate is in arm's length. However before any of us can even pitch an idea, our ride honks to get our attention. The old man who delivered us was waiting for us just outside. We walk to the car but before Jooheon has the chance to reclaim the front seat beside the driver, I push him back where Mark forces him into the backseat. He whins until finally he is distracted by an incoming call on his phone. 

"Is he well?" Asks the old man I assume to go by the name of Benny. 

I nod, "He is and he wanted me to thank you for...the favor."

Benny smiles brightly then immediately tries to hide it. "I see, it's been a while since I've seen my friend but it reassuring he is well. How did you two boys back there like the place?"

Mark is the first to answer. "It was creepy and we didn't even get past the lobby. I could swear I heard someone whisper in my ear and it wasn't Heon. Maybe someone on the other side of the wall but it seems no one really lives there...the place isn't exactly welcoming."

Benny laughs. "What did you expect!? A red carpet at the entrance and receptionist with a heart of gold? Boy what you heard was probably pleads from those who do rest there. How about you air head, what'd you think."

The nickname "air head" seemed to overpass Jooheon, that or he must have mistaken it for the pet name red head.  He claims like Mark that he too heard whispers despite the lobby being only the two of them and the woman. Also he makes clear that the lady behind the desk was a bit odd, she just stared at a wall the whole time they sat there. She attempted to make no conversation with them and considering not many people visit, one would assume she'd enjoy the company. Well we were wrong because she did not utter a single syllable to the two males. 

Mark and Jooheon talk about their experiences since I refuse to share mine. I know this stranger knows who Jimin is but I've decided to not tell the whole experience to anyone. On the ride back to the hotel I've come to the decision to lie and just say Jimin did not speak to me because if I tell them the truth, they might not let me return and if that happens we're back to knowing absolutely nothing. When we finally make it to the building, I let the two get out first. 

"What are the rumors?" I ask Benny in a whisper I hope is only heard between the two. 

He says nothing, instead he moves his head forward. A smile comes across his face then his hand. The old man waves to the those just outside then presses down the gas petal. 

"We're going for a ride Agust, I hope you don't mind."

"Excuse me?"

He called me Agust...he called me Agust! Only my friends have known that nickname...why does he? I want my question answered so I don't even let him continue whatever he is going to say. At my sudden assertion he looks surprised but not too much. 

"Oh dear, forgive me Agust it seems I never formally reintroduced myself. I'm Benny, an old friend of yours but more of Jimin's." Benny holds his hand out while the other stays on the wheel to make a turn. "It's been a while, about four years actually. It's been nice to see you again son."

I take his hand and shake it. "You know me...?"

"I sure do and for the same reason we've reunited today."

Same reason...? Jimin?

"Why didn't you say anything when you saw me?"

Benny raises an eyebrow and shrugs with a pout. "I thought you didn't want those nice gentlemen to know we knew each other so I played along. Also shut the trap of that damn device, it's driving me crazy."

For a second I am dumbfounded by his request until I finally give attention to what I haven't realized to be ignoring. I put my phone to my ear and let it be filled with the panicked voices of my companions. I assure them all is fine, to not worry. They demand I find a way back immediately so I agree but do the very opposite. 

"The little airhead sure is loud. I could hear him from here and my hearing is almost terrible!" 

He likes to pick on Jooheon, everyone does, but that isn't my topic of interest at the moment. 

"Agust isn't my name, why did you call me that?" I ask him. No one has answered that question, perhaps this old man who claims to be an old friend can.

"Well," says Benny, "You told me to call you such. On the third time I took you to see Jiminie you told me to call you that as we conversed. I did not know it wasn't your real name. Where have you been all these years? Were you buried six feet under or something?"

Six feet under....this man does not know I was asleep for three years and awake for only one. I tell him so to rid of the confusion barrier that rest between us. Once he comes to a full understanding he chuckles and claims he now understands my incautious behavior. 

"Incautious?"

"Agust you never dared to tell me you real name in the time we knew each other, that's being cautious. You'd dress in mostly black and tried to hide your face when waiting for me to come get you, for what reason I will never understand."

"I never told you?"

Benny shakes his head. "No sir. All I know is that you are a friend of the sweet heart locked up and that you really hate mushrooms. You never spoke with me about why you always seem in hiding when I took you up to see Jimin and well I never bothered to question you, it was not my place. If you really want some answers then you must ask who knew you best."

"Who knew me best?"

Who knew me best is Hoseok, or so I thought. Benny thinks otherwise.

"Jimin, of course ."

~'~'~'

The Her concept pictures are a true blessing. I hope they do this album like the last where everyone got a song to themselves. 

Hope you enjoyed! 

{Ciel1l}